The Nigerian Government has inaugurated the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit ACTU of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC to institutionalise integrity in the agency and enhance national development.
The gesture, which was described as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s landmark achievements in fighting corruption and other illegalities in some government agencies, would also promote accountability, Transparency, and commitment among the staff in the discharge of their duties.
The agency had earlier implemented a whistleblowing policy that aligned with the Anticorruption and Transparency Unit of the government.
Inaugurating the unit at the Corps headquarters in Abuja, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Mr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, noted that the inauguration was possible because of the support and encouragement given to the Corps by President Ahmed Tinubu through the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whom he described as the father of the agency.
He commended the President for providing equitable avenue resources for the Corps to thrive in the face of challenges.
“This policy is a reflection of our dedication to creating an environment that upholds ethical standards while ensuring that corrupt practices and misconduct are addressed swiftly and effectively in the agency which is in line with the President’s policy in the fight against corruption”, he said.
The Commandant General represented at the event by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of critical national assets and infrastructure, DCG Mohammed Lawal Haruna said that the whistle-blow policy empowers personnel and stakeholders to confidently report any action that compromises their mission and values.
The Commandant General charged the personnel and the stakeholders to view the policy as a collective commitment to upholding the core values of integrity, diligence and accountability of the Corps.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN commended the NSCDC for such an apt and timely programme noting that ACTU serves as a critical mechanism for ensuring compliance with Anti-Corruption standards and values of Integrity while promising to partner with the Civil Defence in the fight against corruption.
The ICPC Chairman who was represented by Mr Olusegun Adigun, further charged the new inductees to approach their responsibilities with night level of professionalism, impartiality and deep sense of duty even as he assured of them of the commission’s technical and operational support.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the NSCDC ACTU Chairperson, Acting Commandant Audrey Obe, explained that the unit is charged with the formidable task of promoting ethical practices, uncovering corrupt activities and reinforcing acceptability mechanisms within the Corps.
“To tackle corruption effectively in any system; there is a need to implement robust measures that promote training, education and institutionalisation of checks and balances”.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the ACTU logo and the inauguration of 10 NSCDC ACTU members with the administration of Oath of Allegiance by Mrs. Nkem Ezenwa of the ICPC, also goodwill messages were delivered by guests from different agencies and a formal presentation of Operational Manual by the Chairman of ICPC to the Commandant General of the NSCDC.
Dominica Nwabufo
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