The ICPC on Thursday urged Nigerians to support the commission in the fight against corruption.
Mr Ekpo Nta, the Chairman of ICPC, made the call at a town hall meeting held at Nkaliki, the headquarters of Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
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 collectively responsibility for the crusade to succeed.
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.’’
The participants pledged their resolved to fight corruption and advised the commission to remain dogged on its public sensitisation campaign.