Thursday, 24 October 2013

How Nigeria hosted Interpol event By Henry Ibya, Abuja



 The 6th Interpol Global programme on anti-corruption, financial crimes and Asset Recovery conference scheduled to take place in Abuja the Nigerian capital city has just ended.
Conducting Journalists round the Economic and financial crimes commission academy which was the venue for the event on a facility tour as part of preparation for the world event that took place recently , commandant of the academy Mr. Ayo Olowonhyi said arrangements were properly put in place for the global showpiece
He revealed that the international event which was the first of its kind in Africa was organized by the Economic and Financial crimes commission (EFCC) in collaboration with Anti corruption office (ACO) of the Interpol, collaborative countries, agencies such as the United Nations and the common wealth.  
He said the conference which is meant for senior investigators and   prosecutors had  two participants each  from about 25 countries of West Africa,  central, south and eastern Africa in attendance
According to the commandant, the importance placed by Nigeria on the event made president Goodluck Jonathan in company of other world leaders to  declare it open .
He noted that Nigeria was  a major player in the fight against corruption but however lamented that despite this efforts people still accused Nigeria of corruption.
He maintained that very silently government through the Economic and financial crimes commission EFCC and other stakeholders as well as other anti-corruption agencies in the country have done well in this fight and therefore see this hosting right an opportunity to show case to the rest of the world especially our African brothers what we have being doing.
 “They have read so much about the EFCC, now it will be the opportunity for them to see practically where as the EFCC we expect constructive criticisms,” so that the EFCC can have corrections he added.
He also told newsmen that for the world to have chosen Nigeria as venue for the event it was a clear acceptance of the efforts of the Nigerian government in its anti- corruption drive adding that with one of the vision which is the reason for setting up the anti-corruption academy, very soon African countries will stop going to Asian countries in search of knowledge in the area anti – corruption.
.He also stated that with the 42 standard Hotel like facility of the academy.
He disclosed that because of the bi-lingual nature of the countries, interpreters were  engaged and added that the restaurants were functional as well as the medical unit of the academy fully was fully equipped with drugs and doctors, nurses being on stand by in case of emergencies.
The commandant also said experts on hand to deliver lectures were carefully chosen across the globe as he added  that at the end of the conference solutions will be found and such decisions taken will bring improvement in the fight against corruption.

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