The Code of Conduct Bureau has charged its newly trained officers to reject corruption and uphold integrity in their duties.
The CCB Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Bello, gave the charge on Monday at the closing ceremony of a four-week training programme in Abuja.
The programme was held at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Academy, Karu, for newly recruited CCB investigation and enforcement officers.
Bello described the training as a landmark collaboration between the two anti-corruption agencies.
He said it was the first time the CCB had sent a full set of newly recruited officers to the EFCC Academy.
According to him, the officers were equipped with the skills required to investigate, examine and enforce the Code of Conduct.
He, however, stressed that integrity must remain central to their responsibilities.
“Graduation is not the end of training. It is the beginning of responsibility.
“You will handle asset declarations, support verification and take part in investigations. You will sit across the table from public officers who have more money, power and connections than you.
“Some will test you with fear; some will test you with a small envelope and a nice smile. If you fail that test, this result means nothing,” Bello said.
The chairman also charged the officers to protect the confidentiality of declarations and other information in their custody.
He warned them against unauthorised disclosure of confidential information obtained in the course of their duties.
Bello said the bureau would ensure that the officers were properly posted, mentored and supervised to justify the investment in their training.
He commended the EFCC for opening its academy to CCB officers and supporting the capacity-building programme.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, said the training resulted from collaboration among Nigeria’s major anti-corruption agencies.
Olukoyede said the agencies had agreed to strengthen collaboration, particularly in training, to improve their operational effectiveness.
“This is the fruit of it. Now, the EFCC has been able to train the staff members of the Code of Conduct Bureau, the cadets.
“From now, you will begin to see different changes in the way they do things.
“More zeal in the area of enforcement, as well as more commitment to prevention; that is what we have been able to instil in them,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the CCB played a critical role in Nigeria’s governance architecture.
The minister was represented by the Director of Public Relations and Protocol in the ministry, Mr Haruna Suleiman.
Idris said the bureau’s constitutional mandate to promote high standards of conduct in public office was fundamental to transparency, accountability and public trust.
He said the fight against corruption could not be won through enforcement alone, but required prevention, ethical leadership, public enlightenment and strong institutions.
“These are not generic professional requirements; they are the values upon which public confidence in government and its institutions is built.
“The fight against corruption is therefore a shared responsibility. Government institutions, the media, civil society, professional bodies and, most importantly, citizens all have a role to play,” he said.
The minister urged the graduating officers to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme into professional conduct and effective performance.
He said every investigation conducted fairly, declaration properly examined and complaint handled professionally contributed to building a public service Nigerians could trust.
Representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo commended the CCB leadership for strengthening officers’ capacity.
Oyedepo, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice, said the partnership demonstrated the importance of building strong and effective anti-corruption institutions.
He said the EFCC had grown significantly since its establishment, adding that the CCB was also being repositioned to strengthen its constitutional responsibilities.
Oyedepo urged the newly trained officers to remain committed to their duties and resist pressure to compromise their responsibilities.
He said the officers had assumed responsibility at a time Nigeria needed strong institutions and public officials capable of explaining their sources of wealth.
“Will you last throughout your service? Will you compromise? Will you betray Nigeria?
“Nigeria is in need of you, and you are in need of Nigeria. Nigeria is in need of your professionalism, integrity and courage,” he said.
The ceremony marked the completion of the four-week basic investigation and enforcement training programme for newly recruited CCB officers at the EFCC Academy.
(NAN)