Corruption: Stop Offering Us Bribes, Police, FRSC Tell Nigerians

 

TThe Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday urged Nigerians to stop offering their officers any bribe and urged  public t to report any officer who demands a bribe.

The two agencies were among participants at a one-day virtual stakeholder dialogue on “effective and sustainable strategies for curbing retail corruption” organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC).

PACAC Executive Secretary Prof Sadiq Radda said citizens have a critical role to play in ending petty (retail) corruption, most of which occur in form of bribery.

He believes retail corruption can be reduced when citizens are law-abiding and comply with the rules, and when institutions play their roles effectively.

“Cutting corners is why we have retail corruption. There are processes for getting things done. We should have respect for process and procedures,” he said.

Radda called for the deployment of technology to automate the processes that are prone to abuse.

He added that government agencies have a duty to provide quality and efficient service delivery to achieve a system where average Nigerians would not need to cut corners or get frustrated.

A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Olaolu Adegbite, of the Force Intelligence Bureau, urged Nigerians to report infractions by officers and men to the X-Squad, the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit and the Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU).

“The X-Squad monitors unethical conduct. Citizens can approach the squad with information.

“The IG Monitoring Unit also conducts sting operations and arrests officers in the field and makes recoveries. Citizens must provide support through evidence.

“CITIZENS SHOULD STOP THE ACT OF OFFERING BRIBE AND GRATIFICATION, WHICH IS A CRIME UNDER THE CRIMINAL CODE,” HE SAID.

A senior FRSC official, Ntukidem Godwin, said the Corps has deployed technology through body cameras to monitor officers’ field activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that there are plans to replicate it in other states.

He said Nigerians who comply with traffic rules do not have a reason to offer a bribe to road safety officers.

“DON’T COMMIT TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND DON’T OFFER OUR OFFICERS BRIBE. DON’T TEMPT US WITH BRIBE SO THAT WE CAN LET YOU GO,” HE SAID. 

Source: NAN. 

Insecurity: Gov Ortom Backs Kukah, Accuses FG of Intimidating Nigerians Over Situation in the Country

 Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has accused the presidency of politicising the views expressed by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah on the situation in the country.

The presidency recently faulted Kukah for alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari was showing preference to people of his religion.

Gov Ortom.

However, Governor Ortom in a statement on Saturday, July 24, issued by his spokesman, Terver Akase, accused the federal government of intimidating Nigerians expressing concerns over the worsening security and economic situation in the country.

He said the presidential aides were launching media attacks on a clergyman who is only advocating peace and is drawing the attention of the global community to the plight of helpless Nigerians.  

According to Channels TV, Ortom said Kukah should not victimise for addressing a foreign audience on the security situation in the country because he is not the first to do so.

Ortom asked the federal government to arrest and prosecute members of armed Fulani groups for killing innocent Nigerians.

He urged the presidency to listen to the voices of reason and resist the temptation to whip into silence those who genuinely love the country.

Meanwhile, Bello Matawalle, the governor of Zamfara state, has expressed confidence in the assurances made by President Muhammadu Buhari to end insecurity in the northern parts of the country.

He appealed to leaders to rub minds toward finding solutions and developmental path of progress of the nation.According to VON, Matawalle in a statement he personally signed in Sokoto on Friday, July 23, said northern governors are committed to supporting the president’s efforts to end security challenges in the country.

President Buhari Travels to UK for Medical Checkup, Summit

 

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• President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday, July 26, travel to the United Kingdom to see his doctors and participate in the Global Education Summit on Financing Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2021-2025.

The special adviser to the president on media publicity, Femi Adesina, made the disclosure in a statement issued via a Facebook post.

FG hopes the summit will have positive effects on Nigeria’s educational sector. Photo: Femi Adesina

The aide stated that the summit will be co-hosted by the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and the president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta.

Adesina explained that the summit will also provide a platform for partners to chart a way forward towards transforming education systems in partner countries, through the exchange of best practices.He said it will be attended by heads of state and government as well as stakeholders and youth leaders.

The Nigerian president is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

After the summit, Buhari will spend a few days for an earlier scheduled medical check-up.

He is expected to return to Nigeria by the second week of August 2021.

The minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and some other officials will accompany the president on the trip.