By Lucky Isibor
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice ANEEJ has called on youths to refuse to normalise corruption and challenge unethical practices in their communities, mobilise and amplify its voices against corruption. The anti-corruption advocacy watch dog also called on youths to use technology as a lever to track government projects, expose irregularities, and demand accountability.
The Executive Director of ANEEJ and United Nations Convention Against Corruption UNCAC Coalition Co-Chair, Rev. David Ugolor gave the charge in his opening remarks at an event to mark the 2024 Anti-Corruption Day held in Benin City on Thursday, 19 December.
Ugolor who was represented by Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, Comrade Leo Atakpu urged participants at the event which was put together by ANEEJ in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the implementation of the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) Project, funded by the European Union and implemented bythe e International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
urged participants to reflect on the far-reaching effects of corruption and the urgent need for collective action.
Harping on this year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” Ugolor highlights the critical role that youth play in fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency against the backdrop of the United Nations Population Fund Country Programme Document for Nigeria, authored by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Planning, which states that 63% of the population is under 25 years old.
While noting that corruption impedes the provision of critical infrastructure that promote the welfare of the youths, Ugolor pointed out that, “This statistic underscores that the nation’s future undeniably lies in the hands of its youth.
“Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to our nation’s development, destroying its potential and undermining the delivery of critical public services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“According to reports, Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to corruption. This reality threatens the aspirations of the current generation and those yet to come.
“At ANEEJ, through the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) Project, we have been at the forefront of championing anti-corruption reforms at the national level as well as in Edo State. This EU-funded project, implemented by International IDEA under the RoLAC II programme, aims to empower civil society organizations and youth to advocate for transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms.
“Today, as we bring together over 100 participants including youth, women, civil society organizations, media representatives, and anti-corruption agencies, we reaffirm our commitment to this cause. We believe that empowering our youth with tools like Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) technology, fostering advocacy, and leveraging technology can drive transformative action across all sectors of governance”.
While thanking the European Union and International IDEA for the support, Ugolor pointed out that the CASARN project is providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration in anti-corruption fight.
“The CASARN project serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among civil society, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Its objectives include strengthening frameworks such as the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), advocating for the passage of key anti-corruption legislation like the national whistleblower protection bill and the Edo State Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, and promoting the full operationalization of initiatives such as the Edo State Integrity and Accountability Strategy (EDSIAS) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Additionally, the project seeks to enhance compliance with procurement data publication on platforms like NOCOPO, ensuring greater transparency and accountability”.
In his address, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olukayode Olanipekun appealed to youths to close ranks to confront the monster of corruption, pointing out that though corruption every age group, but it bites harder the prospects and possibilities of youths.
Olanipekun who was represented by the Public Relations Officer P.R.O of the Edo State Zonal Command of EFCC, Mr. William Oseghale urged youths to stay of internet fraud as youths involved in it face grim future.
“Corruption affects every age group but bites harder against the prospects and possibilities of youths. This makes it more binding on young people to tackle it more fiercely than any other age group. The scourge of graft limits and vitiates the opportunities of youths for self-actualization. Every young person needs an equal opportunity for self-expression. But this is impossible in societies where favouritism, nepotism, partisan and other extraneous considerations tilt opportunities in favour of some few privileged people. This is not good fo the youths and it is for this reason that they need to forge united front against corruption
“Corruption makes our youths vulnerable to fraudulent practices. One of the dreadful effects of internet fraud is its bandwagon effects on youths. The allure of easy money is drawing young people into the vortex of criminality. ThisOne of the dreadful effects of internet fraud is its bandwagon effects on youths. The allure of easy money is drawing young people into the vortex of criminality. Any young person that is tainted with cybercrime faces a grim future. There is no sustainable success in internet fraud”, he noted.
In their various good will messages, Mrs. Daisy Abiola Igaga, Ernest Abebe and Blessing Eromo thanked ANEEJ and International IDEA for making the CASARN platform available for the mobilisation ot the youth to channel their energies to pursue genuine means of creating wealth and join the anti-corruption fight.
In the panel discussion, the panelists that dwelt on the “Youth engagement in the fight against corruption: Prospects and the way forward, x-rayed what the youth can achieve in the fight against corruption, the prospects and the way forward. While noting that there was a disconnect between the educated and uneducated youths, the panelists advocated the closing of the gap between the two divides.
On “Improving Access to Information and Promoting transparency, accountability and anti-corruption – expectation from the new Edo State government”, the panelists tasked the new Edo State government to send the draft Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill to the House of Assembly for passage; adopt and operationalise the Edo State draft Integrity and Accountability Strategy (EDSIAS) and implement the Open Government Partnership (OGP) commitments which the state has signed into.
About 100 participants made of youth, civil society actors, representatives of anti-corruption agencies and journalists attended the event.