The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF has rejoiced with the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on his Sheikh Tamim Bn Hamad al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, which he received on Friday December 7.
A statement by Head, Media and Public Affairs of NGF Abdulrazaque Bello Barkindo Monday said this award, which is coming nearly a decade after Malam Ribadu left the EFCC is an eloquent testimony that Malam Nuhu Ribadu left behind indelible footprints on the sands of time, in the anti-fraud environment.
The greater purpose of the Award, according to the citation, “is to serve as a tool that highlights exemplary and noteworthy actions and good practices on a global scale, to recognize, promote, collect and disseminate anti-corruption models from around the world; to raise awareness, support and solidarity to the fight against corruption; as well as to encourage and inspire similar and new initiatives towards a corruption-free society”.
Furthermore, the Award hopes that “through its public image, the visibility of those who are fighting corruption is not only enhanced but also celebrated across the world and hopes to motivate governments, academic institutions, the media and civil society to adopt and understand the principles of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and collaborate towards its implementation.”
The NGF believes that this very important award, which was given by Malaysia’s Rule of Law and Anticorruption Commission, does not only confirm Ribadu as an iconic anti-corruption czar, but further emphasizes that Malam Ribadu’s performance resonates with people and governments that hold transparency dear to their hearts, far beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mahamad, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani attended the ceremony. Sheikh Al Thani instituted the award in support of the United Nation’s anti-corruption drive.
Ribadu jointly won the lifetime/outstanding achievement category alongside former South African corruption fighter and ex-World Bank vice president, Leonardo McCarthy.
Here at the NGF where Malam Ribadu’s associates populate various strata of the institution, “we felicitate with the awardee and share with him the excitement of this lifetime achievement award because, to us, there is no greater service to one’s fatherland than to uphold the principles of probity and accountability and work to deepen it, which we do at the subnational level through our flagship program, the SPRM” the Director General of the NGF Mr Asishana B Okauru, a former Director of the NFIU at the EFCC under Malam Ribadu said.
