Buhari rewards integrity at service, honours Customs officer who rejected N150m bribe
*Also honours Ugwu, a FAAN cleaner for returning millions found in airport toilet
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has presented Integrity awards to two public servants, Bashir Abubakar and Mrs. Josephine Ugwu of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, for exhibiting Integrity in the performance of their official duties.
Buhari presented the awards to the recipients at the opening of the two-day National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in Public Sector held at the State House old Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The event is being organized by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in collaboration with Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Abubakar rejected 412,000 dollars (N150 million) bribe offered to him by drug traffickers to import 40 containers laden with Tramadol, a controlled and highly addictive drug.
Ugwu, a former cleaner at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos had on different occasions returned millions of naira found in the course of her duty, including the sum of N12 million forgotten in the toilet by an airport user.
It was reported in March 2015 that Ugwu found the sum of $28,000 and other foreign currencies totaling about N12m and refunded it to the owner.
Speaking at the event, Buhari stressed the need for Nigerians to uphold the traditionally cherished values of honesty and integrity.
‘‘Let me again note with concern the need to uphold the values of loyalty, honesty, trust, and integrity that was once cherished in our public service. Ethics and integrity are the foundation of an enduring society.
‘‘Nigerian culture does not tolerate dishonesty. Therefore, we must reclaim our traditional values of honesty, integrity and hard work. In spite of the few bad eggs, I am delighted that many Nigerians still hold on to our traditionally cherished values of honesty and integrity,” he said.
Buhari called on the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Special Crimes Court Bill.
He also urged the judiciary to embrace and support the creation of the Special Crimes Court.
He said: ‘‘The fight against corruption is of course not only for government and anti-corruption agencies alone. All arms and tiers of government must develop and implement anti-corruption measures.
‘‘I invite the legislative and judicial arms of government to embrace and support the creation of Special Crimes Court that Nigerians have been agitating for to handle corruption cases.’’
Buhari noted that the passage of the Bill was a ‘‘specific priority’’ of this administration’s Economic Recovery & Growth Plan 2017-2020.
The President also used the occasion, which marked the launch of the Constituency Projects Transparency Group (CPTG) Report Phase One, to reiterate his appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption.
‘‘The war against corruption cannot be won without prevention, enforcement, public education, and enlightenment.
‘‘I encourage the ICPC and other law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts in public education, enlightenment, and engagement with citizens.
‘‘I also urge our development partners, civil society organizations, and the media to continue to support our efforts to strengthen ethical values and integrity in Nigeria,’’ he said.
