Namibian Government Seeks Nigeria’s Support in Fight Against Corruption

The Namibian government has made a significant move to bolster its anti-corruption efforts by seeking collaboration with Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). This development underscores the growing recognition of Nigeria’s leadership in combating corruption in Africa.

Ambassador Humphrey Geiseb’s Visit

On Friday, Namibian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Humphrey Geiseb, paid a courtesy call to the ICPC headquarters. During his visit, he expressed Namibia’s desire to learn from Nigeria’s expertise in the fight against corruption. Geiseb emphasized that Nigeria’s successes, particularly in recovering stolen assets, would be invaluable to Namibia’s anti-corruption agency, the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia (ACC).

ICPC Chairman’s Response

Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, ICPC Chairman, welcomed the collaboration, stressing that combating corruption requires collective effort and cannot be fought in isolation. He emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Namibia, which dates back to March 2, 1990.

Key Areas of Collaboration:

1. Training Opportunities: ICPC will provide training to Namibian Anti-corruption Commission personnel.
2. Expertise Sharing: ICPC and EFCC will share their expertise in recovering stolen assets.
3. Strategic Partnerships: ICPC and ACC will work together to combat corruption in Africa.

Benefits of Collaboration:

1. Enhanced Regional Cooperation: Strengthens anti-corruption efforts across Africa.
2. Knowledge Sharing: Promotes best practices in combating corruption.
3. Improved Governance: Fosters transparency and accountability in both countries.

Challenges and Opportunities:

1. Capacity Building: Developing effective anti-corruption institutions.
2. Information Sharing: Enhancing intelligence gathering and sharing.
3. Public Engagement: Raising awareness about corruption’s negative impact.

Future Directions:

1. Joint Investigations: Conducting collaborative investigations.
2. Capacity Development: Providing technical assistance.
3. Regional Forums: Establishing platforms for experience sharing.

By partnering with Nigeria, Namibia aims to:

1. Strengthen its anti-corruption agency.
2. Enhance its asset recovery capabilities.
3. Promote good governance and transparency.

This collaboration demonstrates the growing recognition of Nigeria’s leadership in combating corruption in Africa and its commitment to supporting regional efforts to promote good governance and transparency.

References:

1. ICPC Act 2000.
2. EFCC Establishment Act 2004.
3. Namibia’s Anti-Corruption Act 2003.

Glossary:

1. Corruption: Abuse of power for personal gain.
2. Asset Recovery: Process of recovering stolen assets.
3. Anti-Corruption Agency: Institution tasked with combating corruption.

FAQs:

Q: What is the purpose of Namibia’s collaboration with Nigeria?
A: To strengthen its anti-corruption efforts and learn from Nigeria’s expertise.

Q: What areas will the collaboration focus on?
A: Training, expertise sharing, and strategic partnerships.

Q: How will this collaboration benefit both countries?
A: Enhanced regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and improved governance.