The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, has urged the leadership of the Commission’s Staff Multi-Purpose Co-Operative Society to uphold the commission’s core values of transparency, integrity, and accountability.
Amupitan made the call in his keynote address at the Annual General Meeting, AGM, and Election of the Society.
He advised the association’s leadership to be prudent with the members’ fund and ensure free and fair conduct of its internal elections.
The INEC boss said that there must be zero tolerance for corruption and mismanagement of members’ savings.
He said that “corruption, in any form, is a poison to any institution, especially one built on collective trust.”
Highlighting the co-operative’s core purpose, the INEC chairman also underscored the importance of members’ welfare, especially in the current challenging economic climate.
“As the custodian of the electoral process, I must impress upon the leadership of this great society, both outgoing and incoming, a critical set of values that must be non-negotiable.
“First, you must prioritise deft financial management and transparency. The co-operative money belongs to its members, and the executive is merely a trustee.
”Your books must be open, your transactions traceable, and your decisions justifiable.
“Second, you must eschew corruption and commit to absolute accountability. Corruption in any form is a poison to any institution, especially one built on collective trust.
“There must be zero tolerance for the mismanagement of members’ savings. Cooperative money is not for party celebrations.
”Every naira must be accounted for and dedicated to profitable ventures to improve members’ welfare.
“The core purpose of the co-operative is members’ welfare. In these challenging economic times, the co-operative is a reliable option for staff to save and support one another,” he said.
Amupitan, who reiterated his commitment to staff welfare urged the cooperative leadership to prioritise members’ welfare, and ensure a level playing field in accessing loans.
He said that every member, regardless of their position or connection, must have equal and fair access to the packages and benefits offered by the society.
“The exco must be guided at all times by the rules of the multipurpose society and the principles of fairness, justice and equity.”
“Good investment focus and forward thinking approach will help society build a more resilient future,” he said.