HEDA pledges to fight corruption

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has pledged to fight corruption through award presentation.

The organisation said the fight would be beyond the usual naming and shaming, adding that those who notwithstanding the attractiveness of corruption, bribery and other forms of sharp practices took a life of transparency, honesty and integrity would be duly recognised and honoured, as a form of inspiration for others to follow.

“While corruption that is now synonymous with Nigeria has become worrisome, the truth however remains that there are still Nigerians that are nonetheless forthright and honest.

“Thus, as much as we make efforts to recover Nigeria’s stolen wealth and bring the corrupt individuals involved to book, as an organisation, we consider it a duty as part of the anti-corruption campaign to also recognise the unsung heroes who have maintained integrity in the faces of opportunities for corrupt practices,” the body said in a statement signed by its chairman Olanrewaju Suraju.

The award with the theme, ‘Towards ensuring a developed just society: the role of transparency, accountability and integrity in public office’ will be held at Colossus hotel, Opebi Link Bridge, Behind Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

The awards lecture will be delivered by Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru of the Court of Appeal, Kano Division.

The Board of the award would be chaired by Prof. Ayo Atsenua and Co-Chaired by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

Other members of the board include: Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN); Prof. Uzoguruwa Udombana; Mr. Suraju; Dr Abiola Akiode-Afolabi; Comrade Chuka Achude and Comrade Femi Aborisade.

The body noted that this year’s edition of the Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Awards (GFIIA) officially kicked off on Monday, July 12, 2021 with open call for nomination of candidates, which lasted for eight weeks and closed on September 6, 2021.

“This was followed by sorting and analysis of nominations as well as shortlisting of candidates.

“Following the conclusion of nominations, a total of 271 nomination entries were received. Following sorting and analysis of nominations, a total of 21 persons were shortlisted including the former chairman of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja for an outstanding integrity award,” the organisation stated.