Emir of Kaura Namoda, Zamfara state Sanusi Mohamed and Eze of Umuofor Kingdom, Imo state Abdulfatah Chimeze yesterday said that corruption is one of the greatest killers of the Nigerian economy.

The monarchs said this In Ilorin, Kwara state during a walk to commemorate this year’s international anti-corruption day.

Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) organised the walk.

Alhaji Mohammed, a retired major, described corruption as one of the factors that kill the nation’s economy.

He said that all hands should be on deck in the fight against the menace.

Eze Chimeze defined corruption as a mindset, adding that unless it is changed, the clamored fight against corruption might remain elusive.

Earlier, EFCC admitted that only professionalism, due adherence, and commitment to the rule of law would ensure Nigeria’s contribution to economic growth.

The commission added that an increase in professionalism means zero tolerance for all forms of arbitrariness.

Aside from regaining the people’s confidence, it would also restore investors’ confidence in the nation’s economy, it added.

“Only through professionalism and adherence to the rule of law will the Commission be able to contribute to economic growth by restoring investors’ confidence in our economy, Executive Chairman EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukayode has said.

Olukoyede said, “Our focus makes it imperative for us to create conducive environments for job creation, the opening of investment space across the country, and improvement on our international image.”

Represented by the commission’s Ilorin zonal commander, Michael Nzekwe said the EFCC is determined to work with the corruption prevention template recommended by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC 20) to fight corruption and other seeming threats to the nation’s economy.

“In driving this prevention focus, the commission under my watch will prioritise these focal areas: collaboration and synergy with local and foreign law enforcement agencies, professionalism, and strict adherence to the rule of law as the absolute minimum in all activities of the commission.

“I want every EFCC operative to be more diligent and resourceful on our assigned tasks. My leadership will punish infractions traceable to unethical practices. We will ensure that the right things are done at all times,” he assured.

For EFCC, he described this year’s anti-corruption event as a special occasion as it offers the agency the opportunity to review its works, engage with stakeholders, and consider fresh perspectives to consolidate the gains of the fight against economic and financial crimes and other forms of corrupt practices.

Describing corruption as a threat to the growth and development of individuals and all nations, he said: “no one is immune to the contagion of corruption which is why nations are united in finding solutions to this common ailment.”

He said the theme of the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day: UNCAC @ 20: Uniting the world against corruption is a tribute to the revolutionary impact which the United Nations has had in mobilising and directing global action against corruption.

“UNCAC, through its resolutions and interventions has become the fulcrum of the global resistance against corruption,” adding that “successful anti-corruption models across the world are built on the recommendation of UNCAC.”

In a remark, Kwara State Youths Commissioner Yinusa Lade urged youths to shun cybercrime by embracing its many empowerment programs.

He enjoined them to see other opportunities in Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s government rather than engaging in acts inimical to the nation’s growth.

He however urged all to see and regard the fight against corruption as an article of faith to be sung at all times.

Land grabbers invade journalists’ estate, Arepo, and threaten to pull down the perimeter fence Residents of Journalists Estate Phase 1 woke up on Friday to witness the invasion of their estate by land grabbers who threatened to pull the estate perimeter fence down to enable them to clear a swampy area for development.

The group had come with swampy buggies in readiness to work on a buffer zone behind the estate for the development of a purported proposed estate.

The attempts to stop them by the security personnel were resisted, while it took the intervention of residents and the executives of the estate to restore normalcy and prevent the breakdown of law and order.

Residents are calling on the commissioner of environment in Ogun State, Ola Oresanya, to come to their aid and prevent the destruction of a green zone and aquatic environment, which serve as buffer zones for the entire community and absorb both noise and flood drains within the community.

It was learned that the affected area has caused a dispute between the Arepo community and the Magboro community, where both parties are claiming ownership of the swamp area.

The involvement of the government would ensure that both the community and the factions of Omo Onile within Arepo do not resort to bloodbaths to settle their dispute over the swampy area.

While normalcy has been restored due to the intervention of the residents and their executive, the land grabbers left behind their swampy bogie within the estate and promised to return later to continue their work. (The Nation)

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