In pursuit of more inclusive efforts at combating corruption in Nigeria, emphasizing professionalism and patriotism, Internal Audit practitioners have been urged to uphold ethical standards and embrace anti-corruption strategies in the pursuit of their professional duties. Their role is crucial in preventing the facilitators of illicit assets and corruption by proactively preventing, tracking, and recovering illicit wealth. This call to action emerged during the 31st Anti-Corruption Situation Room, organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) in partnership with the Society for West African Internal Audit Practitioners (SWAIAP) in the nation’s capital on Tuesday, September 2023. During his keynote address at this anti-corruption workshop, Mr. Andrew Ogochukwu, the acting Auditor-General of the Federation, underscored the imperative of strengthening internal audit functions across government entities. He emphasized that internal auditors are the frontline defense against corruption, responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of internal controls to safeguard public assets and prevent their diversion for private gain. Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant-General of the Federation (represented by Adejo Osayi, Deputy Director of Special Duties), also urged audit and accounting practitioners to be mindful of potential role overlaps that can lead to confusion and reduced effectiveness in serving the public interest. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA, emphasized the workshop’s significance in the fight against corruption, calling for professionalism and urging professional bodies to impose strict sanctions on members who enable corruption in the course of their duties. He expressed concern about how some auditors and accountants, through unethical conduct, inadvertently become enablers of corruption. The workshop concluded with a communique that included a plea to the Federal Government to issue a formal letter of appointment to the Acting Auditor of the Federation, enabling him to fully carry out the responsibilities of the office for the benefit of the nation. The 31st Anti-Corruption Situation Room workshop held in Abuja attracted substantial participation, with over 50 attendees, including auditors and state and non-state actors actively engaged in the anti-corruption fight. Distinguished panelists and participants included Mr. AbdulKarim Chukkol (Acting Chairman of the Economic Financial Crime Commission), represented by Mrs. Idowu Oluwole (Director of Internal Audit, EFCC); Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission), represented by Mr. Bhadmus Adejare (Chief Superintendent, Internal Audit, ICPC); Dr. Woko Boniface (Director of the Internal Audit Department at the University of Port-Harcourt); Mr. Patrick Nzechukwu (President, SWAIAP); Dr. Emmanuel Moore Abolo (GMD/CEO of The Risk Management Academy Limited); Obalim Esedebe (CEO, Ciel Consulting), among others.

In a resolute drive to fortify the nation’s commitment to combat corruption, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has undertaken a comprehensive series of strategic advocacy visits. These efforts, spearheaded by Chairman Olanrewaju Suraju, seek to amplify the impact of anti-corruption initiatives across various vital institutions and stakeholders. The culmination of HEDA’s endeavors is the presentation of meticulously crafted policy briefs, stemming from the Two-day National Anti-Corruption Conference, aimed at addressing pivotal aspects of the anti-corruption landscape. HEDA’s advocacy initiatives have spanned multiple crucial institutions, including the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police Service Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission. These policy briefs extend their purview to encompass institutions as diverse as the presidency, the national assembly, anti-graft agencies, the media, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the judiciary. The core objective of these advocacy visits, as articulated by HEDA Chairman, Suraju, is to reinforce the nation’s anti-corruption efforts by implementing the policies to actively engage stakeholders and the public in the ongoing battle against corruption. The responses to these initiatives have been resoundingly positive. Dr. Garba Abari, Director-General of NOA, commended HEDA’s pivotal role in shaping the national agenda for a more transparent and accountable Nigeria. He expressed eagerness to seamlessly integrate the policy propositions into NOA’s activities, emphasizing their transformative potential in reshaping public perceptions of corruption. Similarly, during HEDA’s advocacy visit to the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Ojogbane Fila, Director of Planning and Research Statistics, expressed profound appreciation for the timely presentation of the policy briefs. She recognized their substantial significance, as they stand to become integral components of the ministry’s strategic work plan for the years 2022 to 2026. Mrs. Fila affirmed the ministry’s commitment to active collaboration with HEDA in the continued battle against corruption, acknowledging HEDA’s unwavering dedication to championing anti-corruption initiatives. HEDA’s advocacy outreach extended to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), where Chairman Olanrewaju Suraju emphasized the intrinsic connection between corruption and human rights violations. He urged NHRC to play a proactive role in overseeing funds recovered from corruption cases, recognizing the potential for these funds to advance the cause of human rights. In response, the Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu SAN of the NHRC lauded HEDA’s steadfast efforts in combating corruption. He underscored the significance of reinforcing anti-corruption institutions and urged government bodies to enhance the welfare of civil servants, particularly in terms of their wages. Ojukwu also emphasized the importance of synergy among anti-graft agencies in effectively combating corruption. Further advancing anti-corruption initiatives, HEDA conducted an advocacy visit to the Police Service Commission. The policy briefs presented underscored the pivotal roles and expectations placed upon the Nigeria Police Force and anti-graft agencies in this collective endeavor. Chairman Dr. Solomon Arase of the Police Service Commission lauded HEDA’s contributions to national security and anti-corruption efforts. He highlighted the establishment of a Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) aimed at monitoring and holding accountable police officers who violate human rights. Chairman Arase urged the public to report violations by calling 08094767777. He also revealed plans for collaboration with other partners to equip police officers with essential skills for effective corruption combat, underscoring the critical role of training in their reform efforts. These collaborative initiatives represent a significant leap in the ongoing campaign against corruption in Nigeria. They exemplify HEDA’s unwavering dedication to this vital cause, uniting various stakeholders and institutions in the collective pursuit of a more transparent, accountable, and corruption-free Nigeria.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) is thrilled to announce the official commencement of public voting for the esteemed Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Awards (GFIIA) 2023. GFIIA Awards, held annually, provide an opportunity for the public to nominate individuals. After a rigorous screening process by HEDA, the public can now cast their votes for their preferred recipients among the 20 shortlisted nominees across various award categories. The public voting phase, which begins today, September 25, and runs until October 20, 2023, can be accessed through the Awards website: https://gfa.hedang.org. Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA Resource Centre, highlighted that the overarching objective of the GFIIA Awards is to foster a shift in public attitudes towards corruption issues and to celebrate individuals who consistently demonstrate remarkable impact and integrity, even in challenging circumstances. “The Awards process is multi-layered and inclusive, with active public participation from the nomination phase to the final voting phase. A comprehensive multi-layer screening process was conducted by a panel of experts, and the final list of nominees was submitted to the esteemed Awards Board, comprising eminent personalities.” The GFIIA Awards Board, chaired by Prof. Ayo Atsenua and co-chaired by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, includes Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Prof. Nsongurua Udombana, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, Comrade Chuka Achude, and Comrade Femi Aborisade. This year’s GFIIA Awards feature nominees in all four award categories, in contrast to last year’s edition when no nominees for the Nigeria In Diaspora Award Category passed the screening process. HEDA received a total of 312 nomination entries during the open call for nominations. Following meticulous sorting and analysis of these nominations, 20 individuals emerged as nominees across the four award categories: Outstanding Impact (11 nominees), Outstanding Integrity (6 nominees), Valuable Whistle-blower (2 nominees), and Nigerian-In-Diaspora Award (1 nominee). Nominees for the Outstanding Impact Awards include Gbenga Komolafe, Dinatu Emmanuel, Buhari Yerima, Mailafia Yakubu, Abiodun Aremu, James Chijioke, Michael Awo, Ogechukwu Maduagwu, Yunusa Enemali, Femi Gbadebo, and Lukman Oladimeji. Dr. David Adetoro is the sole nominee who successfully passed the screening process for the Nigerian-In-Diaspora Award. Nominees for the Outstanding Integrity Awards are Prof. Nnenaya Oti, Kekwaaru Ngozi, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo, Saheed Oladele, Emmanuel Ikule, and Ojo Aderemi. Nominees for the Valuable Whistle-blower Awards are Ibrahim Ali and David Hundeyin. HEDA Resource Centre invites the public to actively participate in the voting process and contribute to recognizing and honoring individuals who exemplify the values of impact and integrity championed by the late Gani Fawehinmi. The voting period concludes on October 20, 2023. For further information about GFIIA 2023 and to cast your vote, please visit our official website https://gfa.hedang.org.

A united front comprising 47 civil society groups and activists from ten countries worldwide has thrown its weight behind the upcoming Climate Ambition Summit, slated to take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 20, 2023. This diverse coalition commends Mr. António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Hadjia Amina Mohammed, his Deputy for their  unwavering commitment to addressing the urgent climate crisis. The group in a letter signed by their representatives and transmitted through HEDA Resource Centre and its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, addressed to the UN Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres and Ms Amina Mohammed respectively; underscores the significance of Secretary-General Guterres’s “Roadmap for a Liveable Planet,” a blueprint designed for the summit. The roadmap emphatically calls for an immediate cessation of all licensing and funding, both public and private, for new coal, oil, and gas projects. “These directives closely align with the findings of esteemed institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which have issued dire warnings about the catastrophic consequences of inaction. Both the IEA and IPCC stress that the critical target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a pivotal milestone in mitigating climate change, necessitates a radical departure from further investments in coal, oil, and gas extraction. Disturbing data reveals that current fossil fuel extraction plans would result in a substantial surge in emissions, significantly exceeding the limits mandated by the Paris Agreement. The groups highlight a stark disparity in responses to the climate crisis between the global North, historically the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and the global South. While Denmark, a major oil and gas producer in Western Europe, has abandoned all future North Sea oil licensing rounds, several Northern nations have paradoxically accelerated new exploration initiatives. “For example, the United Kingdom recently greenlit 100 new oil and gas fields in the North Sea, a move that directly undermines its climate commitments. Simultaneously, the United States, the world’s foremost historic polluter, approved the Willow oil project in Alaska, expected to emit millions of metric tons of greenhouse gases. “Conversely, numerous governments and environmental justice movements in the global South have exhibited commendable leadership. Nations like Costa Rica, Belize, Colombia, and Ecuador have taken proactive measures to prohibit oil, gas, and coal exploration within their territories. However, many Southern nations remain hesitant to discontinue new licensing without a dedicated mechanism to compensate for future revenue losses. The coalition fervently urges the Climate Ambition Summit to prioritize concrete proposals for compensatory mechanisms aimed at preserving untapped reserves of oil, gas, and coal. These mechanisms must extend beyond addressing climate justice and encompass redress for the historical ecological, climatic, and socio-economic damage inflicted by centuries of colonial exploitation perpetrated by the global North. Furthermore, the coalition emphasizes that proposed financing mechanisms must not replicate or create commodity markets, such as carbon or ecosystem services trading, that perpetuate exploitative income streams. Instead, they should facilitate a transition away from colonialist practices, prioritizing the collective rights of all beings to survival over the accumulation of wealth by a select few. Several financing proposals have already been advanced to bolster climate finance, including an international tax on windfall energy company profits, a Financial Transaction Tax, share buyback taxes, and a progressive global tax on oil, gas, and coal companies based on their CO2 emissions. Additional suggestions entail renegotiating unfavorable terms for existing oil and gas licenses and facilitating the return of revenues held in the global North. The groups, however, place great expectations on the United Nations to play a pivotal role in aiding negotiations and facilitating the return of assets acquired through corruption. The UN Development Programme and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime are viewed as vital platforms for these endeavors. In conclusion, the coalition reiterates unwavering support for the Climate Ambition Summit and anticipates the emergence of concrete proposals for compensatory funding mechanisms as a pivotal outcome of the summit’s deliberations. “The urgent need for dedicated financing to enable global South nations to forego income from new fossil fuel licenses cannot be overstated, and immediate action is imperative to avert irreversible damage to our planet.” The civil society coalition groups include the Accion Ecological, Ecuador; FENRAD, Nigeria; CISLAC  Nigeria; Transparency International, Mongolia Community Resource Centre; Thailand, Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Outreach, Development Action for Humanity, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Nigeria; Initiative For Women Empowerment & Development (IWED); Society For Economic Rights & Social Justice (SERSJ); Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation, Nigeria; Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation, Nigeria; Environmental and Rural Mediation Centre; Support Initiative for Sustainable Development; Centre for Rural Economic and Social Development; Policy Alert, Nigeria. It also includes the Entrepreneurship Initiative for African Youth; Initiative for Ideal Development and Emancipatory Leadership in Nigeria; Universal Health and Economic Empowerment Foundation, Citizens Right Advocacy; Centre for Peace Education and Community Development; Commuters Rights and Development Foundation; Nature Advocacy and Development Initiative; Save Life Community Initiative, SLICOM-I, Lagos Urban Development Initiative; Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED); Centre LSD; KebetKache Women Development and Resource Centre. Community Information and Advocacy Initiative; CAFSO-WRAG for Development; Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development; African Coalition on Migration and Development; Global Witness MUSONET, Mali; HABITAT CARE and Protection; Rural Initiative for Change; Centre for Environment Peace and Youth Development; Grata Fund, Australia; African Network for Environment and Economic Justice Accountability Lab, Nigeria; Stephanie Peacebuilding and Development Foundation; Ogoni Solidarity Forum; Peoples Advancement Centre; Grassroots Advocacy Centre for Economic Development (GRACED); Re: Common, Italy; Initiative for Policy Intervention and Development (I4PID); Publish What You Pay, Nigeria; Cornerhouse, UK and The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

In her commitment to extending the reach of climate justice to communities most affected, The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) embarked on a community outreach program that seeks to spotlight the experiences and stories of communities in Lagos State who have borne the brunt of climate change. The objective is to amplify their voices and narratives for meaningful action. This initiative is part of the African Activists for Climate Justice (AACJ) project, which seeks to help communities in Africa seek climate justice and hold their governments and other duty-bearers to account. The project, which will be working with 20 communities across the country, flagged off its engagement in Lagos State with a visit to the Afowo Apa riverine community in the Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. The community is a fishing community and also the location of a world Bank-supported aquaculture project with fish cage culture infrastructure and preservation facilities. HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, explained the importance of community outreaches when addressing a group of women and youth whose livelihoods are directly impacted by extreme weather events. He stated that climate change is an existential threat to humanity and thus requires that everyone take action to combat the phenomenon and to help affected communities cope better. He informed the community people that this initiative is about helping to strengthen their voices as they demand appropriate climate response from their various governments.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and its international partners have set an agenda for President Bola Tinubu on anti-corruption in Nigeria. The call was made by the foremost anti-corruption group, and its local and international partners at a two-day National Anti-Corruption conference held in Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu has been tasked with the immediate need to decisively fight corruption to halt the country’s possible drift into a major economic crisis amidst reports that Nigeria loses about $60billion every year to corruption. The conference with the theme; ‘Nigeria and the Fight against Corruption: Reviewing the Buhari Regime and Setting Agenda for the Tinubu Administration” organized by HEDA Resource Centre and Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CFTI) had participants from across the country, foreign countries and institutional bodies representatives. HEDA observed that Nigeria with a debt portfolio of N77trillion, an inflation rate of 23 percent, GDP of 2.35 percent coupled with unrelenting zeal for graft by public officials, a bold step needed to be taken by the new government to block waste, stop corruption and recreate a new public confidence to save the country from social crisis. Some of the agenda set for the new Government at the conference is to fast track the whistleblower law, payment of backlog of royalties by oil companies, anti-corruption courts for speedy prosecution of corruption cases, firm implementation of the public procurement law, accountability on the part of political actors among others. The conference also charged the National Assembly to affirm Nigeria’s readiness to join the international Special Task Force on Corruption, SATF to enable efficient recovery of illicit funds. Participants also listed the retrieval of billions of funds paid to phantom oil subsidies in the past years, oil theft, public funds stolen by political actors, and a significant cut in the cost of governance as some of the critical steps that Tinubu needed to take to save the country. Femi Falana, a legal practitioner while speaking at the conference said that Nigeria said Nigeria loses billions of dollars to oil theft and the refusal of oil companies to pay the total expected tax amounting to billions over the past years without sanctions. He said Nigeria has failed to put a mechanism in place to determine how many liters of oil are taken from the country’s onshore and offshore. However, Gbenga Komolafe, Managing Director of Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission, (NURC) said that new equipment has been acquired by the commission that would monitor every liter of oil taken from Nigeria adding that the new initiative will create a paradigm shift in oil-related revenue generation in the country. Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA Chairman, noted that there have been no reasons to believe that there was going to be any serious fight against corruption given the experiences in the past years. He said Nigeria’s hope is rekindled by the iron cast will of Nigerians and the irresistible wind of change blowing against corruption across the world of which Nigeria cannot be an exception. Suraju further stressed the need to set an agenda for constructive CSO engagement with the new regime to develop the framework for good governance. The National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu expressed the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to build the capacity of investigators, as part of efforts to enhance the war against corruption in the civil service and Nigeria as a whole. Ribadu who was represented by the Special Adviser, Legal Department, NSA, Anthony Oluborode maintained that a cap will be placed on fiscal expenditures for the construction of government buildings and salaries related to compensation, and packages of elected officials, adding that such spending will have a low priority in the Tinubu-led administration and transparent.