In continuation of its consultations with relevant bodies to actualize its mandate, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) held a one-day interactive session with the Youth on Corruption on Monday 24th April, 2017, at the Biodun Sobanjo Multi Media Centre, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State. Discussions bordered on areas of collaboration and role of the Youth in the anti-corruption war.
Setting the tone for the d…iscussion, the Chairman of PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay said that the programme was organized to get the right feeling from the Youth because the government is sensitive to their yearnings. He noted that the present Administration who is on rescue mission has saved the country and in particular the Youth from great calamity of stealing away their future.
Prof. Sagay emphasized that it was saddening to hear people criticise the government without facts, such as:
1.Not having a framework for prosecution of corrupt cases.
2.Government not having overall strategy against corruption
3.Not having proper philosophy for handling corruption etc.
He said further that a comprehensive and documented manual on prosecuting corruption war is available and ready for launch soonest by the President. Sagay urged Newsmen, Lecturers, Newspaper Columnist and TV pundits to always seek for clarifications before criticisms.
The Lead Speaker, Mr. Issa Aremu who spoke on “The Role of Youth in the Fight Against Corruption”, went memory lane to show that Youth has always been in front for nation struggle, the fight for Independence and against Military rule, hence too important to be neglected.
Aremu noted that there should be proper policy on youth engagement and that they should be properly employed and maximize their energy for better productivity. He tasked the Youth to wake up to the reality of how to fight corruption. They are to see it as a struggle for nationhood with one united front and voice. Youth should copy and emulate the right virtures and shun people who are ready to mortgage their future for nothing.
Other speakers at the event suggested establishing a platform for reporting corruption, digitalizing all process of obtaining and processing documents for accountability while the living wages of those working in government establishment should be reviewed just as there should be continuous sensitization of the youth.
The event was attended by a cross section of youth organisations like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA); Young Journalist of Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ); Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC); Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) BUDGIT; Representative of V.C University of Lagos; Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye; Kate Henshaw; Prof. Etannibi Alemika amongst others.