The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Finance has reiterated its commitment to lead the crusade against corruption with anti-graft agencies in the country.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Finance, Okokon Ekanem Udo, gave the assurance in Abuja during a one-day sensitization workshop organized by the Ministry to mark the 2023 International Anti- Corruption Day, with the Theme, “Engage in Transparency.”
Udo said that the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day is a reminder on the need to prevent and avoid corrupt practices in Federal Ministry of Finance and by extension a Federal Civil Service that is efficient and of high integrity.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director Special Duties Federal Ministry of Finance, Oluwayemisi Egundebi said that corruption is a formidable adversary that thrives in shadow of secrecy, hence the need for collective responsibility to illuminate that shadow with the radiant light of openness.
According to the statement released by the Ministry, while stressing the importance of the theme as very apt, the Perm Secretary, mentioned that transparency was the corner stone of a just and accountable society.
Udo said, “As we engage in transparency, let us leverage on technology to create tools that empower the people to scrutinize and hold institutions accountable. Digital platforms can be formidable allies in access to information and facilitation of real time collaboration.”
The Permanent Secretary pointed out that transparent governance builds trust between citizens and their leaders, thereby laying the ground work for a harmonious society through which openness exposes corruption roots and eradicate its poisonous influence.
Udo enjoined the participants to renew their commitment to integrity in their official and personal activities and imbibe it as a culture in the hearts of the youths and children.
Okokon Udo advised, “Let International Anti-Corruption Day be a catalyst for change. A day when we unite in our resolve to engage in transparency and create a world where honesty prevails, justice thrives and the light of transparency dispels the darkness of corruption.”
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Director Special Duties Federal Ministry of Finance, Oluwayemisi Egundebi said it was important for Civil Servants to be conversant with the ethical conducts in their work place, noting that it was also important to learn new things all the time in order to be more efficient in what they do.
The Director Special Duties disclosed that recently the ICPC released the ranking of ministries in the transparency ranking that saw Federal Ministry of Finance scoring 52.50 per cent, pointing out that there was great improvement on last year’s performance.
She added that the programme would help participants to work in a good relationship with others in order to achieve better results.
In his presentation titled, “Public Sector Corruption: Nature and Consequences”, Mr. Obaniyi Adebayo said corruption is not only about money but it is an abuse of office, stressing that corruption has eaten deep in all fabrics of the society and the worse affliction of any nation, hence staff must avoid acts that will be detrimental to the Ministry and the nation.
He said that corruption which had brought poverty, underdevelopment, high rate of unemployment amongst others would be tackled with utmost seriousness and eradicated by the pills of integrity, accountability and transparency.
