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International Anti-corruption Day: CSO Demands Accountability, Transparency From Government

Published

5 years ago

December 9, 2020

As the world marks the 2020 International Anti-Corruption Day, a civil society group, Action for Socio-political and Economic Change (ASEC), Wednesday tasked government at all levels to be open in their day-to-day running of government affairs with a view to letting the people follow through.

The call was made by the Coordinator of the group, Leftist Osazee Edigin, while speaking with newsman in commemoration of the 2020 International Anti-Corruption Day in Benin City.

This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day with the theme ‘Recover with Integrity’ was to examine the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and the fight against corruption; the need for state actors to be transparent and accountable in their dealings in the face of the novel pandemic that threw the world into a state of uncertainty.

Edigin said irrespective of the negative effect of the pandemic on revenue drive, government in its bid in cushioning its socio-economic effect on the people by way of providing palliatives has not been transparent in providing data of relief materials received from donors and inventory of distribution to the people.

Edigin, while noting that the EndSARS protests led to the discovery of palliatives stored by government across the country, berrated politicians hoarding palliatives meant for the public in the face of hunger that was ravaging the country.

Leftist Osazee Edigin, Coordinator, ASEC, addressing newsmen.

The ASEC Coordinator expressed disappointment on how budget documents, financial statements and auditor’s reports have become sacred documents that the citizens cannot have access to, just as he said the fight against corruption and corrupt practices should start from making such documents accessible for citizens scrutiny.

“It’s worthy of note that, the purpose for a government to be instituted is because there are citizens and tax payers’ monies to be deployed, that whatever the government is receiving or spending is being done in trust for the people”, he posited.

Leftist Edigin who decried the muzzling of local government constitutional revenue rights by the state government, noted that almost all the statutory powers including collection of certain levies and rates has been taking over by the state government. He said this act contravene provision in the 4th schedule in the 1999 Constitution of the federation as amended.

He said the collection of Land Use Charge by state government which incorporates tenement rates constitutionally to local government councils and the taking over of outdoor advertisement and Signage rates are steps toward the total crippling of local government councils in the state.

He tasked the state and local governments the need to be transparent and open in public business as it builds confidence, trust and patriotism on the part of citizens,

Edigin stated further that budget documents, financial statements and auditor’s reports should always be made public for citizens to know how their commonwealth is being managed by those who hold power in trust for them.

Action for Socio-political and Economic Change (ASEC) is an affiliate organisation of Edo Civil Society Organisations.

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Tinubu Orders Defence Minister To Relocate To Kebbi State Over Abduction Of 25 School Girls

Published

6 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4am on Monday.

Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.

On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.

President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

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Nigeria Now Deadliest Place On Earth To Be Christian – Nigerian Bishop Laments

Published

6 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Benue State, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, says Nigeria has become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.

Bishop Anagbe made this statement on Thursday while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, CPC

Speaking before the US Congress, the Bishop said that the controversy escalated after President Trump designated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025.

He alleged systematic persecution of Christians in the country, saying “Attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram have intensified, targeting Christian communities with impunity.

“More believers are killed there annually than in the rest of the world combined, yet perpetrators face little accountability.

“Violence is spreading, displacing millions and destroying farmland, creating a humanitarian crisis worsened by food insecurity. Without urgent intervention, Christianity risks being wiped out in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.

“Nigeria, already designated a Country of Particular Concern, must now be met with decisive action,” he said.

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Christian Genocide: Back Nigeria CPC Redesignation With Action, Nigerian Bishop Begs Trump

Published

6 hours ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, in Benue State, Wilfred Anagbe, has appealed to President Donald Trump of the United States to match its renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, with concrete action.

Bishop Anagbe made this call on Thursday, while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC

He said, “On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.

“It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country.”

The cleric also called on lawmakers to tie security and humanitarian aid to measurable improvements.

“Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said.

Bishop Anagbe told lawmakers that many Christian victims in Benue remain traumatised, adding that one priest he knows cannot walk after surviving a terrorist attack.

‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He accused the federal government of downplaying casualty figures and abandoning survivors of repeated assaults.”

Anagbe also argued that President Donald Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”