Abia Governor Pledges Support For EFCC’s Anti-Corruption Fight

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has pledged to support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its efforts to reduce corruption to the barest minimum in public and private institutions.

Ikpeazu made the pledge at a sensitization programme organized by the EFCC in collaboration with stakeholders in the pension industry held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.

The workshop was themed “Eradication of Pension Fraud in Nigeria” and was aimed at exposing corrupt practices in pension administration in the country.

The governor, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Prof. A.C.B Agbazuere, also urged Nigerians to play active roles in the fight against corruption.

Declaring the workshop open, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha called for a comprehensive evaluation of operations of the contributory Pension scheme from time to time towards addressing the inherent challenges associated with the scheme for possible periodic amendment.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, while welcoming attendees to the workshop, disclosed that the programme was expected to serve as a platform for sensitization and practical exchange of information on how to eradicate pension fraud across the nation.

In their separate speeches, the National President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the Commissioner Administration, National Pension Commission PenCom, Dr Farouk Aminu, National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, among others, noted that fraud has consistently remained a challenge to efficient and effective management of pension funds across the nation.

They harped on the need for the fight against corruption to be total, uncompromising and definite, also advocated for a corporal punishment for anyone found guilty of corrupt practices relating to Pension funds in accordance with relevant laws.

Among the attendees were critical stakeholders in the pension industry, top government officials, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishment and Pensions, Mrs Claire Onyegbu, Secretary, Abia State Pensions Board, Mrs Patience Orji and other top government officials.