The Kano State Government has come up with initiatives as part of efforts to strengthen the anti-corruption fight and governance framework.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made the disclosure on Tuesday during the commemoration of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day.
The governor used the occasion to announce the establishment of the Kano integrated governance accountability system which would be adopted and used by civil servants and all the 44 LGAs in the award of contracts, through its e-portal to ensure transparency and good governance.
According to him, the state has developed a Central Criminal Register Software, a revolutionary tool to enhance the criminal justice system, ensuring swift, fair justice while combating corrupt practices.
“To further enhance the Anti-corruption momentum, we have proposed an amendment to the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Law and we are working on the proceeds of Crime Bill to ensure that recovered assets are managed transparently.
‘’As we all know corruption is a cancer that erodes trust, undermines institutions, and hampers progress,” he said.
He said protecting human rights is central to achieving a just and equitable society which are principles at the heart of our administration’s agenda.
“To commemorate these two important days, we have organized this symposium, followed by tonight’s musical concert and dinner to stakeholders—especially the youth—in the fight against corruption, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence (GBV).
The theme of this year’s Anti-Corruption Day, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity, reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusion. We are determined to block systemic leakages, investigate corruption, and ensure value for public funds.
The governor commended the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission for their hard work and steadfastness in addressing complaints of the public and its transparent anti-corruption fight.
‘’Their honesty and commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and justice are worthy of emulation by other anti-corruption agencies across the country, ‘’ Gov Yusuf said.
‘’We, therefore, encourage the Commission to redouble its efforts in this noble pursuit. Let me also seize this very moment to thank the Federal Government’s sister Anti Corruption Agencies such as EFCC, ICPC, National Human Rights Commission and other development partners such as the Rule of Law and Anti Corruption (ROLAC), MacArthur Foundation for their commitment and zeal in curtailing this cancer of corruption and for their maximum cooperation in supporting the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission under the leadership of Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado.’’
In his remark, the Chairman of the commission, Muhuyi Magaji-Rimingado said the objective of the symposium was to rid the community of corrupt practices and engage young Nigerians.
Rimingado vowed that the commission would not relent in the ongoing fight against corruption in the state.
The Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Isa-Dederi, commended Governor Yusuf for his support, encouragement, and the enabling environment.
“At the Ministry of Justice in Kano, we have an Anti-Corruption Unit. We can now investigate and prosecute corruption cases,” he said.
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu-Aliyu, SAN, said fighting corruption is a daunting task that often fights back.
Represented by the ICPC Resident Commissioner in Kano State, Ibrahim Garba-Kagara, Adamu-Aliyu noted that insufficient political will among leaders and a lack of awareness among Nigerians are the two formidable obstacles to fighting corruption.
He applauded the state government and Governor Yusuf for the political will to fight corruption.
“Youths have a vital role to play because they have a long future ahead of them. They are the worst and most affected by the monster of corruption.
“The youths need to key in and take this fight as their own,” Adamu-Aliyu said.
Other speakers at the occasion included representatives of the Kano State Chief Judge, EFCC, DSS, Code of Conduct Bureau, CSOs, and the Kano Commissioner of Police, among others.
The symposium attracted participants from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in both private and government schools.
