The BOT chairman of PVC Naija, a frontline Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the vanguard of civic education and patriotism for nation building and good governance and converner of iWalk, Dr Bolaji Akinyemi, has said that one of the best strategies in fighting and ending corruption in the country is through financial and economic creativity by all the citizens of the country.
He stressed that the citizenry’s penchant to accuse the leadership of corruption was not the solution to the menace. He insisted that every Nigerian citizens had roles to play in fighting it with a view to ending the menace to be able to achieve accountability and transparency capable of guaranteeing good governance and national development.
Dr Akinyemi stated this in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
He disclosed that PVCI had initiated a project to execute a programme aimed at achieving the task through active participation by patriotic Nigerians that believe in the commitment.
According to the PVCI boss, the project is simply known as iWalk, which, he said, was not a protest but a noble road show to stimulate civic awareness in citizens, especially on nation building and national development.
Determined to demonstrate commitment to these tasks, especially from the battle against corruption to end the menace, PVCI is set to embark on the 2024 edition of the iWalk project titled: “iWalk4 Economic and Financial Creativity, aka “iWalk4EFCC.”
Dr Bolaji disclosed that the PVCI would collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to embark on the walk scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Abuja.
He said that the walk which would commence by 7.00 am after convergence by hundreds of participants, would begin from AMAC Headquarters and terminate at CBN Headquarters, Abuja.
While further explaining the rationale behind the walk, Dr Bolaji who is the project convener, stressed: “The challenge of building a better and greater nation remains the cardinal focus of iWalk as succinctly captured by the rider of the project; “4 a better and greater nation.”
“iWalk, which simply means Independent Walk, is one of our many successful intervention projects,” he noted.
“It is an annual walk to celebrate the Independence of our dear country, Nigeria, in every October.
“The project is our deliberate effort to engender the Nigerian citizenry’s conscious commitment to values that can help build a better and greater nation,” Dr Bolaji noted.
“All is set for iWalk for Economic and Financial Creativity for a greater Country (aka iWalk 4 EFCC). iWalk is not a cherry picking concept for image laundering but a process to inculcate the virtue of transparency and accountability in stewardship,” he stressed.
“The greatest service to the Nigeria state at this time is the need to end corruption and activate financial and economic creativity by all citizens. Unless this is done, it might become increasingly difficult to get the public to believe in Nigeria and be prepared to add the missing values for national greatness, which must come from individual citizens in building the country we all desire and deserve,” Dr Bolaji said.
“Pointing finger in the direction of leadership is not the solution. The need to rid our society of the culture of corruption that has snared us in our self imposed poverty is the focus of the 2024 iWalk 4 EFCC.
While expressing delight at the success of the maiden edition of the project, the PVCI boss recalled: “The maiden edition of the programme was held in October 2022 on the theme: “iWalk: To Say No To Vote Buying!!.”
“Its high level of acceptance by Nigerians was quite impressive as over 100,000 iWalkers participated in the walk.”
“iWalk is a nexus tripod that interfaces between the government, the people and the private sector to collectively take responsibility to WALK and WORK together to end corruption in Nigeria.
The convener, therefore, invited the citizens, particularly Abuja residents, to register their patriotism and commitment to the project by becoming an iWalker.
“Joining iWalk automatically confers on you the title of an iWalker,” he stressed.
“We shall be most grateful if you would encourage those in the sphere of your influence to also join iWalk,” he said.
Dr Bolaji also disclosed that the components of iWalk 2024 would include:
iWalk 4 economic advancement.
iWalk 4 National Productivity.
iWalk 4 economic and financial creativity 4 my Country. (iWalk 4 EFCC)
iWalk to Say No To Scam.
iWalk to say No To Fraud.
iWalk to Say No To Corruption!
iWalk 4 Accountability!
iWalk 4 Transparency!
iWalk to add my part and portion to National Productivity.
iWalk 4 Governance Impact Assessments.
iWalk 4 Good Governance.
iWalk For Economic and Financial Creativity for a greater Country.
iWalk 4 EFCC!
While assuring participants of security during the walk, the convener said: “Your security is of essence during iWalk and all arrangements have been concluded with security agencies to guarantee it.
“iWalk!, the walk we must walk to make Nigeria better and greater through uncompromising determination for good and responsible citizenship role in governance,” Dr Bolaji said.
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