BY CAROLINE AMEH

A cross-section of Nigerian legislators, public officials, and anti-corruption advocates have renewed their push for transparent and effective governance during a three-day high-level workshop on institutional reform and fiscal integrity.

Organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes in partnership with Barclays Global Consult and other stakeholders, the event was held under the theme: “Enhancing Effectiveness in Local Governance Without Corruption.”

It brought together key actors from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), civil society, and the Edo State government.

Leading the delegation on behalf of Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Mr Peter Abulu, Director General of the Edo State Liaison Office in Abuja, praised the initiative as timely and strategic.

He called on public officials to uphold ethical standards, describing them as custodians of public trust.

“Our actions carry significant consequences,” Abulu said. “Workshops like this are vital for equipping us with the frameworks needed to act with integrity and professionalism.”

Highlighting Edo State’s adherence to national fiscal standards, Abulu also advocated for greater use of non-custodial sentencing, citing prison overcrowding and delays in prosecution.

“Some individuals undYer EFCC trial have died before verdicts were reached,” he observed.

“The National Correctional Service Act 2019 must be fully implemented to reflect today’s realities.”

Professor Abubakar Suleiman, Director General of NILDS, described the workshop as a pivotal moment in the national fight against entrenched corruption.

He emphasised the importance of extending anti-corruption reforms to sub-national governments.

“While commendable efforts are underway at the federal level, state institutions must not lag behind,” Suleiman said.

“Legislative oversight must be strengthened across all tiers of government to ensure fiscal accountability.”

Representing the EFCC Academy, ACE II Moses Longe commended the collaborative effort and urged participants to apply the lessons gained.

“This initiative is essential at a time when institutional synergy is crucial to combating systemic corruption,” he said.

A spokesperson for Barclays Global Consult stressed the importance of empowering local government officials with tools to resist corruption and improve service delivery.

“Building capacity at the grassroots is essential to eradicating corruption sustainably,” he stated.

Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, was represented by Mr Austin Adesoro, Clerk of the Committee.

Adesoro reiterated the committee’s emphasis on prevention over punishment in the anti-corruption drive.

“Corruption remains a pervasive threat to national progress,” he said, citing the EFCC’s recovery of N365.4 billion and 4,111 convictions in 2024 under the leadership of Ola Olukayode.

He called for urgent legislative reforms to support the judiciary and address obstacles that hinder the agency’s work.

Adesoro also applauded Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to transparency, describing his administration’s participation in the workshop as a positive sign of political will.

He concluded with a call to action: “Let us all take this message of integrity back to our institutions and commit to a new era of ethical governance driven by patriotic citizens.”