By Muhammad Abdulwahab

Determined to promote accountability, transparency, and probity in the administration of local government, the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC), in collaboration with the state Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, organised a two-day capacity-building workshop on Tuesday for local government transitional chairmen, officials, and stakeholders across the 18 local government areas of the state.

In his keynote address, the SPFACC Chairman, Justice Williams Akintoroye, emphasised the detrimental effects of corruption on Nigeria’s development. He added that until we collectively tackle corruption, the nation will continue to suffer the consequences of underdevelopment, making it imperative for every sector to unite in mitigating the menace.

The former Chief Judge of Ondo State explained that SPFACC is a statutory agency of Ondo State with a clear and unambiguous mandate. He noted that the workshop was designed to address issues pertinent to corruption, particularly as it affects the local government system, from the perspective of the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime, and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Justice Akintoroye highlighted that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is committed to accountability, probity, and transparency in governance. He described the capacity-building initiative as a major milestone in the collective resolve to confront the menace of corruption and corrupt practices.

He called on all levels of government, sister agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, and Code of Conduct Bureau, as well as the citizenry, civil society, public and private sectors, and multilateral agencies to come together to address the issue of corruption in the country.

Justice Akintoroye said that partnership with other agencies is necessary to strengthen existing frameworks and develop new strategies in the fight against corruption.

The Chairman also praised the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for taking the lead in supporting the activities of the Commission in every possible way.

He said, “Corruption has significantly contributed to our underdevelopment in Nigeria. Aside from the fact that hard-earned resources, which should have been used to advance development in sectors such as social services, health, education, and infrastructure, end up in private pockets due to corrupt practices.

“People are made to suffer the consequences, such as a failing education system, hospitals without drugs, insecurity, and bad roads. Various studies have continued to establish a correlation between corruption, corrupt practices, and excruciating underdevelopment in our society.”

Declaring the workshop open, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa emphasised his zero-tolerance stance on corruption in the local government system, stating that the event was organised to instil the virtues of good governance, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability.

Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, said the workshop aimed to orientate and enlighten local government officials and other stakeholders on anti-corruption measures to ensure a culture of transparency and accountable governance in the state.

“Local governments must cultivate a culture of accountable governance. If we institutionalise this at the local level, we can safeguard our future from corruption and its damaging consequences.

“We are pleased to support this programme as a means of maintaining preparedness and deepening our understanding of the principles of accountability, transparency, probity, and zero tolerance for corruption. If local governments can institutionalise the practice of doing the right thing, there will be no cause for concern in the future.

“I firmly believe that this workshop will focus on uncovering the dynamics of corruption in local governments and equip participants with the tools needed to cope with emerging challenges and improve accountable governance at the local government level in Ondo State,” the Governor stressed.

The technical sessions were handled by Dr Olukayode Daniel Adekeye, a Fellow of the Anti-Corruption Practitioners Network (ACPN); Barrister Cyril Akinrinsola, a retired Permanent Secretary/Solicitor-General; Prof Adeyeye Adewole, a Certified Risk Assessor; and Mrs Funmi Osundolire, a Board member of the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime & Anti-Corruption Commission. The focus was on key strategies for combating corruption at the local government level.