The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has inaugurated Students Anti-Corruption Vanguard (SAV) at the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State with a plea to students to shun all forms of social vices and corrupt practices.
This appeal was contained in the keynote address by the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, which was delivered on his behalf by Mr Ezeh Anselm, Chief Superintendent, ICPC Enugu Zonal office. Mr. Nta explained that the Students Anti- Corruption Vanguard (SAV) is an initiative of the Commission conceived to ensure and sustain active youth participation in the fight against corruption at the tertiary education level.
According to him, the Vanguard operates purely as an agent of corruption-prevention by civil actions, stressing that “waging a successful war against corruption requires not just our competence as a law enforcement agency but the resolute effort and support of all stakeholders”
The ICPC Chairman charged the members of SAV to complement the efforts of the Commission by educating fellow students on the ills of corruption; participating actively in social auditing; engaging in whistle blowing; and mobilizing fellow students to stand against corruption. He also assured the SAV members that ICPC would continue to offer necessary support to them to aid them in carrying out their lawful assignments in operating as undercover agents while warning them against using their office to intimidate, victimize or oppress other students.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Provost of the College, Prof. Benjamin Mba, applauded the efforts of ICPC in curbing corruption in Nigeria through its initiative of targeting the educational sector which, according to him, deals with the only factor that can liberate man from ignorance and evil practices.
According to the Provost, corruption exists in every human organization and it takes dedication, honesty, fear of God as well as determination for people to shun the monster in its entire ramifications. He pointed out that the college has zero tolerance for social vices and corruption which necessitated the establishment of Anti-corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit in the school and now, the students Anti- Corruption Vanguard.
Prof Mba promised that the management of the college would continue to support and sustain both the ACTU and SAV to ensure that corruption was wiped out of the school.
In his presentation, the club adviser, who is also the ACTU Chairman of the College, Mr. Aneke H.C., stated that the students’ active involvement in the crusade against corruption should take the form of persuasion, enlightenment of fellow students, enlisting their support, whistle blowing and living exemplary lifestyles. He added that they had been given training on how to carry out their responsibility of combatting corruption in the school without molesting, intimidating or antagonizing anyone.
While commending the Provost for his support, zeal and determination to eradicate corruption from the institution, Aneke disclosed that members of the Vanguard were selected based on their track record of honesty, integrity, intelligence and general good conduct.
The president of the SAV, Mr. Ojiabor Elijah, in his acceptance speech, promised to work diligently with other members, to ensure that corruption was reduced drastically in the school. He promised that they would not hesitate to report all forms of corruption – bribery, sex abuse, ‘sorting’, examination malpractice, gratification, forgery of certificates and other vices to the appropriate authorities.
The high point of the occasion was the administration of the oath of membership to the members of the Vanguard by Miss Chinwe Nwozor, with the members pledging to be loyal, faithful and committed to the ideals of the vanguard by upholding the virtues of integrity, honesty and transparency in their conduct.