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NSC: ICPC Inaugurates Anti corruption unit, assures members of Minister’s Support

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NSC: ICPC Inaugurates Anti corruption unit, assures members of Minister's Support

The Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has been enjoined to be battle ready to fight corruption in the system as the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, is in support of the unit.

Speaking at the inauguration of the unit by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Chairman, ACTU, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Oliver Chukwu assured that the Minister of Transportation is in support of the initiative. Noting that the fight against corruption is a herculean task, he urged members to be steadfast in the fight against corruption.

Also read: Shippers Council Collaborates with Institute on Training

“The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo is in support of all that you are doing.

Whatever it takes to support the fight against corruption, the Ministry will support you in all aspects of it.

The Minister said I should tell you that you should keep it up,” Chukwu said.

The chairman promised that on his own part as the head of the unit, he would also support what they are doing, adding that they need formal training to be successful as the fight against corruption is not an easy thing.

Sharing his experience in the fight against corruption, Chukwu said that at a point in the Ministry, people were calling him a policeman, and at a point, people were planning evil against me but God saw him through.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, of NSC, Emmanuel Jime gave assurance of his absolute support to the activities of the unit, saying that the Council’s mission statement is in consonance with the initiative.

He enjoined members of the unit to shun bribery in the course of discharging their duties.

He pointed out that the programme is to inaugurate the Shippers’ Council staff who have been cleared and approved by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related and Offences Commission to become members of ACTU in the council.

Jime noted that in the public service, government employees are regarded as representatives of the government of the day and therefore are expected to manifest the attitude of zero tolerance anti-corruption as advocated by the government.

According to him,  NSC has a mission statement that promotes an effective and efficient transport economic regulatory system that would contribute to the economic growth of the nation which imposed additional requirements of higher integrity in order to achieve the mission of becoming the nation’s foremost regulator.

The NSC boss congratulated the inductees and remind them that the task ahead of them is enormous but has no doubt that they would deliver on the additional assignment given to them.

He challenged them to always remember to be honourable and not give or take bribes.

The Resident Commissioner, ICPC, Lagos State, Kabir Elelu said that the unit would replicate the activities of ICPC in the Shippers’ Council and noted that aside from the conventional functions of the Commission which is to probe corrupt practices among others, it also prevents corruption from happening.

He called on the members to live by example as it’s a herculean task.

“To whom much is given, much is expected and to have been found worthy of membership which was thoroughly screened, it calls for responsibility.

ACTU reports directly to the CEO in all MDAs and it also provides that funds for the activities of the unit should be in the budget of every year.

For these reasons, the Chairman and members of the unit should please take full advantage of this by ensuring that they carry out all the mandates of ICPC to the best of their ability.

It is only by reporting. Of course, they can report or even with call for an investigation if there’s something wrong somewhere.

Another function to carry out is to prevent corruption from happening and educate the public against corruption,” Elelu explained.

In her acceptance speech, the Chairman, of ACTU, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Adaku Victoria Okam promised to bring a special perspective on ACTU activities and sustain a corruption-free organisation.

She believed that they can do it and assured NSC, the support organ, ICPC, under which framework ACTU draws it’s standing order and the supervisory Ministry, FMOT that they will together not only by ACTU activities but by the nationwide fight against corruption is also a global agenda.

Members of the unit are the Chairman, Adaku Victoria, Secretary, Emeruwa Nkechi, Members,  Zubairu Muhammed, John Bongko, Hamzat Marina, Habibat Aminu, and Oriyomi Ige.

ACTU is an initiative of ICPC to carry out system checks, and investigations and prevent corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

 

Health and Safety

NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

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NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

The Katsina Customs Area Command, Controller, Abba-Aji Idris, has been hugely commended by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for his proactive efforts in tackling cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling and drug trafficking.

In a press statement signed by the Command’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bello Isah, on 31 October 2024, both agencies were reported to have praised Comptroller Idris during recent engagements with the Command, recognising his role in strengthening border security and public awareness.

The newly appointed NDLEA Commander for Katsina, Abubakar Aminu, already paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller Idris at the Customs House in Katsina on 30 October 2024. 

During the visit, he specially commended the Customs Command’s extensive efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of smuggling and drug trafficking.

“The purpose of this visit is to assist the Comptroller in any way possible,” Commander Abubakar stated, emphasising the NDLEA’s alignment with the Customs Command’s objectives to protect the state from illegal cross-border activities.

Comptroller Idris, in his response, expressed appreciation for the NDLEA’s show of support, describing the visit as a timely reinforcement of Katsina Command’s mission. He detailed several strategies he has implemented since taking office, underlining the Command’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding Katsina State’s borders.

Similarly, the Katsina State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by the Chairman, Barrister Shafiu Umar, also acknowledged Comptroller Idris’ contributions to public security. 

During their visit to the command, Barrister Umar applauded the Comptroller’s active engagement with the community and his public enlightenment campaigns, noting the NBA’s commitment to supporting legal cooperation and awareness efforts in alignment with the Command’s anti-smuggling objectives.

Comptroller Idris expressed his appreciation to the NBA delegation for their support and pledged to work closely with the association to enhance the command’s operational goals further. 

He particularly emphasised the importance of community partnerships in achieving lasting success, against border-related crimes.

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Health and Safety

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

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CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

…Says Words are sometimes sharper than Swords

The National Cybercrime Centre – Nigeria Police Force has stressed that the word is sometimes sharper than the sword and warned journalists to be more disciplined and mindful in their choice of words online.

 The Acting Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart, advised at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the International Maritime Press Centre, Apapa, Lagos.

 Smart stressed that the pen could be sharper than the knife and therefore warned that journalists should ensure that whatever they push out online would not get them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activity done in cyberspace on any social media platform.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to N10 million and asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyberspace is free.

“Some of them are the National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

In his paper presentation, Dr Layinka Adagun, a veteran journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some run foul of the cybercrime law.

Adagun said that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from Internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said

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Health and Safety

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

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Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned that any further attempt by its officers to pull the wool over the public eyes, may be treated as an act of gross misconduct and thus, attract serious sanctions 

The NCoS emphasized this in a statement made available by the Public Relations Officer and image maker, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, specifically calling attention to a public reaction of one of its officers, to a recently trending video.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)”, the statement indicated, adding:

“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.

“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state”, the statement further indicated.

It would be recalled that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

 The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly. 

The Image maker consequently advised the public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

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