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FG Urges Workers To Foster Culture of Integrity In Government Business

Published

2 years ago

April 6, 2024

…. Call on Directors to harness collective expertise to drive meaningful change

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has called on Civil Servants in the country to uphold the highest degree of principles, standards, transparency, accountability and ethical values in the conduct of government business.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya gave the advice in Abuja Thursday, when she flagged-off the first sensitization workshop for the year 2024, organised for the Directorate Cadre Officers (GL 15-17) by the Ministry’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) under the Special Duties Department.

She stated that corruption, in all its forms, poses a grave threat to the foundation of our society, as it destroys trust, erodes justice and also impedes progress.
Represented by the Director, Special Projects, Hajiya Aisha Omar, the Permanent Secretary informed that the sensitization workshop provides an opportunity to delve into the intricacies of our systems and practices, guided by the beacon of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), System Study and Evaluation Scorecard.

“As leaders entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the public trust, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to integrity and excellence. We must lead by example, inspiring those around us to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability, in accordance with the ICPC Scorecard Template, she said.

Mrs Jafiya stated that as part of efforts to continue to raise awareness and identify existing gaps in the anti-corruption initiatives that had been put in place by the Federal Government, there was the need to sensitise officers on transparency, discipline and accountability in the service.

The Permanent Secretary informed that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), had considered and approved the request of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the establishment of ACTU in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with a view to ensuring that workers properly understand what constitutes corruption and how they could collectively and individually support the efforts of government in checking corrupt practices.

She emphasised the need for civil servants to key into the anti-corruption war of the government, which is one of the operational mantras of the present administration and an integral part of the crusade for national rebirth and social regeneration.

“Corruption goes beyond financial crimes. It includes other forms of malpractices in the conduct of government businesses such as acts of omission, negligence and asking for commission in the discharge of official responsibilities”, Mrs Jafiya said.

While calling on the Directors to harness the collective expertise and wisdom to drive meaningful change and foster a culture of integrity within our institutions, the Permanent Secretary said, *we are expected to engage wholeheartedly and share insights with our wealth of experience and collaborate in charting a course towards a corruption-free future for Federal Ministry of Finance in line with the policy objectives of government. We should stand united in our resolve to achieving this”

The sensitization workshop according to her was put together to conscientize and sensitise the Directors on the need to continue to exercise their supervisory roles of educating staff of the Ministry to imbibe the culture of integrity and shun corrupt practices while discharging their statutory functions as civil servants, with a view to promoting transparency, discipline and accountability at the work place.

*We must all join hands together with the Honourable Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun in his quest to ensure sound work ethics that would position the Ministry, not only as a leading, responsive and responsible Ministry amongst the MDAs with zero tolerance for graft but also in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration*

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director, Special Duties Mrs. Egundebi Yemisi stated that the workshop aims at providing the opportunity to deepen staff understanding of the systematic evaluation of processes and procedures of systems study and review.

*As Directors, it is imperative that we ensure our systems are not only efficient but also seen to be transparent through examination and collaborative discussion, we aim to identify areas for improvement and enhance organizational effectiveness*
She said that it has become imperative to recognize the importance of the ICPC Scorecard Template in gauging performance and progress towards our goals, stating further that, the scorecard serves as a compass, guiding us towards excellence by providing a comprehensive overview of performance indicators and the benchmarks of Anti-Corruption measures.

*By leveraging this tool effectively, we can measure our success, identify areas of excellence and address issues requiring attention with precision and clarity*, Mrs. Egundebi said.

She commended the Honourable Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya and the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo, for their avowed determination to ensuring the entrenchment of the Anti-Corruption crusade through the creation of an enabling environment to ensure the successful flag-off of the sensitization workshop for the Directorate Cadre Officers in the Ministry.
She expressed optimism that the aftermath of the workshop will spur the Directors to put more effort into combating corruption and anti-ethical behaviour of staff in the conduct of government business.

Earlier in a paper presentation entitled *Integrity Scorecard and System Study*, the Deputy Director, *System Study and Review* ICPC, Mr Obaniyi Adebayo said corruption is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of the society and has portrayed Nigeria in a bad light over the years.

He spoke on the concept of integrity, causes of lack of integrity, indiscipline and corruption as well as practical mechanisms for upholding integrity and combating corruption.
On the importance of ACTU in MDAs, Mr Adebayo said, it promotes and protects the image of the organization, assists in building an honest and transparent workforce as well as supports the Management to efficiently and effectively implement government policies, projects and programmes.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

2 hours ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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