The Federal Government has called on State Commissioners of Information to form a strategic alliance with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to intensify the national fight against corruption.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made this appeal on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring open a one-day roundtable engagement focused on strategic integration in anti-corruption efforts.
The event, themed “Partnership for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability at State and Local Government Levels Through Strategic Communications,” was organized by the ICPC.
In attendance were Information Commissioners from numerous states including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Oyo, Borno, Kwara, Ogun, Cross River, Taraba, Rivers, Kogi, Zamfara, Adamawa, Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, Anambra, and Gombe.
The roundtable also featured the Directors-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Ndace; the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama; and the National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, alongside officials from the Presidency and the National Assembly.
Minister Idris emphasized that the crusade against corruption is a central pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point administrative agenda. He commended the ICPC for its initiative and noted the critical presence of the state commissioners, who bear the essential responsibility of disseminating information across all levels of Nigerian society.
“Fighting corruption is indeed one of the eight-point priority areas of the President Tinubu’s administration,” Idris stated. “That is why the president is strengthening the institutional framework to fight corruption, especially through the ICPC and EFCC.”
He highlighted the administration’s policy of non-interference, which allows anti-corruption agencies to operate with independence and professionalism under the rule of law, devoid of political witch-hunts. Simultaneously, he affirmed the President’s vow that there will be no safe haven for corruption in Nigeria, a commitment backed by ongoing judicial reforms to expedite corruption trials.
The Minister urged the commissioners, irrespective of their political affiliations, to align with the opportunities presented by the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He specifically called on them to leverage the assets of federal information agencies and to partner directly with the ICPC.
“I want to implore you to partner with ICPC in this very important task they have in ridding Nigeria, not just of corruption but also the perception of corruption that is doing more harm than good to the people of this country,” Idris said.
Also speaking, Senator Emmanuel Udende, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, described the ICPC as a custodian of public trust. Represented by Mr. Uboh Emelike, he challenged the commissioners to embrace the program with zeal and creativity, viewing themselves as “generals” in the war against corruption with the power of communication to win public support.
“Let us leave this room with a common agenda; a blueprint that will ensure our message of transparency accountability and integrity transverse the length and breadth of this country,” Udende said.
Similarly, Rep. Kayode Akiola, Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-corruption, urged the ICPC, information commissioners, and all stakeholders to unite in creating a corrupt-free nation characterized by transparent and accountable governance.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Prof. Usman Tar, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security for Borno State, appreciated the ICPC and the federal government for the initiative and pledged their collective commitment to collaborate with relevant authorities to combat corruption.