EFCC seeks extradition of brothers, other to U.S over child pornography

111 total views today

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an extradition proceedings at the Federal High Court, Abuja against three suspects, Samson Ogoshi, his brother, Samuel and Ezekiel Ejemeh Robert, over alleged exploitation of minors and production of child pornography.

The EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, made this known on Monday in a statement in Abuja.

According to Uwujaren, the Ogoshis and Ezekiel were indicted in a U.S.A Federal Court on Dec.1, 2022 on charges of exploitation of minors and production of child pornography resulting in death.

He said they were also indicted on conspiracy to distribute child pornography and conspiracy to commit stalking through the internet.

”According to investigations, the suspects conspired to conduct a sex-based extortion of minors and adults in the United States of America.

”The trio, investigations also revealed, hacked some social media accounts, posing to be young attractive women to entice unsuspecting victims to send their sexually explicit photographs.

”These pictures were then used in blackmailing the victims, thereby forcing them into making huge financial payments,” he said.

The anti-graft agency spokesperson said consequently, Samuel Ogoshi was charged with sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of minors that resulted in the death of one Jordan DeMay.

He said that the offence carried a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a statutory mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison.

”The trio are charged with conspiracy to sexually exploit minors by causing them to produce child pornographic images that they used to blackmail them.

”They are further charged with conspiracy to distribute child pornography, which borders on sending images to minors, their families and friends, as well as conspiracy to commit stalking through the Internet.

”Both offences carry a minimum of five years and maximum 20 years imprisonment.

”While the Ogoshis were arrested sometime in February, 2023 around the Ojo axis of Lagos, Ezekiel was picked up in Nasarawa by operatives of the EFCC,” Uwujaren said.(NAN)(www.nannews.)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye
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isaac aregbesola
May, Wed, 2023

General News

FG, UNDP partner on countering violent extremism

225 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Federal Government with the support of UNDP on Tuesday, launched a project to enhance efforts in countering violent extremism and piracy, as well as enhancing civilian protection.

The ‘Enhancing National Capacities for Counter-Violent Extremism, Anti-Piracy and Protection of Civilians’ project, is designed to be implemented in Nigeria, ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea.

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said the effort was to achieve more results, to ensure safety in the country and the subregion.

Agba, represented by Mrs Victoria Olulade, a Deputy Director in the ministry, said Federal Government’s policies and investment in the Armed Forces and International community has helped in combatting the menace.

He however said there was an urgent desire to sharpen the capacities of security agencies on counter-terrorism and protection of civilians for more effective response and reduction in civilian casualties.

According to him, the project will build capacities, tactics and strategies of security agencies to combat extremism and terrorism.

“This will go a long way to save lives, avert injuries, improve life expectancy and security,” he added.

He said the project would also contribute to achieving Nigeria’s long-term goals on humanitarian sector growth, as enshrined in the National Development Plan 2021-2025 and Sustainable Development Goals.

The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to collaborate with relevant agencies to achieve the objective of the project in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, UNDP, Mr Matthew Alao, said the objective was to improve national capacities of ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea countries to decrease the influence of violent extremists and pirates.

Alao said the project was also designed to improve protection of civilians in armed conflicts, given the challenges posed by the menace of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

According to him, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has been detrimental to economic prosperity and socio-economic wellbeing of governments and citizens of the affected countries.

“UNDP and the Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, MLAILPKC and the Nigerian Navy formulated this project.

“It is to build and strengthen the capacities of key stakeholders in the targeted regions to curtail the negative impacts of violent extremism and piracy.

“The project equally seeks to ensure that civilians caught up in armed conflict are secured and protected,” he said.

Alao said that the Government of Japan had funded 15 projects in Nigeria since 2015 with over 27.58 million dollars.

He said the launch of the project represented the fourth in the series of anti- piracy and peace support operations projects jointly designed by UNDP, finance ministry and the Nigerian Navy.

Alao the implementation was being done by MLAILPKC since 2020, with funding support from the Government of Japan.

“The continuous funding of development projects by Government of Japan and UNDP at the Centre is indicative of confidence and reliability reposed on the Centre by the International Partners since 2014,” he added.

Alao recalled that the 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report puts Nigeria in 8th position on the table of countries most impacted by terrorism, three places lower than 2021, with Burkina Faso and Mali occupying second and third positions.

He said the situation also reflected similar prevalence in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, with 115 incidents recorded in 2022 and 132 in 2021.

The Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, said that violent extremism has been driving violence in the society.

He said the project would promote protection of civilians caught in violent environments while trying to reduce violence.

The Japanese Defense Attache in Nigeria, Lt.-Col. Uchiumi Kazuaki, said Japan, in collaboration with MLAILPKC and UNDP, has been implementing projects related to counter-piracy in Nigeria.

Kazuaki said that available data had showed that the security of the Gulf of Guinea had been greatly enhanced by not only this project, but also the tremendous efforts of the Nigerian government.

He pledged that Japan would continue to contribute to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, including the provision of high- speed patrol boats to NIMASA.

He explained that the project focuses on counter-piracy, and strengthening the capacity of security authorities and officials to counter violent extremism and protect civilians in armed conflicts.

“In short, the project will contribute to peace and stability in Nigeria and, by extension, throughout West Africa.

“However, we are also aware that violent extremism has been growing throughout West Africa in recent years and that violent extremism is expanding beyond the Northeast.

“Recently, military operations against terrorists have already resulted in civilian casualties and serious injuries and damage,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

isaac aregbesola
May, Wed, 2023

Economy/Business

Experts task FG on economic diversification

197 total views today

By Emmanuella Anokam

An economist, Dr Zainab Usman, has underscored the need to conceptualise economic diversification as a political project to address internal threats affecting the country’s survival.

Usman, Director, Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. said this in Abuja at a symposium jointly hosted by Agora Policy and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The event also featured the presentation of a recently published book titled: “Economic Diversification in Nigeria: The Politics of Building a Post-Oil Economy,” authored by Usman.

“There is a need to stabilise Nigeria’s volatile balance of power through an enforcement of systematic power sharing, to resolve collective action problems and reduce the volatility of political competition for a long-term economic policy orientation.

“The government should envision an economy that works for all, balance the role of the state and the market, accommodate regional differentiations, and address revenue sharing complexities.

“Also, there is a need to proactively tackle market failures on the supply and the demand side, as the urgent policy priority for building a post-oil economy,” she said.

Usman said the book was produced based on a decade long inquiry on the development challenges of resource-rich countries.

She said the book explained reasons for underperformance of Nigeria’s economy in nine key messages which included an alternative framework for conceptualising the challenges of oil-rich countries.

She listed other reasons to include the nature of a country’s political settlement shapes policy making and economic outcomes.

The economist said policy reforms in Nigeria had been focused on crisis-management rather than economic diversification and expanded non-oil resources growth driven by non-oil sector.

According to her, changes have actually not diversified Nigeria’s exports or fiscal revenue while oil sector still accounts for 80 per cent export earnings and more than 50 per cent of government revenue.

She further listed other reasons for underperformance as dependent on oil revenues which was acute at the sub national level, but Lagos state had diversified its fiscal revenues.

Earlier in a remark, Mr Waziri Adio, Founder and Executive Director of Agora Policy, who described the book as the Nigerian policy elite said it was committed to joining others in finding practical solutions to Nigeria’s urgent national challenges.

Adio said that Nigeria’s economic performance had been uneven and below par, adding that so much had been written about this and the reasons for the undesirable outcome.

“But Nigeria’s uneven and subpar economic performance is not just about theoretical constructs or just a mere academic exercise.

“It is not just about plans dutifully and periodically drawn up but more about carefully considered choices and consistently applied actions by the political and the policy elites,” he said.

He called for a solution centred deliberation, underscoring the need for deliberate journey of not only thinking differently but acting differently, and most importantly—optimally and consistently.

Carnegie, established in 1910, offers decision makers global, independent and strategic insight and innovative ideas that advances international peace.

Agora Policy is a Nigerian think-tank and non-profit committed to finding practical solutions to urgent national challenges and build capacity for governance.

NAN reports that the book was selected as one of the Best Books of 2022 by the Financial Times.

The book also served as an entry point for a policy discussion by featuring a panel session on “How Nigeria Can Build a Post-Oil Economic Future.”

The eminent panellists who also endorsed the book for economic diversification and development included the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his Anambra counterpart, Prof. Charles Soludo.

Others included the former Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Coronation Capital, and Dr Shubham Chaudhuri, the Country Director, World Bank, Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

isaac aregbesola
May, Tue, 2023

Defence/Security

PCRC @39: Dingyadi, Arase, others hail support for effective policing

149 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi and Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Solomon Arase, have commended the leadership of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), for their contributions to effective policing in Nigeria.

They gave the commendation at the 39th Etim Inyang Lecture Anniversary and Award Ceremony with the theme, “Enhancing the Ideals of Community Policing in Nigeria” on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister, who was represented by Mrs Jaachinma Agu, said the establishment of PCRC by leadership of the Nigeria Police Force in 1984 had continued to yield its desired result.

He said it was evident in the fostering of partnership between the police and the community with a view to enhance efficient and effective policing through active partnership with members of the communities and critical stakeholders across Nigeria.

Dingyadi said the 39th anniversary lecture organised to honour the founder of PCRC, retired Inspector-General of Police, Etim Inyang, was a means of appreciating police contributions to safety of lives and property, good governance and improved living standard in Nigeria.

“This event is therefore highly commendable and reassures everyone here present including serving officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, that their commitment and contributions towards tackling crimes and criminalities will not go unrewarded,” he said.

The minister, who is one of the awardees, said his nomination reaffirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s germane desire to reclaim policing primacy through police reforms, capacity building, enhanced welfare and equipping to improve internal security arrangements in Nigeria.

He said the award was a great impetus to consolidate on rendering services towards deepening economic development, through formulation and implementation of sustainable policies and programs that had in the last three years, promoted safety of lives and property across Nigeria.

He said the ministry had recently organised Town Hall Meetings with PCRC stakeholders and the NPF in four Geo- political zones to enhance the unity and working relationship between NPF and PCRC.

According to him, the recommendations from the meetings are being implemented to ensure a smooth working relationship between the NPF and the PCRC to achieve maximum reduction in crimes and criminality in our nation.

On his part, the Chairman of PSC, Arase represented by Mr Olumide Sodeinde, said that PCRC had become a veritable means of ensuring effective community policing in Nigeria.

He said that even though PCRC was established in 1984, the concept of community policing did not materialise in Nigeria until the early 2000s when insecurity and increase in crime rates became major issues to contend with.

According to him, the foremost community police in Nigeria was the vigilante group which is still relevant in today’s community, a group of people taking off the mantle to ensure that the growing crime rates and insecurity in their community is highly controlled.

“The vigilante’s main goals is to ensure the protection of lives and property, crime control and promotion of community policing in Nigeria.

“The need for community policing in Nigeria came as a result of an evidence based study which showed that the use of traditional policing methods and core law enforcement approaches alone are insufficient in dealing with crime and social disorder in the society.

“That is more reason why we need to seriously support the PCRC,” he said.

The National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, said the committee now operate from its permanent site with the support of the ministry and the I-G.

Olaniyan said that PCRC had grown in leaps and bound in its 39 years of existence, saying the committee was poised to do more in delivering on its mandate.

He pledged to continue to work with the police force to be able to achieve effective policing in the country.

He said the event was organised to recognised those who had meritoriously served the nation with passion and commitment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

isaac aregbesola
May, Tue, 2023

Defence/Security

ONSA, NSCDC to strengthen protection of critical national assets

257 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, on Tuesday met to validate a new policy for the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants are to review the Draft Critical National Assets and Infrastructure National Protection Policy and Strategy (CNAI-NPPS 2023).

The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, said the meeting was to ensure the full implementation of all aspects of the National Security Strategy.

Monguno was represented by the Principal General Staff Officer, ONSA, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Ndalolo.

He said the document was being presented to relevant stakeholders to enable them make observations and inputs to facilitate seamless implementation of the document when approved.

“As we know, the survival and security of every nation and the quality of life of its citizens largely depend on the functionality of its critical national assets and infrastructure.

“Any attack on these assets and infrastructure will have adverse effect on national security.

“Contemporary concerns for the security of national infrastructures became more prominent in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States.

“Since that gruesome attack, the United States and many other countries have taken necessary steps to identify critical national assets and infrastructure with the aim of designing appropriate policies and strategies to secure them.”

He added that the UN Security Council Resolution 2341 placed premium on countries to prioritize the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.

Monguno said Nigeria had since 2009 suffered immense loss of lives and properties due to activities of terrorists and other criminal elements across the country.

He said the document had identified and sectorised Nigeria’s critical national assets and infrastructure domain into 17 sectors, as well as prioritised their protection into three broad areas.

The areas according to him are Lifeline, Life support and Life enhancing sector groups.

He said that the document being validated explained in detail how to achieve the prioritised protection of the critical national assets and infrastructure.

The NSA said this was necessary as various criminal and terror groups in Nigeria sometimes attack assets such as schools, mosques, churches, hospitals, bridges, power towers and telecommunication masts.

He added that clashes between farmers and herders as well as inter-ethnic group conflicts also pose major threats to the country’s assets and infrastructure, as well as food security.

Monguno however said that the deployment of kinetic and non-kinetic methods by the government had considerably succeeded in protecting and safeguarding national assets and infrastructure.

“Nonetheless, there is the need to develop and continuously review measures to address dynamic threats to our infrastructure.

“Let me reassure you that ONSA remains committed to partnering with all relevant stakeholders in achieving lasting peace and security in our country,’’ Monguno said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, senior level officers from relevant MDAs and security experts, among others, were part of the validation meeting. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

isaac aregbesola
May, Tue, 2023

General News

Kerosene: Persistent high cost stops us from usage – FCT residents

123 total views today

By Veronica Dariya

Some residents of Bwari Area Council of the FCT on Monday said they stopped using kerosene as alternative means of cooking because of its persistent high cost.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said health hazard was also a major setback to the use of kerosene.

Miss Hannatu Baya, a student, said that kerosene was too expensive and out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians, adding that most times, the product was unavailable for people to buy.

According to her, struggling to get the product made her search for alternative means of cooking.

She said: ” I have a 5kg gas cylinder that takes me almost a month before refilling, and this is because I alternate with an electric cooker once there’s power, it is better for me than a kerosene stove.”

Baya also said that using the product became outdated to her at some point because of the availability of other alternate means.

Madam Charity Okonkwo, who sells charcoal and firewood told NAN correspondent that she once sold kerosene but stopped after the product became too expensive.

” We used to go and queue at the filling station for days before the product was made available.

”When it will finally come, we will fight; it was a struggle, yet, we will buy it at a high cost to sell at a higher cost too.

“After a while, people started to use charcoal, which does not need much kerosene to light up, so the demand for the product from my customers dropped.

“That was how I changed to selling charcoal and firewood and the patronage has been better,” she said.

Okonkwo added that although, both firewood and charcoal were not as cheap as they used to be in the past, it remained an option to some residents in the local communities who cannot afford cooking gas or kerosene.

She also said that kerosene presently costs about N1,180 per litre at the filling stations and is being sold by retailers in the community from N1, 250 to N1,500 per litre.

Mrs Grace Ishaya, a housewife and mother of five, said that she stopped cooking with kerosene for over four years after one of her children accidentally inhaled the emissions from the cooking stove while sleeping.

“I don’t know if the kerosene was adulterated with something else, but the flames brought out so much black smoke that filled the kitchen and extended into other parts of the house.

“I tried to regulate it but to no avail, until one of my children ran to tell me that they had been trying to wake their brother who was sleeping, to play football, but he was not responding.

“My neighbors heard the chaos and came to help and one of them took us to the general hospital where they confirmed that my son had inhaled so much smoke in his system.

“We thank God because at the end of the day, he was resuscitated.

“Since then, I prefer to use cooking gas and charcoal, even though they both are expensive, we manage to buy according to our means,” Ishaya said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

isaac aregbesola
May, Mon, 2023

Defence/Security

134 kidnap victims rescued in Kogi

129 total views today

By Thompson Yamput
The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Mr Onogwu Muhammed, says no fewer 134 kidnapped victims have been rescued in Kogi by a vigilance group.

He said this in a statement in Lokoja on Monday, noting that the rescued victims were abducted in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State.

Mohammed said that the victims were rescued during a rescue operations launched by the Kogi vigilance group in forests located in the state and some parts of Nasarawa State.

“The vigilance group had stormed the hideouts of kidnappers in the Odullo forest of Kogi and Sardauna in Nasarawa State and rescued 134 victims who were abducted from Abaji, Kuje, and Kwali in FCT, as well as Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa.

“The vigilance group, comprising 92 members who participated in the operation at the Odullo forest and Sardauna in Nasarawa State, returned and were gladly received by Chairman of the area, Mr Dauda Aliyu,” he said.

He also said that Aliyu, who received the rescued victims, commended the vigilantes for their bravery and achievement.

He said that the chairman commended the Yahaya Bello’s administration’s support to security operatives in the state, adding that the victims had been properly reunited with their families.

“The council boss appreciated Bello for supporting the vigilantes that he said had continued to help immensely in the fight against insecurity in the state”, the statement said.

The statement also said that the Security Adviser to the state governor, retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, also praised the vigilance group and other security agencies in the state for their efforts in fighting crimes in the state and beyond.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Kayode Olaitan

isaac aregbesola
May, Mon, 2023

Religious

Fathers’ Day: be good ambassadors of Christ, cleric advises Christians

182 total views today

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Rev. Samuel Nyakno of Missionary of St. Paul (MSP), Gwagwalada, Abuja, has advised Christians to be good ambassadors of Christ and exhibit good virtues wherever they find themselves.

Nyakno gave the advice during his homily on Sunday in commemoration of the 2023 Fathers’ Day celebration at St. Luke’s Camplaincy, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

According to him, Christians should be one with Christ, part of his body and part of his creation.

Nyakno said one could only attain eternal life if he was connected with God, saying “whenever we are connected with Him, whatever we ask Him He will give us”.

“God is a Father and has given man the privilege to share in the fatherhood with him. Man is to lead other creatures to God.

“How are you contributing to the development of the House of God?

“Whatever position you occupied in the society, you are expected to represent God in those positions,” he said.

The reverend further explained that there were many channels to get connected with God through different works of life.

Earlier, the Chaplin, Rev. Fr. Patrick Nnamani while commending fathers for their support towards the church said without fathers the building would collapse.

Nnamani said that many men were going through difficult times and prayed that God would bless them and give them the hearts to accommodate all the challenges.

Mr Ezekiel Alagboso, President of Catholic Men’s Organisation, of the Camplaincy said that fathers were entrusted with a lot of both human, capital and spiritual resources.

Alagboso said that fathers were expected to draw knowledge and courage from the examples of Jesus Christ by leading exemplary lives.

He said if this was achieved the world would be a better place.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of this year’s Fathers’ Day celebration is “Effective management for organisational growth.(NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Razak Owolabi

isaac aregbesola
May, Mon, 2023

Defence/Security

Fire incident will not affect our operations — EFCC

161 total views today

By Isaac Aregbesola
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has assured the public that the Friday fire incident at its Enugu Zonal Command will not affect its operations.

EFCC Spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said this in statement in Abuja on Monday.

He explained the commission’s secretary, Dr George Ekpungu, said this during an inspection visit to the command on Sunday.

Speaking after a tour of the facilities affected by the fire incident, Ekpungu expressed relief that the inferno did not affect critical components of the work of the commission.

He noted that the digitisation process initiated by the Abdulrsheed Bawa leadership of the commission had ensured that “all its processes are fully digitilised with back-up at the central server in Abuja.

“Thursday’s incident was said to have been triggered by a surge in the public power source.

“But Ekpungu said the commission cannot make any categorical statement on the cause of the inferno until the ongoing investigation is concluded”.

He, however, expressed happiness that no life was not lost during the incident.

Ekpungu said, however, that the exact cause of the fire might not be known but the preliminary investigation revealed it was an electrical spark.

“We are grateful to God that no life was lost and our critical components of operations were saved.

“For now, we don’t know the cause of the inferno but the investigation will tell us the cause of the fire and that will be done by professionals.

“We thank God that in the records, our armoury, suspects, detainees and every other thing critical to our work are safe.

“You know EFCC is ICT sophisticated. Whatever we have here, we have it at head office. So, we have a way of recovering a lot of things.

“So, since the coming of our chairman, we have been digitalising our processes. What happened here will not affect our operations,” he said.

Ekpungu was accompanied on the visit by the Director, Public Affairs, Mr Osita Nwajah.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

isaac aregbesola
May, Mon, 2023

Economy/Business

FG expresses commitment to reposition mining cadastre to improve productivity

130 total views today

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to repositioning Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) through transformation, to improve productivity across the country.

The Director-General of the MCO, Mr Simon Nkom, made the commitment at a one-day Review for Development (R4D) Retreat, in Abuja.

Nkom said the essence of the retreat was for repositioning the entire mining cadastre to meet up with recent challenges being faced by the office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MCO inuagurated a new Online Mining Cadastre System based on GAF’s eMC+ framework, in November 2022.

The new system will connect the six newly-established zonal offices in six geopolitical zones with the headquarters in Abuja and ensure efficient and transparent management of the mining sector in Nigeria.

Nkom said through this system, investors would be provided with possibility to submit applications, adding that the system would enable the investors to track the processing.

“The essence of the retreat is for us to do a review on how to adapt on the new EMC+ system.

“We have to discuss on how we can move forward to be able to achieve the best in the next years to come.

“Knowing where we are coming from, we have to work hard to ensure we get what we are looking for, to be able to achieve our objectives.

“In view of that, there’s a need for the staff to be retreated to make the work better.

“With the help of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Service (DSS) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Nkom said there had been a code of conduct to ensure that at the end of the day, the government and other relevant stakeholders would be figured out.

According to him, if the people do not re-orient themselves, then they are going to have a problem in terms of the process and in terms of the new technology.

“For the first time in the history of the mining cadastre, this event has been the first retreat.

“So, there is a need for re-organising and putting in the key things to play a big role in the mining cadastre in terms of adding value,” he said.

The director-general said that the main aim and objective of the system was to migrate it to an onlined system in a good time.

He said that with the system, anybody could have access to submit an application from any where in the world.

He said that number of people submitting their applications were increasing and going toward perfection.

“So, the system has been made easy for people to submit their applications online.

“There has been about 40 per cent total increase of submitted applications online so far from day to day at different hours which is the essence of the system.

“Offices have been made where people who have challenges with submitting any type of application can be enlightened on how to go about it, especially when it comes to visas applications.

“Looking at the system, one can say that the mining system is a legal activity and the mandate is insurance,” he said.

Nkom said the office had a department of protectorate, which was in charge of illegal activities and it has a mines surveillance unit made up of security agents.

He said that the system continued to issue licences in the fastest possible way within the stipulated time in order to eradicate the illegal mining activity.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Bawa Abdulrasheed, said that corruption was probably the most important factor affecting service delivery in Nigeria today.

Bawa said that the Federal Government over the years has introduced several policies and law to tackle the problem of corruption in the public sector.

“Sector like the Economic and Financial Crimes Act 2004 and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, as well as the service delivery initiative.’

According to him, the commission has severally advocated that to prevent corruption is cheaper and less time consuming than to fight corruption.

“It is hereby, imperative for every public officer to ensure the implementation of laws and policies are strictly complied with, while transparency and accountability must be brought into action to promote excellent service delivery in organisations.

“Therefore, it is necessary to make full use of the system (eMC+), which has the potential to create environment free of corruption.

“The system increases the ease of conducting business by reducing number of human contact and increase the effectiveness transparency and accountability.”

Abdulrasheed, however, urged the staff to effectively carry out their duties, to promote a corrupt free environment to enable achieve it’s mandates.

The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bola Owasanoye, said that integrity and good work ethic have great benefit in the delivery of service.

Owasanoye advised public servants as well as other stakeholders to cultivate the attitude of integrity and good conduct for effective service delivery. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola