By Tochukwu Bliss, Abuja
The Chairman, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, has reiterated the Commission’s resolve to stamp out corruption as one of the keys to actualizing good governance, growth and development of the country.
Dr Aliyu made this assertion during a strategic meeting with delegates from the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) at the Commission’s headquarters on Wednesday.
In a statement posted on the Commission’s website, he said ICPC owed it to citizenry to detect and tackle corruption that has negatively impacted the image of Nigeria for so long.
He was quoted as saying that the impact of corruption is manifested in underdevelopment and poverty which makes the prospect of investment unappealing.
He insisted however, that the responsibility for projecting the country in a positive light, must be a collective effort.
Dr Aliyu noted that his predecessors had left a legacy of strategic partnerships with organisations which he intends to build upon, adding that ICPC and NEPAD have a track record of working together on various projects including election monitoring.
He informed that future collaborations must be geared towards projecting a positive image of Nigeria to encourage internal and foreign investment while fostering development.
According to him, eradicating corruption in Nigeria would be infectious to neighbouring countries and the continent as a whole, which in turn would significantly boost development through improved socio-economic values and infrastructure.
The impact of corruption is manifested in underdevelopment and poverty which makes the prospect of investment unappealing.
Similarly, the Secretary to the Commission, Clifford Oparaodu, suggested that policies developed from joint initiatives between the Commission and stakeholders would be invaluable to development as a result of increased efficiency.
The Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD, African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Gloria Akobundu, who led the visiting delegation, said NEPAD hoped to ensure Nigeria is respected continentally and globally.
This, she said, could be achieved by advocating for improved governance and economic growth.
Akobundu asserted that the APRM initiative was meant to encourage African countries to foster healthy relationships based on self-assessment and improvement.
