The Conscience for Human Right and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has urged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Media Practitioners to promote ethics and integrity to enhance the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of CHRCR, Idris Miliki, made the call in his paper presentation at a one day programme organised for CSOs, titled: “Corruption as Absence of Ethics and Integrity”, on Thursday in Lokoja.
The program, which was organised by CHRCR in partnership with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), had in attendance members of selected CSOs, Women groups, Religious and Youth leaders, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and Media practitioners, among others.
Abdul described corruption as absence of ethical conducts; defined Ethics as a fundamental principle, and Integrity as consistency, uprightness and wholesome conduct.
He said the objective of the meeting was to examine the post 2023 elections on Ethics and Integrity in the fight against Corruption and Accountability.
According to him, Ethics is important in governance and even among the CSOs and the media, being part of the building blocks of a vibrant democracy.
“This is because popular participation which is an important part of democracy increase democratic legitimacy.
“Popular participation in a vibrant democracy increase opportunity for active citizenship, increase equality of access to policy and decision-making. It equally increases quality service to the people,” he said.
The CHRCR executive director and other stakeholders issued a Communique at the end of the meeting, and urged the CSOs to work for popular participation, so as to increase democratic legitimacy because of their link to the citizens.
They called for greater accountability of public bodies or institutions between different community and social groups.
They also advised CSOs to intensify their activities and apply ethics and integrity, to encourage voice and participation in core value, that promote democratic principles, good governance, electoral integrity and legitimacy.
They further advised politicians at all level to obey political process or institutions and respect freedom of thought and association.
They admonished the Media as the fourth Estate of the ream, as provided in section 22 of the 1999 as amended, to air and produce views, commentaries and information to enhance National Ethics and Integrity.
They charged the media to report issues of public interests in fair, accurate, unbiased, decent manner and language, and create products or programs which could enhance Ethics and Integrity.
The communique urged all the relevant stakeholders to create a platform to engage the governorship candidates in an open debate towards the 2023 Nov. 11, Governorship election in Kogi.
The communique emphasised the effective way of achieving the task ahead through the instrumentality of ethics and integrity.
The stakeholders commended CHRCR and CISLAC for their consistency in the crusade against corruption and accountability with the continued support of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
