Gombe ANGO Chair Champions Fight Against Illicit Financial Flows In Nigeria
By Najib Sani, Gombe
Chairman of the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (ANGO), Gombe State Dr Bachama Yusuf has recently participated in a high-level meeting focused on combating illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Nigeria through asset recovery and management.
The meeting was convened by the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the African Centre for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development with support from the Foreign, Common Wealth and Development Office (FCDO) brought together government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners, and financial sector experts.
It highlighted the need for collaboration and transparency in addressing this critical issue.
In his presentation, Yusuf noted that NGOs have pivotal role in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria.
He emphasised the importance of strengthening policy frameworks and ensuring that recovered assets are used to benefit the Nigerian people.
According to him, Illicit financial flows continue to undermine development, weaken governance, and deprive citizens of essential resources needed for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
He said ANGO remains dedicated to working with stakeholders to protect Nigeria’s resources and direct them towards sustainable development.
According to the organisers, the Nigeria Illicit Finance Resilience project, implemented by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the African Centre for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development aims to contribute to tackling Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Nigeria through Asset Recovery and Management, and Countering Money Laundering/Terrorism Financing/Proliferation Financing (ML/CFT/PF).
The project has two key objectives as stated by the organisers which are: to advocate for transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in asset recovery and management process, and support government institutions to effectively implement POCA to achieve an effective confiscation regime in Nigeria and to contribute to reducing IFFs in Nigeria’s extractive sector.