PRIMORG: Fight Against Corruption Will Be Won If Laws Are Respected – Prof Igbolo

Professor Magdalene Igbolo of the University of Abuja has canvassed that until the laws of the land take precedence and are respected as the guiding principles as against what those in position of authority say, corruption will remain endemic in the country.

This was as she also said that a situation where by the decision of the President is seen above the law, abuse of power would continue to impede the fight against corruption.

Prof Igbolo, who stated these on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Project Report Dissemination of Progressives Impact Organisation For Community Development (PRIMORG), said that it is worrisome that anything can be sorted out in Nigeria through corrupt practices.

Igbolo also said that it has become a norm in the country that institutions are setup in Nigeria with the sole aim of failing from the beginning, stressing that unless institutions particularly anti-graft agencies are allowed to function independently, the fight against corruption which is one of the critical areas of focus will remain a mirage.

In the words of Igbolo; “The ruling class is working so hard to pauperise the poor populace knowing that poverty is one of the major causes of corruption. If poverty is reduced to its barest minimum, corruption would be drastically reduced.

“Decline in moral value of the society and the growing desire and greed for wealth people don’t really need is aiding corruption and this must be addressed,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr Kole Shettima, Country Director of MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria, said that the Foundation was initially sceptical about the project embarked upon by PRIMORG, adding however that after six years of sustained work by the dedicated staff of PRIMORG, the scepticisms have disappeared.

Dr Shettima commended PRIMORG for the work done so far with respect to the service it is rendering the people and society, adding that the fight against corruption is not an easy task but one that required a sustained and collective approach.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Mr Augustine Okhiria Agbonsuremi, Executive Directive of PRIMORG, said that the organisation remain committed to the fight against corruption in the country, adding that was what formed the basis why PRIMORG in the last three years has been executing its anti-corruption project which focussed on galvanizing the populace and the government to embrace accountability, transparency, and participation to achieve good governance.

Agbonsuremi said that the PRIMORG team led by Dr Adaobi produced 12 live radio programmes and syndicated 369 episodes as well as a492 repeat broadcasts by five radio stations in the FCT, Keffi in Nasarawa State, Ilorin, Kwara Stateand Jos, the Plateau State capital, adding that PRIMORG also tracked constitutency projects, carried out community meetins in the form of Radion Town Hall Meetings.

Highlight of the event was the unveiling of the PRIMORG publication titled; ‘Tackling Corruption On Air & Social Media Platforms, The Challenge of Corruption And Integrity Deficit in Nigeria 2021-2024.

PRIMORG activities is being funded by MarArthur Foundation.