Anti-corruption Day: Redeem yourselves from clutches of corruption, ICPC urges MDAs
Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on ministries, departments and agencies (MDA) to redeem themselves from the clutches of corruption.
The ICPC Resident Anti-corruption Commisioner in Osun, Mr Demola Bakare, stated this on Monday in Ile-Ife a lecture to mark the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bakare’s lecture centred on the theme for this year’s global anti-corruption day, “Uniting the world Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security.”
According to him, corruption worked in concert with conflict and instability, while also jeopardising the social and economic development of any society, thus undermining democratic institution and the rule of law.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Prof. John Okeniyi, described corruption as a global problem affecting every aspect of development, including health.
Okeniyi also said that the menace was capable of undermining the competence and integrity of health workers and institutions, thus depriving millions of people access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
“Corruption erodes public trust and confidence in the health system and fuels the spread of diseases and pandemics.
“The challenges and risks that corruption poses to our health sector has many faces, such as absenteeism, procurement-related corruption and under-the-counter payments,” he said.
He pledged the health institution’s commitment to joining forces with policy makers and civil society organisations to promote transparency and accessibility.
The chief medical director also pledged his determination to combat corruption within the hospital.
In his address, the Chairman of ACTU, OAUTHC, Dr Ibrahim Bello, called for an encouragement of whistle blowing to stem the tide of corruption in all MDAs.
Bello further warned that any corrupt member of staff would be fished out and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
