The Zonal Head of Operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Port Harcourt, Mr. Nnaghe Obono Ịtam, has called on Nigerians to cultivate the right attitudes and disposition as potent means of fighting the menace of corruption.
He gave this charge on Thursday, April 12, 2018 in Port Harcourt, at a two-day International Conference on Economic Development And Sustainability holding at the Rivers State University.
According to Itam, positive attitudes and disposition are capable of separating Nigerians from corrupt practices and influences. ” We must seek to do the right things all the time. We must embrace positive values and disposition. Beyond compliance with regulations and anti- corruption guidelines, Nigerians that have the right value systems and positive attitudes will always reject corruption and its associated evils. This should be a societal tendency. Corruption thieves where negative attitudes and values are not checked”.
Itam spoke on “The Fight Against Corruption In A Globalized Economy”. In his presentation, he identified some key factors affecting the global war against corruption and these are Technology; Institutions; Law, Media & Immigration Systems and Human Resources.
“The task of fighting corruption in a globalized economy requires the harmony of some key factors. These factors are: technology, law, human resources, political systems, institutions, judiciary, media and immigration systems. However, the human element remains the most potent factor in the fight against corruption all over the world. Technology, law, political institutions and other elements depend on the human factor”
“Aside training, competence, availability and resourcefulness of the human element, the readiness and incorruptibility of law enforcers are very important”, he said.
He, therefore, called on law enforcers to be above board and the general public to see the anti- graft war “as everyone’s responsibility. This is how progress can be made”.
The Conference drew participants from the academia, security agencies, government and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
One of the Lead Speakers, Professor S.G. Eduomiekumo, Vice- Chancellor, Niger Delta University, challenged Nigerians to shake off the yoke of subservience and dependence on the developed economies and play more enviable roles in a globalized economy.
” Over the years, Nigerian contribution to global trade and investment continues to be minimal. We consume but we don’t produce. It is only production and industrialization that can make us impactful in the global economy”, he said.
Another Speaker, Professor Willie Okowa, an economist and public affairs commentator, stressed that corruption would continue to be an intractable problem in Nigeria until fundamental systemic and policy changes are made in the nation.
” Corruption is endemic in Nigeria. We must do something drastic to stem its tide”, he said.
The Conference was convened by the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics of the Rivers State University in conjunction with the International Institute For Policy Review And Development Strategies.
