Minister Urges CCB Officers to Uphold Integrity, Professionalism and Accountability
By Shalom Oludele
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has charged officers of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to uphold integrity, professionalism, fairness and respect for due process in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Minister gave the charge on Monday at the closing ceremony of a training programme for 102 officers of the Code of Conduct Bureau held at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja, according to a statement released to journalists by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja, Suleiman Haruna,.
Mohammed Idris said the CCB occupies a critical position in Nigeria’s governance architecture, noting that its constitutional mandate to promote high standards of conduct in public office and enforce the Code of Conduct for Public Officers is fundamental to transparency, accountability and public trust.
He commended the leadership of the Bureau for investing in the professional development of its officers, stressing that the training in investigation and enforcement, as well as the emphasis on discipline, integrity, professionalism, confidentiality and respect for the law, would strengthen the capacity of the officers to discharge their duties effectively.
According to the Minister, the fight against corruption cannot be won through enforcement alone, but must be supported by prevention, ethical leadership, public enlightenment, strong institutions and a national culture that rejects corruption in all its forms.
He said information and national orientation have an important role to play in promoting these values.
“Communication is not simply about announcing government policies or disseminating information about government activities. It is also about helping citizens understand the values, responsibilities and expectations that underpin good governance,” the Minister said.
He emphasised the important role of the media in promoting accountability, saying that accurate reporting, responsible journalism, investigative reporting and sustained public enlightenment could deepen citizens’ understanding of corruption and empower them to demand transparency and accountability.
The Minister described the fight against corruption as a shared responsibility involving government institutions, the media, civil society, professional bodies and citizens.
He said the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had made institutional strengthening, transparency and accountability important elements of its governance agenda, adding that the President had repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening anti-corruption institutions.
Addressing the graduating officers, the Minister urged them to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during the training into professional conduct and effective performance.
He stressed that the work of the CCB could directly influence public confidence in government institutions.
“Every investigation conducted fairly, every declaration properly examined, every complaint handled professionally, and every decision taken in accordance with the law contributes to the larger objective of building a public service that Nigerians can trust,” he said.
The Minister reminded the officers that integrity must not only be enforced but must also be demonstrated personally by public officials.
He urged them to ensure that professionalism accompanies authority, fairness accompanies enforcement, and respect for due process remains at the heart of their work.
“Nigeria needs public officers who understand that public office is a trust, not a privilege; that authority must be exercised responsibly; and that accountability is indispensable to good governance,” he said.
Mohammed Idris reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s readiness to support initiatives promoting transparency, ethical conduct, accountability and public awareness.
He said the Ministry would continue to use its communication platforms and engagement with the media to help Nigerians understand the work of institutions such as the Code of Conduct Bureau and the importance of their success to national development.
The event was hosted by the Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau, and attended by the Chairman, EFCC, Chairman, ICPC, Attorney-General of the Federation and other officials.
