FIDA Ekiti advocates inclusion of war against corruption in SDGs

By Gbenga Sodeinde Ado Ekiti 

The Ekiti State chapter International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), has advocated the inclusion of war against corruption as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The body which described corruption as a global phenomenon that is not peculiar to only Nigeria said all hands must be on decks to tackle menace in the country.

It said the absence of corruption means that there will be more sustainable and institutional developments in the country.

Miss. Faith Owoyemi of Fountain International Secondary School who emerged as the best speaker at the debate, was being presented  award from by the FIDA chairperson,  Mrs Anoma. 

The chairperson of FIDA in the state, Mrs. Adefunke Anoma, stated this on Thursday in her address at the maiden edition of the Legal Aid CDS /FIDA Ekiti inter-secondary schools debate competition in Ado Ekiti.

Mrs. Anoma who commended the deep thoughts of the organizers on the issue of corruption pointed out that the goals include commitments to fight corruption, increase transparency, tackle illicit financial flow and improved access to information.

She noted that corruption represents a major obstacle to reaching functional developmental goals as it has negative effect on economic growth and increases poverty, depriving the most marginalized groups who are mostly youths and children.

Anoma said achieving the SDGs and zero level corruption can be described as day and night which must not meet for the good of the general populace.

The chief host at the event, in his remarks, the chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) Ado Ekiti branch,Barr. Falade Olakanmi, described plea bargaining by accused persons as corruption saying that laws should be promulgated to correct the situation.

He also called for the abrogation of immunity being enjoyed by some top political holders to curb corruption in the country,  just as he called for a new law that can correct the imbalances and abnormalities that seems to have been encouraging corruption in the country.

"A man steals 20billion and you ask him to return  12bilkion and go home, that is corruption,we need to  have a rebirth in this country, because our laws support corruption, Presidents and Governors have immunity only to use the law to steal funds and possibly escape after expiration of office. All we need now is a rebirth, a new way and a new direction,new laws and demonitizing politics". He stated. 

Mary Immaculate  Grammar School,  Petoa School, All Souls' Anglican Grammar School, and Fountain of Knowledge International School in Ado-Ekiti were the schools which were represented at the competition. 

Miss. Faith Owoyemi who represented Fountain International Secondary School emerged as the best speaker at the debate, Petoa College, Ado Ekiti came second position, while Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Ado Ekiti placed third.

All Souls' Anglican Grammar School which was also represented at the collegiate competition took fourth position at the event where cash award,books and trophies were presented to the contestants.

Some of the students, Adekunle Emmanuel and Akomolafe Promise of Fountain International School and Mary Immaculate Grammar School respectively described the debate as an eye opener because as it will create more awareness among the students on the need for them to join in the fight against corruption.