Inter Religious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria (ICACN) has called for a concerted effort to fight corruption in the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that participants of the Inter Religious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria (ICACN) have come together to proffer solutions to the menace of corruption that has pervaded the socio-political, economic, and cultural lives of the country.
The participants brought the menace to the fore during the symposium organised by Inter Religious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria (ICACN) as hosted by the Strength in Diversity Development Centre (SDDC) in Lagos.
During the symposium themed; “Promoting Accountability and Anti-Corruption Through Behaviour Change Approaches,” the participants jointly acknowledged the dangers posed by corruption and also agreed to tackle the menace.
The Co-Executive Director of the NGO ( ICACN)/SDDC, Imam Shefiu AbdulKareem Majemu said, the objective of the event was to improve on the working relationship among the Religious, Traditional, and Community based Organisations on the anti-corruption campaign through engagement as well as to empower the citizens to amplify and raise their voices against corruption, using religion to achieve it.
Majemu charged participants to use their positions to sermonise their various followers on the need to jointly fight the common enemy which has become endemic in our society.
He also encouraged them to establish and develop a functional network of anti-corruption crusaders in the country where ideas and contents will be shared among themselves for effective action against the scourge of corruption.
A Co-founder of the organisation, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong contended that the places of worship are considered as the best avenues where corruption could be fought headlong.
Isong, therefore, enjoined religious and traditional leaders to be bold enough to speak out against corruption to adherents of their faith during sermons and in other religious gatherings.
He further appreciated the different religious and traditional leaders and other civil Society Groups in attendance for their sincere desire to fight corruption through their concerted efforts.
Isong while lamenting the rots in the civil service, called for an overhaul of the system, describing the system as a fertile ground where one of the worst sets of corrupt practices are carried out in Nigeria.
However, participants at the symposium acknowledged the fact that there is corruption everywhere in the country, not leaving out places of worship and homes. They finally agreed that this systemic failure required their coming together to tackle the roots causes.
The Political Adviser to US Consulate General in Lagos, Janine Lewis who was present at the occasion gave a strong goodwill message to support the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria through the Interfaith initiative.
Participants later broke into sessions and came up with a framework and Campaign slogans, such as #OUR CHILDREN, OUR PRIDE. #SEE CORRUPTION, FIGHT CORRUPTION. And, #GOOD LEADERS, GOOD NATION.
They equally promised to use the slogans to engage in campaigns in places of worship, schools, government institutions, and communities with the hope of achieving the desired results.
Participants appreciated the ICACN, SDDC, RRPD, Mambaya House Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, and the MacArthur Foundation for putting up this event.
