General News
Repositioning EFCC: Tasks before Bawa
Successful implementation of a national anti-corruption policy and the strategy for the fight against corruption via concerted actions of ministries, departments and agencies, remains an integral part of the United Nations Anti-Corruption Strategies.
This, according to analysts, is to be supported by coordination of independent bodies such as prosecution services, auditing and regulatory authorities for a virile anti-graft standpoint of the nation.
They note that for effective anti-graft war, implementation of the policy will also require cooperation from the judicial and legislative branches of government, regional and local governments.
According to them, coordinating the implementation of a national anti-corruption strategy is, however, a major challenge.
They observe that one particular challenge is that some individuals or agencies charged with implementation may be benefiting from the corrupt system and may, therefore, look for ways to undermine the implementation.
In the light of this, concerned citizens urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman AbdulRasheed Bawa to ensure that the public officer charged with the responsibility of overseeing the operations of the anti-graft agency is firm and pragmatic.
Observers note that Bawa is not oblivious of his responsibilities when he restated the commission’s commitment to fighting corruption within the ambit of the law.
In an occasion in Kano, Bawa said that what distinguished the commission at inception was strict adherence to the rule of law.
“There were no new laws that other law enforcement agencies were not empowered to enforce; the only thing that made EFCC unique is adherence to the rule of law.
“We allow the law to take its course. Once someone crosses the line, we will do our job with civility and charge them to court to answer for their crime,’’ he said.
The new helmsman also enjoined staff to adhere to the rules and regulation guiding their official duties.
Analysts note that Bawa’s resolve to be ready for the tasks ahead in tackling corruption in the country will further boost the image of the commission.
An analyst, Victor Dike, observe that the menace of corruption will require all the necessary “medicines’’ to effectively control.
In his words, “no single and simple remedies will do the control; and the problem cannot be solved overnight, because corruption has been ingrained into the fabric of the society’’.
Concerned Nigerians corroborate this opinion, noting that that corruption leads to slow movement of files in offices, police extortion and slow traffics on the highways, port congestion, queues at passport offices, gas stations, ghost workers syndrome and election irregularities, among others.
According to them, what is Bawa bringing to the table to change the narrative and bring new impetus to the fight against the corruption monster in Nigeria must be potent and credible.
They also recall that in 2018, when President Muhammadu Buhari was given the task of championing the corruption war in Africa, he recognised that tackling corrupt acts and greed required a reorientation of the public attitudes and perceptions in that regard.
They recommend that the fight requires retraining and education as a means to instil transparent values.
In Buhari’s view, war against corruption must be critical because a corrupt system rewards those who do not play by the rules, creates patronage where resources are shared out by the elite, while the majority are trapped in poverty.
Bawa, therefore, needs to revalidate this view, work in that direction to bring about the required reorientation among EFCC staff and Nigerians to ensure a credible approach to fighting the scourge.
Analysts insist that he has to hold tight the advocacy that a new era has come where the gains eroded by corruption would be brought back for the development and progress of the country.
Dike observe that the security challenges occasioned by corruption must be checked in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, ensuring the rules of engagements to make various sectors sensitive to the fight against corruption.
Concerned citizens advise that ministries, departments and agencies of government must be directed to devise means of ridding the country of corruption in the areas of money laundering and terrorists financing.
They laud achievements of Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade which they say include the recovery of looted funds, blocking treasury leakages through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and prosecution of some notable Nigerians.
According to them, Bawa’s leadership of the EFCC need to be focused to justify the goodwill enjoyed by the commission at the Presidency, Ministry of Justice, Nigerians and development partners.(NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as the agency
Ismail Abdulaziz (NAN)
…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.
In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”
Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.
The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has called on political leaders to prioritize the welfare of citizens.
During a recent church service in Abuja, Ndukuba noted that many Nigerians are struggling with challenges brought on by the global economic downturn. He urged state and local governments to implement new initiatives to lessen the impact on their communities.
The Primate also stressed that the federal government must effectively monitor its programs to ensure that Nigerians fully benefit from the nation’s democratic gains. He argued that if the current administration can effectively tackle corruption, the country would significantly benefit from the economic policies of President Tinubu’s government.
Ndukuba concluded by asking the congregation to continue praying for those in authority, remain committed to national unity, and show love and support for the less privileged. He also tasked the newly inducted members of the Church Mothers’ Guild with aggressively spreading the gospel.
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, has expressed deep concern about the current situation in Nigeria.
Enenche stated that the nation is under an evil spell due to the economic hardship affecting the country. He described Nigeria as being covered by a “blanket of sorcery and darkness,” leading many citizens to endure poverty and hardship in silence.
“There’s a blanket of sorcery and darkness over this nation—an evil spell making people tolerate what should provoke outrage,” he wrote.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, the cleric highlighted the economic struggles faced by many Nigerians, noting that an increasing number of church members now line up after services not for spiritual counselling or prayer, but to help with basic needs such as rent, school fees, food, and medical bills.
“People are suffering. Pastors are exhausted. Members now queue after service not for prayer, but for assistance,” he lamented.
He also criticised political leaders for their insensitivity and failure to address the dire situation across the country.
“Yet, the leaders act as though nothing is wrong. This is not normal—it is witchcraft. It is a spell of patience in captivity, leading to a demonic tolerance of suffering.”
Calling for divine intervention, Enenche declared, “Let every evil spell over this land be broken! Let those misruling with arrogance and mocking the people’s pain face divine judgment. They shall not see the celebration of their wickedness.”
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