By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
A Non Governmental Organisation, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC), has identified transparency and accountability as needed ingredients to reduce the scourge of corruption in the country.
This is contained in a Communiqué issued at the end of a Town Hall meeting organised by the Non Governmental Organisation with the support of the MacArthur Foundation in Lokoja.
According to the Communiqué which was signed by
the Executive Director of the NGO, Zubair Abdurrauf Idris
, collective actions are needed in fighting Corruption, stressing the need for the people to take Ownership of the fight against corruption.
It called for value re-orientation by adopting the National Value Charter developed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which addresses the challenges of corruption eroding development and Public trust.
The Communique expressed worry over what it called lack of Good Governance which hinders economic growth, propels corruption, and retard development in the current democratic dispensation, urging the people to be patriotic and hold Public Officers accountable.
It emphasized the need for behavioral change in the fight against Corruption and enjoined all and sundry to change their attitude and moral behavior for the betterment of society.
“The Town Hall Meeting recognizes Good Governance as a Product of Transparency and Accountability and calls for the enthronement of people’s confidence by adhering to impartial public funds and resources management.
“The Town Hall Meeting calls for enhanced Good Governance through Inclusiveness, equity, openness, and Service delivery that will ameliorate the hardship encountered by citizens as a result of economic meltdown and Bad Governance.
“Participants recognized that fighting the menace of corruption and the Promotion of Good Governance in the education, health, and Justice sectors requires collective action for transparency in all government actions to be scrutinized for accountability, responsive governance, and leadership to manifest.
“The meeting advocates for enhanced Patriotism by citizens and Political actors to build trust, credibility, and a brighter future for Nigeria by imbibing our National Anthem Message of Unity, Truth, Justice, and Peace in order “ to build a nation where no man is oppressed”.
The meeting was attended by Media professionals, Civil Society Organizations, community-based Organizations, Religious and Traditional Community leaders, The Trade Union Congress, NURTW, Youth Group among others.
