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Nigeria Ranks 154 On Corruption Perception Index
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI), yesterday, released the 2021 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), indicating that Nigeria ranked 154 out of 180 countries.
This was made known by the Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, during a press conference in Abuja.
According to Rafsanjani, the index revealed that Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points in the 2021 CPI.
The seven parameters used for the ranking called weaknesses as highlighted in the report include Weakness 1: The “Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses Issues in Ministries, Departmentsand Agencies (MDAs); Weakness 2: Security Sector Corruption; Weakness 3: Failure to Investigate High Profile Corruption Cases and prevent Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs); Weakness 4: Absence of asset recovery, protection of whistle-blowers, and other key anti-corruption legal frameworks; Weakness 5: Judicial Challenges; There is a need for the Nigerian judiciary to speed up its delivery of judgment; Weakness 6: Corruption in the COVID-19 Response; and Weakness 7: Twitter ban, shrinking civic space and intimidation of human rights defenders.”
He said: “Released exclusively in Nigeria by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the National Chapter of TI, the index reveals that Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points in the 2021 CPI, falling back one point compared to the 2020 CPI. In the country comparison for this year, Nigeria ranks 154 out of 180 countries – five places down compared to the 2020 CPI results.
“The CPI aggregates data from eight different sources that provide perceptions by country experts and business people on the level of corruption in the public sector.
“While the index does not show specific incidences of corruption in the country, it indicates the perception of corruption in Nigeria. The index is completely impartial, objective and globally acknowledged as the most widely used cross-country parameter for measuring corruption.
“This CPI result comes at a point when the Nigeria as a country is battling with rising nation-wide insecurity, high unemployment rate and damning revelations around public finance management by the auditor general and investigative journalists, amongst others.”
However, according to the CISLAC boss, the data used for the CPI was not collected by CISLAC/TI-Nigeria or any of their partners; the data collection was done by independent and reputable organisations with sound methodologies.
“It is important to stress that this is not an assessment of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies who are making commendable efforts in reducing (in the fight against) corruption in Nigeria despite the political interference they face. Rather, the CPI goes beyond the anti-graft agencies”, he pointed.
He further stated that, “In October last year, we received the report of the committee set up by the government in March 2021 to review Nigeria’s rating on the 2020 CPI shortly after CISLAC/TI-2
“Nigeria released the 2020 CPI. CISLAC/TI-Nigeria sees this move as a good step and would like to call on the government to further examine the weaknesses listed below and consider actions which will tackle systemic corruption and salvage Nigeria’s deteriorating image when it comes to corruption.
“Accordingly, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria has listed key weaknesses to explain why Nigeria may not have improved in the fight against corruption. We feel that these areas require immediate improvement for the sake of the well-being of ordinary Nigerians and the economy.”
Meanwhile, the report identified some weaknesses that led to Nigeria dropping five places in the 2021 CPI, which Deputy Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Kolawole Oluwadare, read two weaknesses; The “Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses Issues in Ministries, Departmentsand Agencies (MDAs)” report for 2019 published by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation in November 2021, have left Nigerians in awe. Recent revelations made on the 17th of January 2022 by BudgIT on the duplication of projects in the 2022 budget do less to palliate the pandemic corruption currently experienced despite a rising unemployment rate of 33%.
Weakness 2: Security Sector Corruption: The systemic corruption in the Nigeria Police Force has sadly continued unabated and with the police at the frontline of Nigeria’s criminal justice system with enormous powers to investigate and prosecute crimes. This weakness puts the country in bad light.
As a matter of fact, the Police was indicted by the Auditor General’s report on the “Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses Issues in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) published in November 2021” and Nigerians are still struggling to understand how 178,459 arms and ammunition were missing from the armoury of the Nigeria Police without trace. Of this figure, 88, 078 were AK-47 assault rifles and 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols. For context, these arms are enough to arm a force equivalent 3 to about 25% of the current strength of the Nigeria Police at 370,000 which gives an explanation on the level of insecurity in the country.
Findings from The Cable Index and the Council of Foreign Relations show that 5,067 Nigerians were killed owing to insecurity in 2021, and an average of 14 Nigerians were killed daily.
According to these findings, this shows a 52.3% rise in reported killings when compared to 2020.
In addition to the above, the auditor general’s report showed that over 17,000 police officers had future dates of employment with hundreds employed before their date of birth.
While Assistant Investigation Editor, CJID, Taiwo Adebayo identified Weakness 3: Failure to Investigate High Profile Corruption Cases and prevent Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).
“Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies have made commendable progress in their efforts to combat corruption in 2021 with an increase in convictions. However, high profile convictions of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) across political, regional and any other form of divide have fallen short of public expectations.
“While we commend the arrest of cyber criminals and call on the anti-graft agencies to do more, there is a need to investigate high profile political cases including those of individuals who have switched political affiliations”, Adebayo said.
Reading Weakness 4: Absence of asset recovery, protection of whistle-blowers, and other key anti-corruption legal frameworks, the Project Coordinator, Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development (PRIMOG), AdaobiObiabunmuo, said, “When it comes to asset recovery, Nigerian anti-graft agencies have made progress in recoveries, specifically those that have been finally forfeited. Sadly, the repeated failure to enact the Proceeds of Crime Act as a legal framework for the management and utilization of recovered assets in Nigeria which is one of the key pillars of this administration’s anti-corruption strategy is inexplicable! While Nigerians read about these recoveries by the numerous agencies with mandates to recover assets, Nigerians are in the dark as to the status of these recoveries.
“Weakness 5: Judicial Challenges; There is a need for the Nigerian judiciary to speed up its delivery of judgment. The delay in treating high profile cases of corruption dampens the morale of anti-graft agencies. It is also important for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to ensure that judicial officers appointed are competent and qualified.
“The NJC should shun nepotism in its appointment of Judges and also when it undertakes disciplinary actions against Judges.”
Meanwhile, Manager, BudgIT, TolulopeAguloye, said, “Weakness 6: Corruption in the COVID-19 Response, there have been reports of diversion of funds earmarked for Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, Nigerians are yet to see any high-profile convictions.
“Weakness 7: Twitter ban, shrinking civic space and intimidation of human rights defenders. The final weakness which is very important relates to the shrinking civic space and clampdown on freedom of speech. The theme of the 2021 CPI by TI beams the searchlight on human rights and democracy under attack.
“The arbitrary and illogical decision of the Nigerian government to ban Twitter on the 5th of June 2021 for about seven months stands condemned. While this ban has been lifted just recently, Nigeria is still suffering from the consequences of the ban. According to the CIVICUS monitor, Nigeria’s civic space is repressed.
“On the Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2021 report, Nigeria recorded a decline with a score of 45 out of 100 from a score of 47 in 2020 and 50 in 2019 (with 0 being not free and 100 being very free).
“The tale is further gloomy when one considers the World Press Freedom Index released in 2021 by Reporters Without Borders which describes Nigeria as “one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.”
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerian youths to leverage the skills acquisition programme of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) for gainful employment.
Tinubu made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of NASRDA skills acquisition project being executed in collaboration with Grassroots Bridge Builders (GBB), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
Represented by Mr Adewale Adeogun, Chairman, Tinubu National Think Tank (TnT), he said the project was part of the many initiatives of the government under its Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Tide source reports that the project targets to train 60,000 youths with relevant life changing skills.
“Most of our people are not aware of some of the policies that the President have brought forward because they were not informed, misinformed.
“The NASRDA/GBB project is here to educate, train and allow NGOs, corporate bodies, religious bodies, some support group leaders on these activities and we have millions of people unaware.
“We want Nigerians embrace this programme, come up with ideas of how we can get millions, at least 50 million Nigerians out of this unemployment circle,’’ Tinubu said.
He said the Federal Government was in discussions with companies, government institutions to employ the youths who had benefited from the project.
“These youths, when trained through our platform, we will introduce them to ministries, agencies, parastatals and industries for employment.’’
Director-General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju, said that Nigerian youths were intelligent, hardworking and creative, adding that the government was committed to giving them skills for development.
“We can use the space science and technology to empower the youth to function in their own ecosystem,’’ he said.
He recalled the agency already started a pilot skills acquisition programme on mast installation, maintenance and management of telecom infrastructure, with over 60 youths in participation.
According to him, the training is expected to touch on different sectors, states and local government levels because that is where the bulk of our youths reside.
Dr Haruna Mohammed, Technical Adviser to the D-G, said they were at the level of profiling the participants.
‘’The first was the pilot project, which we had over 60 participants, and we are scaling it up now, and we are profiling them, gathering data, trying to know how to spread it across the country.
“For this next stage, we are proposing 5000 youths and we recently had a request from some ministries to train about 60,000 youths,’’ he said.
Mohammed said that the youths would be trained on 27 different skills such as artistry, carpentry and painting.
Mr Ibrahim Igoche, Chief Executive Officer, GBB, encouraged other NGO, partners to join the government in building the skills of Nigerian youths to reduce poverty.
Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has raised the minimum wage for Edo workers from N70,000 to N75,000 to further improve their standard of living.
The governor announced this during his May Day speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
The governor, while appreciating Edo workers’ contributions to the state’s development, said his administration would always look for ways to improve the welfare of Edo workers.
“Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for all Edo workers.
“It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this makes a real difference, and we count on your dedication to a better Edo.
“Since taking office, my administration has prioritised workers’ welfare.
” One early action was converting over 1,000 casual workers, including cleaners, into permanent civil service employees,” he said.
Okpebholo disclosed that his administration had also hired 500 teachers, adding that he was reviewing over 3,000 casual teachers for full employment.
“We also approved recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical hospital staff and regularised 126 contract workers at Edo State Specialist Hospital for stability and growth,” he added.
The governor also disclosed that his administration had cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to Edo Polytechnic staff.
“In the judiciary, judges whose appointments were delayed have been properly sworn in and are now actively performing their constitutional duties without further administrative hindrances.
“To prove our commitment, we approved health insurance for retirees because we believe support must continue after workers leave active service,” the governor said.
Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s dedication to prompt salary and pension payments, structured recruitment, workers’ welfare and professional development
“As we celebrate today, I join President Tinubu and fellow governors in wishing Nigerian workers a peaceful, fulfilling celebration. Your efforts build our nation daily.”
Acting NLC Chairman, Edo chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide, praised Governor Okpebholo for laudable policies that ease the hardship experienced by workers and pensioners across the state.
He said the theme, “Reclaiming the Civil Space Amid Economic Hardship,” was appropriate and highlighted the critical issues faced by Nigerian workers in today’s tough economy.
Egwekhide appreciated the governor’s seriousness towards workers’ welfare, noting that recent interventions had significantly improved the lives and civil rights of Edo workers.
“Within six months in office, you have performed excellently for Edo workers. Your achievements surpass our expectations and show real commitment to the needs of workers
“We also thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting Edo State. The first flyover is under construction, and a second has already been approved for development.
“Additionally, federal roads across the state are now receiving the urgent attention they have long needed, thanks to the partnership with the Federal Government,” Egwekhide said.
Rivers State is set for the first round of the Oral Polio Vaccine Immunization Campaign from the 3rd through to the 6th of May, 2025.
This was disclosed by the state Director, Community Health Services, Dr. Joy Tonye Wihioka, during a sensitization meeting with the Social and Behavioral-Change Communication Committee (SBCC) and stakeholders for the round one of the National Immunization Pulse Days (NIPDs) in Port Harcourt.
According to Dr. Wihioka, this campaign is targeted at the hard to reach areas and will focus on children within the age range of zero to five years.
The Immunization exercise according to her, will basically go from house to house, community to community and school to school campaign.
She said the meeting is primarily a Clarion call to all relevant stakeholders to create awareness on the improvement of the programme in the state.
Dr. Wihioka explained that the Rivers State government is striving towards sufficient coverage in the vaccination exercise, noting that the state has recorded over 90% coverage of the vaccination exercise, save for the hard to reach areas, hence this exercise is deliberately targeted at these areas, as all necessary logistics have been put in place to ensure the successful implementation of the immunization campaign.
She said that one great achievement of the state is the near eradication of measles and whooping cough, even as the the state is not resting on its oars in carrying consistent surveillance for other vaccine preventable diseases.
She explained that it is the testament of the vaccination successes that most of these diseases have been eradicated in our dear state, that over the years it has been proven that vaccines are safe in managing preventable diseases.
On her part, the State Health Educator, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB), Dr Babbo Diana, said one day had been designated to school children for the first round of the Oral Polio Vaccine Immunization Campaign, explaining that children between the ages of zero to five years, would be targeted in churches, mosques, market places and schools for them to be vaccinated.
He added that this year’s exercise would address the high number of unresolved non compliance cases.
Earlier, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Ajawa Chibuzor, had pledged the support of the WHO in curtailing the issue of vaccine preventable diseases in the state.
Chibuzor who is an Assistant Health Public Officer said the Organisation is fully committed to ensuring that Rivers State is free from all vaccine preventable diseases.
Also speaking, the representative of the United Nation International children Educational fund (UNICEF), Sandra James, said that UNICEF would encourage the Rivers State Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB) to have a healthy State free of Polio.
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