Group tasks FG on strengthening institutions for anti-corruption drive

The Federal Government has been urged to build strong institutions if it must succeed in its anti-corruption drive.

The position was made known at the maiden memorial lecture of Dr. Bolaji Carew held in Lagos by Project 45, a global body of professionals committed to effecting positive change in the Nigerian society.

The group said if implemented, the FG would provide a lasting framework to checkmate corruption at all level.

Speaking on the theme: “Promoting the Rule of Law in Nigeria: The Role of Institutions”, a member of the group and Keynote Speaker for the event, the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Ojo, Prof Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun  noted that although, corruption is a common feature in developed climes, the structures established by their governments ensure  perpetrators are punished for their crimes.

Olanrewaju stressed that: “Every political landscape will be confronted with this (Corruption) and like what is obtainable in other climes, Nigeria is lacking in laws to berth institutional governance, but what saddens me is that our public institutions which are supposed to serve as checks and balances on public officers and leaders who act in error or abuse offices wittingly or unwittingly are not able to live up to expectation.”

Delineatingduring a panel session, the panelists said Nigeria needs to uphold the principle of separation of power as the country is been run like a dictatorship state.

One of the discussants, Dr. Christopher Okeke, said: “We must change the way we do things, beginning from making sure that everyone is held to the same standards at all time.”

On his part a member of the group, who was part of the discussants, Patrick Etim, stressed that “there cannot be strong institutions unless the Nigerians are ready to change. In Nigeria we are held back by religious sentiments, political sentiments and all other types of sentiments and until this orientation changes we will not make any meaningful progress.”
The group, however, urged the government to leverage on strengthening its institution to achieve a corrupt free country.