The fight against corruption in Nigeria will largely depend on the actions of civil servants, who are considered the gatekeepers of public resources. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) recently emphasized the importance of civil servants in leading the anti-graft crusade. This was stated at the end of a five-day sensitisation and capacity building workshop organized in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Lafia.
The workshop aimed to equip civil servants with the knowledge and skills needed to uphold integrity, accountability, transparency, and due process in their official duties. Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, represented by Mr. Ismaila Muhammed Agaka, stressed that the battle against corruption begins with the daily choices made by civil servants. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop and become ambassadors of integrity.
Dr. Shehu noted that the sensitisation programme was designed to educate staff on the negative impacts of corruption and prepare them to work with a sense of duty, responsibility, and accountability. He emphasized that civil servants must treat public resources with respect to maximize benefits for the nation. The programme sought to transform civil servants into ambassadors who would protect public resources, strengthen public trust, and support the commission in discharging its constitutional mandate.
Mr. Aliyu Abdulkadir Al-Makura, federal commissioner representing Nasarawa State, echoed the importance of civil servants' character, both in and out of the office. He warned that under the present administration, there is zero tolerance for misconduct, and civil servants' actions outside the workplace can significantly impact their reputation and the nation's perception of them.
Participants at the workshop acknowledged that the civil service is a critical area where leakages occur and must be addressed. They expressed appreciation for the training, which they said was a reminder of their civic duty to the nation. The training was considered engaging, and participants learned a lot about their responsibilities as Nigerians and their role in tackling corruption.
Mr. Kabir Al-Hassan Shuaibu from the Fiscal Efficiency Department, RMAFC Headquarters, noted that the training was a valuable experience for participants. He emphasized that civil servants have a basic task to help move the country forward by addressing corruption, which has been a significant challenge for Nigeria.
The RMAFC and ICPC are working together to build the capacity of civil servants to fight corruption. The collaboration aims to promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency within the civil service. By empowering civil servants to take ownership of the anti-corruption fight, the commission hopes to make significant progress in addressing the issue.
Key points
- Civil servants play a crucial role in Nigeria's fight against corruption.
- RMAFC and ICPC are working together to build the capacity of civil servants to fight corruption.
- The fight against corruption begins with the daily choices made by civil servants.
