Beyond bribery and embezzlement of funds, nepotism and the subsequent display of incompetence by some political office holders have been identified as two of the strongest drivers of corruption in Nigeria.

Mr ETANNIBI ALEMIKA, a professor of Criminology and Sociology of law at the University of Jos, believes that sacrificing competence on the altar of nepotism is the bane of corruption and its attendant effects.

He stated this in his lecture on National Security and the Opportunity Cost of Corruption at the two-day capacity building retreat of the Independent Corruption and Other Related Offences Commission -ICPC in Uyo.

Professor ALEMIKA questioned the effectiveness of the Federal Character Commission in the selection of candidates for political appointments and urged the national assembly to rise to the occasion.

The Federal Character Commission created by decree in 1996 primarily to implement and enforce the Federal Character Principle aims at ensuring fair representation of all states in the public service.

On the sidelines of the event, the chairman, house committee on anti-corruption, SHEHU GARBA told Inspiration FM that it is expedient for citizens to join the national assembly and other actors in the war against corruption.

The ICPC chairman, Professor BOLAJI OWASANOYE also told Inspiration FM that the retreat focused on the relationship between crypto-currency and corruption and the need for legislation to regulate the practice.           

Our correspondent OKODI OKODI reports that the retreat featured discussions on various topics, including public service and integrity, illicit financial flows and understanding crypto-currency, money laundering and terrorists financing threats.