VP Re-Affirms Transparency In Governance

The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, was forced out of the graduation venue of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 30 by security operatives at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.
The development prevented the police officer from graduating with 64 others who completed the nine-month course. The reason for the action of the security personnel was not made public just as the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan re-affirmed the Federal Government's determination to conduct all public business responsibly and in accordance with due process at the ceremony.
According to some reports, after being forced out of the NIPSS graduation venue, Ribadu was detained briefly at his residence in the institute for several hours before being instructed to report at the Police Headquarters in Abuja.
The bone of contention may not be unconnected to his altercation with the police force over his demotion from Assistant Inspector General of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police by the Police Service Commission for which he sued the Police. Ribadu was among 140 police officers demoted by the PSC on the allegation that their promotions were irregular. He had spent six months at NIPSS before his demotion.
It was not only Ribadu that did not graduate but also Mr. Briggs Deinbo Allen, the controversial director of NIPSS who was alleged to be involved in a missing camera in China. Only 63 out of 65 registered participants were awarded the certificate of Member of the National Institute (MNI).
Meanwhile, the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has re-affirmed the Federal Government's determination to conduct all public business responsibly and in accordance with due process. He stated this at the 2008 Graduation Ceremony of the Senior Executive Course 30 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
He said that in order to achieve the Vision 20-2020, Government is committed to making public accountability and good governance its watchword. His words: “In pursuit of this vision, our administration has committed itself to making public accountability and good governance its watchword. We are determined to conduct all public business responsibly and in accordance with due process. We believe that governance is a trust bestowed on us by the people, and all our actions so far have been geared towards responsible governance and transparency in our approach to national development.”
According to the VP, the Seven-Point Agenda of the present administration remains a catalyst for the realization of the vision 20-2020 and represents the minimum threshold in government's endeavour to build a virile, economically progressive and politically stable nation. “We must endeavour to put food on the table for Nigerians, and guarantee access to basic healthcare. Our people must have roof over their heads and feel secure at home, on the roads and at work. We must develop all aspects of our infrastructure and assure adequate and reliable power supply which is the key that unlocks the gateway to industrialisation, quality life and enhanced security”, he said.
Dr. Jonathan charged the graduating participants to place the national interest above their self-interest and strive to contribute to the quality of life of all Nigerians which was the main objective of their course adding that what is expected of them is a rich harvest of commitment, loyalty, initiative and innovation. He also urged them, as agents of change and transformational leadership, to contribute to a better Nigeria.
The VP further said that from now on, employers of both public and private sectors would look up to the graduating participants to provide solutions to Nigeria's socio-economic and political challenges, the resolution of which are crucial to the development of the country.