News Investigators/ The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for stronger collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to enhance public sensitisation on national ethics, corruption prevention, asset declaration and accountability nationwide.
Mr Idris made the call when a delegation of the CCB, led by its Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Thursday.
He said the sensitisation became necessary to prevent the general public particularly public officers from committing crimes.
According to him, there is need to strengthen and deepen our collaboration on public sensitisation campaigns on ethics and corruption, asset declaration and conflict of interest using the ministry’s media platforms.
“We also need a lot of media engagement, public education programmes, and all these things will help you to achieve the institutional mandate.”
The minister<span;> also commended the CCB for securing the forfeiture of a property in London recently returned to the Federal Government.
“It is news to me that the forfeiture that the federal government had in London early this week was actually from the CCB.
“I mean, most people would think that this was done by either the EFCC or the ICPC. To be honest, this is the first time many Nigerians are doing it. You are not just doing it here.
“You are going overseas to get this forfeiture back to the federal government of Nigeria. This is really a very commendable feat.
“And we urge you to do that more in the interest of transparency and honesty and the commitment that all of us should have,” the minister said.
He reiterated that corruption had no place in the nation’s development agenda, stressing that national orientation remained critical to building responsible citizenship.
Mr Idris explained that the ministry’s rebranding under President Bola Tinubu was aimed at strengthening value reorientation and shaping citizens’ attitudes toward national development.
“No matter the schools, institutions you build, no matter the classrooms, the hospitals that you construct, if the psyche of the ordinary Nigerian who is going to be in use of those facilities is not properly rearranged towards development and progress, then that would be a big problem.
“So, we don’t construct roads here. We don’t build hospitals, but we’re enlightening Nigerians with the hope that this is fundamental. This is key to strengthening that part of your own job.
“I want to emphasise that effective communication itself enhances transparency. If you communicate clearly, effectively, and responsibly, you are also enhancing transparency, which is a key component of your mandate.
“So, we will need to help you in building citizens’ confidence in government. We will also help you to counter misinformation,” Idris said.
Earlier, Mr Bello said the visit was to seek collaboration with the ministry in public sensitisation campaigns on ethics, corruption prevention, asset declaration and conflict of interest through the ministry and its agencies.
He acknowledged the ministry’s role in public enlightenment, value reorientation and national image building through the National Orientation Agency and other agencies.
Mr Bello said the bureau’s mandate was to promote integrity, accountability and ethical conduct in public service through asset declaration, compliance monitoring and enforcement of the code of conduct for public officers.
“There is strong synergy between the mandates of both Ministry of Information and CCB, especially in advancing the national ethics and integrity policy of Nigeria.
“That is one of the reasons why we are here to seek collaboration.”
NAN
