By Emmanuel Adeniran, Ado Ekiti
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter has called on all the stakeholders to join hands in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The call was made by Mrs. Adefunke Anoma, the Ekiti FIDA Chairperson in her address at the Maiden edition of the Legal Aid CDS / Ekiti FIDA Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Competition that took place on Thursday in Ado Ekiti.
Miss. Faith Owoyemi of Fountain International Secondary School who emerged as the best speaker at the debate, was being presented award from by the FIDA chairperson, Mrs Anoma.
According to her, no corruption means that there will be more sustainable and Institutional developments in the Country.
Mrs. Anoma commended the deep thoughts of the organizers on the issue of corruption but pointed out that corruption is not indigenous to Nigeria and described it as a global phenomenon crucial enough to form part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She pointed out that the goals included commitments to fight corruption, increase transparency, tackle illicit financial flow and improve access to information.
The Ekiti FIDA boss noted that corruption represents a major obstacle to reaching functional developmental goals as it has negative effect on economic growth and increases poverty, and depriving the most marginalized groups who are mostly youths and children.
She said achieving the SDG’s goals and zero level corruption can be described as day and night which must not meet for the good of the general populace.
The Chief Host at the event, which is the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado Ekiti Branch, Barrister Falade Olakanmi, described plea bargaining by the accused persons as corruption saying that the laws should be promulgated to correct the situation.
He also called for the abrogation of immunity being enjoyed by some top political holders to curb corruption in the Country, just as he called for a new law that can correct the imbalances and abnormalities that seems to have been encouraging corruption in the Country.
“A man who steals N20 billion and being asked to return N12 billion and go home is not acceptable. That is corruption, we need to have a rebirth in this Country, because our laws support corruption. Presidents and Governors have immunity only to use the law to steal funds and possibly escape after expiration of Office. All we need now is a rebirth, a new way and a new direction, new laws and demonetizing politics”, he stated.
Mary Immaculate Grammar School, Petoa School, All Souls’ Anglican Grammar School, and Fountain of Knowledge International School in Ado-Ekiti were the schools which were represented at the competition.
Miss. Faith Owoyemi who represented Fountain International Secondary School emerged as the Best Speaker at the Debate while Petoa College, Ado Ekiti came second. Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Ado Ekiti came third.
All Souls’ Anglican Grammar School which was also represented at the collegiate competition took fourth position at the event where cash award, books and trophies were presented to the contestants.
Some of the students, Adekunle Emmanuel and Akomolafe Promise of Fountain International School and Mary Immaculate Grammar School respectively described the Debate as an eye opener because as it will create more awareness among the students on the need for them to join in the fight against corruption.
