The two-day capacity-building workshop on the Online Asset Declaration System, hosted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and with the support of International IDEA and the ROLAC Programme of the European Union, has successfully concluded.
The primary objective of this workshop was to enhance the efficacy of anti-corruption processes and reforms within Nigeria while emphasising the importance for public servants and politicians to declare their assets with honesty and transparency.
During the opening address, Dr. Abdullahi Bello Usman, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, represented by Ivy Ekpenyong, Chief Superintendent of the Bureau, highlighted corruption as a significant impediment to Nigeria’s growth and development.
He articulated that asset declaration constitutes not only a statutory obligation but also a moral imperative for public officers, and it is the role of the CCB to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
In his welcome remarks, Barrister Eze Onyekpere, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice, elaborated on the workshop’s role as part of a systematic partnership aimed at developing effective learning materials for public officers regarding the new Online Assets Declaration System.
Furthermore, he noted that the initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies at both federal and state levels, particularly focusing on the states of Anambra, Edo, Lagos, Plateau, Adamawa, and Kano, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
Justin Fave Choon, Director of the Adamawa State CCB, expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts between the CCB and CSJ.
He emphasised that meaningful anti-corruption reforms necessitate an active demand for accountability from citizens and urged public servants to exemplify ethical conduct to create an environment where corruption cannot flourish. He reaffirmed the CCB’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and rigorous enforcement of compliance without bias.
A participant from the Adamawa State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Abalis Akila, commended the partnership between the CCB and CSJ in the battle against corruption, particularly within the civil service.
He encouraged civil servants to utilise technological advancements to protect Nigeria’s resources and restore public trust. He stressed the necessity for civil servants to embrace the Online Assets Declaration System with sincerity and integrity, emphasising the importance of fostering a legacy of ethical governance for future generations.
Throughout the two-day workshop, participants engaged in a variety of activities, including presentations on the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, the Code of Conduct Tribunal, categories of assets and liabilities, as well as detailed discussions of the asset declaration process.
The workshop also comprised practical demonstrations, group work, pre- and post-examinations, interactive discussions, and a question-and-answer session, concluding with a group photograph.