Corruption clog to wheel of national development goals – AGF 

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Price Lateef Fagbemi, Tuesday, described corruption as one of the formidable challenges to the attainment of the country’s national development goals.

The AGF, who stated this while inaugurating the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) Ministerial Committee in Abuja said: “The scourge which has undermined trust in public and private institutions needed to be curbed significantly in order to enhance effective and efficient service delivery. I urge members of the committee to give their full support and commitment to the responsibilities arising from our nomination.

While Fagbemi is expected to chair the committee, other members are Minister of Finance,  Minister of Interior, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Minister of Women Affairs, Minister of Communications,  Innovation and Digital Economy, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Chairman, Senate committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, chairman, House committee on Anti-corruption  and Financial crimes and representative of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not below the rank of permanent secretary.

Speaking further at the ceremony, the minister said the committee was set up in line with the anti -corruption stance of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which aims at eradicating corruption, whilst strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of various anti-corruption agencies.

He said the committee’s role is not only fundamental to achieving the NACS objective, but to also safeguard the country’s democracy, strengthen governance and promote sustainable economic growth of the nation.

The AGF added that the framework for the NACS and its Action Plan Implementation will focus on five pillars: Prevention of corruption, public engagement, campaign for ethical re-orientation, enforcement and sanction, and recovery and management of proceeds of crime.

These would serve as the driving force for both the public and private sector, with its scope covering national and sub-national levels of government.

 “Distinguished Committee members, the inauguration of this Ministerial Committee (MC) is long overdue. I must reiterate that our role as a committee is of immense importance and essential to the achievement of the NACS vision and mission.”