‘To block loopholes in administrative processes’ — interior ministry seeks partnership with ICPC

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says the ministry will collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) “to tighten the belt and block loopholes within administrative processes”.

Tunji-Ojo spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Musa Aliyu, chairman of the ICPC.

The minister said corruption and corrupt practices fuel insecurity in the country, calling for all hands to be on deck to combat the threat.

The minister said a partnership between his ministry and the ICPC would enhance administrative processes and reduce corruption.

“We know the Ministry of Interior is responsible for the enhancement of internal security and, of course, corruption is one of the biggest threats to security in Nigeria,” he said.

“So, we don’t need to move too far before we get to the point of intersection, where our interests remain.

“We believe that in leveraging and collaborating with ICPC, we might just be saving our country from a lot of effort that is needed in righting the wrongs.

“We believe that all over the world the language is pro-activeness, the language is prevention, the language is no more detection or correction.”

Tunji-Ojo noted that as a product of the 20th and 21st centuries, there was a need to learn the language of the 22nd century.

“And, the language of the next generation, which we must learn as a country is to build strong institutions,” he said.

“One believes that the strategic relationship between these two agencies can of course block a lot of reports, can prevent and, of course, can deter even the imagination of ill doings.

“If we do not do that, we will continue to run after the criminals. And, once we are running after the criminals, it becomes a game of fun to the criminals.”