Pioneer chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, was recognized alongside seven other individuals and organisations globally for their effort in fighting corruption.
The winners, were drawn from Asia, America, Africa, Oceania and Europe, were celebrated in an event held in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
They were recognised at the Third annual Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence (ACE) Award 2018.
The event coincided with the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, according to a statement by the organizers.
The honorees were presented their award by Tamim Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar; Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad; the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Yury Fedotov; and the Qatari Attorney General Ali Al-Marri.
Mr Ribadu was nominated for the award by Nigerian nonprofit, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL).
Organisers said the nominations underwent thorough assessment and screening process, before the final approval by the centre’s board.
The award has been established “to shine a light on the fight against corruption across the world…and acknowledge the outstanding contributions towards the prevention of and the fight against corruption that are being made around the world”.
The winners for this year are from Liberia, Australia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Papua New Guinea, USA and Mexico were presented their Award in support of The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and its anti-corruption mandates, specifically, the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
The former EFCC boss was honored in the category of Anti-Corruption Lifetime Achievement.
Ribadu was a Nigerian civil servant who argues for actions instead of words as the only way to end corruption. His actions focus on his home country of Nigeria, and the corruption that has robbed the state of huge sums of money while stagnating development.
He cites improving the foundations of leadership, institutions and individuals as the key requirements for anti-corruption success in any nation, saying “If things are not done in the right way, cutting corners will always continue.” His fearless work has resulted in the prosecution of a number of prominent politicians.
Before the ceremony, a 12m high statue of an open hand, the symbol of the ACE Award and a representation of the transparency and openness required of governments around the world, was unveiled in Dataran Putra, opposite the Prime Minister’s office.
After a long and thorough selection process, the High-Level Committee of the ACE Award, with recommendations from the Assessment and Advisory Board, chose eight recipients across four categories: Anti-Corruption Lifetime or Outstanding Achievement, Anti-Corruption Innovation, Anti- Corruption Youth Creativity and Engagement, and the Anti-Corruption Academic Research And Education.
Mr Al Marri, UNODC Regional Special Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption, announced the establishment of the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, under the patronage of Sheikh Al-Thani , at the 8th Annual Conference of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) in November 2015 in St. Petersburg, Russia.
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