The Abia State Coordinator of National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corp (NAVC) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission, (ICPC), Rev. Blessed Amalambu has called on the government to create a template that will enable the Nigerian environment to be free from corruption and other criminal activities. Rev. Amalambu, while interacting with our correspondent in Umuahia on Friday, enjoined the Organized Private Sector, OPS, Nigerians and security agencies to help the government fight corruption, by not creating a vent for it to thrive. Rev. Amalambu made the call on the day set aside by the United Nations (UN) International Anti-Corruption Day aims to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight a variety of illegal, dishonest and other fraudulent activities.
Amalambu asserted that corruption has more devastating effects because every criminal activity stems from it, hence the need to wage an aggressive war against it. He stated that corruption is an abuse of the position of public trust for personal gain and pointed out that the International Anti-Corruption Day, which is recognized on 9 December each year, highlights the action people can take to tackle this global pandemic. “Nigerians should join hands to work against corruption and remove it from the system. It will help to attract a friendly environment and development in all sectors of the economy”, Amalambu submitted.
He reminded all that any negative footprints registered, would be copied by the younger generation, who might be in a hurry to embrace and replicate whatever thing we deposited in the system. The clergyman who touched on the concept of justice, openness/transparency, fairness, equity, honesty/sincerity and integrity as major ingredients for fighting corruption, advised Abia State Governor Alex Otti not to pamper any cabinet member sabotaging his efforts in fighting corruption.
He moreover lauded Gov. Otti on his steps geared towards consolidating efforts to combat corruption and enhance transparency, which is in line with the theme of UNCAC at 20: “Uniting the World Against Corruption”, citing the Open Government Partnership initiative, which offered Abians the chance to know the state’s income and how it is being spent.
