UN Resident Coordinator calls for citizen-centred approach in fight against corruption

                                                                                                                                                           Mr. Edward Kallon
  UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, has called for a people-centred approach in the fight against corruption in Nigeria such that the lives of citizens will be positively impacted.

He made the call today as he joined top ranking officials of the African Union and African Governments to commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission at a Regional Webinar on Combating Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows.

Drawing from the experience in Nigeria, the UN Resident Coordinator proposed four specific actions to tackle widespread small-scale bribery, enhancing the development impact of asset recovery, create effective and responsive public complaints systems and improve transparency and communications in the fight against corruption.

In his goodwill message, the Deputy Chairperson African Union Commission, Thomas Kwesi-Qartey acknowledged the leading role of Nigeria in the fight against corruption, especially illegal financial flow noted that the Common African Position in Asset Recovery commonly known as CAPAR, which the Nigerian government was instrumental to its adoption during the 33rd Ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of States and Governments of African Union held in February 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will be crucial in stemming illegal financial flow from Africa. According to him “the CAPAR will be extremely useful in helping African countries to identify, to repatriate, and to effectively manage the illicitly acquired assets in a manner that respects our sovereignty.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in his message likened the fight against corruption to that of COVID-19 charged individuals to take personal responsibility. According to him, “We all need to take responsibility for the fight against Corruption as we take responsibility against infection of COVID-19. COVID-19 kills, but Corruption kills even more. ICPC alone cannot fight Corruption. We all must be involved. Failure to take responsibility is dangerous to self and the society.”