United Against Corruption!

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By David Ugolor

It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of the board, management, and staff of ANEEJ, warmly welcome you to this important gathering in commemoration of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day, usually commemorated every 9th of December.

We are particularly honoured to collaborate with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other esteemed stakeholders present here today to have this event.

Today, as we join the global community to mark this significant day, we reflect on the far-reaching consequences of corruption and the urgent need for collective action.

This year’s theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” highlights the critical role that youth play in fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency.

The 2023 United Nations Population Fund Country Programme Document for Nigeria, authored by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Planning, reports that 63% of the population is under 25 years old.

This statistic underscores that the nation’s future undeniably lies in the hands of its youth.

Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to our nation’s development, destroying its potential and undermining the delivery of critical public services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

According to reports, Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to corruption. This reality threatens the aspirations of the current generation and those yet to come.

At ANEEJ, through the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) Project, we have been at the forefront of championing anti-corruption reforms at the national level as well as in Edo State.

This EU-funded project, implemented by International IDEA under the RoLAC II programme, aims to empower civil society organizations and youth to advocate for transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms.

Today, as we bring together over 100 participants including youth, women, civil society organizations, media representatives, and anti-corruption agencies, we reaffirm our commitment to this cause.

We believe that empowering our youth with tools like Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) technology, fostering advocacy, and leveraging technology can drive transformative action across all sectors of governance.

Let me take this opportunity to challenge our youth to:

Speak Out, refuse to normalize corruption and challenge unethical practices in their communities.
Leverage Technology to track government projects, expose irregularities, and demand accountability.
Mobilize and amplify our voices in the fight against corruption.

The CASARN project serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among civil society, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Its objectives include strengthening frameworks such as the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), advocating for the passage of key anti-corruption legislation like the national whistleblower protection bill and the Edo State Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, and promoting the full operationalization of initiatives such as the Edo State Integrity and Accountability Strategy (EDSIAS) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP).

Additionally, the project seeks to enhance compliance with procurement data publication on platforms like NOCOPO, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

We would appreciate discussions and feedback on how we can collectively take these reforms forward.

Let us unite to inspire and support our youth in building a future defined by integrity. At ANEEJ, we remain steadfast in our mission to foster transparency and accountability in Nigeria.

Together, let us shape a nation where corruption has no place and governance serves the people.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the European Union, International IDEA, and all our partners for their unwavering support.

To all participants, we deeply value your presence and contributions as we look forward to a productive meeting.

Thank you, and welcome to the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day event.

God bless you all!

Being a Welcome Address by Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, ANEEJ (African Network for Environment and Economic Justice), represented by Deputy Executive Director, Atakpu Leo at the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day Event held in Benin City on December 19, 2024.