It's Vain to Amass Wealth Through Corrupt Means, Magu Says

   

•Engages FAAN management, staff on fight anti-corruption war

 The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday urged Nigerians to as a matter of priority desist from attitude, practices and behaviour that can cast a slur on Nigeria’s reputation.

The EFCC boss, in his remarks at a one-day sensitisation programme for aviation workers in Abuja, said: "As colleagues in the service of our beloved country, I like to remind us that it is vanity to aspire to amass wealth through corrupt means. We should rather be mindful of our legacy of service by being accountable at all time.

"It is with great pleasure that I address the management and staff of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the distinguished guests invited to this unique anti-corruption sensitisation programme for aviation workers.

"This outreach programme is specially designed for public and private sector workers in direct response to the mandate of the commission to fight corruption in Nigeria.

"Section 6 of the EFCC Act requires the commission to, in addition to its enforcement responsibilities, take measures to prevent the commission from economic and financial crimes. Among such measures, are aggressive public enlightenment and education, and it is far cheaper to prevent a crime than to fight it."

Magu, while speaking further, said: "Our presence here is to bring the message of anti-corruption to the management and staff of FAAN and other aviation workers. “The essence is to improve workplace consciousness of corruption and its corrosive effects and encourage workers to have a buy-in as the EFCC alone cannot fight and win the war against corruption in Nigeria.”

He explained that the airport as perhaps the most important gateway into the country is strategic in many ways, adding that "the most important is that it is foreigners' first contact with Nigeria and the impression they form of our country is largely informed by the conduct of our aviation professionals.

"This is why the conduct of our aviation professionals is key to the efforts at national rebirth, especially the critical economic mandate of attracting foreign direct investment into our economy. To this extent, it is imperative that we erase those practices, attitude and behaviour that cast a slur on our nation’s reputation and make Nigeria an unattractive destination for both tourists and investment. It is important to put screening and monitoring systems in place to ensure that airport staff deliver service to the best international practices.”

The EFCC boss further said: "I would like to seize this opportunity to remind us that corruption affects all of us and we must resolve to fight it to a standstill in line with President Muhammadu Buhari's admonition to us that ‘If we don`t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria!" We must not allow that to happen, for the sake of our children and the unborn generation."

Magu, while appreciating FAAN,  said: "It’s gratifying that FAAN has inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to ensure transparency, accountability and good ethical practices.

"I commend the management for this step which will go a long way in ensuring that every worker is aware of the consequences of engaging in corrupt practices, bearing in mind that the best way to fight corruption is to prevent it.” 

Responding, The Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma, stated that it is imperative to note that all activities within the airport are well monitored.

According to him, "When an incidence happens we tackle them appropriately; there are CCTVs at the airport and all incidences are being recorded. So anytime there is investigation, we always go back and play the video and also hand over to any government security agency that request for the footage.