ICPC, China’s Xinhua agency partner to boost anti-corruption campaign

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is seeking a strategic media partnership with China’s state-owned Xinhua News Agency to strengthen Nigeria-China cooperation in the fight against corruption.

The partnership is expected to promote information sharing, improve media capacity and enhance the international visibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption initiatives.

The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this when he received a delegation of media professionals from Xinhua News Agency at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Head of Media and Public Communications of the ICPC, J. Okor Odey, a copy made available to press in Kano, focused on opportunities for collaboration in news sharing and information exchange between the two organisations.

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The Xinhua delegation was led by the agency’s Deputy President for Africa, Mr Gui Tao, who emphasised the importance of accurate and balanced reporting in promoting international cooperation.

Gui Tao expressed the agency’s readiness to collaborate with the ICPC in projecting the commission’s anti-corruption initiatives to a global audience.

He noted that corruption was a transnational challenge requiring cross-border media collaboration and effective information sharing.

In his remarks, Aliyu described the proposed partnership as a timely opportunity to strengthen relations between Nigeria and China while supporting efforts to combat corruption, particularly illicit financial flows and the cross-border movement of proceeds of crime.

The ICPC chairman stressed the critical role of the media in shaping public perception, raising awareness and mobilising citizens against corruption.

He urged Xinhua to support the commission’s media and public communication activities through technology transfer and professional training for personnel of its Media and Public Communication Unit.

According to him, such capacity-building initiatives would improve the commission’s information dissemination and strengthen the global visibility of its activities.

Responding, Gui Tao reaffirmed Xinhua’s commitment to providing technical support and training opportunities for ICPC media personnel.

He said the agency’s extensive global network could be leveraged to showcase Nigeria’s anti-corruption reforms, achievements and ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
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Gui Tao added that the proposed partnership would be mutually beneficial and anchored on shared values of integrity and public accountability.

The statement said the collaboration was expected to enhance the ICPC’s international profile, promote Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda globally and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and China in media, governance and the rule of law.