The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to check indiscipline, exam malpractice, extortion, sexual harassment and other forms of corrupt practices in the nation’s institutions of higher learning.
The MOU which was signed at the Commission’s headquarters is aimed at getting the students involved in the anti-corruption campaign, and to create awareness among them as to how to report cases to ICPC for prosecution.
It is also designed to encourage both students and teachers to engage ICPC through its training arm, the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) in research on corruption and other related matters.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Elvis Oglafa, said that ICPC was looking at a bigger picture where institutions of higher learning can achieve 100 percent discipline and zero tolerance for corruption.
Mr. Oglafa further stated that over the years NANS has not provided any platform which could enable its members to report corrupt practices within the educational system but that with the signing of the MOU a new door has been opened for the reporting of such vices.
The Commission’s scribe expressed optimism that since Nigerian students have now demonstrated willingness to confront this monster head on, a new vista which has just been set would cleanse the system of the debris of corruption in the institutions.
In his remark, leader of the students’ delegation and NANS President, Comrade Tijani Usman, commended ICPC for the initiative and affirmed that Nigerian students were willing to fight corruption as they were always at the receiving end of its adverse effects.
The MOU was signed on behalf of ICPC by the Secretary to the Commission, and the head of the students’ delegation, on behalf of Nigerian students.