The Executive Chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Mr. Ola Olukoyede has reiterated
the Commission’s commitment to the promotion of integrity, transparency and
accountability in the country.
He restated this on Tuesday,
May 13, 2025 during a strategy session on the restructuring of Integrity Icon
Nigeria (IIN) Awards, held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
“As a nation, our integrity
rating has been terribly lowered by a combination of unsavoury practices and
every effort we are making to change this narrative is both patriotic and
rewarding. The efforts embody our shared commitment to promoting transparency,
accountability, and integrity in our nation,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman who was
represented by the Head of Enlightenment Unit of the Commission, Assistant
Commander of the EFCC II, Aisha Mohammed, described the Integrity Icon Nigeria
Awards as “an innovative effort aimed at relaunching our country on the path of
global respectability.”
Olukoyede who stated that
integrity was a core value of the EFCC, noted that there was no better way to
drive development in the country than through the promotion of ethical
conducts.
“There is no better way to
drive development at individual, corporate, national and international levels
without integrity. The Integrity Icon Nigeria Award, therefore, serves as a
beacon of hope, inspiring citizens to uphold the highest standards of ethics
and morality and restoring the lost glory of our nation,” he said
He urged the organisers of the
award, Accountability Lab to be meticulous in the selection process, stating
that the credibility of the nominees would further lift the value and prestige
of the award.
“The only means of dignifying
those lifting the award is to ensure that they are credible Nigerians with
proven records of integrity and commitment to the development of the nation,”
he said.
While charging all Nigerians
to get involved in efforts geared towards national image rebuilding and ethical
reawakening, he recommended a strategic partnership between Accountability Lab
and the National Orientation Agency, NOA to further amplify the message of
integrity across the country.
“Nigeria is our commonwealth.
All hands must be on deck to ensure that it takes its pride of place in the
comity of nations,” he said, adding that “The EFCC will continue to identify
with every genuine effort geared towards the growth and development of our
nation. This should be the driving force of every Nigerian, and we are positive
that our nation will be great again.”
The Public Policy and Research
Officer of
Accountability Lab Nigeria, Mnenga
Shiiwua, expressed appreciation for the support the IIN award has received over
the years, noting that since its inception, it has recognised 40 civil servants
over an eight years period, “naming and faming” five icons annually through
support from the MacArthur Foundation.
“The campaign has helped shift
conversations around accountability from a focus on negative narratives about
civil servants to one that celebrates positive examples of ethical leadership
in the public sector,” he said.
In his goodwill message on behalf of SERVICOM, Tony
Ochelegbe commended Accountability Lab for its efforts and pledged SERVICOM’s
assistance in helping reach Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, during
the nomination process of the award.
“SERVICOM is excited with what
Accountability Lab is doing. Wherever you find any government agency
inaccessible to you, SERVICOM will play a role in helping you reach out to such
MDAs so that you can effectively evaluate your nominees,” he said.
The event attracted
participants from ICPC, NOA and civil society organizations, which made inputs
on how to strengthen the campaign’s structure and outreach of the award.
The Integrity Icon Nigeria
award, a global initiative of Accountability Lab is a citizen-driven effort to
spotlight honest civil servants and generate national dialogue around
integrity, honesty, and responsibility in governance.
The session on restructuring
the procedures of the award is aimed at improving the impact and sustainability
of the initiative and provide opportunities to examine lessons learned and make
room for a more inclusiveness in line with Chatham House’s recommendation on
recognition and reward systems.
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