- The Namibian government has solicited the help of Nigeria in combating corruption, Nigeria being at the upfront in fighting corruption in Africa
- The ICPC chairman responded by stating the willingness of the commission to partner with other anti-corruption bodies in the continent to tackle corruption in Africa
- TheRadar compiled some reactions from Nigerians online to Namibia's demand
Namibia has turned to Nigeria for support in its ongoing battle against corruption.
The Namibian government, through its Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Humphrey Geise, expressed interest in collaborating with Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to gain insights and explore training opportunities.
Ambassador Geise made this known during a visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on October 11, 2024.
This was declared because Nigeria is leading in the fight against corruption in Africa, it needs to share its remarkable achievements in fighting corruption.
According to a statement on the Commission’s website on Saturday, October 12, 2024, the partnership is aimed at “Exploring training opportunities as well as sharing of expertise with personnel of the Namibian Anti-corruption Commission in the fight against corruption.”
The statement noted that the Namibian government made the call on Friday when its Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Humphrey Geise, paid a courtesy call to the ICPC’s headquarters, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. He stated that Nigeria occupies an exalted position in the fight against corruption in Africa and such expertise, as Nigeria possesses, needs to be shared with other African countries.
The statement also noted that the ambassador further revealed that Namibia also had an anti-corruption agency known as the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia (ACC) just as he proposed that the commission would love to learn about the success story coming from Nigeria, especially in the recovery of stolen assets by the ICPC and its sister agency, the EFCC.
In his words: “The fight against corruption is taking a new dimension in the continent, and we believe Nigeria should lead in sharing its expertise in the fight against corruption, and we hope it will open its doors to other African countries like Namibia to learn.
“We feel ICPC and the EFCC should be able to go the extra mile to share their remarkable achievements. It’s not good for Namibia to go outside the continent to learn this,” the statement quoted the envoy as saying.”
ICPC reacts to Namibia's solicitation for support
Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, the ICPC Chairman, appreciated Geise’s presence during the launch of ICPC’s Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028, just as he reiterated that the fight against corruption on the continent cannot be fought in isolation.
He maintained that the commission was ever ready and willing to partner with other anti-corruption bodies on the continent to reduce the tide of corruption in Africa, stating that the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, (ACAN) which is the training arm of ICPC would come in handy to see to the training request for personnel of the Namibian Anti-Corruption Commission.
In his words, “Those who indulge in corruption have their networks. So, we, too, on the continent, need to come together so that we can distort the illegal methods. By doing so, we’ll have good governance and a vibrant foreign-direct investment on the continent.
“We are aware of the MoU signed by my predecessor, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, I wish to reiterate that our doors remain open for any assistance that the Namibian Anti-corruption Commission may require from us. We have our own Anti-corruption Academy where we train people, I believe when your people come, we can also learn from them as well.”
Netizens’ reactions to Namibia’s demand
Nigerians reacted to Namibia's solicitation for support wondering how Nigeria will be able to help in this situation, being a corrupt country itself. TheRadar compiled the following reactions from the public.
“Hin go be like when patient with “catarrh” (common cold) go meet doctor wey himself get TB for office, say make doctor come treat am. Na so hin go dey cough on top hin head as hin dey give am treatment. In the end, doctor, go treat the cold. Come dash am tuberculosis!”
“Is this a joke or what ??? Corruption cannot tackle corruption.”
“For real...am proud of Nigeria.”
“I thought Namibia get sense.”
“Corruption for corruption.”😂
“That’s funny. Well, maybe for the first time, we’d give what we don’t have. Innit? 🫠”
“Just in...cheetah say make snail help am catch em prey.🤓🤓”
“Shey them dey whine us ni?”
“Them don miss road.😂”
“Hei God 🤣🤣. Anyways, It Makes Sense To Ask A Thief To Help Catch A Thief.😄”
“You guys are missing the point. Namibia 🇳🇦 wants Nigeria to teach them how it's been done neatly.”
“This has to be a joke... Or they just want to learn corruption from the corruption capital of Africa.”
@AinaVictor86:
“This tactic is called: Fire for Fire 'cos watin concern Nigeria with fighting another Nation's Corruption? Watin do her own's plenty Corruption?”
@seunalaran:
“Make dem no ruin that sweet nation nau. Haba!”
@MagicMopCleanin:
“😂😂😂 Nigeria of all Countries 😂😂 Head quarters of corruption lol. Them never see Country wey go help them.”
@Westinomarley1:
“Do they want to learn how to use snake and monkey for a more effective corruption practice? 🤔🙄”
“Start from yourself”: Nigerians react as Tinubu vows to tackle corruption
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously wrote on President Tinubu's promise to tackle corruption in the country. He emphasised the need for collective action to combat corruption in Nigeria.
He made this known during his address at the 6th Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)/National Judicial Institute Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges in Abuja on Monday, October 7, 2024.
Also, Kashim Shettima, the Vice President, who represented President Tinubu, disclosed that his administration aims to fight corruption through strengthened anti-corruption agencies and judicial reforms.
