By Dawud Ahmed in Lokoja.
Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director of Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) in Lokoja, Kogi State, has advised Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to appoint individuals of impeccable character and enviable track records to manage the new Kogi State Anti-Corruption Agency.
Idris Miliki Abdul.
The human rights activist gave this advice in a statement signed in Lokoja on Friday and copied to The Reporters. He emphasized the necessity of having personnel of high integrity in the Agency to ensure its effectiveness.
Miliki expressed concern that corruption, which he described as the absence of integrity, has deeply infiltrated all aspects of national life in Nigeria, including Kogi State.
Miliki said: “We commend the Kogi State House of Assembly for passing the Anti-Corruption Bill and the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,for signing it into law on June 20, 2024.
“The advocacy by civil society organizations for the creation of an Anti-Corruption Agency in Kogi State aims to bring about positive change. We urge the prompt establishment of the Agency with individuals of proven integrity from diverse backgrounds.
“With the signing of this bill into law and the subsequent establishment of the Agency, we believe it will significantly impact the fight against corruption in Kogi State. The Agency will now complement the efforts of various federal institutions fighting corruption at different levels in Nigeria.”
He called on Governor Ododo to demonstrate political will through his actions, body language, and statements in the fight against the corruption, adding that corruption had hindered development in the state.
Miliki noted that many citizens of the state had been deprived of their fundamental human rights, including basic benefits such as healthcare, infrastructure, education, employment, and welfare.
He expressed his organization’s commitment to partnering with the Agency to achieve better results.
“Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has been advocating and involved in the fight against corruption in Kogi State for over a decade. We are willing to partner with the Agency once established.
“We call on the citizens, particularly those in public service, to recognize and leverage this new initiative to minimize and reduce corruption in Kogi State, as the law applies to everyone without exception.”
