The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, UNODC has called on stakeholders in anti-corruption matters to double anti-corruption efforts so as to strengthen anti-corruption education, empower the future generations to ensure integrity across the board and around the world.
The UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Stolpe made the call at this year’s commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day, in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
The impact of corruption has threaten the security and crumbled economy of nations, drives organised crime and blocks opportunities for development.
The world today faces some of its greatest challenges in many generations – challenges which threaten prosperity and stability for people across the globe, including in Nigeria.
These challenges have enclosed people in cycles of inequality and poverty, financial uncertainty continue to grow with escalating conflicts, and climate disasters.
To this effect, Dr. Oliver Stolpe, said there was an urgent need to end corruption.
Renewing Partnership
He noted that his organisation was renewing its partnership between Nigeria with new anti-corruption projects.
“This day present opportunities for all to reflect on the level of implementation of the UN convention against corruption at domestic level. I am pleased to be able to announce that 2023 will mark the year in which we will renew our partnership with the Government of Nigeria in the area of anti-corruption with several new projects coming on line: With the support of the MacArthur Foundation, the National Bureau of Statistics and UNODC will embark on the conduct of the third National Corruption Survey bearing witness to the sustained and exemplary leadership of subsequent Nigerian Governments in countering corruption; and to do so transparently.
“With the support of the Government of the United States and the United Nations Peace Building Fund, we will be embarking on a new partnership with the Nigerian Police Force and its Complaints Response Unit geared towards addressing one of the critical findings of the 2019 National Corruption Survey, namely the challenges encountered by citizens in accessing existing complaints mechanisms when seeking redress for police misconduct. These projects and initiatives complement our already ongoing cooperation with the Government of Kaduna State providing technical support to the establishment of its Anti-Corruption Unit,” he said.
Dr. Stolpe, commended Nigeria for its fight against corruption.
“With an implementation rate of almost 60%, Nigeria continues to demonstrate her strong commitment to multilateralism and her leadership in the fight against corruption; Nigeria has excelled in particular as concerns the implementation of chapter V on asset recovery – thus her unchallenged status as a world champion in asset recovery; On the other hand, we have observed comparatively less progress as concerns the implementation of the Convention chapter on prevention and thus believe that going forward Government at all levels needs to strengthen its efforts and we stand ready, as always, to partner in these endeavors. With the United Nations Convention against Corruption turning 20, we are looking forward to working with all of you in redoubling our efforts in the fight against corruption,” he explained.
According to Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, who was represented by Nigeria’s Solicitor General, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the fight against corruption was an inclusive and collective fight.
“Nigeria has also taken its steps to strengthen institutional frame on anti- corruption and foster collaboration with inter agency task tam. Efforts are currently ongoing to close the existing gabs. The National Anti-Corruption strategy 2017-2021has now been extended by the Federal Executive Council. This will create room for more inclusive participation among all relevant stakeholders, particularly at sub national level, as well as the constitution and the inauguration of the inter-ministerial committee, with the mandate of achieving the third goal of the strategy. This will also enable the development of more effective road map, and the institutionalization of National Anti- Corruption strategy among all sectors of the country,” he said.
Malami, further reiterated the need for all stakeholders at all levels of government to continue to take necessary actions to promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more effective.
“I also wish to encourage the international community and development partners to continue to promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and the fight against corruption including assets recovery,” he reiterated.
Nigeria ratified the Convention in 2004 and has been reviewed twice since the Conference of State Parties to the Convention established the Implementation Review Mechanism in 2009.
The UNODC Country Office in Nigeria, in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, has prepared a report which takes stock of Nigeria’s follow up to the 2014 and 2019 UNCAC implementation reviews.
The full report will be presented on 14 December at an event at the UN house in Abuja.
This year’s commemoration is with the theme “Uniting the World Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security”.
Confidence Okwuchi
