“Corruption Is Everywhere, We Must Stop It” – Rev. Fr. Bekomson

A Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Bekomson says because corruption is every where in Nigeria and remains the single most dominant factor responsible for the country’s underdevelopment, determined efforts at tackling corruption must be all inclusive so that Nigeria can get back on the path of progress and development. The cleric insisted that it is the duty and responsibility of every single Nigerian to take up this challenge, putting aside differences for the good of all.

Bekomson, who is the Director, Justice, Development and Peace Caritas, Catholic Diocese of Calabar, made this submission at the start-up workshop of Voices for Compliance and Legality, VOCAL, a fully funded European Union anti-corruption project of the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, held in Calabar.

He charged participants drawn from Civil Society Organizations in the state and the media to help encourage citizens participation in identifying and voicing out corruption and corrupt practices where and when these occur, as well as help strengthen weak government institutions.

It was revealed at the workshop by Cletus Aloke, Good Governance Programme Manager, Caritas Nigeria, that Cross River State was selected for the VOCAL project because the state is making conscious efforts to combat corruption through the enactment of anti-corruption laws. The VOCAL project public launch will take place next week.