Edo State Government in collaboration with the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, National Orientation Agency NOA and MacArthur Foundation has held a One-day sensitization dialogue with Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders and Community Based Civil Society Organizations on National Ethics, Constituency and Executive Tracking Initiative for Positive Behavioral Change towards curbing corruption in the State.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo in his address at the New Festival Hall, Government House in Benin City, appreciated the  ICPC and  NOA for putting up the programme in collaboration with the Edo State Government and the Local Government Administration.

While noting that ICPC was known for its constant fight against corrupt practices in the Country he added that the program was timely and would address a host of issues and bring about behavioral change hence the need to meet with critical stakeholders in the State as they are closest to the people and have an influence over their followership and the constituents have confidence in them.
“As Government, we have continued to enjoy robust collaboration with you as promoters and sometimes enforcers of Government Policies, Projects and Programs in your domain, and wish to sue for more collaborations.
“We all have a responsibility of supporting Government in promoting accountability, integrity and transparency in the design and operations of constituency projects and programs as well as in the protection of projects,” he added
He admonished on the need to reawaken the conscience of the general public to their role in ensuring best practices are adhered to and ensuring communities are free from all forms of corrupt practices through efforts to revive the values of integrity, forthrightness and hard work.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) who was represented by Hon. Grace Chinda noted that the design and implementation of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) recognizes that the Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders and Community Based Civil Society Organization play vital roles as character molders and champions of integrity and National development.
Commending the Stakeholders as positive role models, nation builders, socio-economic and development influencers. He added that the presentations and dialogues will reveal the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative embarked on by the ICPC.
“These revelations, I believe will underscore why every core value of the Ethics and Integrity Policy should be imbibed, practiced and upheld by all and why you as leaders should deepen your partnership with the ICPC in diminishing corruption and using your good offices in building a better Nigeria for all of us. You have followership, you have influence and command respect, use these to bring about enduring positive behavioral change amongst our people,” he noted
Mrs. Okwong M. Ese, who lectured on ADVANCING THE CORE VALUES OF THE NATIONAL ETHICS and INTEGRITY POLICY (NEIP) FOR BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE: THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL/ RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND CSOs said that The National Ethics and Integrity Policy, was developed by ICPC in collaboration with OSGF and NOA, to enhance values and integrity and tackle corruption in the society.

According to her, It was developed in response to the many damaging effects of corruption in both public and private sectors, with a view to help restore and revitalize these sectors.
On Education, she said that ICPC had earlier developed a National Values Curriculum (NVC) for teaching of values in schools to young Nigerians, adding that the National Ethics and Integrity Policy builds on the basics of the Curriculum, to entrench positive values in the society.
She further expatiated on the roles of the critical stakeholders in the society to imbibe the values of the Policy, teach others, and collaborate with ICPC, NOA and OSGF, ICPC as they cannot do this work effectively without the cooperation and input of all stakeholders.

She added that, “it is not a job for the Federal, States and Local Governments alone, neither is it for the ICPC and NOA alone. It is a job for all of us as all hands must be on deck for the Policy to succeed.
Present at the sensitization programme were Traditional Rulers from Edo Senatorial Districts; the Representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria; Chief Imam of Edo State; NASFAT; Religious Leaders; Community Based Civil Society Organisations amongst others.
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