By David Torough, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned that Nigeria’s corruption crisis is so pervasive that strict enforcement of existing laws could land the majority of citizens in prison.

The alarm was raised by the ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Kaduna State, Ishaku at a capacity-building workshop on local government accountability convened yesterday by the State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Ishaku, who spoke on the theme “Accountability in Local Government: A Springboard for National Development,” said corruption has become deeply embedded in every facet of Nigerian life.

He said: “If the laws were to be applied to the latter, about 80 percent of the people you see walking the street freely will be in jail.”

Ishaku described corruption in Nigeria as “endemic and deeply entrenched across all levels of governance and society, driven by weak institutions, lack of accountability and pervasive socio-economic factors.”

He explained that corruption has diverted public resources, worsened poverty, fueled social unrest and stalled development efforts across the country.

He added: “Let me be clear, there is no massive wealth that is acquired that has no criminality behind it. Even if it is by bequest, check its origin — at best you must have underpaid labour.”

The ICPC Commissioner lamented that many Nigerians resist anti-corruption reforms because corrupt practices offer personal benefits. “Not everybody wants to hear about fighting corruption,” he said. “Probably because the pact benefits the dyad to the detriment of the entire society.”

Issuing a direct challenge to local government chairmen, he criticised leaders who complete two terms in office without visible achievements. “It is appalling and quite disheartening for you as Council Chairmen at the point of exit cannot pinpoint any accomplished legacy project,” he said. “Do you really deserve to be there in the first place?”

Ishaku also called for tougher penalties for graft, arguing that current sanctions are insufficient. “Where someone steals 2 billion and he is sent to prison to spend just 5 years is just a slap on the wrist,” he said. He urged a review of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws to make them stronger and more deterrent.

He encouraged Kaduna State to adopt mandatory project monitoring similar to the ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative, which he said has compelled many contractors who abandoned public projects to return to site.

In his remarks, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman Legas, aligned with the ICPC’s concerns and added that public attitudes also undermine development efforts.

Legas described Kaduna as a major economic gateway to Northern Nigeria but noted the pressures the region faces. He argued that although Nigeria is “one of the richest countries in the world” by potential, progress has been hampered by poor leadership and weak civic responsibility.

He revealed that his ministry saved “over 8–9 billion” through rural electrification repairs across Zonkwa, Makarfi, Ikara, Kudan and Soba, but lamented that the same communities “stole all and vandalized those transformers.”

According to him, this demonstrates that development cannot succeed when citizens destroy government-provided infrastructure.

He called for wider public enlightenment and stronger collaboration between agencies and local governments to promote community ownership and protection of public assets.

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From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

Zamfara State Government has charged Corps members deployed to the State to demonstrate commitment and live harmoniously with host communities throughout their service year.

The charge was given by the State Governor, Dr.

The Governor was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Nasiru Galadima Kaura.

Addressing the Corps members, the Governor urged them to contribute meaningfully in their various places of primary assignment to help uplift communities across the state.

“You are arriving in Zamfara State at a time when this administration is fully implementing its rescue agenda; a holistic plan aimed at restoring peace, rebuilding institutions, and improving the quality of life for our people. You are an important part of this vision,” he said.

The Governor assured the Corps members of his administration’s unwavering commitment to their security and welfare, stating, “We have put in place various arrangements to ensure that you serve in safe environments”.

He further promised that Corps members who distinguish themselves through exemplary performance and community development initiatives would be duly recognized and rewarded by the State government at the end of their service.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the NYSC with the necessary logistics and resources to ensure a comfortable and productive service year.

In his remarks, the State NYSC Coordinator, Malam Lawal Ahmad, appreciated the Zamfara State Government for its continuous support to the scheme.

He encouraged corps members to remain dedicated to serving their fatherland and urged them to be security conscious.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s biggest non-interest bank by assets base and innovative products and services delivery has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) in furtherance of its ethical banking drive to support worthy causes in Nigeria’s sustainable development.

The Managing Director/CEO of TAJBank Limited, Mr.

He said: “Let me say that the MoU with the NAHCON on the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) aligns with our mission to support the needy in Nigeria. So, with this deal, TAJBank will explore its strong digital platforms and physical networks in our branches to take the HSS to the grassroots and enable intending pilgrims to access funds at ease for their travels.

“We are going to avail the opportunity created by our partnership with the NAHCON to demonstrate to Muslims intending to go on Hajj to consider TAJBank as their preferred choice among other lenders as we shall be offering them a truly seamless, ethically grounded savings pathway, and technologically advanced savings solutions, built on the principles of Islamic finance to ensure that the pilgrims enjoy hitch-free Hajj and benefit from our relationship with them on a sustainable basis”, Joda assured.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony, the NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman noted that the HSS had created a structured pathway for pilgrims in the country, recalling that in the past, many prospective pilgrims are eager to enroll but limited by inadequate awareness to funding.

According to him, with the collaboration with TAJBank and other non-interest banks on the HSS, the commission will rev up its sensitization efforts through the Ulama, traditional and digital media platforms, to enlighten the public on the long-term benefits of the scheme.

Usman commended TAJBank and the other banks for collaborating with the NAHCON in furtherance of its roles aimed at making Hajj easier for intending pilgrims, assuring that the commission will provide the required platform, guidelines, and regulatory support for the successful implementation of the HSS.

With the signing of the MoU, TAJBank and other non-interest lenders involved in the scheme have now been authorized to deploy their digital and other platforms for the enrollment of intending pilgrims and to invest pilgrims’ deposits in approved Halal ventures for their socioeconomic wellbeing.