A Non-Governmental Organisation, Peering Advocacy and Advancement
Centre in Africa PAACA, said it has set up a seven-man network which comprised of traditional and
religious leaders in Akwa Ibom State to help in its fight against corruption especially at the grassroots level.
The Network which is headed by the Paramount ruler of Etim Ekpo Local
Government Area of the state, Professor Amanam Udo would track every
development project meant for a particular local government council
and lend its voice to development issues that affect them as a result
of corruption.
The Executive Director of the group, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagu, disclosed this
on Thursday while speaking with journalists shortly after
the “Say no campaign anti-corruption meetings” held at Watbridge
hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
He said the involvement of the traditional rulers is based on the
belief that in the struggle to achieve a corrupt free society in Nigeria, the
traditional institutions’ role in promoting high moral standards
among its people cannot be over-looked.
According to him the fight against corruption in Nigeria will continue
to be a mirage without the involvement of the traditional and
religious leaders who are in good stead to amplify the message of
integrity, transparency and accountability amongst the wider
population.
Nwagu said” being that anti-corruption fight aimed at promoting high
and ethical standard, co-opting traditional bodies in the campaign
will provide a spiritual dimension to the message, thereby encouraging
wider acceptance by the people” We believe that religion as an
institution, has remained an integral part of Nigeria society, molding
people attitudes and influencing behaviours.
He said it is the duty of a traditional ruler of a community to lend
his voice to anything or social amenity that is not working well in
that community to achieve results, adding that without this there
would be no meaningful achievement.
“The traditional rulers have a lot of influence to oversee if a
borehole meant for the community is not working well what should have
been the cause of it, the traditional ruler in that community should
lend his voice to people who have taken the contract to achieve
results”.
The traditional ruler of Etim Ekpo Local Government, Professor Amanam
Udo,had while speaking to newsmen said the choice of traditiona rulers is not misplaced adding that if they are good examples of
themselves they could help in reducing corrupt practices among their
subjects.
