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Govt’s Inaction, Bane Of Corruption In Nigeria – Prof

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The inability of Government at all levels to impose appropriate sanction against citizens found culpable has contributed to widespread corruption in Nigeria.
This is the opinion of Professor Ozioma Bennett Orluweni, while delivering the 53rd inaugural lecture of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) recently at the university’s auditorium.
The Professor of Public Administration said corruption is now seen as the norm in both private and public spheres.
Nigerians, according to Professor Orluweni, are counted among the richest in the world, but their economy is underdeveloped with majority of the population wallowing in abject poverty and misery.
The country, he stated, is ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, hence it is tagged the poverty capital of the world and among the most corrupt people on earth.
The inaugural Lecturer noted that the so-called religiosity of Nigerians has not in any way stopped those in position of power from exploiting the privilege they have been given by the people to serve at both the Local, State and National levels from abusing those positions through corrupt practices.
He informed that the Nigerian society tend to over emphasise individual goal attainment at the expense of the legitimate means of achieving these set goals.
He observed that “material acquisition has virtually become the ultimate goal, and that the society does not appear to be concerned with how one makes it. All that is important is that one has arrived”.
This, he continued, marked discrepancy between the goals and means in the society, adding that “it has invariably led to various forms of corruption, such as embezzlement of public fund, offering and acceptance of bribe, electoral rigging, examination malpractice, etc., making it difficult to have a corruption free society, especially as the Principal often times not only aid and abet corruption, but also connives in the spreading of corruption”.
Orluweni, who is the Director of the University printing press and Bookshop, hinted that the economic condition of a society induces corruption and called for egalitarian distribution of wealth to reduce corruption to the barest minimum.
He stressed the need for the establishment or reform of the existing public service to the one that is built on rules and procedures, stating that such procedures must be based on “integrity, merit, professionalism and patriotism imbued with the commitment to model against corruption”.
The Professor of Public Administration advocated for stiffer sanctions for corrupt public officials or individuals to serve as deterrence against the institutionalisation of corrupt behaviour and anti-democratic value system.
“A vibrant anti-graft agency devoid of political interest, and dependence on any powerful political class”, Professor Orluweni continued, “should be instituted in the general fight against corruption.
“Such institutions should not only be constitutionally empowered to be independent, they should also be autonomously funded with appropriate legislation.
“The rule of law and constitutionalism should be strengthened to serve as deterrence against corruption”.
The Director concluded by advising politicians to avoid the temptation to play God in politics and to be God-fearing and loving, saying “this will enable them eschew the Nigerian politician’s characteristics of shamelessness, deceitfulness and selfishness”.
These, he said, would improve democracy, strengthen institutions and good governance.
In his remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, commended the 53rd inaugural Lecturer for a job well done and welcomed him to the medal class.
He called for caution and moderation in the manipulation of societal resources and described unemployment and poverty as a bane of corruption, which has retarded economic growth and development in the country.
While lauding the Lecturer for doing justice to the topic of discourse, he urged those who amass wealth to reinvest the resources through building of factories, enhancement of massive industrialisation programme, and provision of other facilities where they can at least create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.
In a vote of thanks, Professor Godwin Chukwuemeka Nwaeke expressed gratitude to all who came to identify with the university and the inaugural lecture and expressed the hope that they would take the lessons learnt to better their lot and that of the country.
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Niger Delta

Tai Agric Sector Gets Emergency Attention …As Chairman Distributes Farm Inputs, Inaugurates Technical Team

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The Chairman of Tai Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Matthew Nenu Bari Dike has declared a state of emergency in the agriculture sector of Tai local government.
Speaking while distributing farm implements and other agricultural support packages to the farmers at the council’s headquarters in Saakpenwa, yesterday, Dike challenged farmers to show their farms before requesting for financial assistance.
The council boss stated that as a government, they were committed to putting smiles on the faces of the people and assured that his administration would ensure that every person in the local government is happy.
“As a government we want to assure you that, we will stop at nothing to ensure you all are empowered and living happily”.
According to him, “the gesture is aimed at enhancing food production and security through agriculture, and enjoined all lovers of agriculture in the local government area to identify with the quest to redefine development through agriculture in the local government.
He encouraged everyone to cultivate the passion and return to agriculture, to guarantee self-reliance, maximum food production and security in the area.
His administration, he said, would purchase more yam seedlings in order to get greater production to encourage exportation beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“A boost in yam production will also empower farmers in the Local Government Area”, the elated chairman said.
In a related development, the Chairman has inaugurated a five, member Agricultural Technical Committee for the Local Government Area.
The committee is made up of Pst. Anderson Wariboko, Barr. Paul Newman,, Smith Nyor-Ue, Gladys Jumbo and Dr Keke Rammyson
Also speaking, the Director of Agriculture, Tai Local Government Area, Mr Anderson Wariboko revealed that the event was part of activities to mark the chairman’s 100 days in office.
Wariboko who led the chairman, and other leaders of the council on the distribution of the farm inputs to the farmers, was full of praises for the chairman, Hon. Dike whom he said has the interest of the people at heart.

Kiadum Edookor

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Rivers

Moremonee Appointment Rivers Man As Brand Rep 

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One of Nigeria’s leading financial service provider, Moremonee M&M MFB, has appointed a Rivers State man and renowned  content creator, Mr.  Eche Ndubuisi,  as one its brand representatives in the state.
Ndubuisi said he was appointed based on his track records and achievements in marketing strategies, which has made him a celebrity in the content creation through the new media industry.
Speaking to journalists shortly after his endorsement by the company, Mr Ndubuisi said he was committed to marketing the company by bringing his wealth of experience to sell the bank to the world.
He thanked the company for the opportunity and assured that he will justified the confidence reposed on him
 MoreMonee Bank was established in 2008, securing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licence in July.
According to an official of the bank, who spoke anonymously, the Bank migrated as a Limited liability in October 2023, marking the start of a new era for the financial service provider.
He said with a bold vision to become Africa’s generational bank, MoreMonee aims to tackle poverty across the continent by offering accessible financial services that empower business owners and foster job creation.
The company, he continued, is committed to driving growth through innovative products, seamless transactions, and strategic technological integration.
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Rivers

Group Faults Shell In Ogale, Bille Environmental Pollution 

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Fridays for Future Nigeria (FFFN), an environmental protection group, has faulted the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for the environmental pollution in Ogale and Bille communities in Rivers State.
This is contained in a statement by the National Coordinator and Country Representative, FFFN, Mr. Kingsley Odogwu.
Odogwu, who in strong terms condemned Shell’s disregard for human and environmental rights in the region, said, ”The people of the Niger Delta, including Ogale and Bille communities, have an inherent right to a clean and healthy environment, a right that Shell has systematically violated”, he said.
The Ogale and Bille communities in oil rich Nigeria’s Niger Delta are experiencing ongoing and significant environmental pollution, primarily from oil spills.
Residents have claimed severe contamination of their water supply, farmlands, and waterways, preventing them from fishing and farming due to the chronic oil pollution.
This issue is currently the subject of ongoing legal action against Shell in the UK courts by members of these communities.
The FFFN National Coordinator urged the Nigerian government and the international community to support the Ogale and Bille communities in their quest for justice and to hold Shell accountable for its environmental destruction.
He lamented the decades of environmental degradation due to oil spills, gas flaring, and other harmful practices by Shell and other oil companies in the region.
According to him, the ecosystem of the affected communities has been severely damaged, and the health and livelihoods of its inhabitants compromised.
”The affected communities demand that Shell fulfill its legal obligations by cleaning up the pollution to international standards and providing adequate compensation.
”The FFFN stands in solidarity with the Ogale and Bille communities in their pursuit of justice against Shell Petroleum for its egregious environmental destruction in the Niger Delta”, he said.
He called on all citizens of the country to support the move for the actualisation of justice for all the communities and other victims of ecosystem pollution in Nigeria.
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