|
Saturday, 22 November, 2008 01:01 pm
|
You are here:Home
| Anti-graft war: Isreali Ambassador Commends Waziri |
|
|
| Thursday, 14 August 2008 | ||||||
     The commendation came from the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Moshe Ram, when he paid her a courtesy visit in her office in Abuja. Ram noted that the fight against corruption anywhere in the world was not an easy one but that Waziri has carried on well since she assumed office. According to the ambassador, “ I am impressed with your performance in just two months you came on board. I read your activities in the papers everyday. I cant say I envy you and your responsibility, it’s a big mission. I appreciate what you are doing for Nigeria. Your mission is extremely important. Your function as the head of EFCC can turn things around. You are very courageous to have accepted the job, it’s not a job, it’s a mission. I wish you all the best on behalf of myself and my country.” Speaking on the state of Israel and the on going investigation of its prime minister, the ambassador said though he was not proud that people are being investigated, he was, however, proud of the system which allows the rich and the mighty to face the same situation which the ordinary people face, noting that the rule of law is at work in Israel. Mrs Waziri who received the ambassador alongside other top management staff including the secretary of the commission, Emmanuel Akomaye noted that she accepted the challenge to serve because of the evil of corruption in Nigeria. She noted that though Nigeria was one of the richest countries in the world, blessed with abundant natural and human resources, corruption has however reduced the country’s potentials. She then called for the support of Israel for the commission in the area of capacity building, training and intelligence gathering for the staff. She said that the commission was particularly interested in intelligence gathering as it wants to be proactive in the fight against corruption. In a related development, the EFCC boss on Wednesday in Abuja vowed that the commission will take the anti- corruption fight to the local government councils. Mrs Waziri stated this when she received the representatives of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP in her office. She said it has become imperative to take the fight to the grassroots as Nigerians in the rural areas are shortchanged by officials of local government councils who loot money meant for developmental projects at the local level. She added that the commission will soon engage in anti corruption campaign which she hopes will sensitize Nigerians on the evil of corruption in the country. According to her, that will bring about a re-orientation as people who steal the wealth of the country will no longer be celebrated but shunned and ostracized by their communities. The chairman who received the UNDP representatives - Mary Symmonds, deputy resident representative (Programme) and David Omozuafoh, programme analyst with other top management staff of the commission thanked them for their continuous support for the activities of the commission. She however solicited for further support for the agency by way of capacity building for the staff of the commission. In her view, such support through training and workshop will further strengthen and equip the commission officials in the task of fighting corruption. “I would appreciate areas where officers are given opportunity to travel out for workshops and seminars. We want most of the officers in EFCC to be well exposed, we need a lot of support to bring officers up-to-date,” she said. Symmonds who congratulated the chairman on her appointment said they were at the commission to explore further areas of collaboration and support for the commission, in its quest to rid the country of corruption. She stated that before now, the UNDP has collaborated with the commission through Fix Nigeria now christened, Strategy and Re-Orientation Unit, by way of advocacy and sponsorship of drama series, which tells stories of what EFCC does. Symmonds said with the visit, a fresh opportunity has been presented to identify future needs and areas of collaboration.  Quote this article on your site | Views: 285 | Print | E-mail
Write Comment
Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6 |
||||||
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
