ICPC Urges Support Against Corruption

Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences
commission (ICPC), has urged Nigerians to support the commission in the fight
against corruption.

The Chairman
of ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta, made the call at a town hall meeting held at Nkaliki, the
headquarters of Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Nta said the
forum was created to sensitise the public on the ugly effects of corruption and
to solicit their support against the menace.

Represented
by Mr Mike Sowe, the Head of Public Enlightenment Unit of the commission, Nta
said that the war against corruption was a collective responsibility.

He described
corruption as an ‘evil wind’ that blows no one any good, adding that concerted
efforts should be made toward curbing acts of corruption in the polity.

According to
him, corruption is detrimental to national development because it is adversely
reducing the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He emphasised
the need for various stakeholders in the Nigerian project to rise up against
corrupt practices by exposing corruption in all its ramifications.

He said that
the campaign against corruption would remain a mirage when people refused to
expose corrupt individuals and sharp practices.

“Nigeria
cannot win the war against corruption if the people do not report corrupt
individuals to ICPC for investigation.

“The fight
against this evil is a collective responsibility. Therefore, I urge all of you
to report incidences of corrupt practices to the commission. Together we will
win the war,’’ Nta said.

He told the
participants that the commission had trained corruption risk assessors in
collaboration with the UNDP that would be embedded in government ministries,
departments and agencies as part of efforts to check corruption.

He said the
commission had established anti-corruption initiatives, such as National Anti-Corruption
Coalition, Anti-Corruption clubs in primary and secondary schools as well as
Anti-Corruption Vanguards in tertiary institutions, among others.

The chairman
called on participants to eschew corruption in their dealings and practice
integrity.

“We
encourage you to individually and collectively eschew corruption in all your
dealings and to educate others to embrace and practice integrity.’’