By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CeleOkaf11
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), celebrates women all over the world in commemoration with this year's International Women's Day 2021.
The Commission urged the Nigerian women, in particular, to kick against corruption, sexual harassment, and all forms of anti-graft and anti-social behaviors which have worked against the advancement of women and the development of the human society in general.
A statement of felicitation with the global women issued on Monday by the ICPC Spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, noted in the Commission's hashtag #Choose To Challenge Corruption#, that time has come for the women to choose to challenge and broke through the ceiling with their achievements. Not only that, the ICPC calls on women everywhere to be alert and challenge what exists as the status quo, especially when unfavorable to their welfare, and to press for change in those areas.
Ogugua also pointed out in the Commission's statement that "One major issue that affects Nigerians unfavorably is corruption which manifests in different forms – bribery, gratification extortion, embezzlement, misappropriation, etc. Corruption has been identified to be at the root of most of the problems faced by Nigeria – from economic downturn to infrastructural decay to unemployment, and insecurity.
"Corruption has become so entrenched in our ways of doing things that most people think that it is the normal way of life. However, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with its 3-pronged mandate is poised to challenge corruption and reduce it to the barest minimum.
"The Commission also recognizes that it cannot do this alone and on this special day that calls for all women to “choose to challenge” corruption in all its ramifications, ICPC calls on Nigerian women to choose to challenge bribery, gratification, sexual harassment, “sextortion” and all other forms of corruption in their communities".
Ogugua stated that "The call from ICPC is for women to be alert - sit up, get informed and get involved in what is going on around them. This is centered on the second value of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy – the value of Voice and Participation. It is time for Nigerian women to speak up against corruption and participate in eradicating it from society. Women should also participate in governance and holding leadership accountable".
The reason for the call on women, the ICPC spokeswoman said, "is because the negative effects of corruption affect them the most. When the money meant for basic amenities is embezzled or misappropriated, it is mostly the women that suffer the pain of deprivation and lack of such amenities like water, light, hospitals, schools, etc.
"There are many ways for the women to challenge – by holding leadership accountable, by raising their voices collectively (as groups or organizations) and individually against bribery for services, sexual harassment, and sextortion wherever it may occur".
Ogugua emphasized that International Women’s Day is "also a day we celebrate women who had broken the glass ceiling and excelled in their areas of endeavors. A very recent example is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman to become the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. She chose to challenge – the standards that existed in the Nigerian government when she was a minister; she chose to challenge the limitations that a woman can never be the head of the World Trade Organization and is now its Director-General.
Ogugua stated that the ICPC advises that "Until women choose to challenge, things will remain the same. Let us choose to challenge corruption, to see a positive change in the country", the ICPC exhorted. NNL.