Corruption: ANEEJ urges Youths to Use Technology to demand Accountability




As Nigeria loses billions of dollars annually to corruption, the Africa Network for 
Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ has called on youths to mobilize and amplify their voices in the fight  against corruption by leveraging technology to track government projects, expose irregularities and demand accountability.
The Executive Director, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor who made the call during the 2024 International Anti-corruption day noted that corruption is threatening the aspirations of the current generation and those yet to come.
According to Rev. Ugolor who was represented by the Deputy Director, Comrade Leo Atakpu, youths should  speak out and refuse to normalize corruption and challenge unethical practices in their communities.
"Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to our nation's development, destroying its potential and undermining the delivery of critical public services like education, health care, and infrastructure.
"We join the global community to reflect on the far reaching consequences of corruption and the urgent need for collective action.This year's theme, "Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity," highlights the critical role that youth play in fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency.
"The 2023 United Nations Population Fund Country Programme Document for Nigeria, authored by the Federal Ministry of Finance,Budget and Planning, reports that 63 percent of the population is under 25 years old. This statistic underscores that the nation's future undeniably lies in the hands of its youth," he added.
The ANEEJ Executive Director, who is also the United Nations Convention Against Corruption UNCAC Coalition Co-Chair disclosed that, "through the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN)  Project, we have been at the forefront of championing anti corruption reforms at the national level as well as in Edo state.
"This EU-funded project, implemented by the International IDEA  under the RoLAC 11 programme, aims to empower civil society organizations and youth to advocate for transparency, accountability, and system reforms."
"The CASARN project serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among civil society, policy makers, and other stakeholders. Its objectives include strengthening frameworks such as the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), advocating for the passage of key anti-corruption legislation like the national whistleblower protection bill and the Edo State Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, and promoting the full operationalization of initiatives such as the Edo State Integrity and Accountability, Strategy (EDSIAS) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP).


                                 Participants during the 2024 International anti-corruption day in Benin city


"The Project seeks to enhance compliance with procurement data publication on platforms like NOCOPO, ensuring greater transparency and accountability."
The Chairman of the EFCC, Olukayode Olanipekun said corruption has made youths vulnerable to fraudulent practices, adding that one of the dreadful effects of internet fraud is its bandwagon effects on youths and the allure of easy money is drawing young people into the vortex of criminality.
Olanipekun who was represented by the Public Relations Officer, PRO  of the Edo State Zonal Command of EFCC, Mr. William Oseghale urged youths to stay away from internet fraud as youths involved in it face grim future
The event which was organized by ANEEJ in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme  and the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the implementation  of the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) project funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy  and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) was attended by about one hundred participants, including youth, women, Civil Society Organizations media representatives and anti-corruption agencies.
In their various good will messages, participants thanked ANEEJ and International IDEA for making the CASARN platform available for the mobilization of youth to channel  their energies to pursue genuine means of creating wealth and join the anti-corruption fight.
There was also a panel session on improving access to information and promoting transparency, accountability and anti- corruption and expectation from the new Edo State government, and Youth engagement in the fight against corruption, prospects, challenges and the way forward.




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