Ruby Rabiu
6 September 2007
Abuja — The programme trying to bring education to all children in Nigeria has been used by corrupt officials to steal money, the former executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), said yesterday.
Mrs Lami Amodu, alleged several incidences of corrupt activities have been perpetuated in the commission and that they were working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, Commission (ICPC) to uncover the culprits behind the scam.
Mrs Lami Amodu who said it became necessary to involve the ICPC in the investigation of the offence said recently corrupt issues have been identified in the commission which needed to be addressed before things go out of hand.
The former executive secretary who was speaking during a handing over ceremony, urged the incoming executive to quickly inaugurate the anti corruption committee, saying, 'this committee is very important and should not be delayed."
She advised the new executive secretary to specifically focus on the welfare of staff especially the junior staff and carry them along in the recent reforms going on across the country.
She stressed that she was leaving the commission a fulfilled woman because within five months, she was able to accomplish some very remarkable things which will be attributed to her in history.
Responding, Dr Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed said he was going to consolidate and continue with the reforms of his predecessor, adding that on the issue of corruption, he intends to ensure that all the culprits involved in any corrupt activity will be prosecuted.
He said that his administration will be built on transparency, accountability and due process because he would not tolerate any staff who engages in corrupt acts.
He attributed the low standard of education in the country to the long years of neglect, decay and abandonment which has been dealt the system over the years, saying that for a reform to take place, all stakeholders need to be on ground to assist in the process.
He said, 'education is a long process.
It is not just a government initiative.
We need assistance from all areas of the society.
From elders, civil groups, emirs, parents, teachers, the private sector and other groups.
Previously, we have not insisted on their support but we intend to do so'.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2007 Daily Trust. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
