The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ( ICPC) has expressed willingness to partner with Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on tackling corruption in Sokoto state.
Mr Garba Tukur-Idris, the ICPC National Commissioner in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, made the promise when the executive members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) visited him on Tuesday in Sokoto.
He commend the NBA for identifying with the commission, especially for indicating interest in collaborating and becoming part of its anti-corruption awareness and another exercise.
“We will collaborate with credible associations and civil society groups in the state to project our activities to the public in the fight against corruption and other related offences.
“There is the need to work with the NBA to achieve results in creating awareness among members of the public in the state about ICPC and its activities,” he said.
He also said that the agency would continue to work with the media to inform, educate and enlighten the citizenry on government policies and programs, which was critical in the fight against corruption.
According to him, partnering with the Lawyers, media, and NGOs in the state are part of the measures put in place by the commission to achieve its desired goals and make its operations known to the public.
The National Commissioner said that corruption could not be totally eradicated but could be reduced to the minimum, hence the commission’s mandate to go after those found wanting in corrupt practices.
He said corruption is a complex, deeply entrenched challenge in our society, requiring a multifaceted approach, adding that the ICPC was dedicated to fulfilling its mandate under the law.
“We have the capacity to partner with you in fighting the evils of corruption in Nigeria and Niger state in particular,” he said
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Earlier, the NBA Chairman, Rashida Muhammad, said the visit was part of the association’s routine activities when a newly elected leadership took over.
Muhammad said that corruption had badly affected the country, leading to social disorder, political instability, poor governance, human displacement, poverty, and hunger.
She said NBA were out to partner with the ICPC and other government institutions to showcase policies and programmes at all levels of governance, with the view to ensuring transparent implementation of their set goals.
She assured to support the commission in its effort to tackle corruption in order to bring the culprits to book and sensitize Nigerians at levels against engaging on all forms of corruption.
“We want a situation where government policies and programmes will have direct positive impact on the wellbeing of the citizens,” she said.
The Chairman further promised that the NBA would help the anti-corruption agency by popularising its presence and strengthening its operations, capacity building, and awareness activities in the state to benefit the people.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE