CACOL canvasses new approach to tackling graft

To win the war against corruption, the Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Debo Adeniran has insisted new approaches must be adopted to create social incentives for collective action against corruption.

Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for the Nigeria Police at Ikeja, Lagos, he noted the fight against corruption could be won.

He said: “Leaders must inspire faith in anti-corruption efforts, by implementing tangible reforms in public institutions. Civil society and community leaders must develop and promote a national social contract that rewards accountability and enforces social sanctions for unacceptable behaviour…”

He argued that fighting corruption “is a difficult mission.”

He added: “The abuse of state power compounds Nigeria’s accountability challenge. The government must be seen to be fair in applying sanctions, and anti-corruption agencies must operate independently and within the scope of the law. Government must rethink and redesign routine procedures for providing public services to ensure they are citizen and business friendly. Options for complying with penalties for minor violations should include online platforms, where citizens can lodge complaints, penalties and report instances of solicitation or extortion…”

He said anti-corruption messages must be carefully framed to effectively communicate the negative impacts of corrupt behaviours, while empowering targeted audiences to take practical and effective action.

Responding on behalf of the police, ACP Akinbayo Olasoji urged officers to be change agents, adding, “if we are a good police force, the country will be better.”