Opinion

Should EFCC, ICPC Be Scrapped?

Published

14 years ago

April 23, 2012

Following the debate generated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) whose efforts at tackling the scourge of corruption in the country have remained below expectation, some Nigerians have called for the scrapping of the two anti-corruption agencies which they argue are performing the traditional duties of the police.

However, they feel that the police as a crime-fighting institution has not fared any better.

Here are some of the views expessed by Nigerians on the issue. Mrs Lora Braisewell – Geogolist

The police should be scrapped instead of the EFCC and ICPC. The police are not functioning. The EFCC and ICPC function better than the police, for me, they do better work. They are created for specific functions which they have been carrying out.

What the EFCC needs is more backing from the Federal Government. I don’t think they have enough support from the Federal Government at the moment. With enough backing from the federal government, I think EFCC will do better. When Ribadu was the head of the EFCC, he performed very well in tackling financial crimes in the country. I believe there are still a few good men in Nigeria, who can be co-opted into the EFCC to function better.

Mr Emmanuel Somiari- Media Worker.

My own opinion is that instead of scrapping EFCC, ICPC and FRSC, the police should be scrapped. The EFCC is performing better than the police. Agreed, some members of the EFCC are policemen but they’re doing a better job.

With the appointment of the current EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, some bad eggs have been flushed out of EFCC and the commission is doing better. A lot of things went wrong during Farida’s administration which are now being corrected. What the chairman needs to do now is to pick credible people whom he trusts, to work with him.

I also think ICPC and EFCC should work hand-in-hand to curtail fraud and move this country forward.

Barrister (Mrs) Nkechi Bright – lawyer

From the on set I was never in support of the EFCC because with all their findings, nothing came to an end. You only hear that EFCC discovered this or that but you don’t see anybody suffering for the offence that he/she committed. So I think I’m in support of the scrapping of EFCC.

All Nigerians hear is that EFCC discovered that this person looted a certain amount of money and all that and the matter is in court. But we don’t see these people being prosecuted and being sent to jail which is the ultimate for such offences.

ICPC and EFCC are doing almost the same work and it still boils down to the same thing. The end result is what Nigerians are looking out for. We want to see people that commit offences go to jail and pay for their offences. If you are a commission set up by law like they are and you see that you achieve no result from what you have been asked to do, don’t you do anything about it? You just keep quiet? So I think all parties are to be blamed here, the commissions and even the judiciary (for the endless prosecutions).

In the case of FRSC, I think they deviated from what they were set up to do, they are now interested in changing plate numbers and all that, doing the work of a traffic man, instead of ensuring safety on our roads.

But in their own case, they should be channelled properly. EFCC and ICPC should be scrapped because the Federal Government is just putting in funds there and we are not seeing any result. The desired aim why those commissions were set up, we are not seeing it because corruption is still the same thing in Nigeria. Nothing has changed.

Mr. Anthony Ugowe, a lawyer/businessman What I think is that EFCC and ICPC should be merged, not necessarily scrapped because I think the police will do a very shoddy job in tackling corruption. But EFCC, so far, even if they are not perfect, they’re doing a good job. But ICPC is living under the shadow of EFCC. They do almost the same thing and ICPC has not been performing so far. So I think ICPC should be merged with EFCC.

For the FRSC, I think they should be merged with the police. I think FRSC is a drain on our resources because they do basically what the police does as regards traffic and everything. Apart from that, looking at their number, they are just like a handful compared to the police that are everywhere.

When you have law enforcement officers everywhere, people behave themselves. So, I think they should be merged with the police.

Coming back to EFCC, I think compared to the police, EFCC has some level of discipline, some staff of the commission are drawn from the police and they still have civilians which create a proper balance in the equation. There’s a sort of check and balance.

So they should either scrap the ICPC or merge them with EFCC, then, FRSC should be merged with police. They should be a special arm of the police. For instance, right now, the traffic wardens (yellow fever) are completely useless. What they do is just to control traffic. But they should be holding the position of the road safety commission. That’s what I think.

Mr. Jackson Monday Sariguma, CDC Chairman. I disagree with the idea of scrapping EFCC because the work of the police is different from that of EFCC. EFCC is tackling financial corruption but the police is tackling general crime. With the level of corruption in the police, I don’t think the police will be able to handle politicians today who are busy looting our treasury.

Merging police with FRSC is also wrong because police cannot do the work effectively. You see policemen on the road instead of them taking care of the problems on the road, you see them collecting N20, N50 from drivers. So they should allow FRSC to be there so that they can manage the road. The day I was going to my village and there was an accident on the road, if not for FRSC officials, many people would have died there. But policemen were there who couldn’t do any thing to help the accident victims.

So I will suggest, let all the commissions remain. Rather, the police be reformed so that the police can be reliable. Nigeria’s income is enough to maintain those agencies. The only thing is that they have to put reliable persons there and they will do their job effectively. So let the status quo remain but government should finance them, maintain them, reform them, send them abroad for training and I believe they will carry out their duties, and Nigeria will be in peace.

Mr. Ifeanyi Onyebe- businessman.

What I want to say is that when the ICPC was created, they were given a mandate which they are not carrying out. They are only focusing on the financial aspect of it. That is why today you hear them talking of EFCC taking over their job.

One of the objectives is to educate Nigerians in order to correct the way corruption has eaten up the whole system. Up till date, ICPC is not educating or enlightening the public. They are supposed to take the campaign against corruption to schools, talk to the students so that when they graduate they are not going to involve themselves in corrupt practices. But today, they are not doing so. They want to investigate those that have committed one or two financial crimes. Yes, in that aspect, the job of the EFCC and ICPC are overlapping. And I’m suggesting that if ICPC does not want to go into educating, enlightening the public on the dangers of corruption, if they want to focus on fighting financial crimes only, ICPC should be scrapped or be emerged with the EFCC.

Then, EFCC on its own side, needs to live up to our expectation. Every time we will be hearing 40 count charges, 50 count charges, yet none of those offenders had been made to pay for the offences committed. None of them has refunded the money stolen. So I want EFCC to sit up and work for Nigerians and not for the government because as it stands now, it seems they are working for the government, those that appointed them.

Again, merging the police and FRSC will bring about a total collapse in the system as far as traffic is concerned. If you see the way people drive on the highways, on our roads, you will agree with me that if you decide to merge the police and FRSC, every thing will just fall apart. The police should be solely in charge of security while FRSC should go on and educate Nigerians on how to drive. Let us know the signs, let us know what and what we need to do. Let us know the danger of carrying over load, because many people have gone and many are still dying.

The traffic department of the police is not effective. You only see then where they are doing what traffic light is supposed to do, but you can’t see them on the highways doing what they are supposed to do.

Opinion

Tackling Noise Pollution in Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Noise pollution is not merely an inconvenience; it is a silent threat to health, dignity, and the right of every Nigerian to live in peace. Worship should uplift the soul, not assault the ears.”

The viral video of former Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Charles Ogbonna, chasing worshippers out of a worship center in Ibeku, Umuahia, with a cutlass sparked widespread outrage—and understandably so. No citizen, regardless of provocation, has the right to threaten others with a weapon. Such behavior is unacceptable in a civilized society and must be condemned. Yet outrage alone does not capture the full picture. Reports indicate that Mr. Ogbonna acted after enduring prolonged and excessive noise from the Umuobasi Town Hall, allegedly used for religious activities, which made life unbearable for residents. A resident, Chinedu, told journalists that the former commissioner stormed the hall around 1 a.m., after hours of blaring noise deprived people of sleep. While self-help was the wrong approach—he should have reported the matter to authorities—this incident highlights a deeper problem:

Nigeria’s culture of unchecked noise pollution and the failure of authorities to protect citizens’ right to peace, rest, and a healthy environment. When legitimate complaints are ignored, frustration builds—sometimes with dangerous consequences. Noise pollution in Nigeria is pervasive. Worship centers, commercial activities, motor parks, roadside traders, and private generators create an environment of relentless noise. So normalized is this that many Nigerians feel powerless to act. This culture of indifference—trampling on the right to quiet in the name of worship, celebration, or business—must end. Noise is not a minor inconvenience. It is a serious environmental and public health hazard. Medical experts warn that prolonged exposure to excessive noise can cause hearing loss, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, anxiety, and other psychological conditions

. The British Medical Bulletin notes that constant noise triggers stress responses that may lead to illness. Sleep deprivation—a common consequence—reduces productivity, undermines emotional stability, and worsens overall wellbeing. In a country already struggling with health challenges, noise pollution quietly compounds the problem. So what are Nigerian authorities doing? The truth is: the laws exist but enforcement is weak. Section 22 of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, 2007 empowers NESREA to regulate noise from industrial, commercial, domestic, recreational, and transport sources. Violations can attract fines or imprisonment. Likewise, the National Environmental (Noise Standards and Control) Regulations, 2009 clearly define permissible noise levels across residential, commercial, and industrial zones.

The problem is not the absence of laws—it is the absence of will. Many citizens are unaware of their rights or where to report violations. Regulatory agencies are often underfunded, poorly equipped, and hesitant to act, particularly when influential religious or commercial interests are involved. The Umuahia incident is a textbook example of institutional failure: when lawful channels fail repeatedly, some individuals take the law into their own hands. Enforcement must be firm, consistent, and impartial. Environmental agencies need funding, modern noise-monitoring equipment, and trained personnel capable of responding swiftly. Laws must apply to all—churches, mosques, clubs, hotels, and individuals alike. There have been rare instances of decisive action. A decade ago, the Lagos State Government sealed 53 churches, mosques, and hotels for noise violations, following complaints from residents.

In October 2025, Lagos again sealed several establishments over excessive noise. Yet, such crackdowns are often temporary. Churches and mosques continue to dominate neighborhoods with blaring loudspeakers, making sleep a luxury during week-long vigils or pre-dawn sermons. For the elderly, the sick, and those who work long hours, this is more than an annoyance—it is harmful. Compared to many developed countries, Nigeria’s situation is embarrassing. Elsewhere, worship is associated with calm, reflection, and serenity. Noise levels are strictly regulated, and places of worship are often soundproofed. The question arises: is God in Nigeria hard of hearing, or has shouting simply become the default mode of expression?The rapid proliferation of worship centers has worsened the problem. Many spring up indiscriminately in high-density areas, markets, and private compounds, with little regard for zoning laws or environmental standards.

This neglect undermines productivity, social harmony, and quality of life. Noise pollution is a silent threat, eroding health and dignity in ways that often go unnoticed. Decisive action is urgently needed. Agencies must be strengthened, insulated from political and religious pressure, and empowered to enforce laws consistently. Offenders must face consequences regardless of influence. Public enlightenment is equally crucial: many Nigerians are unaware that excessive noise is harmful or that they have a legal right to quiet enjoyment of their environment. Sustained education through media, schools, and community forums can shift attitudes. Religious leaders, in particular, must understand that consideration for neighbors is not an attack on faith but a moral responsibility. Soundproofing standards for worship centers and entertainment venues should be adopted nationwide.

Worship should uplift the soul, not assault the ears. Freedom of religion and expression must coexist with responsibility and respect for others. Noise is an inevitable part of urban life, but chaos is not. Nigeria cannot continue as a society where “anything goes.” Psychologists argue that education, stricter enforcement, and changes in personal habits can make a significant difference. If citizens are empowered to demand accountability and authorities act decisively, Nigeria can become a healthier, more livable society.

The Umuahia incident should serve as a wake-up call—not just about individual misconduct but about systemic failure. Protecting citizens from noise pollution is not merely about silence; it is about dignity, health, and the right to live in peace.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

As Sim Turns Golden

Published

5 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”The milestone of fifty provides an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to ethical leadership, and to envision a legacy that will outlast any political cycle.”

Milestones invite reflection. They prompt us to pause, look back, and anticipate the road ahead. Today, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara marks his 50th birthday, Rivers State and Nigerians at large are given the opportunity to reflect not just on the life of a man, but on the journey of leadership, the test of governance, and the enduring responsibilities of public office. Fifty years is not merely a number; it is a marker of experience, a testament to resilience, and a challenge to the imagination of what the next chapter can hold. Governor Fubara’s rise to leadership was built on the twin pillars of professional discipline and political acumen. Long before he assumed the mantle of governance, he distinguished himself as a technocrat. His years as Accountant-General of Rivers State demonstrated a meticulous understanding of public finance, an ability to manage complex systems, and a commitment to efficiency.

In a political culture too often shaped by spectacle rather than substance, Fubara’s early career reflected a quiet diligence that few could ignore. This reputation positioned him not merely as a politician, but as a steward — a custodian of resources, institutions, and trust. Fifty is an age at which experience meets expectation. For Governor Fubara, this is particularly significant. The administration he now leads has faced scrutiny from every conceivable quarter: political opponents, civil society, the media, and citizens whose expectations have never been higher. Rivers State is a microcosm of Nigeria’s complexities — rich in resources, brimming with potential, but also marked by deep-seated political tensions and societal demands. Leadership here requires more than charisma; it demands judgment, prudence, and a capacity for calm under pressure. On this front, Fubara has shown steadiness.

A hallmark of Governor Fubara’s leadership has been restraint. In an era where governance is too often performed as theater, where loud voices overshadow measured action, he has consistently chosen law over intimidation, procedure over impulse. Decisions are referenced against statutes, governance is framed by institutional norms, and the public is reminded that authority comes with accountability. For a society still consolidating democratic norms, such temperance is both rare and necessary. It is, in many ways, the quiet hallmark of leadership that values stability over spectacle.Yet, birthdays are also moments for honest evaluation. Rivers people will rightly look beyond ceremony and expectation to tangible outcomes. Stability and process matter, but they must ultimately translate into progress: roads that improve mobility, policies that create jobs, systems that empower citizens, and governance that bridges divides rather than deepening them

. Leadership is judged not only by restraint but by results, not only by patience but by purpose. Fifty is a time when reflection must guide action, and where the lessons of experience inform a vision for the future. Governor Fubara’s milestone is also an opportunity to consider the human dimension of governance. Leadership at this level is taxing; the weight of responsibility is constant, and the scrutiny relentless. At 50, a leader is expected to balance firmness with flexibility, authority with empathy, decisiveness with dialogue. These qualities define whether governance is perceived as merely functional or as transformative. Rivers State, with its history of political turbulence, needs a governor who can navigate competing interests without sacrificing principle — and it is here that Fubara’s personal discipline and professional rigor can be leveraged for enduring impact.

Importantly, this birthday offers a chance for strategic reflection on inclusiveness and unity. Great leaders understand that reconciliation is not a concession, but a strategic tool for lasting peace. Rivers State has long been challenged by divisions — political, social, and economic. Leadership at this stage of life demands not just administrative efficiency, but a capacity to bring people together, to heal fractures, and to inspire confidence across divides. As the governor enters his sixth decade, the expectation is that wisdom will translate into bridge-building, that vision will extend beyond immediate political calculations, and that the interests of the state will outweigh the allure of short-term gains.On a personal note, Governor Fubara’s 50th birthday is a celebration of a life defined by service. Public office is not a ceremonial honor; it is a calling with obligations that extend beyond one’s personal ambitions

. It requires courage to make difficult decisions, patience to see policies take root, and humility to acknowledge limitations. The milestone of fifty provides an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to these ideals, to recommit to ethical leadership, and to envision a legacy that will outlast any political cycle. In conclusion, while birthdays are often private affairs, Governor Fubara’s milestone is unavoidably public. It is a moment to celebrate achievement, reflect on lessons learned, and anticipate the challenges ahead. At 50, a leader is expected to combine experience with vision, composure with courage, and principle with pragmatism. Rivers State and Nigerians at large have reason to observe this juncture with hope, expectation, and a measure of optimism.

So today, as the governor marks his 50th year, we offer not just congratulations, but also a reminder: leadership is measured in deeds as much as in years. The next chapter will define legacy, and the people will judge both the man and his administration by the tangible improvements in their daily lives. A toast, therefore, is not only to fifty years of life, but to fifty more years of leadership guided by wisdom, foresight, and the enduring pursuit of the common good. Happy birthday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara — may the next fifty be even more defining.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Policy Intervention: More Than Administrative Reform

Published

2 weeks ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”This policy intervention proves that education reform is not just about administration, but about restoring dignity, equity, and integrity to the learning process.”

On September 24, 2025, the article” A Growing Emergency: How Marked-Up Textbooks Are Sabotaging Nigeria’s School Children”, written by King Onunwo, was published in The Tide Newspaper. In the said article, the writer expressed pains in what he viewed as ‘a silent but damaging practice’ taking root in homes across Nigeria, one that threatens the academic future of millions of children in primary and secondary schools. From the paintings of the writer, this seemingly minor convenience where older siblings complete their homeworks directly inside their school textbooks, may seem harmless on the surface. On the contrary, it is creating a dangerous ripple effect. What used to be a normal practice—siblings reusing textbooks year after year to ease the financial burden on families—has now turned into a nightmare. The writer could best describe its impact in our educational system as a stumbling block for students, and a ticking time bomb for the education system and to say the least, a source of distress for countless parents.

The core message of the article is that writing homework and classwork inside textbooks has evolved from a harmless household habit into a national educational crisis that is quietly undermining learning outcomes in Nigeria. Specifically, the article argues that: marked-up textbooks sabotage learning by denying younger students the opportunity to think independently, practice problem-solving, and engage meaningfully with lessons. Economic hardship has normalized textbook reuse, but misuse has turned a cost-saving strategy into an educational disadvantage. The problem is systemic, not merely individual, reflecting failures in policy enforcement, public awareness, and educational support structures. Hence, government’s intervention is urgently required, including regulations, awareness campaigns, textbook audits, penalties, and subsidized writing materials.

Violation of education equity was also fingered as children are academically punished due to circumstances beyond their control—birth order and family income. King Onunwo opined that small oversights can cause large-scale damage, and ignoring such “minor” issues threatens Nigeria’s broader educational goals. Ultimately, he called for a national textbook integrity policy to protect learning materials and ensure fairness in education. Deductively, the writer ‘s feelings and emotional tone conveyed a deep concern and alarm, repeatedly framing the issue as a “growing emergency,” “ticking time bomb,” and “quiet academic crisis.” which signals a genuine fear that the problem if unchecked, may have irreversible consequences.

The writer ‘s tone is outrightly that of an advocate, not a neutral observer, speaking with a strong sense of justice, emphasizing on education as a right, meaning that children should not be academically disadvantaged by family circumstances, hence, the need for society to protect educational tools.The repeated calls for “immediate,” “urgent,” and “no time to waste” action showed impatience with delays and excuses. The writer believes every academic term lost worsens the damage. It is not just about textbooks—it is about educational dignity, equality, and systemic responsibility. The closing metaphor (“the handwriting is on the wall”) reinforces the writer’s belief that the consequences are already visible and that failure to act would be inexcusable. By responding decisively to growing concerns around the misuse and rising cost of learning materials, the Federal Government has demonstrated that thoughtful advocacy still matters—and that public interest writing can indeed influence policy in meaningful ways.

The recently unveiled education policy banning disposable workbooks and mandating the use of durable, reusable textbooks is a commendable step in the right direction. It directly addresses the very issues raised by King Onunwo and other concerned writers and parents who have long warned about the silent damage being done to Nigeria’s school children through poorly designed textbook practices and unchecked misuse of learning materials. For years, families—especially those with multiple children—have struggled under the weight of repeated textbook purchases. Worse still, the culture of writing directly into textbooks turned what should have been reusable learning tools into single-use items, sabotaging younger siblings who inherited books already filled with answers, errors, and confusion. The new policy does not merely reduce costs; it restores the integrity of textbooks as reference materials meant to guide thinking, not replace it.

By insisting on standardized, high-quality textbooks designed to last four to six years, the government has effectively validated the core argument of education advocates: that sustainability, affordability, and quality learning are deeply interconnected. The decision to prohibit the bundling of disposable workbooks—often used as a commercial tactic to force annual purchases—is particularly laudable. It signals a shift away from profit-driven educational practices toward child-centered learning. Equally important is the policy’s emphasis on strengthening assessment and quality assurance for instructional materials. This tackles another long-standing problem: superficial textbook revisions that compel parents to buy “new editions” without meaningful improvements in content. Such practices have eroded trust in the system and placed unnecessary financial strain on households already stretched thin.

Beyond textbooks, the introduction of a uniform academic calendar and the rationalization of graduation ceremonies show a broader sensitivity to the hidden costs of schooling. These reforms recognize that education expenses are not limited to fees alone but are compounded by traditions and inconsistencies that quietly drain family resources. This policy intervention is more than administrative reform; it is proof that government can listen, reflect, and act when issues are clearly articulated and grounded in lived realities. It affirms the value of public-interest writing as a bridge between citizens’ experiences and policy action.While implementation and enforcement will be the true test, the direction is encouraging. Parents, teachers, and school administrators must now play their part to ensure that these reforms translate into real change in classrooms across the country.

In acknowledging and addressing the concerns raised by writers, educators, and families, the government has taken a vital step toward protecting the learning future of Nigerian children. It is a reminder that when the handwriting on the wall is read early enough, it is still possible to rewrite the story—for the better.However, kudos to Federal Government for the intervention, but it should not end on the table rather should be given accelerated attention in order to ensure full implementation.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi