National News
UNODC: Many Nigerians See Corruption as Anathema, Ready to Fight it to a Standstill
UNODC: Many Nigerians See Corruption as Anathema, Ready to Fight it to a Standstill
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that Nigeria is on the right track to seeing an end to a culture of correction as many of its citizens see corruption as anathema and are willing to wage war to stop the virus.
Speaking on Monday at the Commemoration of 2024 International Anti-corruption day with the theme: Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure said: “Our recent national corruption survey reveals encouraging signs of progress. An impressive 70% of Nigerians, including our youth, have refused to pay a bribe on at least one occasion. This statistic is not just a number; it represents a growing culture of integrity and resistance against
corruption.
“Moreover, 42% of respondents refused to pay bribes simply because it was “the right thing to do”. This moral stance is the foundation upon which we must build our anti-corruption efforts.
“We’ve also seen a significant increase in the willingness to report bribery
incidents, more than doubling from 3.6% in 2019 to 8.6% in 2023. This surge in civic responsibility is partly due to the increased accessibility of complaint channels, including social networks, websites, and apps.”
He noted that: “Our collective efforts are yielding tangible results. The rate of negative consequences for refusing to pay bribes has decreased from 49% in 2019
to 38% in 2023. Furthermore, we’ve witnessed a nearly threefold increase
in the initiation of formal procedures against corrupt public officials, rising
from 16% to 45% between 2019 and 2023.
“These figures demonstrate that our institutions are taking complaints more seriously and are more willing to act on them.”
He however said: “Despite these positive developments, we must acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. We must ask ourselves: How can we further foster integrity, transparency, and
accountability in the public sector? How can we empower our youth to be an integral part of the solution?”
He added that: “As Felipe Paullier, the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, powerfully stated:”Corruption impacts us all, but for the 1.9 billion young people alive today, its effects can be devastating. It robs them of opportunities, erodes trust in institutions, and threatens their aspirations of a fair and sustainable future.”
Toure, while noting that Corruption is not
an abstract concept; it has real, daily consequences for all of us as it
diminishes resources for education, healthcare, social development, and
climate action, and stifles creativity, limits job prospects, and even affects
the fairness of sports and public life, said: “But there is hope, and that hope lies in our youth. Young people are not
merely victims of corruption; they are powerful agents of change.”
He noted that: “AcrossNigeria and around the world, young people are organizing in their communities, promoting accountability, and advocating for ethical behavior. They are natural innovators, leveraging new technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence to increase transparency and combat corruption.”
Toure added that: “To our policymakers, educators, civil society, and the private sector: it’s time to give youth a seat at the table. Listen to their voices and involve
them in decisions that shape their future.
“To our young people: demand accountability, share your innovative
solutions, and lead by example in your communities.”
He stressed that: “The fight against corruption is not the sole responsibility of the government or anti-corruption authorities. It requires the collective effort
of all stakeholders – women, youth, civil society organisations, the private
sector, and youth leaders. Each of us has a crucial role to play.”
On his part, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande said: “I am here today not just to talk about the problems but to assure our young people that we are listening, and we are acting. Our goal is simple: to create a system that protects, supports, and empowers every young Nigerian.”
He noted that: “The challenges are clear. Across the country, too many young people find themselves victims of a justice system that often fails them.”
He lamented that: “A large number of our prisoners are under the age of 35, and many are held without trial for years. This troubling reality highlights a dual crisis: young people facing systemic delays in accessing justice and the growing involvement of youth in criminal activities.
“Economic hardship, lack of opportunities, and weak institutional structures often push our young people toward crime, further fueling the cycle of mistrust in the system.”
He equally decried that: “At the same time, the rising wave of drug abuse is tearing through our communities. The prevalence is particularly high among those aged 25-39, a core youth demographic.
“Behind these figures are countless stories of young people struggling with addiction, cybercrimes, victims of Human Trafficking, unable to find help, and battling stigma that pushes them further into isolation.
“Mental health challenges, often ignored or misunderstood, only make this crisis worse. For many, seeking help is not even an option because of the cultural and institutional barriers they face.
“Human trafficking is another reality we cannot ignore. It preys on the vulnerability of our youth, robbing them of their dignity and freedom. Corruption enables these networks to flourish, making it even more critical that we act decisively to protect our young people.”
He however said: “In response to these urgent issues, the Ministry of Youth Development established the Nigerian Youth Help Desk. This initiative serves as a direct link between young Nigerians and the support they need. It is a platform where they can report cases of corruption, seek justice, and access the help they need.”
He added that: “To our young people, I say this: your voices matter, your struggles are understood, and your aspirations are at the heart of our efforts.
“As we mark this important day, let us remember that corruption can only thrive in the shadows. By shining a light on it through action, vigilance, and collaboration, we can build a nation where honesty and integrity reign supreme. This is our commitment, our responsibility, and our shared purpose.”
UNODC: Many Nigerians See Corruption as Anathema, Ready to Fight it to a Standstill
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.
The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.
The independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow after the one-day event.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
- Tasks Nigerians on constructive criticism of government actions, policies
By: Our Reporter
Wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, has scored the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu very high, saying the President is building a better Nigeria for Nigerians through his laudable economic policies, various empowerment initiatives and investments in key sectors of the economy.
And to help the President secure a better future for all Nigerians, the VP’s wife also encouraged the citizens not to relent in giving very useful advice to the government, urging them to be more constructive in their criticism of the administration instead of just attacking for political reasons.
Hajiya Nana Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during the annual Ramadan feast, which had in attendance women groups and students
Emphasizing the determination of the Tinubu administration to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, she said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is baking a new cake for us that are alive today, and for the Nigerian children and grandchildren that are coming behind us. It is who he is ably supported by our lovely First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.”
Hajiya Nana Shettima noted that the President means well for the people of Borno State as well as Nigerians in all parts of the country, even as she urged the citizens to always pray for President Tinubu and members of his cabinet.
“I can tell you that he (the President) means well, not only for Borno people but for the entire nation. We should not forget him and his subordinates in our prayers,” she added.
She further commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contributions towards actualizing the agenda of the administration, especially through the Renewed Hope Initiative which she said has impacted many lives, including women, children and people with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, Abuja, Dr Asabe Bashir, admonished women and the people of Borno State to imbibe the teachings of the just concluded Ramadan.
She also sought the people’s support and prayers for President Tinubu, thanking the President for picking his deputy from Borno State.
She said, “I always reiterate the importance of prayer because without prayers we can do nothing in life. We have just come out of Ramadan; let us imbibe that culture and lessons we received during the 29-day fast. We need to continue with the spiritual reflection.
“We should thank God and President Bola Tinubu for remembering the people of Borno State again by bringing the seat of the Vice President, not just to the North-East region but to Borno State after Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was elected along with the late Chief MKO Abiola so many years ago.
“We must continue to pray for the administration of President Bola Tinubu because if it succeeds, we succeed,” Dr Bashir added.
On his part, the Speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Tijjani Abubakar, thanked President Tinubu for his support to Nigerian youths through various youth empowerment initiatives.
Also, Dr Martins Ekunke, who spoke on behalf the South-South, Yoruba and Igbo communities residing in Borno State, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for galvanizing support for people living with HIV/AIDS through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Among those that attended the annual Sallah feast hosted by Hajiya Shettima, were the wife of the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Maryam Lawan; wife of the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Laure Musa-Askira; female Commissioners and political appointees.
Also in attendance were women groups, members of the Borno State chapter of the Nationals Association of Nigerian Students, as well as the leaders of South-South, Igbo and Yoruba communities residing in Borno State, among others.
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
By: Michael Mike
The National Headquarters of University of Ilorin Alumni Association has lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing three of its members into various leadership positions in the country.
Those appointed were Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nandap,, whose tenure was elongated till December 2026, Non Executive Director of NNPC, representing North Central, Mr Babs Omotowa- and the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, Prof. James A. Aribisala.
In a congratulatory message to the trio, the National President, Prof. AbdulRasaq Kilani, and the National Secretary, Dr Barakat Raji, said the Association received the news of the appointments with excitement.
The Alumni, who commended President Tinubu for selecting the best for their various positions, assured him that the three alumni would not disappoint him in attaining the goals set for them to achieve.
While felicitating with the appointed members on their well-deserved appointment, the Association charged them to always show the excellence in them in surpassing the targets set for them by Mr President.
The Association who extolled the pedigrees of the appointed members in their various fields, implored them to live up to the expectations of the slogan of the institutions “better by far” in all ramifications.
The Alumni then prayed for their successful tenure and tasked them not to hesitate to reach out to them whenever their services are needed in any capacity towards national development.
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
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