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ICPC tasks traditional, religious leaders to promote behavioural change
ICPC tasks traditional, religious leaders to promote behavioural change
The Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday in Akure admonished traditional and religious leader as well as civil society groups to promote behavioural change to curb corruption in the country.
Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, ICPC, who was represented by AIG Olugbenga Adeyanju (Rtd.), a member of the commission board, gave the admonition
at a sensitization dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community-based civil society groups.
The sensitization dialogue was on “Behavioural Change National Ethics and Integrity Policy(NEIP), Constituency & Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI)“.
Owasanoye explained that it had become imperative for traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders to initiate and sustain behavioral change among the people.
According to him, one will be shocked to realise the extent to which corruption has shortchanged all of us, especially ordinary people.
“I believe this realization will underscore why every core value of ethics and integrity policy should be imbibed, practiced and upheld by all.
“You as leaders should deepen your partnership with the ICPC in diminishing corruption and using your good offices in promoting ethics, values and behavioral change and building a better Nigeria for all of us.
“As religious leaders, you, our pastors and Imams, are not only spirituals guides but also moral compasses by which we measure the positive growth or otherwise of the society.
“You have followership, you have influence and command respect. Use these to bring about an enduring positive behavioural change among our people.
“Nigerians are good people, let not the actions and attitude of a few bad eggs among us give us all a bad name,” he said.
The ICPC chairman called on all the stakeholders to organise events in their collective desire to enthrone a Nigeria glowing with integrity, transparency and accountability in all spheres.
Earlier, Mr Kupolati Kayode, Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) in Ondo State, had said that the dialogue was aimed at enthroning behavioral change and socio-economic rebirth in the society.
Kayode, who said that ICPC could not do the work effectively without the cooperation and inputs of all stakeholders, said the sensitisation would help in spreading the anti-corruption message and also improve service delivery to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The people who perpetrate these acts are not aliens, they are our sons and daughters, followers, legislators, civil servants and contractors.
“The commission, therefore, needs your full support in the onerous fight against corruption in our nation by joining hands with the ICPC in this fight,” he said.
The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, who is also State Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, was represented by the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo.
He expressed appreciation to the ICPC for the initiative, saying it would go a long way to achieve the desired results.
Ogunlade implored the commission and government to always carry the traditional institution along in order to stem corruption in the society.
“In our respective communities, there is need for us to come together so that traditional institutions will be proactive by working hand-in-hand with the government to fight corruption in the society,” he said.
One of the participants, Alhaji Yusuf Agbesinga, the Imam of Gaga Muslim Community in Akure, also called on the commission to create more awareness to tackle the menace of corruption.
He said both the leaders and the led were corrupt.
“If we want corruption to be reduced in our society, our government needs to engage more youths by employing them while both the parents and guardians should teach their children and wards the way of God,” he said.
Also, Mr Olumuyiwa Olawolu, Are Agbe-Asaga of Ondo State, implored government to include traditionalists among those administering the oath of allegiance for office holders so that they could take the oath through “ogun and others traditional gods.
“If we do this, I am sure corruption will become a thing of the past in the country.
“If we want to fight and curb corruption, we must involve traditionalists while our leaders and office holders take oath of office through ogun, sango and others,” he said.
ICPC tasks traditional, religious leaders to promote behavioural change
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
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