Public scrutiny of agencies will curb corruption – Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has said the recent grilling of the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission, Mark Okoye, by a Senate committee reflects the transparency and accountability being promoted under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The monarch said probing the agencies will curb corruption in the country, stating that he was impressed by the live television coverage of the Senate committee’s interaction with heads of government agencies and parastatals, particularly the SEDC boss.

Oluwo, in a statement on Thursday by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli, said, “I was amazed to watch live on television the grilling of the chairmen of government parastatals/agencies, most especially Mark Okoye, the Managing Director of Southeast Development Commission, by the Senate committee on the commission.

“The live coverage of such a screening is a fundamental boost to Nigeria’s image, most especially in promoting transparency and accountability.

“I am proud that under President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is restoring trust, openness, transparency and accountability by asking questions from officials saddled with public trust.”

He added that public scrutiny of government officials would serve as a deterrent to corruption and help restore the country’s integrity and international reputation.

“Public officials with corrupt intentions will have a second thought. Sooner or later, Nigeria will regain her integrity and international credit,” he said.

Oluwo also expressed confidence that a successful fight against corruption would significantly reduce insecurity in the country.

“I have the belief that a successful fight against corruption will decimate insecurity. For insecurity to die, we must kill corruption first. A direct checkmate of corruption is an indirect decimation of banditry. Tinubu is fighting the two,” he stated.

He called for greater support for the legislature in carrying out its oversight functions, while also advocating for mechanisms to monitor lawmakers.

Speaking on the security challenges facing the country, the monarch urged Nigerians to support government efforts by providing useful intelligence to security agencies.

Oluwo further urged Nigerians to embrace unity and shun discrimination, saying collective responsibility remained critical to national progress.

“Our diversity is a strength. Eschew discrimination, embrace unity. Constant observation of our individual environment is germane. With individual contribution and support, Nigeria will be stronger.

“I have that strong hope that when love is restored, we will all rejoice again in happiness and defeat the epidemic called insecurity,” he added.