The United States Consul General, Ms Claire Pierangelo has said that United States government would support anti-corruption initiatives and collaborative efforts that prevent graft, strengthen investigation and prosecution of corruption, promote accountability and transparency, and empower reformers.
Pierangelo disclosed this yesterday in Lagos when the Inter-Religious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria (IRCACN, in collaboration with the US Consulate, launched ReportMagoMago.com, a web-based portal that leverages citizen engagement to fight corruption.
Led by Bishop Emmanuel Gospel Isong and Imam Shefiu Abdulkareem Majemu, the IRCACN was formed in 2016 by Muslim and Christian religious leaders with the primary goal of addressing how faith communities could take a leading role in anti-corruption advocacy in Nigeria.
The consul general said ReportMagoMago.com puts the power to report corruption in the hands of Nigerians.
She reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to holding corrupt leaders to account through “robust diplomatic engagement, by supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives and civil society, through foreign assistance to build stronger partners and transparent, trustworthy institutions.”
She urged Nigerians to demonstrate their commitment to the fight against corruption by making use of the innovative online platform which seeks to address the daily instances of corruption faced by millions of Nigerians.
“Countering corruption is not only a key concern in Nigeria but also a core U.S. national security priority for the Biden Administration.
“Growth and development, consistent with the richness and strength of Nigeria, depend on a new narrative and a culture where corruption has no place,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the new initiative will encourage Nigerians affected by corruption to feel empowered to share their experiences and spark a new movement in citizen engagement in fighting the scourge that has hampered development and stifled prosperity in the country.
“The United States, through a number of agencies, including the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development, takes an all of government approach to fighting corruption, a key component of the United States’ national security strategy.
“We work to hold the corrupt accountable through robust diplomatic engagement, by supporting multi-stakeholder initiatives and civil society, through foreign assistance to build stronger partners and transparent, trustworthy institutions,” she added.
