By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Interfaith group, comprising moslems and Christians faithful have canvassed support of religious and community leaders to put an end to corruption.
The group, which operates under the aegis of Inter-religious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria ICACN, also called on religious leaders to inject anti-corruption lessons into messages preached at the pulpit, saying it’s the only way corruption can be fought for a better society.
The inter-faith group chided religious leaders for doing so little in the fight against corruption, saying that given the level of influence commanded by Islamic and Christian leaders in the society, if more is done by the religious leaders to kick this social malaise out from the society, corruption would become a thing of the past, describing religious leaders as men with great influence who can inject anti-corruption messages into their preachings to instill moral values in the society.
Speaking on the issue, Co-ordinator of ICACN, Bishop Dr Gospel Emmah Isong, in his welcome remarks made at the workshop alongside his Islamic counterpart, Imam Abdulkarim Shefiu, advocated for the carrot and stick approach as a way of metting out sanctions to erring members of the society.
The one-day workshop organised by ICACN in conjunction with MacArthur Foundation attracted a guest speaker/lecturer from one of United State of America’s universities, Prof. Iboro Udoh, who called for attitudinal change, if the cankerworm of corruption, which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society is to be stamped out.
Udoh, who spoke yesterday on the workshop’s theme: ‘Promoting Accountability and Anti-Corruption Through Behavior Change Approaches,’ engaged participants on anti-graft issues, activity 16, at the defunct Anti-Tax Agency conference Hall, Calabar.
She spoke on the need for religious and community leaders to rise up to the occasion in the fight against corruption.
She averred, “Corruption cannot only be tackled by the government, it also needs be tackled by all, we must collaborate with the right people.
“We urged the religious and community leaders to join hands with the people to intensify the fight against corruption.”
Udoh, who stated that corruption is worst than diarrhoea, called for attitudinal change from the citizens to make a better nation.
She added, “The powerful voices of religious and community leaders are assets towards eradication of corruption.
“Virtues like integrity, accountability and honesty should be rewarded. We have no country other than Nigeria.”
