At the project launch, performed by the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Calabar Diocese of the church, Archbishop Joseph Ekuwem, Nigerians were enjoined to work at strengthening all her institutions so that the anti-corruption fight will yield fruits. Ekuwem particularly frowned at the nefarious activities of some Nigerians and their endless desire to portray the country in bad light, adding that honest Nigerians in most cases have had to unfortunately bear the brunt for the unpatriotic and corrupt practices of a negligible few.
On the perception among the comity of nations that corruption is synonymous with Nigeria, the Archbishop told www.calitown.com that, “…yes there is corruption in Nigeria and of course everywhere…the difference is the level. There is no country that is free from corruption, none. Tell me one and I will give you good examples because corruption is a part of human weakness…”. He specifically thanked the European Union for providing funds for the project and prayed that those charged with the responsibility of executing the project will pursue it to a logical conclusion.
Earlier, the Programme Manager, Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, Cletus Aloke, informed the large gathering of guests at the launch that Cross River State was chosen for the project because she was consciously making efforts to tackle corruption with legislation that seeks to strengthen her institutions.
The project will be executed by the Calabar Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative, under the supervision of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and fully funded by the European Union. It is thought to have a life span of 11 months in the first instance.
