Abuja: The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to bolster its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to improve accountability. This call was made during the inauguration and induction of the reconstituted ACTU at NAN’s headquarters.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, represented by Mr. Kupolati Kayode, emphasized the importance of ACTU as a government-recognized anti-corruption platform. He explained that ACTU’s role is to complement management by promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical standards across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Aliyu highlighted the need for management to support ACTU by providing resources and ensuring representation in standing committees.
The ICPC Chairman noted that ACTUs have evolved into essential mechanisms for identifying systemic weaknesses and preventing corruption within public institutions. The unit’s responsibilities include staff sensitization, corruption risk assessments, monitoring budget implementation, coordinating ethics and integrity compliance, and conducting preliminary investigations into complaints. He urged NAN to involve ICPC in its promotion, recruitment, and procurement exercises to enhance transparency.
Responding to the ICPC’s recommendations, Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, Managing Director of NAN, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability. Ali emphasized that staff must embody the values they promote and assured the committee of management’s support. He encouraged the new ACTU members to view themselves as partners of management rather than as adversaries.
Chidi Opara, Chairman of the reconstituted ACTU Committee of NAN, expressed gratitude to management for their trust in the committee. She acknowledged corruption as a widespread challenge and praised ICPC for establishing ACTUs across MDAs. Opara pledged to promote integrity within the agency and requested ongoing training and support from ICPC to enhance the committee’s effectiveness.
Opara also appealed to NAN’s management for continued support, emphasizing the importance of a conducive environment for the committee to perform its duties efficiently. She expressed hope that NAN would become a model of transparency among MDAs.