‎NUJ To Collaborate With ICPC On Strategic Fight Against Corruption

By Patrick Ochei

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, is to collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) with a view to prosecuting the war against corruption strategically.

This understanding was reached when the leadership of the Union in the State, paid a familiarisation visit to the Commission’s office in Asaba, Thursday 30th March, 2023.

During the meeting session, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu underscored the critical importance of ICPC Nigeria in fighting corruption and enhancing positive societal growth through prevention of corrupt tendencies and enforcement of anti corruption laws.

Ikeogwu said the media is key in helping to publicise the activities of the Commission for a better understanding of the public.

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While intimating the officials of the reason for the visit, which he anchored on operational interaction and sharing of ideas on the techniques of anti corruption, he called for synergy between the two organisations for the purposes of putting their activities on a success path.

According to him, the Commission in the State should as much as possible, disallow the advantage of bad eggs amongst them, as well as ensuring that their operational judgment is not compromised at any time.

The Secretary of the State Council of NUJ, Comrade Patrick Ochei, also gave an insight on how to drive anti corruption activities by the collaborative effort of NUJ and ICPC based on his experience as a one-time Secretary of the ICPC Community Development Service under the NYSC.

Responding, the Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner (RACC) in-charge of the Delta State Office, Mr. Edet Ufot commended the NUJ for the visit and show of interest in anti corruption war.

He vehemently agreed to the offer of collaboration and called for strategic planning of a joint programme in the immediate.

Mr. Ufot again, affirmed the importance of the media as an arm of the Commission in fighting and minimising corruption.

The RACC therefore, listed the three cardinal mandates of the Commission, which are Enforcement, Prevention and Public Enlightenment/Education.

In a nutshell, he said the Commission when in receipt of petitions, investigate the complaints and then prosecute.

However, it is also their patriotic duty to take steps to prevent corruption through system study and enlightening of the public on things that constitute corrupt tendencies and how to avoid them; otherwise, they would be prosecuted and punished for the crime.