From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
An Anti-corruption NGO, the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO) has honoured Kogi State Ministry of Health with ‘Certificate of Credence’ for being rated as the least corrupt States’ MDAs in Nigeria.
The Centre also conferred an Ethical Leadership/Conduct Compliance Award on the Kogi Health Commissioner, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, and honoured him with an Integrity Icon of Nigeria (I.I.O.N) in public conduct.
Speaking during the Awards’ presentation in Lokoja, the Executive Director of CESVO, Prince Salih Musa Yakubu, said after the conduct of multisectoral independent secret assessment excercise in 500 States’ own MDAs in Nigeria by the NGO, Kogi Ministry of Health emerged the least corrupt amongst the top 10 States’ Ministries of Health in Nigeria.
Yakubu added that the NGO administered questionnairs, conducted opinion polls, interviewed informants, project sites visitation and budget tracking mechanism between March 2020 and December 2021.
”The Kogi State Ministry of Health was not just found to be most ethically responsible MDAs, but also the least corrupt ministries among the top 10 States’ Ministries of Health out of 100 States’ MDAs found to be in tandem with our ethical leadership principles based on our independent secret assessment exercise”, he said.
According to him, the Kogi Ministry of Health was able to attain the feat due to the constant efforts of the Commissioner and his team in ensuring that the right things are done at all times.
He, therefore urged the ministry to maintain such good records, adding that if they derailed, the Centre would not hesitate to expose them to the anti-corruption agencies.
He further explained that the Commissioner was honoured with the I.I.ON award certificate having passed the Centre’s ethical conduct leadership integrity test as an ethically upright political office holder in Nigeria.
He stressed that the commissioner was rewarded for being one of those making aggressive move to change the narrative of mis-governance and corruption in Nigeria.
Yakubu stressed that corruption remained the major problems hindering the progress of any society which according to him, informed CESVO’s decision to come up with strategy towards exposing corrupt leaders and equally reward those who refused to be compromised in any way.
In his response, the Commissioner said that the Kogi State Ministry of Health was able to attain the great feat due to the unflinching support and backing of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, in performing their duties.
Audu appreciated the management and staff of the ministry who had worked day and night with him to enable the ministry to attain the great feat.
The commissioner dedicated the award to the Governor, and promised that the ministry would continue to discharge their responsibility with the fear of God and ensuring quality healthcare service delivery to the good people of Kogi State.
”I really want appreciate the team that have worked day and night with me to attain where we are today,
”I dedicated the award to His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, who has given me the opportunity to serve the good people of Kogi State.
”I pray that God Almighty will continue to uplift His Excellency and grant him all his heart desires in the nearest future.
He thanked the CESVO for the award and assured them the determination and commitment of the Governor to ensuring that the citizens of Kogi State continually have access to quality healthcare service delivery.
The Centre also honoured the Permanent Secretary, and some directors in the ministry with Professional Ethics Compliance Award 2021 for being servicom compliance and dedication to duty.