By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption has emphasized the need for international collaboration to tackle the scourge of corruption in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Committee on Anti-Corruption, Hon. Kayode Akiolu disclosed this in Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the Standing Committee and also reiterated the 10th Assembly’s readiness to strengthen transparency and accountability through collaboration and legislative reforms.
He assured the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and international organizations of robust engagement in the discharge of the Committee’s duties, stating that Nigerians that the Committee will ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the efforts of the Anti-corruption Agencies.
According to him, “This agenda topic encompasses our committee’s key objectives, aligning with our long-term goals and the interests of our fellow Nigerians. It addresses the need for collaboration, capacity building, and legislative reforms to tackle corruption effectively.”
According to him, the set objectives and strengthen the fight against corruption,need the collaboration with CSOs and international organizations to “enhance our fight against corruption, the committee will host a collaborative meeting to get citizens’ feedback through organized actions by CSCSOsnd International Organizations.
“These events will promote meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. We will begin with one-on-one visits to International and National Organizations, establishing connections and exploring areas of cooperation. This activity aligns with our secondary jurisdiction of developing programs to address violations of conduct or laws. The meetings with CSOs will help us discuss strategies and explore collaborations to combat corruption effectively.”
Hon. Akiolu also unveiled the Committee’s strategic work plan which includes organizing a retreat for members to provide a comprehensive understanding of anti-corruption policies, practices, and the challenges associated with them.
To effectively discharge the Committee’s work, Hon. Akiolu explained that the Committee will conduct oversight visits.
“These oversight visits allow for direct observation of their practices, procedures, and systems in place to combat corruption. By physically being present at these institutions, we can assess the implementation of anti-corruption measures and identify areas that require improvement.
“This allows us to provide targeted recommendations and support to enhance their anti-corruption initiatives.
