By Isaac Aregbesola

The Presidency and Independent Corrupt Practice and Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) have partnered to hold a sensitisation workshop to stem the menace of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Spokesperson of ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua.

Ogugua said that the Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, and the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, Dr Zacch Adedeji would rally private sector operators and professional bodies against the IFFs.

“The gathering is a one-day hybrid sensitisation workshop on the published “Guidelines for Private Sector Response to IFF Vulnerabilities in Nigeria”, scheduled for Aug. 17 in Abuja.

“Prof. Owasanoye and Dr Adedeji are to provide insights into the guidelines for private sector response to IFF vulnerabilities in the country while a panel of discussants will review the guidelines for private sector response.

Ogugua stated that the sensitisation workshop on the published “Guidelines for Private Sector Response to IFF Vulnerabilities in Nigeria” would enable private sector practitioners to have better understanding on the phenomenon of IFFs.

According to her, it will also provide guidance to them on what to look out for and avoid in the course of their business transactions.

She said that large companies including multinational entities, international banks, large legal and accounting firms have been identified as drivers and enablers of illicit financial flows.

According to her, the sensitisation of the stakeholders is aimed at creating awareness to enable the private sector play a key role in stemming the menace of IFFs from Nigeria

“Members of the panel, which will be moderated by the Chief Executive Officer of Convention on Business Integrity, Mr Soji Apampa, include Chief Compliance Officer and Company Secretary, Oando Plc, Mrs. Ayotola Jagun.

“Also among them is the Programme Director, Africa Centre for International Private Enterprise, Mrs Lola Adekanye,” she said.

According to her, expected at the workshop are private sector stakeholders and professional bodies such as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria.

“Others are Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture.

“Also expected are the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Odu’a Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ODUA’CCIMA), Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN)

“Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and members of the Inter-Agency Committee on Stopping IFFs from Nigeria are also expected,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews,ng.com)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Gov. Muhammed Bago of Niger has sympathised with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) over the unfortunate crash of its helicopter that was on evacuation mission in the state on Monday.

Bago gave his condolence message when he visited the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He also sympathised with the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army over the killing of some troops in an ambush, while on clearance operation in Wushishi area of the state.

He said the helicopter crash, which happened within the mountains of Shinoro was on evacuation mission to where some soldiers were ambushed and killed by terrorists.

The governor thanked the air force for its intervention and support for the people of Niger State in the fight against insurgency and banditry.

“I want to say don’t be tired, thank you very much for what you have been doing.

”Your deployment of both fighter jets and UAVs has been very apt and have supported even the ground troops and our own local vigilante.

“As Oliver twist, please will also ask that we need more.

“So I’ve come here to say that Minna Airport was created as a backup airport to Abuja Airport and that we have one of the longest runways in Nigeria.

“We are calling on you to please send some detachments and some fighter planes to Mina, so that we can have more rapid responses from where they are very close instead of flying from either Kainji or Kaduna,” he said.

Bago promised to extend more support to the air force in the areas of information sharing and accommodation to enable them to perform their assigned duties effectively.

He said that the government was making efforts to address the root causes of the security challenges in the state, saying there was a symbiotic relationship between the Fulani herdsmen and the miners who are the main actors.

He said the new administration had made effort to bring Fulani into governance through the creation of the Ministry for Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs to look at their activities.

Responding, the air chief appreciated the state government for the support and cooperation that the Nigerian Air Force had been receiving in the state over the years.

Abubakar said the air force was well aware that Niger State and other states of the North West region were plagued by the threats of banditry, insurgency, and other security challenges.

According to him, these challenges have threatened or have continued to threaten the peace, security and wellbeing of the people.

He assured the governor that the NAF and indeed the armed forces would remain committed, dedicated and undaunted in their efforts at eradicating the security challenges perpetrated by the non-state actors.

Abubakar said the air force had continued to increase the air power commitments to deter the activities of the criminal elements in Niger and the North West region as a whole.

“Our approach now is to intensify our activities in tandem with the land forces and to completely eradicate all these criminal elements to at least significantly degrade their combat capability.

“This is also in tandem with my command philosophy, which is “to transform the Nigerian Air Force into an Agile and Resilient Force which is Capable of Meeting all the Air Power Demands of National Security in all Operational Environments,” he said.

He said that in spite of the commitment, dedication and the efforts that were being put at eradicating the security challenges, there were still a couple of issues that bothered NAF

He said that one of which was the crash of the airplane on Monday.

“The fact is that, as long as we operate, as long as we fly airplanes, there will be incidents and accidents.

“In fact, the volume of incidents and accidents is directly proportional to the rates of operations.

“You will have also observed that in the past couple of years, say five to seven years, we have inducted quite a few platforms in the Nigerian Air Force,” he said.

According to him, the rates of force flying activities have significantly improved.

“So if you compare that same with 20 years back, you see that there is a stark difference and sometimes this comes with its own challenges.

“So as long as we fly, we will see some of these challenges and we hope they don’t happen but when they happen we take it and then we deal with it,” he said.

The air chief said that NAF under his command would strive for zero incidence and zero accidents in any operational environment.

According to him, they are putting a lot of initiatives in place to check it by adopting safety management systems in all operations and operational risk management procedures as well as so many other initiatives.

He agreed with the governor that operating out of Minna would significantly improve effectiveness and efficiency as well increase response time and reduces the time over target.

The CAS emphasised the need for increased government intervention through non-kinetic action, adding that kinetic actions could only resolve 20 to 30 per cent of the internal security issues.

According to him, the remaining 70 to 75 per cent can only be resolved through the whole of government approach.

“So, while we are intensifying our kinetic efforts, it is extremely important that the government embraces the whole-of-government approach in addressing these challenges so that at the end of the day they are completely eradicated.

“The whole of government approach does deals with good governance, providing education, healthcare, economic opportunities, jobs and the likes.

“I also want to use this opportunity to solicit the support of all Nigerians, especially in the areas of information sharing as we join hands to rid our nation of the threats posed by these enemies of the people.

“Security remains responsibility of all Nigerians and the earlier we realise that and jointly work against the squad of terrorism and other security challenges, the better for our nation,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Isaac Aregbesola

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has attributed the rising level of corruption in public offices and the country as a whole to community pressure and expectations of people in office.

The Independent Corrupt Practice and Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) chairman said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a National Policy Dialogue on Corruption, Social Norms, and Behaviour Change in Nigeria

The event was organised by the ICPC in collaboration with the Anti- Corruption Academy of Nigeria supported by MacArthur Foundation.

Owasanoye, who expressed concern over the prevalence of corruption in the country across the ethnic and religious divides, explained that people expected officeholders to confer benefits from the office they were holding on members of the community regardless of whether such benefits were corrupt practices in themselves or they came from the proceeds of corruption

“The timing of this Policy Dialogue on Corruption, Social Norms and Behaviour Change in Nigeria, could not have come at a better time than now, when the foundation of our social values and norms has become seriously threatened.

“ In actual fact, a lot of changes are taking place across the wider Nigerian society. But more worrisome to me, is the emergence and pervasive spread of corruption-inducing social norms across all ethnicities and religious divides.

“In spite of widespread cultural and religious perception of corruption as a negation of societal values, a survey carried out by ACAN-ICPC in 2020 revealed that corruption among public servants is enabled by community ambivalence towards the proceeds of corruption,” he said.

He said that as high as 69 per cent of the public servants surveyed indicated that their community would accept monetary gifts above their annual salaries without questioning the source of the money.

“Corruption is therefore fueled by community expectation of people in office

“There is for example a general belief that groups, networks, and communities expect the holder of an office to confer benefits from (or of) the office on members of the community.

“This is regardless of whether the benefits are corrupt practices in themselves e.g., nepotism, or if the benefits come from proceeds of corruption e.g., embezzlement,” he said.

According to him, there is the common expectation that people in top positions should donate huge sums of money at public functions.

“It is equally expected that government officials should enrich (and/or confer other benefits on) themselves from their office.

“Relations and community members of public officials see nothing wrong with all these, even when they condemn such practices happening in other communities – a case of “it is good for us and not for other communities”.

He said that over the years, the law and order approach to combating corruption had dominated the activities of the anti-corruption agencies.

“Although the law and order approach is necessary to curb corruption, however, it is not sufficient as it has to be complemented with some form of a self or group-regulatory mechanism to achieve the desired behaviour change in both government and society.

“This is where a discussion of corruption, social norms and behaviour change becomes relevant.

“Achieving the goal of behavioural change in a society with endemic corruption involves a complex and sometimes a long process that requires a multi-sectoral brainstorming session to develop appropriate policy framework,” he said.

The ICPC chair said that this was where a policy dialogue platform offered a unique and veritable opportunity.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders to disentangle the web of issues involving political, social, economic, religious, and ethnic factors that fuel corrupt practices;

He urged them to identify how societal expectations from peers, networks, groups, and communities, enable corruption to fester in both government and society

Owasanoye also called on them to identify corruption-enabling social norms that were peculiar to the private sector; and finally develop an appropriate policy framework and measures to counter social norms that fuel corruption.

He said that in carrying out this task, all stakeholders invited to the Policy Dialogue should implement advocacy programmes in their constituencies and lead by example to inspire their members and constituents.

“All stakeholders should list out corruption-inducing social norms that need to be discouraged and anti-corruption social norms that should be encouraged.

“Key stakeholders should institute a reward system for those who demonstrate good behavior or who stand against corruption in their constituencies,” he said.

He said that such a reward system should be elevated to a policy for all administrations to implement, and the ad hoc recognition of good practices and also be elevated to the level of policy not regime-bound.

“Federal and state ministries of education should develop and implement behavior change programmes in primary and secondary schools for the youth.

They also should introduce inter-school debates to promote anti-corruption social norms and behavior change.

“The seven pillars of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) should be incorporated into the advocacy for behaviour change,” he said.

The  Director of African Operations, MacArthur Foundation, Dr Kole Shettima, in his goodwill message, spoke of the need to work around the social norm behaviour.

Shettima said that the foundation has worked with a number of institutions to revive social norm behaviour in society.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau, said the NBA was ready to support the ICPC in stamping out corrupt practices in society.

Maikyau said there was a need to discourage practices and begin to interrogate those who suddenly become rich in society, to know the source of their wealth

He said this would serve as a means of reviving the lost social norm and values in society, and we begin to embrace the value so that we don’t socialize lost.

NBA acknowledged the importance of fighting against corruption, saying, “we have improved in the rule of professionals and made some amendment to ensure that the association serves as an agent of fighting against corruption,” he said

Mr Dasuki Arabi, the Director General of Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), advocates entrenching transparency in public institutions with a concrete and holistic approach.

He said the approach should be able to effectively address the social norms and behavioral change required to affect the desired outcomes towards curbing corruption.

Arabi also urged all to join hands with the ICPC and compliment their efforts to ensure that the National Dialogue Policy moves from a mere mental discourse to a pragmatic approach involving the active participation of stakeholders.

He advised the forum to look beyond the legal and Institutional measures to tackle corruption in the society, but rather focus on societal attitudes and norms that changes corrupt behavior.

“We should encourage collaborative efforts of this gesture to create public awareness on the negative consequences of unethical values and the benefits of a transparent society,” he said.

Dignitaries at the occasion include the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Saviour Enyiekere, the House of Representatives’ Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen represented by Hon. Busayo Oluwole-Oke, Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam; The Secretary-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishak Oloyede.

Also in attendant are the Accountant General of the Federation Dr  Oluwatoyin Madein, the Director-General of National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari, The Director-General of  SMEDAN, Dr Olawale Fasanya, the Emir of Keffi, HRH Dr Shehu Chindo  Yamusa 111, Fr. George Ehusani, Executive Director Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, traditional rulers, among others (NAN) (www.nannews.ng.com)

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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrested at least 281,421 traffic offenders nationwide between January and June.

Its spokesman, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that those arrested committed 307,554 offences.

He listed the offences to include driving with worn-out or expired tyres, dangerous driving, use of phones while driving, over-speeding, route violation, overloading and failure to use seatbelt.

“The Corps arrested no fewer than 281,421 for committing 307,554 offences across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT,’’ he said.

ACM Kazeem also told NAN that the use of body cameras by FRSC’s operatives since 2021 had helped it to leverage on technology to improve its field operations.

The technology, he added, had also helped to curtail violations of traffic rules and regulations and had been effective during patrol and surveillance operations.

“The impact of the device on general operations of the Corps cannot be overemphasised.

“It helps in the area of traffic monitoring, rescue operations, and real time information gathering for decision-making.

“The device is also relevant in keeping operatives focused and determined while delivering service with dignity,’’ Kazeem said.

He warned motorists to ensure strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations and to maintain their vehicles properly before taking them to the highways, stressing that there would be no waiver on violations.

The FRSC spokesman maintained that only compliance with best practices of road use would guarantee the safety of all road users.
“Road traffic crashes are avoidable if motorists adhere strictly to traffic rules,’’ Kazeem told NAN.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Jokotoye/Alli Hakeem

By Peter Okolie

The proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday, began the distribution of flyers and posters across the South-East to notify residents of  cancellation of the  sit-at-home exercise in the region.

IPOB’s spokesman, Mr Emma Powerful, disclosed this in a statement entitled: “Monday weekly sit-at-home: An ugly phase of a bygone history that must never be repeated as echoed by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

Powerful explained that the exercise was aimed at conveying Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s pronouncement cancelling Monday sit-at-home.

The  group said: “Any person or persons talking about a non-existent sit-at-home in the south east  is an enemy of the people and shall be dealt with accordingly.

“The exercise also aims to inform the people that sit-at-home is not only “dead” but will also never again be invoked or deployed as a tool of civil disobedience in the group’s quest for self-determination,” he added.

According to him, the instructions to distribute the flyers by hand and paste posters to that effect was authorised by the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Powerful’s statement warned that any person or persons talking about sit-at-home in Igbo land again remained an enemy of the people and would be dealt with accordingly.

The statement reads in part: “It is to be stated for the umpteenth time, for those who may feign ignorance of the laws governing the conduct expected of IPOB family worldwide, that our supreme leader,  Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has ordered the permanent end to Monday sit-at-home in the south east.

“Anybody seen enforcing this illegal and non-existent Monday sit-at-home will be apprehended and summarily dealt with on the spot.

“The criminal elements are not working for IPOB   nor the release of Kanu, who is  detained in the DSS solitary confinement in Abuja.

“Those purporting to be running a Biafra Government in Exile, from somewhere in Finland, also known as Autopilot are not IPOB members and their activities do not represent the views of  Kanu, rank and file IPOB membership nor ESN operatives.

“It is a shame to the memory of our late members  that gave their lives for the IPOB struggle  that individuals that never led ordinary street protests in the south east  or anywhere in the world in support of IPOB can claim to lead our people.

“This is an absolute disgrace,” Powerful stressed.

He said “these shameless parasites” and their sponsors were hoping that mere attachment of the names – Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB and ESN – to their criminal enterprise will provide legitimacy to continue duping the gullible.

“The social media – Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE) has nothing to do with IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“ Kanu has nothing to do with them and will never have anything to do with them.

“ IPOB does not have any government in exile and will never have any government in exile.

“People that never led a protest anywhere in the world, were never detained or held meetings with any international bodies can never claim to represent our people.

“We, therefore, encourage people of the south east to help in the distribution of the flyers, posters to communities, hinterlands, and cities in the region,  signifying the requiem mass for the senseless Monday sit-at-home.

“We warn once again that anybody apprehended enforcing any sit-at-home will regret his life and the self-acclaimed leader of BGIE will not save such a person,” the group noted. (NAN)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Salisu Sani-Idris

President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, said his administration would make adequate provision for the enhancement of the operational capabilities of security and law enforcement agencies.

Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, gave the assurance at the Passing Out Parade of the 5th Regular Course of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano.

Mr Olusola Abiola, Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

The Nigerian leader also assured of the commitment of his administration towards improving welfare of personnel in its renewed drive to address security and related concerns across the country.

“This administration is committed to implementing effective measures to combat security challenges in Nigeria and our synergy is the surest ticket to that destiny. We are implementing a comprehensive approach that focuses on key areas.

“First, we are investing in our law enforcement agencies to enhance their capabilities and effectiveness. We are offering extra resources, training, and equipment to bolster our Police Force and Security Agencies.

“Simultaneously, we are enhancing our intelligence systems and information sharing at both the national and international levels.”

Tinubu said government acknowledges that addressing security challenges necessitates cooperative endeavours with other countries.

“Hence, we are establishing alliances to adeptly tackle transnational threats. Furthermore, we are executing all encompassing social programmes and economic development projects aimed at fostering inclusiveness, social unity, and economic prospects for everyone,” the President added.

While commending the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their efforts, the President said “our moral duty now is to support the Nigeria Police Force and other security organizations in intensifying their bids to improve public safety.

“We must do the best within our capacity to ensure there is an improvement in the security of lives, properties, and investments of our people and foreign investors.”

President Tinubu urged members of the Force to always hold fast to the core virtues of our Police Force; integrity, honesty, and compassion.

“We must treat all citizens fairly and uphold their human rights, regardless of background. Our actions must exemplify the highest ethical standards as we safeguard the rule of law. Together, we embody the principles that define a trusted and responsible Police Force.”

He expressed confidence in the ability of the graduands to fit into the agenda of the present administration.

He noted that “with the quality of training that you have received over the five years in the Academy, I believe you are adequately prepared to serve this country.

“May you all embark on this journey with courage and determination, knowing that the nation needs your patriotic services. Stay vigilant, stay united, and stay focused to the ideals that make our Police Force an example of honour and integrity.”

Earlier, the Commandant of the Academy, AIG Sadiq Abubakar, thanked the Federal Government for its unwavering support to the institution.

He noted that the successful graduation of the 169 cadets was a testament to the present administration’s commitment to infrastructure and manpower development in the Force.

The high point of the event was the presentation of a sword and prizes to the best graduating cadets, the symbolic piping and commissioning of the cadets by the President who was the Special Guest of Honour.

Dignitaries present at the event include Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State; Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin, some members of the National Assembly; Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr Solomon Arase; Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi