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ICPC Inaugurates 2,000 Anti-Corruption Clubs, Vanguards In 20 Years
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences (ICPC) has said it has inaugurated over 2,000 anti-corruption clubs and vanguards since the initiative’s commencement in 2003.
The Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner of ICPC in Kaduna, Hassan Mohammed, said this yesterday at the formal inauguration of anti-corruption clubs in 30 schools within Kaduna metropolis.
The schools included Government Technical College, Malali, Rimi College, GSS, Narayi, GSS Kawo, Best Scholars (Benevolence), and ECWA Secondary School, among other government and private schools within Kaduna metropolis.
Mohammed said that all hands must be on deck in fighting corruption, adding that the anti-corruption clubs serve as means in inculcating the tenets of good behavior, ethics and integrity.
“We want to catch the students young now there minds are not poisoned by corruption and other vices so we believe this is the time to train their minds as to what we want the country to become,”he said
Mohammed explained that ICPC engaged members of the clubs and vanguards in line with the guidelines of their establishment, in sensitisation activities as well as essay writing, poetry, recitations, debate and quiz competition among others.
He said that such competitions were open to all schools with anti-corruption clubs, adding that that ICPC has enjoyed very cordial working relationship with the State Ministry of Education.
This, he said, has been through its public education outreach initiatives such as formation of such clubs and the introduction of National Values Curriculum for basic education.
According to him, the bedrock of any societal development, peace and stability are the youths, which triggered the ICPC to came up with the idea of targeting and engaging them through strategies such as NYSC CDS group.
Mohammed said the commission also target Students Anti-Corruption Vanguard (SAV) in tertiary institutions, Students
Anti-Corruption Clubs in secondary schools, National Values Curriculum (NVC) and Integrity Lecture Series, among others.
This is in order to inculcate the culture of Integrity, transparency and accountability at their early age.
He thanked the administrators of both the public and private schools that have assisted in mobilising the audience, especially the club advisers and students.
Formally administering the oath of membership to the students, Mr Mathew Mamman, ICPC’s Head of Legal Services in Kaduna, said prosecution of offenders was cost effective.
He, therefore, said that breeding students into the anti-corruption clubs was a step towards curtailing the menace of corruption in the society.
Mamman explained that the students would become vanguards of anti-corruption in their schools.
He said with the support of anti-corruption advisers in the students’ various schools, they would be able to suggest and advise on ways towards mitigating corruption in the schools.
Mamman tasked the students with discipline, respect and dedication in their academic pursuit.
Speaking on behalf of Zabib College, one of the anti-corruption clubs beneficiary school, Mr Usman Ahmed, the school’s’ anti-corruption club adviser, said through the club activities, students would be inculcated with the values of honesty and integrity.
He said that the students would begin to fight corruption at an early age which would be beneficial to them and their peer groups.
To the school, Ahmed said, the club would help cut unwanted behaviors like stealing, examination malpractice and sexual harassment, among others.
Similarly, Malam Muhammadjamiu Hussein, the anti-corruption club adviser in Best Scholars (Benevolence), said the club would curtail examination malpractices, combat moral decadence and inculcate didactic essence in the students.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene