Nigeria: EFCC and ICPC charge the Youths to be Active Participants in the anti-Corruption War

As the EFCC and ICPC prepare to merge in accordance with the Oronsaye-led panel on the restructuring of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the two bodies have beckoned on the youths to champion the anti-corruption campaign. The youths are the trustees of posterity according to Benjamin Disraeli but the current situation and trend in Nigeria nay Africa does not portray such a reality. The youths are docile while the elders are pathetically brutal; preventing the youths from rising.

CAJ News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are hopeful their newly-announced partnership will curb corruption in the country. EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, re-affirmed the commitment of the agency to continue combating the menace.

He said the EFCC would not relent in its efforts to rid Nigeria of economic and financial crimes. Larmode said his organisation would collaborate with other stakeholders in the initiatives aimed at tackling corruption. “Corruption has become a cancer worm that is eating up the nation. As such, all hands must be on deck to check the menace," Larmode said during a five-nation Youth Integrity Camp government organisations and youth bodies organised.

The event was held under the auspices of the Anglophone West Africa Youth Integrity Camp. It drew participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone. The programme aims to engage youths as stakeholders in the fight against graft. According to the ICPC, the initiative is geared towards increasing awareness on anti-corruption issues.

"It is also aimed at establishing a network of youth leaders who are empowered and motivated to use their dynamism and innovative minds to fight corruption, demand transparency and accountability and promote integrity," ICPC stated. The ICPC had once initiated such a move geared towards initiating the youths, most especially students in higher institutions, in the anti-corruption war but just as it is usually with the general Nigerian policy syndrome; it only survived more on paper than in practicality.

Al Shabaab is a Threat to the World and Global Peace; Somalia's President Warns

As Kenya battles militants from Somalia, who launched a very colossal terrorist attack on Westgate shopping mall in the capital Nairobi killing several people including a foremost Ghanaian cum African poet; Kofi Awoonor, Uganda expressly boosted its security while the Somali leader has come out to diplomatically warn the world on the danger al Shabaab poses.

AP reports that the President of Somalia says the group claiming responsibility for the terrorist attack at a Kenyan mall presents a threat not just to Africa, but to the entire world. Kenyan authorities say dozens of people have died in the attack. Somali militant group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says reports that some of the attackers may have been Somalis who lived in the US illustrate the global nature of al-Shabaab. Mohamud said after a Monday speech at Ohio State University in Columbus that he has spoken with the president of Kenya and plans to visit the country.

Mohamud says his government is committed to uprooting al-Shabaab. He says maintaining security is his top priority as Somalia rebuilds after decades of civil war and terrorist threats. The apparent peopling of the mall by foreigners made it the best and a formidable chosen destination for the militants.

The Kenyan mall was a real target that could effect the necessary collateral and psychological damage terrorism always intends to achieve with its 'unseen' hands without accountability. The Somali President urged the world not to desert Somalia as doing so would constitute a real danger. Ethiopia too must not go to bed with its two eyes close as every country who participated in the demoralisation of al Shabaab could be potential target.

I Will Conduct Credible Polls in 2015 ~President Jonathan to Obama

After throwing powerful jabs at those who continue to distract his administration with fake news and obnoxious conjectures by telling them to allow him concentrate on his job, President Jonathan again has emphasized on his main goal which is to transform Nigeria in all facets; politically, economically and diplomatically. The President resounded the position of Nigeria as the 'Big Brother of Africa' without which Africa may not really put its onus rightly.

President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier warned those bent on creating political pandemonium in the land to desist from doing so. He cleared one of such nefarious statuses Nigerians are quick to jump at by speaking through his media aid, Dr Reuben Abati to demystify the news making the round that he took 600 officials to New York as reported by Sahara Reporters. The whole Presidential team composed of just 30 officials. He warned the opposition and their attack 'voltrons' not to blow up the house they intend to occupy with dynamites.

President Goodluck Jonathan continues to reiterate the commitment of his administration to hold credible, free and fair elections in the country by 2015. He gave the assurance during his bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama in the Lyndon B. Johnson suite in the Waldorf-Astoria in New York on Monday. “I have conducted credible elections in 2011 and I am committed to do the same in 2015.”

Jonathan reminded the US President that as he continued to work towards a safe world, Nigeria, he said, should not be left out.  “For you to fix the world, you must fix Africa. For you to fix Africa, you must fix Nigeria.” He also called for a stronger global consensus and determination to end the scourge of terrorism as quickly as possible. President Jonathan said that unless the international community unite and deploy its enormous resources to eradicate terrorism, it would continue to be embarrassed by terrorist outrages such that occurred in Nairobi.

He expressed his appreciation of the support and assistance Nigeria had received from the U.S. in the fight against domestic terrorism. Jonathan said that Nigeria would welcome more bilateral collaboration to fight terrorism in the country. On his part, President Obama recalled his recent trip to Africa and since then he saw common interests in helping Nigeria improve its rural electrification, empowering young people through the Young African Leaders programme.

According to him, improving internal security is in a way consistent with human rights and making sure Nigerian elections in 2015 continue to improve the country’s democratic process. Obama said the attack at a Nairobi mall over the weekend “underscores” the level to which all countries "are connected” and the need to work together. “We stand with them against this terrible outrage that’s occurred, we will provide them with whatever law enforcement help that is necessary.”

“The United States will continue to work with the entire continent of Africa and around the world to make sure that we are dismantling these networks of destruction.” The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and the National Security Adviser, Susan Rice, were also in attendance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jonathan was accompanied to the meeting by the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U. S, Prof. Ade Adefuye, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke, and the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo.