By Chimezie Godfrey
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that public enlightenment remains the strongest weapon in promoting accountability and ethical conduct in Nigeria’s public service.
Idris made this known in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello, stressing that many public servants still lack adequate knowledge of the Bureau’s responsibilities.
“Many public servants only associate the Bureau with asset declaration. This must change through sustained awareness,” the minister said.
He explained that the CCB’s role goes beyond enforcement, noting that its primary responsibility is to prevent corruption before it happens.
“The Code of Conduct Bureau is not about arresting people after offences are committed; it is about stopping those offences from happening in the first place,” he added.
Idris called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, insisting that awareness and enforcement must work together to achieve real results.
He assured the Bureau of full support from the ministry, promising to deploy its agencies to boost public sensitisation efforts nationwide.
Earlier, Bello emphasised that the CCB is primarily a preventive institution, committed to discouraging corrupt practices among public officials.
He said the Bureau is seeking partnership with the ministry to drive nationwide campaigns, improve compliance with asset declaration, and promote integrity in public service.