By Abdulwahab Abdulah

LAGOS—The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA, yesterday urged Nigerians to continue to demand accountability from their leaders at all levels of government. The request was made at a public hearing in Lagos on local and community level corruption organized by the two leading civil society organizations.

Speaking at the programme, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, the Executive Director, SERAP, urged Nigerians to continue to demand accountability from their leaders at all levels of government, saying this will make the leaders to realize that their stay in office was at the expense of the people. According to Mumuni, the programme was put together to bring together stakeholders and local residents who were directly or indirectly affected by bad delivery of services which cuts across their daily activities.

Also speaking, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, said eradication of corruption at the local government and community level would help reduce problems confronting Nigerians. Represented by Mr Funmilola Kuku, Oyetibo commended SERAP for organising the hearing, adding that the fight against corruption requires a collective effort from all and sundry.

On his part, Mr Michel Deleen, Head of Netherlands Representation in Lagos, said corruption was not only peculiar to Nigeria, however, he said efforts must be geared towards eradication he scourge.