By Eze Nkechi
As part of ensuring that staff maintains high standard in their conduct as public officers,the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria has reaffirmed its support to the federal government towards ensuring that government agencies and parastatals adhere to the code of conduct for public officers. The Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed Babashehu, ably represented by Mr Ben Ajah, Director Human Resources, declared the event open by making this commitment during the training/workshop on strict compliance with Assets Declaration and Code of Conduct for Public Officers organized by the Code of Conduct Bureau in Kaduna State.
Babashehu said the workshop came at the right time, as it will help in ensuring that staff of the pharmacy council of Nigeria adheres to all the Codes guiding the civil service.
He harped on accountability in public offices which he said was a veritable tool in the fight against corruption.
The Registrar also emphasised that staff must be accountable and transparent in their day to day activities, while enjoining them to see the workshop as an opportunity to acquire sufficient knowledge on assets declaration and why they must comply with the code of conduct bureau.
The acting Chairman CCB, Barr. Aliyu Murtala Kankia, represented by Director Education and Advocacy, Mr Daniel Okafor, while speaking, said the workshop is a form of enlightenment and an aspect of the preventive measures the Bureau undertakes to sensitize public officers on the Code of Conduct as contained in Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him “when top public functionaries of government are well informed and abide by the codes, the need for the application of punitive measures would be minimised, if not completely eliminated”.
He commended the PCN boss for the workshop and expressed his optimism that the workshop would further create a cordial relationship between the Bureau and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
He also revealed that the Bureau was set up in 1979 to establish and maintain a high standard of morality in the conduct of government business and to ensure that the actions and behaviours of public officers conform to the requisite standards of public morality and accountability.
“The vision of the CCB is honesty, transparency and accountability.” He said.
The Bureau has the power to issue and receive Assets Declaration Form, examine the declaration, retain custody of the Form and receive complaints about non-compliance as well as prosecuting defaulters.
The workshop was attended by staff from various state departments of the Council.
