Anti-Corruption Day: RoLAC, ANSACS, ICPC Sue for Youth Orientation, Improved Service Delivery in Tackling Corruption

By Jerry Anietie

In commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day, observed on the 9th of December every year, civil society and government agencies have echoed the need for proper orientation and engagement of youths in the fight against systemic corruption. This year’s anti-corruption fight is focused on the youths with the theme “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”
At a town hall meeting held in Awka on Tuesday with representatives drawn from different walks of life, comprising both government and non-governmental organizations, the subject of corruption was discussed extensively with a focus on preventive strategies and mechanisms.

Anambra State Coordinator, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), Mrs Josephine Onah, in her opening remarks, highlighted the need for a home-grown strategy in tackling corruption and addressing systemic loopholes to improve service delivery.
She said, “Speaking to what we do as a program, for us, the anti-corruption strategy is home-grown. Anambra has its own strategy that looks at issues of corruption and outlines the mechanisms that should be carried out.
“With that framework, we have gone to conceive an initiative, a reform which highlights service delivery across all the strata where the strategy is implemented, like a value-adding mechanism.”

She further highlighted the importance of sensitizing the minds of youths in having a corruption-free society, describing it as an intergenerational responsibility while calling on the government to demonstrate political will in combating corruption.

“The focus is on youths getting involved to fight corruption. It is like placing an intergenerational responsibility on the youths. We all know that once the youths get involved, the chances and the possibilities of this fight being sustained are high.”
The Head of Service and Chairperson of Anambra State Anti-Corruption Strategy (ANSACS) Steering Committee, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr (Pharm) Obiageli Uchebo, expressed appreciation to RoLAC and the ICPC for working to improve operations in Anambra Ministries, Departments and Agencies, adding that the youths are the foundation for a corruption-free future.

“The youth should be involved in the fight against corruption; when we get right from the youths, we are sure of our future.”

Speaking during the panel session, Dr Uchebo highlighted the progress made in the health ministry in a bid to improve service delivery through the intervention of RoLAC, which includes stakeholders’ engagements, clear communications lines, wearing of name tags, empowerment and training of staff and streamlining processes for handling complaints.
“We now have a better quality of life for our people, reduced waste and corruption, improved public trust in our hospital and deliver better and faster results and then have value for our money.”

She further pledged to erect service charters in six months in the state-owned teaching hospital and signage to aid the public in accessing health services.
On his part, the lead presenter for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Indegwu Shaibu, stressed that prevention of corruption is desirable compared to recovery of funds, especially when lives are involved. He highlighted the causes and drawbacks corruption poses in the drive towards progress, adding that the youth play important roles in national development.
Shaibu reiterated that personal accountability and the ethics of integrity, even when no one is watching, remain crucial in the fight against corruption.

“We believe that strong ethics and integrity can help realign our nation on the path of prosperity. Make wealth without undermining the system, integrity ultimately remains a personal choice that every human must consciously make,” he said.

Speaking on the challenges faced by ANSACS, Dr Ifiora Chukwudozie disclosed that despite successes recorded in the past, there was a need for the state to own the process and institutionalize well-conceived strategies.
“Despite the successes recorded so far, there are still some challenges – the ability of the state to own the process. Waiting on RoLAC and other bodies to help us do our own thing, that’s where we are not really getting it right.

“The political will for the state to own this process, like the setting up of the commission itself, is a positive step and will show the world that the state is ready to manage and implement the strategies,” he added.

On the role of Civil Society in anti-corruption campaign, the Director, Civil Society and Media Accountability and Anti-Corruption Initiative, Mrs Ugochi Freeman, commended RoLAC’s engagements in the state as Open Government Partnership (OGP) in practice and described the role CSOs play as important in monitoring the formulation and implementation of policies.

“SSDTI is simply to ensure transparency, accountability and service delivery to the citizens. Our role is to monitor and ensure that state-specifics are implemented. By the time service charters are across, citizens know what is in the service charters, and we monitor to ensure that public office holders are doing what the service charters provide.
“In terms of enforcement, we make sure that defaulters are sanctioned, and we are getting it right and minimizing corruption. Also, public enlightenment, we take it down to the cradle, the families and communities, ensuring that we get it right from the family.”

Mrs Freeman further advocated for the establishment of the Anambra State Anti-Corruption Commission, expressing dissatisfaction with the progress made in the Anambra State House of Assembly, drawing parallels with what is obtainable in Enugu State, where an anti-corruption law has been enacted.

This year’s United Nations Anti-Corruption observation seeks to engage stakeholders in upholding the values of integrity and accountability to curb the menace of corruption. Governments, businesses, educational institutions, civil society and young people are encouraged to unite for a shared purpose – a future where corruption no longer undermines progress or erodes trust.