the need to rid Nigeria of all forms or semblances of corruption remains absolute and as such, there is a need for absolute collaboration among agencies and individuals to fight systemic and endemic corruption.
This formed part of the resolutions reached at the Stakeholders Meeting, organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption – PACAC in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency – NOA in Akwa Ibom state.
The stakeholders meeting held in Uyo had as theme; “Value Reorientation and the Fight Against Corruption” and drew attendance from other anti-corruption agencies, religious leaders, civil society groups, youths, professionals and other groups who have stakes in the anti-corruption fight.
Setting the tone, chairman on the event, Professor FEMI ADEKUNLE, himself a member of PACAC, said though the anti-corruption war has faced numerous challenges, it must be sustained to achieve desired results.
The PACAC/NOA Stakeholders Meeting featured paper presentations by two erudite members of the academia; Dr ROBERT DODE, the Head, Political Science Department at the University of Uyo -UNIUYO; and Dr VICTOR USOH, a criminologist and lecturer with the National Open University of Nigeria -NOUN.
The two gentlemen, in their separate papers, noted the causes of corruption, its effects on the society, and also recommended stiffer penalties for offenders.
Later in a chat with Inspiration FM, host of the event and state Director, National Orientation Agency –NOA in the state, Mr ENO UYOH, said the theme of the meeting followed the need to rebuild hitherto broken values in citizens.
According to Mr UYOH, meetings like these was key to ensuring that the next generation of Nigerians look away from corrupt practices in their dealings.
At the event was the state commissioner for the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission –ICPC, Mr OLUSOLA SHODIPO.
Correspondent OKODI OKODI reports that the ICPC boss also pledged their determination to sustain the fight against corruption in Nigeria.