Anti-Graft War: EFCC On Course – Farida, Gets Women Award

ABUJA, August 14, (THEWILL) - Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri has reiterated the determination, consistence and doggedness of the anti-graft body to raise the bar of anti-corruption war in the country.

Waziri stated this on Friday, while receiving a delegation of the central planning committee of Nigeria’s golden jubilee anniversary (women and children special events) led by the National President of National Council of Women Society, NCWS, Hajia Hannatu Usman on a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the EFCC.

She stressed that the commission would continue to deliver on its assignment and would never sweep any matter being handled by it under the carpet.

The leader of the 15-member delegation, Mrs. Usman, said that the courtesy visit to the EFCC Chairman became imperative in view of the pivotal role of the Commission to the growth of the nation and the sterling achievements of Waziri since she became the Chairman of the Commission.

"We are here to give honour to whom honour is due. We are here to convey the support of Nigerian women to you for your selfless and patriotic dedication to the anti-corruption war and your achievements that have given a new lease of life to the EFCC. Your legacies in the task of fighting economic and financial crimes are unprecedented and will remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria," Usman said.

Usman also said that as a mark of appreciation and recognition, the committee has nominated Waziri as the "first-ever Most Outstanding Woman Public Servant in Nigeria."

She explained that the EFCC Chairman clinched the award owing to her pioneering initiatives and credible leadership at the EFCC. "The National Council of Women Society is a credible organization. It is 52-years old and is the first Nigerian society to be affiliated to an international organization. It is affiliated to the International Council of Women. So many criteria were used before Waziri emerged as the winner of the award. We all know that Waziri is doing us proud and we are happy to convey the message of her nomination to her" she said.

By the schedule of the NCWS, Usman disclosed that the award will be presented to Waziri on October 20, 2010 at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the 3rd, Queen of England will present the award to her. Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan, Wife of the President; The Liberian President, Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and all former Nigerian First Ladies will also grace the occasion.

An essay competition on the Evils of Corruption will also be organized to mark the occasion.

In her response, Mrs. Waziri thanked members of the delegation and assured them that the award will further spur her into doing more for the nation. She restated the resolve of the EFCC to pursue every investigation it is handling with vigour, seriousness and steadfastness, stressing that no case being worked upon by the Commission will be swept under the carpet. While fielding questions from journalists at the event, she explained that the extradition process of the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori to the United Kingdom to answer the charges of money laundering preferred against him was on-going.

Besides, she said that investigations of the Siemens bribery scandal will soon be concluded, and charges filed in court even as she stressed that the allegations imputed to the leadership of the House of Representatives were being looked into.