SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.

By AMEH MONDAY
Corruption has been a canker worm that has bedeviled all societies from time immemorial with various measures been put in place to eradicate it. . It was in realization of the fact that corruption is a global phenomenon and the danger it portends, that the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2003 set aside the 9th of December of every year as International Anti-Corruption Day in order to raise awareness about corruption menace and the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. On this day the world over, various activities are lined up to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day which include Musicals and plays to publicize the message of fighting against corruption ,Essay competitions on corruption and The dissemination of posters, flyers and other anti corruption enlightenment and education materials.

Nigeria is amongst the 140 nations that signed the Convention document on the 9th of December, 2003 and accordingly ratified it on 14th December, 2004. As clearly encapsulated in the United Nations Convention, it has been one of the major problems bedeviling Nigeria which accounts for the rot and decay in all facet of our political, and social-economic life. It is equally responsible for the retardation in our developmental pursuits. The recent rating by the Berlin based Transparency International in its 2011 annual Corruption Perception Index report where it rated Nigeria 143rd out of 183 nations should not be seen as an indictment but as a challenge to spur government and propel the anti-graft agencies as well as all Nigerians to show serious commitment to the crusade against corruption. The menace of corruption is a global phenomenon which is not peculiar to Nigeria but the proportion it has assumed here is alarming.


It is incumbent on members of the National Assembly to sharpen their oversight function in the coming year as it will go a long way in reducing incidences of corruption.With the passing of the Freedom of Information act, the Media, Civil Societies and indeed all Nigerians should seize the opportunity the law provides by acting as whistle blowers in unmasking all acts of corruption. Government may also consider the establishment of Special Anti Corruption Courts to handle corruption cases as the delay in our courts nowadays, owing to frivolous injunctions and frequent adjournments do not augur well for the fight against corruption. The ICPC and EFCC must be commended for their relentless effort at leading the crusade against corruption, financial crimes and other related offences through their investigation and prosecution of corrupt Nigerians. More importantly, they must increase their public enlightenment and education advocacies through seminars and workshops which are aimed at educating the public.

Undoubtedly, there is room for improvement, and as we step into year 2012 with hope, the two agencies should redouble their efforts for the onerous task of eradicating corruption. There is also the need for synergy between all the anti-graft agencies as well as other law enforcement agencies to ensure success of the anti corruption fight. On the part of government, they should ensure adequate funding of the agencies to enable them execute their mandate effectively. There should be no government interference no matter whose ox is gored. It is obvious that the crusade against graft in Nigeria under our democratic dispensation, has been given a boost and all hands must be on deck to ensure that corruption which is the bane of our development is eradicated totally, or reduced to the barest minimum. Once this is done, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as well as the Vision 2020 and the Transformation Agenda of the present administration will be actualized.

Source: FRCN daily commentary