Ribadu, Ezekwesili to speak at ‘The Cost of Corruption’ conference

Nuhu Ribadu, pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister of education, will speak at an upcoming conference on the cost of corruption.

The Federal Social Democrats (FSD), a civil society organisation behind the conference, said the event is aimed at sensitising the public on critical policy issues.

Gbayode Somuyiwa, the group’s publicity secretary, in a statement on Thursday, said the virtual event is scheduled to take place on July 31.

“It will examine the complex issue of corruption; how it works in Nigeria and the many ways it affects you, as well as what price citizens are paying for corrupt practices in various aspects of the society,” the statement reads.

“Former Minister of Education and Chair, Fix Politics, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili will moderate the public conversation.

“Another distinguished member of the panel who will x-ray the adverse impact of corruption on society is the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“He will give insights on how corruption affects our politics and governance; Mr. Bismarck Rewane, a notable economist and business analyst, will bring perspectives on the impact of corruption on business and the economy, while the Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede will share his experience on corruption and its impact on parastatals.

“Other panelists are Prof. Koyin Ajayi, SAN, who will look at corruption in the judiciary and its negative impact on the administration of the justice system, while Co-founder of BudgIT, Mr. Seun Onigbinde, who will be representing the youth, will discuss how civil society organisations can help in the fight against corruption.”

Members of the public are to register to participate in the virtual conference which begins at 13:00 hours Nigerian time.

Somuyiwa also announced Funke Adekoya, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the keynote speaker of its forthcoming ‘FSD knowledge series’.