…To Hold Red Card Against Corruption Rally August 30th
The Movement Against Corruption (MAC), a coalition of over 50 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Activists in Nigeria, established with a clear mandate to develop and execute practical strategies geared towards the prevention and eradication of all forms of corrupt practices and abuse of power, in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria was inaugurated on Sunday 20th August, 2017.
The group was unveiled at an International Press Conference held at the conference hall of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) with many leaders and members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in attendance.
Reading the group’s statement to the media, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of MAC and President of Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin stated that “In achieving this patriotic objective, the MAC is determined to sensitize Nigerians, on the immediate need to possess ownership of the War against corruption in the country, by getting Involved in the advocacy, and educate each other, on the cancerous effect of corruption on our polity.”
Odumakin added that the “Movement is birthed in response to the imperative for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Nigerian people, to have a common, formidable and organised platform through which they can frontally confront the cancer of corruption which has bedevilled Nigeria for decades.”
“We hereby want to intimate the general public, that as part of our Action Plans, we shall be holding a March against corruption with the theme ‘’RED CARD AGAINST CORRUPTION’’ on the 30th day of August 2017 in Lagos and Abuja. And today, marks the beginning of our 10days countdown, to this historic march, against corruption in our country, this countdown period shall be used, to sensitize Nigerians, ahead of the scheduled August 30th date, of the rallies in Lagos and Abuja.”
The Lagos rally shall take-off from Ikeja under bridge by 7.30am while that of Abuja shall take – off from Unity Fountain simultaneously. This shall be followed by similar marches across cities in the country, at later dates, to be announced soon by MAC.
In her contributions, the President of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello, urged Nigerians to take active part in the fight against corruption. She stated that corruption must be killed if the country is to make progress.
President of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Comrade Abdul Usman Bako expressed delight at the formation of the anti-corruption coalition and pledged the commitment of CD to the group’s activities.
In his remarks, human rights lawyer and memberof the Steering Committee of the Movement Against Corruption, Inibehe Effiong declared that MAC was fully out to confront the monstrosity of corruption in Nigeria. The lawyer further said that the group’s mandate was of great historical significance and urged Nigerians to join MAC in the August 30th anti-corruption rallies in Lagos and Abuja.
The slectogenerian leader Ms Ada Agina-Ude affirmed Gender And Development Action commitment in Movement Against Corruption (MAC) Ideals.
Other members of Steering committee, also made remarks at the press conference.