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From: Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged Community Development Associations (CDAs), nationwide, to collaborate with the Commission in its efforts to halt the growth of corruption in the country.
ICPC Commissioner in charge of Oyo and Ogun states, Stephen Phimor, stated this, on Thursday, in his keynote address at a community development associations grassroots anti-corruption education seminar, organised by the Organisation of Peoples Voice, a member of National Anti-Corruption Coalition, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Phimor, represented by the Head of Public Enlightenment department for Ogun and Oyo States, Mrs. Abigeal Idowu, speaking under the theme: “Public Enlightenment on the Roles of CDAs’ in Fighting Corruption”, noted the fight against corruption should start with the individual.
According to him, “Every CDA member should be a good role model and desist from pressurising public office holders to do things that compromise the ethics of their offices.”
Phimor also charged every member of the associations to be watchdogs over public officers in the execution of their duties, saying “by keeping close watch, you stop misdeeds before they become problems”.
“Hold Local government officers accountable for the monies they receive on behalf of the communities and encourage community members to engage with governance in positive manner because as citizens, they are partners in progress”, he added.
In his presentation, Mohammed Sharaf’deen of Center for Youth Initiative on Self Education, speaking on “Mobilizing CDAs as Agents of Change”, stated that the community associations can be used effectively to preach the gospel of a corrupt free society.
In his welcome address, the Coordinator, Organisation of Peoples Voices, Mr. Idiris Abu, explained that the ICPC is involving the coalition, in order to build a strategic network, consensus and direction for a potent fight against corruption in Nigeria.
He, however, called on all Nigerians to come together to overcome the corruption problem of greed and avarice so that “the society can be transformed by transforming the citizens and to mobilise against the corrupt in the society.”
More than 160 community Development Associations from the 20 local government areas of the state participated in the programme with participants calling on ICPC and government agencies to see CDAs as a veritable vehicle to get to the grassroots.
