What Makes Nigerians Corrupt – ICPC Boss

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta has said that poverty, inadequate government infrastructure and other related issues often lead many Nigerians to steal from government coffers.
According to him, in countries where corruption is less, things such as electricity, smooth educational system, adequate security and others are in place.
The anti-corruption boss, who hosted a delegation of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers who paid his a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday, said that his commission attacks corruption from the roots and doesn’t make much noise about it.
He therefore sought not only the understanding of Journalists and media owners but a partnership to strengthen the anti-corruption campaign in the country.
Ekpo Nta said that the partnership would entail the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guild of Corporate Online Publisher, to for the training of its members to enhance effective investigative reports on corruption.
“A look at some publications on corruption clearly shows that reporters of such news lack basic understanding of corruption and the mandate of different agencies in the fight against corruption.
“We will work out modalities to have an MoU with your association, to establish a working relationship that will entail discussions on ways to fight corruption in the country in 2015.”
Nta noted that the role of online media in information dissemination was enormous, stressing that the coming together of the publishers would address frivolous publications online.
Nta urged the publishers to ensure adequate training for journalists reporting on corruption issues.
Earlier, Salami Semiu, the leader of the delegation, said the Guild was established a year ago to regulate the activities of online media publishers.
Semiu said the visit was to formally introduce the Guild to the commission as well to canvass partnership in business to sustain the organizations. [myad]