The duo stated this while speaking at the 4th Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Awards in Lagos organised by Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) with the support of Mac Arthur Foundation.
Justice Abiru while delivering his keynote address titled; ‘Towards ensuring a developed just : the role of transparency, accountability and Integrity in public office’ said Nigerians need to go back to the basics.
“We must start by building back better those aspects of our cherished culture that revered honor, that treasured integrity, that prized probity, that appreciated accountability, that valued transparency, that embraced honesty, that practiced fairness, that ensured equity, that dispensed justice fairly and which cherished patriotism.
“The first epidemic we must address is the one affecting our culture and true Nigeria-ness. We must have a nation where national interest buries self interest.
Adding, “I believe in this country. The country has the resources for greatness; both human and material; the necessary potentials for greatness. We must find prominent positions for the positives in our shared values, cultural, moral and social norms within our communities and society.”
Falana said unless there is a revolution on how to bring back the society where the people and the society are responsible and responsive the nation cannot progress.
He noted that it was unthinkable for a university graduate in the 70s and 80s to think of crime because the society took care of them, he said the reverse is the case now because the society has turned against the people now, and that encourages crime and Corruption.
“It is unthinkable for a graduate that left school in the 70s and 80s to think of crime, the society took care of us. The society has turned against our people and that promotes criminality” Falana said.
Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) in his welcome address said the award is aimed at promoting Integrity, accountability and whistle blowing in Nigeria and would be conferred annually on deserving Nigerians of imperturbable character, courage, selflessness and honesty.
He said the award aims to encourage, promote, celebrate and protect the uncommon principles of openness, honesty, probity, accountability and transparency in both public and private spheres.
“Over the years, Nigeria has been rated negatively in many of the corruption perceptions indexes. The negative image our dear country has acquired is no doubt symptomatic of the deep-rooted integrity and culture on impunity that pervade every sphere of our national life.
“The ugly scenario of corruption and integrity-deficit could better be imagined when searchlight is beamed on daily activities in both the public and private sectors.
Speaking further Suraju said the goal of Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Award therefore is to encourage Nigerians to strive for Integrity and patriotic commitment to honesty, justice, truth and fairness in the quest to stamp out corruption in both private and private spheres.
Olasupo Opeyemi emerged the winner of the Outstanding Integrity Award, while Tonye Jaja and Molik Sherifdeen came second and third respectively out of the 898 nominees.
Paul Lawani emerged the winner of the Valuable Whistle Blower while Akinyemo Adebayo came second out of the 995 nominees.
Baba Dzukogi emerged the winner in the Outstanding Impact Award while Chinese Goodluck and Professor Nwaocha Ogechukwu came second and third respectively.
In the Nigerians in Diaspora Integrity Ambassador Onuoke Chinenye came first out of the 178 nominees.
