By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.
The battered image of the country due to corruption is the greatest challenge every Nigerian faces in whichever nook and cranny they find themselves across the world. Public expectation in the fight against corruption under the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has international expectations which is not hidden.
When United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes, UNODC came calling at the EFCC, the acting Chairman of EFCC while receiving representatives of UNODC, vowed to sustain partnership with the organisation.
The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Abdulkarim Chukkol reiterated the Commission’s readiness to sustain its partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC). The visit emphasized the need for substantive leadership of EFCC as a global expectation.
A statement from the Commission disclosed this following the meeting which held on Monday, July 10, 2023, with the Country Representative of the UNODC, Mr. Oliver Stolpe at the Commission’s corporate headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
Chukkol who appreciated the UNODC for its long-standing collaboration and enduring partnership in the anti-corruption space, however assured of the Commission’s unwavering Commitment to working with critical stakeholders to actualise its mandate.
According to him, EFCC has already started preparations in earnest towards participation in the 10th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP) coming up in December 2023!
Mr. Stolpe said he was in the Commission to felicitate with the new leadership of the Agency.
Stolpe, expressed the expectations of the global community of EFCC leadership, when he reminded the EFCC boss that it was important that Nigeria demonstrate leadership at the upcoming CoSP by presenting an overview of the implementation of the UNCAC.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. UNCAC’s far-reaching approach and many mandatory provisions make it a unique tool for addressing a global problem.
The treaty recognises the importance of both preventive and punitive measures. It addresses the cross-border nature of corruption with provisions on international cooperation and the return of proceeds of corruption. The UN office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna serves as Secretariat for the UNCAC.
He further reminded the EFCC chairman of the Commission’s commitment to support the dissemination of the 3rd National Corruption Survey report.
The UNODC has over the years supported the efforts of the EFCC in driving Nigeria’s fight against corruption through institutional and capacity building initiatives for personnels of the Commission.
These include organizing capacity-building courses in Evidence Collection and Handling for operatives, implementation of the European Development Fund, as well as the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement funded programmes on processes improvement, among others.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must as a matter of priority meet global expectations in his anti-corruption fight by providing inspiring leadership through the office of the Chairman of EFCC who will not just meet global expectations but possibly surpass it.
Dr Bolaji O Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder, Convener Apostolic Round Table, ART. Also the BOT Chairman Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA, PVC-Naija.
bolajiakinyemi66@gmail.com
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