Information commissioners join ICPC to tackle corruption

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, and other state commissioners across the country have teamed up with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to tackle corruption.

In a statement made available Oyelade, who participated in the ICPC roundtable Meeting in Abuja with his colleagues from other states, said that although corruption was a major issue at the federal level, the real battleground was at the state and local government levels where governance is closest to the grassroots.

According to him, the commissioners and the ICPC resolved to take several measures, such as sustaining collaboration and synergy between the ICPC and state information commissioners to spread anti-corruption messages using state-owned media platforms.

Stating the measures to tackle corruption, he said, “Implementing deliberate and sustained communication strategies to build public trust, legitimacy, and collective action against corruption. Embedding anti-corruption messages into government information management processes.

Sensitising and mobilising citizens to demand accountability, participate in governance, and report corrupt practices. Building capacity and providing training for state and local government officials on strategic communication, transparency, and anti-corruption tools. Promoting ethical reorientation by embedding values of integrity into governance, schools, and community structures.

“Partnering with media and civil society to amplify government efforts and provide independent assessments. Communicating anti-corruption messages in local languages commonly spoken in communities. Launching grassroots-focused campaigns and creating a WhatsApp platform for constant engagement between states and the ICPC. Translating ICPC publications and Information, Education, and Communication materials into local languages for wider reach.”

Speaking at the event, the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, said the roundtable engagement was one of the vital steps the agency was pursuing to reduce corruption and save Nigeria from avoidable international embarrassment.

Also, the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, agreed with the ICPC chairman that having synergy with state commissioners of information was important, and he promised to work relentlessly with his state colleagues to actualise the objectives of the roundtable meeting.