BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in collaboration with the Anti Corruption Transparency Unit (ACTU) have organized a sensitization campaign against all forms of corrupt practices for workers of the Sultan Abubakar 111 International Airport, Sokoto.
Giving insights into the campaign, the Sokoto Airport Manager, Alhaji Musa Asizehi Ojo said the sensitization is a milestone in the history of Sultan Abubakar 111 International Airport, Sokoto.
Alhaji Musa, who defined corruption as a deliberate act of ignoring professional ethics/ethos, procedure and process for pecuniary reasons, added that, nepotism, tribal sentiments as well as religious bigotry are all manifestations of corruption.
“You recall that touting, jumping queue, thwarting/undermining facilitation process/procedure, security arrangement for personal gain, is nothing but corruption. For our Airports to be on the same pedestal with modern airports worldwide, corruption in all forms must be avoided in all the nation’s Airport for progress, growth and best practices”.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy General Manager/ Head of Department, Human Resources, Port Harcourt International Airport, (PHIA) Mr Ifreke Matthew, said ACTU is out to educate and enlightened the public, monitor MDAs, ensure compliance with code of ethics, undertake study and review operational services of MDAs to improve accountability.
Delivering her lectures on, “Eradication Of Corruption In Our Work Place and Environment” the Secretary of FAAN/ACTU, Mrs Njideka Nwobu, said that corruption has so many appendages ranging from immediate relatives to extended ones.
Mr Njideka, who appealed to workers at all categories to utilize their God’s giving potentials beyond office work, implored all Nigerians to say no to corrupt practices.
While stressing that taking what does not belong to you leads to nemesis. The ACTU secretary warned airport personnel against using their positions to intimidate people wrongly.
“Anything against due process with the aim of making personal gain is corruption. Corruption begins at home”.
“Parents must not pamper children with monetary or otherwise gain before sending them on errands as that will stuck in their minds the spirit of nothing goes for free”.
She also warned that workers must avoid gratification as doing so is seeking instant reward for a favour done to somebody. Mrs Njideka, however, added that, in the event a customer voluntarily gives a gift to any staff, he or she should be bold to report and show same to their superiors and colleagues.
Decrying how some personnel are so corrupt, She added that some may prefer to stay in a particular position for years, go to office even when sick and decline transfer as well as annual leaves.
Mr Njideka who admitted that money is so tempting hence making lots of people to engage in corruption ignorantly, added that some of the deadly sins people must watch out for should include, “wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, public service without morality amongst others”.
She explained that the causes of corruption include but not limited to favour reciprocation, family pressure and the quest to get along with others.
She, however, said that FAAN would commence an award and recommendation exercise from 2022 in other to encourage its staff.
On his part, the State Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner, of ICPC, Mahdi Muhammad Lawal said corruption is an opportunity that must be declined at all times.
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