The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has taken a firm stand against corruption with the official launch of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
Held at the NDIC headquarters in Abuja, the ceremony marks a pivotal moment in the corporation’s ongoing drive to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability in its operations.
At the inauguration, Bello Hassan, the managing director/Chief Executive Officer of NDIC, reiterated the corporation’s steadfast stance against corruption. Stressing the significance of values like teamwork, respect, fairness, integrity, professionalism, and passion, Hassan highlighted the critical role of the newly established ACTU in bolstering the corporation’s operational structure. He outlined several compliance measures enforced by the ACTU, including robust internal controls, routine risk assessments, adherence to regulatory standards, and comprehensive employee training initiatives.
Hassan emphasized the inauguration as a major milestone in NDIC’s continued fight against corruption and the promotion of transparency. He assured continuous management support for ACTU activities, recognizing the unit’s pivotal role in ensuring ethical behavior and building public confidence.
Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), commended NDIC management for their commitment and active assistance in establishing and advancing ACTU’s operations. Aliyu lauded the effectiveness and diligence of NDIC ACTU in fulfilling its mandate, which led to the corporation maintaining the top spot for two consecutive years on the annual ICPC Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard. He urged the new ACTU members to build on past achievements and complement management’s efforts in promoting the corporation’s core values.
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During the inauguration, ten staff members took the oath as members of the NDIC ACTU. Their duties include raising awareness among staff about corruption, conducting system studies and reviews, monitoring budget execution, managing whistleblowing mechanisms, and identifying exemplary staff members.
The event witnessed the exchange of research publications between NDIC Executive Director of Operations Mustapha M. Ibrahim and ICPC Acting Director of System Study and Review, Olusegun Adigun. Additionally, Adebimpe Abodunrin, a lawyer, administered the oath-taking ceremony where Bashir Mande was sworn in as Chairman of the NDIC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, alongside ten other staff members.
Among the attendees were NDIC and ICPC officials, including NDIC Director of Enterprise Risk Management Department Amal Haruna, NDIC Director of Internal Audit Department Idongesit Essien, ICPC Assistant Director Mutiat Musa, and ICPC Desk Officer overseeing the NDIC, Adebimpe Abodunrin, a lawyer.
The inauguration demonstrates NDIC’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability in its operations, setting a precedent for ethical conduct within the financial sector.