War Against Corruption: AAC Inaugurated In Uyo To Trash Corrupt Personnel

FROM EMMANUEL OKORO –

The Akwa Ibom state Action Against Corruption (AAC) has been inaugurated with a call on the officers to having a landslide victory against corruption in Nigeria.

The state executive was inaugurated by the National President of the AAC, Commrade Frank Onyeka Omoile, on November 08, 2022 at the Women Development Centre, Uyo, the state capital.

Speaking, the National President of AAC, Comarde Fank Onyeka Omile, appealed to well to do individuals to encourage the outfit (AAC) by donating generously to enable them mobilize and organize seminars, town hall meetings in order to enlighten the publics on the danger corruption poses to the country.

The National President who was represented by the National General Secretary, Comrade Chuks Henry Ebibilem, stated that during the out break of Covid-19 pandemic, before its official registration, AAC was fully involved in the fight against the pandemic by mobilizing her members to assist the federal government in ensuring total compliance with the directives on lockdown, boarder closure, compulsory wearing of face mask.

AAC according to comrade Omoile, the group has done a lot of publications both at the national and local daillies to inform, educate and enlightened the public on the dangers of corruption, and proffered solutions on how to stop it in our day to day lives.

He pointed out that since inception, the activities of the NGO has not been funded by any government, international agencies or individuals, saying “we fund the NGO by self donations with our hard earned currency.”

The national president further pointed out that AAC is therefore the avenue through which all and sundry will have the opportunity to say no to corruption, irrespective of States, tribe, creeds, age etc, adding that AAC duties are to organize town hall meetings, seminars, debates, mass mobilization in the public integrity-match and road-walks to create awareness of corrupt practices, organizing lectures on corruption in schools, and churches.

Others, according to him, were advocacy in work pleases, creating public awareness on the impact of corruption and how to reduce the ills in the public places, mentoring elections, public examinations –SSCE, NECO, WAEC, Jamb, Post UTME, receiving petitions from the public and inviting the petitioner and the petitioned for reconciliation, if possible making the wrong right through non-confrontational approach, receiving petition from the public, processing and submission of the petition to the ICPC for necessary actions.

He, however, appealed to corporate organizations, individuals, political office holders, federal, state and local government to donate towards the sustainability of the AAC to enable it realize the expected objectives.

In his address, the state commissioner of police (CP), Olatoye Darosiumi who was represented by the deputy commissioner of Police, Investigation Department CID Uyo, DCP Omolara Looruntola, called on Action Against Corruption (AAC), to consolidate on the gains of the ant-graft war by co-operating with the Nigeria Police Force to reduce crime to the barest situation so that Nigeria can regain its status as a giant of Africa.

CP Darosinmi stated that Akwa Ibom state police command remains resolute, determined and committed to partnering with the Establishment (AAC) and other agencies to tackle the scourge of corruption in our clime.

He noted that it is indeed, an apt, and thought provoking, given the impacts of corruption on the country, pointing out that the inauguration of AAC in the state, will help in educating the public on action against bribery, corruption and related offences and to foster public support in combating crime.

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The CP who said the commissioning of the group is a welcome development, described corruption as the act of corrupting or inspiring integrity virtue or moral principle, a state of being corrupted or debased, loss of purity or integrity, depravity, weakness, impurity, and bribery; to mention but a few.

Others who spoke at the occasion were the sector commander, Akwa Ibom State Road Safety Corps, Sector commander Mathew O. Olonisaye, and the Akwa Ibom State AAC coordinator comrade Kufre Udoidiong.

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On his part, the sector commander, Olonisaye charged the newly inaugurated AAC officers Akwa Ibom to be focus, evolving and adopting more preventive measures to curtail corruption, especially through the use of technology and advocacy, institutionalizing reforms that focus on good governance, intensifying efforts to detect diversion of public resources to private wealth.

He added that punishing the culpable institutions and individuals, strengthening the relevant law enforcement agencies to detect prosecute and punish corrupt criminal and illegal acts with the limits of the law, to reinforce public safety and security and combating terrorism and insurgency and fighting all other forms of criminal activities especially kidnapping and armed robbery.

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Others he added was to ensure they are stringent punishment for those convicted of corrupt acts in our law court and follow by prison decongestion and prompt rehabilitation of convicts with a view to ensuring a seamless reintegration in society after completion of their sentences, promotion of public safety with emphases on fire prevention. pipeline vandalism leading to environmental pollution and indiscriminate dumping of industrial and other wastes in an environmentally unfriendly manner, as well as protection of critical infrastructure and strategies assets.

In his speech, the newly inaugurated coordinator Akwa Ibom State command, comrade Kufre Udoidiong thanked the federal officers, especially the national president AAC Comrade Frank Onyeka Omoile for finding Akwa Ibom state chapter worthy to be inaugurated.

He assured that the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the AAC will not betray the trust bestowed on them.

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The occasion was witnessed by comrade Kufre Udoidiong, the state coordinator Akwa Ibo state, Comrade James Okon, the Deputy coordinator, Dr. Samuel Paul, State Secretary Elder Samson Bassy Samson, Assistant Secretary Deaconess and Glory Friday Umoken, State welfare.

Other were Evangs Alice John Koffi, the Treasurer Mr. Cosmas Udofia, Public Relation Officer/Enlightmet and campaign officer, Elder Emmanuel Bassey financial secretary and Elder Okon Asuquo Akpan, the Auditor.