Anti-Corruption Day Road Procession on the Streets of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Anti-Corruption Day Rally

The Bayelsa NGOs Forum, BANGOF with support from Social Action carried out activities to mark the International Anti-corruption Day in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa state with the Theme; ‘’Corruption; Impediment to the Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The rally which was organised in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state was targeted at raising public awareness for anti-corruption in the state.

While addressing the crowd at the Peace Park, BANGOF charged the anti-corruption agencies to collaborate with one another and create a synergy to ensure the campaign is given enough teeth in other to crush corruption in the state. The statement by the organisation further outlined the negative effects of corruption in the social and infrastructural development of the Niger Delta States and charge the citizens not to consider the immediate gratification that corruption offers but rather consider the overarching interest of the people.  Bayelsans were also encourages to report any case of corruption to the appropriate agencies for prosecution.

Participants displayed different anti-corruption messages, banners and inscriptions as they walked through the street of the capital city. 28 persons representing 21 civil society and media organizations participated in the rally which took off from the Yenagoa main motor park known as Ekeki motor park through the busy streets of Yenagoa and terminated at the Peace Park, opposite Government House at Ovom.

Radio Call in Programme

In continuation of the programmes outline by the Bayelsa Anti-corruption Network to mark the International Anti-corruption day, the Network featured in a 30 minutes Live Audience Participation Radio discussion at the Rhythm 94.7 FM in Yenagoa Bayelsa state. The discussion on the theme “Corruption; Impediment to Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” provided the platform for the Network to reach out to the listening audience of the radio station in Bayelsa and the neighbouring states. The programme elucidated call in from several audience who concurred with the studio guests and encouraged the Network not to rest on its oars to ensure that the state is rid of corruption. Other callers who wanted to know how to join the network in the campaign against corruption were directed by the Network members to BANGOF’s secretariat in Yenagoa.

Members of the Anticorruption Network in Bayelsa State on  a live radio programme to mark the Anticorruption Day 2019

Anti-Corruption Day Rally

In Uyo the Anticorruption Network (ACONET) members joined the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – EFCC on Monday, December 9, 2019 on a citywide walk to sensitize the public against the adverse impact of corruption on the country’s economy and especially the citizens. The 2019 Anticorruption Day street campaign therefore, sought to sound a clarion call on Nigerians to ‘Wipe out corruption totally!’

This according to the EFCC Uyo Zonal Head, Mr Garuba Dugum, is important because ‘any society or a nation that does not check corruption in the system is bound to fail in all ramification.’

In a related development, ACONET was also represented at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission – ICPC events to mark the World Anti-Corruption Day, with the theme; “United Against Corruption”.

Anti-corruption Day Rally in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State

The ICPC events kicked off with a citywide public awareness and sensitisation walk from the ICPC office in Ewet Housing Estate, to 4 Lanes, connecting Oron Road, then to Uruan Street and back to the Integrity Lecture venue at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo.

The State Commissioner, Mr. Sola Shodipo represented by the Director of the Legal Department, Barr. T. U. Kalu; stated that, the fight against corruption should not be limited to the ICPC alone, because the consequences transcend the commission and charged everyone to be on the alert.

Akwa Ibom Anti-Corruption Network (ACONET) Media Chat

Akwa Ibom Anti-Corruption Network (ACONET) organised a Media Chat as part of its activities to mark the international Anticorruption Day. The Media chat began with a brief introduction of invited stakeholders by the ACONET State Coordinator, Ann Udonte. She expressed her gratitude to all the stakeholders and representatives of the press present for honouring the invitation to the roundtable discourse. The media chart was focused on amplifying anticorruption efforts through collective actions. She emphasised that the Network will keep reaching out to the related MDAs in the state in partnership, knowing that the interest of the citizens ACONET work to serve must always come first. The State Coordinator expressed her delight in the partnership and collaborations she envisaged in the future of anti-corruption activities in the state and shared some success stories of ACONET in the fight against corruption in the state. The CLO Chairman, Comrade Franklyn Isong, in his goodwill message commended the Government for the Treasury Single Account and recommended special courts to try corrupt politicians because, according to him, the delay in convicting corrupt individuals kills the process. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the manners in which the projects of the state were carried out and went further to query the Ministry of Works on the poor state of roads in the state. Comrade Isong demanded that the state open up its portal to enable an effective and efficient tracking of budget; which he believed would afford the public the opportunity to make proper inputs on the plights and aspirations of people. He concluded with a charge to the media to wake up to their responsibilities.

Akwa Ibom Anti-Corruption Network (ACONET) Media Chat

Representative of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (JONAPWD) – Mr. Ubong Udo Mr. Ubong Udo representing the Chairperson, JONAPWD Akwa Ibom State Chapter, stated that there is a strong link between corruption and the conditions of people living with disabilities. According to him, corruption is the major cause of high cases of disabilities in the country. So many preventable diseases are allowed to escalate because of poor management of the health institutions. Sharing the story of his disability, Mr. Udo said he became blind because the nurses and doctors on duty gave wrong diagnosis about a preventable glaucoma infection and he attributed this to the carelessness, irresponsibility and negligence on the part of Government. He also stated that some group of persons are using persons with disabilities wrongly, they make budgets for them without first evaluating their needs; they propose scholarships that do not get to any of them. He also queried the need of having special primary schools and not having Special Secondary Schools and Universities to cater for those with peculiar needs graduating from these schools.

The media chat also had in attendance the State Director, National Orientation Agency Mr. Enoh Uyoh, Democracy Africa Youth Parliament – DAYP representative by Comrade Akan James and representative of the Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights, and Development Advancement (FoCEHRaDA) – Clifford Thomas, Esq. Others include representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) – Comrade Effiong Nya, the Traditional Institution – His Royal Highness Etinyin Edet Nyong Eken the ICPC Barrister Ugbo Kalu and the Media.

In an interactive session, questions from media persons present were adequately addressed. Barrister Clifford Thomas, while giving the vote of thanks on behalf of the stakeholders, charged the Government of the day to be responsible and monitor activities of contractors. He concluded by appreciating the Network on behalf of the participants for conveying the dialogue and reiterated the commitment of all stakeholders, present, to the fight against corruption.

Members of the Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI), under her project tagged the Electorate Awake and Participate Project, which is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) paid an advocacy visit to Social Action Nigerian, to seek collaboration for the implementation and demonstration of key policies at the state and local government level of governance.
The visitors were received and welcome by Mrs. Vivian Bellonwu-Okafor the Head of Programmes, Social Action Nigeria and other members of staff at the Abuja office of Social Action on the 19th of November 2019.

Here are pictures from the event.

”Mrs Vivian Bellonwu-Okafor Head of Programmes Social Action welcoming the Guests at the Meeting”

The meeting commenced with an introductory session at about 12noon in a friendly and heartwarming atmosphere. Those present at the meeting from MAJI were, Ikechukwu Ahaka, Onyekachi Okoro, Kentebe, Ifunanya Ezewuzie and Tamunotonye Felix Moses. From Social Action were Mrs. Vivian Bellonwu Okafor, Mr. Botti Isaac and Osuoka Faith Levi.

The evil of corruption and the adverse effect on the entire facets of society does not discriminate. Corruption induced poverty has sunk its proboscis on the living tissues of the old and young, male and female, able and disabled people. This anathema is determined to condemn the people to scrounge for what is rightfully theirs in perpetuity as long as the victims prefer to remain docile.

This fact was reiterated at a consultative meeting held on the 19th of June, 2019 in Port Harcourt by Social Action with people living with disability (PWD). The program examined the challenges PWDs encounter in a fast-changing world and attempted to provide solutions to resolutions reached.

Prince Ekpere, while welcoming the PWDs and other stakeholders to the event, noted that the cost of corruption on the people can best be described as deprivation, which has led to underdevelopment, lack and poverty and wondered how PWDs are able to cope in a society that does not care for its citizens. He assured participants at the event that issues raised will be documented and mainstreamed into activities and programs for advocacy and engagements with relevant stakeholders

Neglect and discrimination was identified as one of the major issues confronting the development of the disability community in Nigeria and Rivers State in particular, Stella Ekina of the visual impaired cluster opined that efforts should be made to declare free, inclusive compulsory education for PWDs, as education remains the channel through which enlightenment can be achieved, she also said that government should be willing to sponsor those who have identified one skill or another to learn as a way of empowering PWDs and elevating their plight.

Miss Lydia Kelly narrated her ordeal during the just concluded general elections when she attempted to vote and questioned the rationale behind non-provision of support and materials to enable PWDs vote, saying a large chunk of eligible voters were disenfranchised because they are PWDs

Figure 1. A cross-section of PLWD in a consultative meeting with Social Action Port Harcourt

Nation Mathew decried the state of the only school for PWDs in the state and called for more schools, saying it won’t cost the state government anything to situate at least one of such schools in each of the senatorial district.

They decried the manner in which those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that PWDs are provided for have rather chosen to increase their sufferings, by deliberately allowing corruption to fester on.

Mr. Idor Livinus of the ICPC reassured the PWDs of their willingness to bring to book any government official who has in one way or another been involved in the diversion of funds meant for the development of PWDs in the state, he encouraged them to write to the commission to investigate such officials.

Mr. Ellis Nria Dapper, a director at the national orientation agency, emphasized the need for increased awareness and sensitization of the public on the need to stop discrimination against persons with disabilities, saying no one chooses to be born to disable, and encouraged PWDs to visit the NOA office more frequently to address some of the issues they face.

Figure 2. a call for free, inclusive compulsory education as a way of achieving enlightenment and empowering the PWDs

Prince, in conclusion, made a short presentation on problem-solving and assured all, that the strengthening youth participation against corruption (YPAC) project is interested in ensuring equal access for all despite their socials and or economic status.

It was agreed that PWDs, NOA, ICPC and social action will lead joint advocacy and engagement activities to various stakeholders in the state, to ensure that PWDs are not left behind in the development scheme of the state.