UK Government Urged To Back Nigeria’s Fight Against Corruption – Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu urges UK government to support Nigeria in fighting corruption and advancing constitutional reforms. Read more on this UK-Nigeria collaboration!

The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has appealed to the United Kingdom (UK) government to strengthen its support for Nigeria in the ongoing fight against corruption.

Hon. Kalu made this call during the “UK-Nigeria Collaboration: A Parliamentary Strategic Dialogue” held in London on Wednesday. The event was graced by notable figures, including the Deputy Leader of the British House of Lords, Rt. Hon. Lord Collins, alongside other parliamentarians from both nations.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties for Shared Prosperity

In his address, Hon. Kalu underscored the significance of the collaboration between Nigeria and the UK in addressing critical challenges, particularly corruption. He applauded the enduring diplomatic relations between the two countries and stressed the potential to deepen their economic and social ties.

“The UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for strengthening bilateral relations and achieving shared objectives,” Kalu stated. “This collaboration spans six pillars: Growth and Jobs through the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), addressing market barriers, fostering two-way trade, and promoting sustainable investments in manufacturing, agriculture, and energy.”

The Call for Action Against Corruption

The Deputy Speaker highlighted corruption as a major impediment to Nigeria’s development and urged the UK to play a pivotal role in combating it. He emphasized the need for the UK government to streamline the process for repatriating illicit funds seized from Nigerian officials and trapped in UK financial institutions.

Kalu noted that addressing illicit financial flows and implementing bilateral agreements to facilitate asset recovery would significantly boost anti-corruption efforts.

“Nigeria seeks the UK’s continued support in recovering illicit funds,” he emphasized. “This includes setting up mechanisms to curb illicit financial flows, strengthening anti-corruption institutions, and expediting asset recovery processes.”

Advocating for Constitutional Reforms

In addition to tackling corruption, Kalu, who also serves as Chairman of Nigeria’s House Committee on Constitution Review, sought the support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in advancing Nigeria’s constitutional reforms.

He highlighted key issues under review, such as:

Creating special legislative seats for women to foster gender inclusion.
Introducing gender-sensitive legislation to address inequalities.
Establishing sub-national policing to improve Nigeria’s security landscape.

“As Chair of the Constitution Review Committee, I acknowledge the monumental task of refining Nigeria’s constitutional framework to reflect the evolving needs of its people,” Kalu stated.

He called on the FCDO to provide technical assistance, research expertise, and capacity-building programs to ensure the reforms align with international best practices.

A Call for Deepened Collaboration

Hon. Kalu emphasized that the UK’s support in these areas would not only bolster Nigeria’s democratic institutions but also uphold shared values of justice, equity, and security. He concluded by highlighting the potential of a robust UK-Nigeria partnership to empower marginalized groups, create safer communities, and establish a legislative framework for sustainable development.

“This collaboration demonstrates a profound commitment to empowering marginalized groups, ensuring safer communities, and fortifying Nigeria’s legislative framework for future generations,” Kalu affirmed.