Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practice and other related Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, has expressed fear that corruption and illicit financial flow may continue to threaten the development of Nigeria and Africa in many ways.
Speaking today, March 4, at the launching of
the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030 in Abuja, Professor Owasanoye warned that corruption and illicit financial flows may threaten Nigeria’s and Africa’s ability to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if not tackled.
“The illicit and sometimes criminal consignment of resources to foreign jurisdictions undermines domestic resource mobilization. Beneficiaries of corruption and enablers of illicit financial flows undermine governments and state institutions.
“A vision and plan of action underwriting the resilience of vital institutions, including anti-corruption agencies and justice system are critical to the achievement of the core SDG vision of leaving no one behind.”
he ICPC Chairman added.
The UNODC, in collaboration with government stakeholders, civil society and academia, private sector and development partners, had developed the strategic vision to assist Nigeria to achieve its SDGs as well as combat corruption, terrorism, economic and financial crimes and drugs.
Professor Owasanoye commended the UNODC for the launching of the Strategic Vision, adding that it would strengthen crime prevention, enhance justice, address organized crime, ensure a balanced response to drugs and improve the rule of law.

“The UNODC thematic areas are the global drug problem; organized crime; corruption and economic crime; terrorism; and crime prevention and criminal justice. A strategic vision that addresses these thematic areas in the context of Nigeria is directly relevant to the mandate of the ICPC as outlined in section 6 of the ICPC Act.
“I therefore commend the UNODC for the Strategic Vision for Nigeria 2030. The ICPC will continue to work with UNODC and other stakeholders in the justice sector to realise our shared vision of a crime free society.”
He stressed that the UNODC mission would provide more safety to Nigerians and Africans, government and institutions from drugs, crime, corruption, terrorism and illicit financial flows.
In his keynote address, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, expressed the support of the Federal Government for the UNODC’s Nigeria 2030 Strategic Vision.
The Minister, who was represented by the acting Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Benjamin Okolo, conveyed the Government’s assurance in implementing the strategic vision.
This was even as the Executive Director of UNODC, Mrs. Ghada Waly, emphasized the need to strengthen Nigerian laws to address drugs, economic and financial crimes, corruption and terrorism.
Waly, who was represented by UNODC’s Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Stolpe, said the United Nations body would continue to work hand-in-hand with its counterpart in the Nigerian Government to achieve the SDGs.
“Our aim is to take our partnership with the government and people of Nigeria to a new level in our shared mission to tackle crime, drugs, terrorism and corruption, and their effects on the economy, environment and people.
“Through this Strategic Vision for Nigeria, we will support the country in developing a fairer and more effective criminal justice system, countering the insidious activities of terrorist groups, promoting integrity and transparency across institutions, protecting Nigeria’s precious resources from exploitation by criminals, and supporting the health of Nigerians affected by drug use.”
The UNODC executive director assured that the international agency would look to empower women, children and youth as critical actors, build new partnerships, enhance its focus on prevention, and leverage science and technology as key enablers for change.

The Abuja Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Leon Usigbe, escaped death yesterday night when a group of armed Robbers attacked him in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that the armed robbers attacked and stabbed him in several parts of his body, living him with deep cuts on his right hand and backside.

The information had that Dr. Leon had just left a meeting between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives Caucus hosted by the House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elemelu, at his Lobito Crescent, Wuse residence.

It was learnt that the robbers, who were speaking Hausa language, swooped on him as he alighted from his car to mount a reflective triangle behind, just as the engine suddenly went off at the traffic stop.

The bad boys were said to have grabbed him by his neck from behind and indiscriminately unleashed sharp objects on his body, almost severing his right thumb.

The robbers succeeded in dispossessing him of his two mobile phones, including an iPhone 13 pro and Samsung Galaxy A32 series, before disappearing into the wasteland opposite the Phase 4 Federal Secretariat.

Drenched in his own blood, he managed to walk to the nearby police post at the Federal Secretariat where some policewomen on duty conveyed him to the State House Medical Centre for treatment.

His wounds were stitched up before being discharged today, March 2.

We in Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper send our sympathy to the Editor and prayer for his quick heal.

Hundreds of women from different groups have occupied the gate of the National Assembly in protest against the rejection of women-related bills by the lawmakers.

The women, who were armed with various placards expressing their displeasures over the development turned down the various entreaties to them to leave with assurances that their issues would be addressed and insisted that Lawan and Gbajabiamila, must come out to listen to them and do something urgently to reintroduce the bills that were rejected.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, came out to speak to them, but they refused.

Also, a ranking senator, Robert Boroffice, led a delegation of senators to appeal to the women, but they also refused.

Borroffice said they were from the National Assembly leadership and assured that their message would be taken back and dealt with, but the women were not to be deterred.

The protesting women also refused to listen to other delegations of lawmakers from the House of Representatives led by the House Deputy Whip Rep Nkiruika Onyejeocha (APC-Abia)

The women, who vowed not to leave the vicinity of the Complex until their demands were met, sat on the floor to convince any doubting Thomas that they were not ready to leave in a hurry.

One of their leaders, Dr Abiola Afolabi, said the treatment of the bills by the National Assembly was a manifestation of historical injustices against Nigerian women over the years

Dr Afolabi said it was unfortunate that the women were being treated shabbily when they have so much to contribute to making the country better.

She said what the women requested in the constitutional amendment was just the bare minimum as there is still a lot of issues to be addressed, adding that the constitution was discriminatory against women.

Afolabi said that the womenfolk were ready to rise up and take their destiny in their hands and called on women across the country to rise up to the occasion.

Other women leaders who spoke one after the other said that they felt disappointed and betrayed because they had the assurance of the National Assembly that the bills would be passed.

According to them, “Nigerian women are disappointed and aggrieved at the actions of the 9th National Assembly (NASS) today Tuesday, March 1, 2022, when they denied women the opportunity of inclusion and representation in governance by voting against the gender bills. The NASS has spoken loud and clear that they do not want progress for society: for mothers, aunties, sisters, wives, and for daughters.

“It is particularly sad that in a month globally dedicated to celebrating women worldwide, our NASS has chosen to deny women basic human rights, particularly, the right to identity and belonging.

“The proposed gender bills in the 5th Constitution Alteration Bills that were all rejected are Bills targeted at addressing the current gender imbalance across the legislative arm of governments across the country, whilst reducing the under-representation of women in political office.

“The men of the 9th NASS have reinforced the discrimination and political bias against women as enshrined in the 1999 constitution by denying citizenship to a foreign-born husband of a Nigerian woman. (While it allows Nigerian men’s foreign-born wives to be awarded automatic citizenship).

“The men of the 9th NASS by their actions have taken us backwards. Their actions undermine the importance and relevance of women’s contribution to the governance of Nigeria including the key role women play to bring victory to political parties in elections at all levels across the country. They also voted against diaspora voting!

“Nigerian women, therefore, demand that all gender Bills be reconsidered. Ultimately, our demands will benefit not just women but Nigeria as a whole. More women in governance will only bring progress, and respect for Nigeria in the committee of nations. We cannot, in 2022, be negotiating the rights of women and the sanctity of the dignity of girls. We call on the National Assembly to represent these Bills as a matter of urgency and ensure that they are passed”

The groups gathered for the protest include the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), Federation of Muslim Women Association (FOMWA), Women Organisation for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN), Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA), Women In Business (WIMBIZ), Action Aid, Yiaga Africa, the Islamic Youth League, among others.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Whip, Rep Nkiruika Onyejeocha on Wednesday expressed disappointment over members’ votes against Bills on women’s inclusiveness in governance.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Hon. Onyejeocha said if the bills had passed, it would have helped close the gap where Nigeria is ranked 184 out of 187 in the world ranking of women’s participation in politics.

She explained that the reason for the proposed additional reserved seat for women in parliament was because the male folks were not ready to give out space for the female from the already existing 469 seats at the federal level as well as that at the states level.

The lawmaker opposed the argument that the voting by members was culturally and religiously motivated.

According to her, members from the North whom I sat close to at the plenary of which many claimed they will be against the bills concerning women voted in favour of the bills.

Also speaking on the outcome, the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Kedem Tallen, said the situation was a show of shame.

The women in the early hours of today, March 2, gathered at the three arm zone and marched to the National Assembly gate chanting songs of solidarity against the move by the lawmakers..

The protesting women, in their numbers, blocked the Federal Secretariat/Eagle Square axis of the National Assembly in the early hours of the day and insisted that they would not leave until the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, came out to address them on the issues they described as “a matter of urgent public importance.”

The Abuja Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Leon Usigbe, escaped death yesterday night when a group of armed Robbers attacked him in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that the armed robbers attacked and stabbed him in several parts of his body, living him with deep cuts on his right hand and backside.
The information had that Dr. Leon had just left a meeting between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives Caucus hosted by the House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elemelu, at his Lobito Crescent, Wuse residence.
It was learnt that the robbers, who were speaking Hausa language, swooped on him as he alighted from his car to mount a reflective triangle behind, just as the engine suddenly went off at the traffic stop.
The bad boys were said to have grabbed him by his neck from behind and indiscriminately unleashed sharp objects on his body, almost severing his right thumb.
The robbers succeeded in dispossessing him of his two mobile phones, including an iPhone 13 pro and Samsung Galaxy A32 series, before disappearing into the wasteland opposite the Phase 4 Federal Secretariat.
Drenched in his own blood, he managed to walk to the nearby police post at the Federal Secretariat where some policewomen on duty conveyed him to the State House Medical Centre for treatment.
His wounds were stitched up before being discharged today, March 2.
We in Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper send our sympathy to the Editor and prayer for his quick heal.