ICPC charges CDAs to join in the crusade against corruption
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on Community Development Associations (CDAs) nationwide to work with the Commission in order for the Country to return to a corrupt free society.
The ICPC Commissioner in charge of Oyo and Ogun States, Mr Stephen Phimor made the call while delivering a keynote address at a day Community development associations grassroots anti-corruption education organised by Organisation of Peoples Voice, member National anti-corruption coalition, held at NUJ hall, Iwe-Iroyin, Abeokuta.
The Commissioner who was represented at the programme by the Head of Public Enlightenment department of Ogun and Oyo States, Mrs. Abigeal Idowu while speaking under the theme of the workshop, Public enlightenment on the roles of CDAs’ in fighting corruption, opined that the fight with corruption should start with individual.
“The Charge is that every CDA members should be a good role model, Do not pressurize public Office holders to do things that compromise the ethics of their office”.
He also charge every members of the Community to be “watchdogs over public officers in the execution of their duties, by keeping close watch you stops misdeeds before they become problem”.
“Hold Local government officers accountable for the monies they receive on behalf of the communities and encourage community members to engage with governance in positive manner because as citizens, they are partners in progress.
In his presentation, Mr Mohammed Sharaf’deen, of Center for Youth Initiative on Self Education, while speaking on the Topic, Mobilizing CDAs as agents of change believed that the Community can be used effectively to preach the gospel of a corrupt free society.
“They understands the tradition, cultural norms and politics of community, hence being a grassroot base, can be used to effect positive change.”
In his welcome address, the Coordinator, Organisation of Peoples Voice, Mr Idiris Abu said the major reason the Commission is involving the coalition is to build a strategic network and consensus and direction for a potent fight against corruption in Nigeria.
He called on all Nigerians to come together to overcome the corruption problem of greed and avarice so that “The society can be transformed by transforming the citizens and to mobilise against the corrupt in the Society.”
More than 160 community Development Associations from all the Twenty local government areas of the state participated in the programme with participants calling on ICPC and government agencies to see CDAs as a veritable vehicle to get to the grassroots.
Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta
