The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, has advised pupils of Prime Scholars’ School, Karu and Mater Misericordiae Nursery and Primary School, Nyanya to shun corruption, saying that it was capable of killing their dreams.
Professor Owasanoye gave the charge, during an excursion visit by some pupils of the two schools to ICPC headquarters, recently.
The visitors, numbering over 80 pupils, were jointly received in the Commission’s auditorium and were treated to speeches and presentations that enlightened them on the history and activities of ICPC, as well as corruption in general.
The Chairman, through Badejo Kemebraidikumo of the Commission’s Education Department, explained to the pupils the concept of corruption, stressing that abuse of office for personal gain and taking what is meant for everybody for oneself only constitute acts of corruption.
He noted that when monies meant for building schools, hospitals, roads, etc. and providing other social amenities are embezzled by some individuals, it affects the generality of the society negatively as people may no longer receive the training and self-development that can help them achieve their aspirations.
“As young people, corruption can make your dreams not to come true, so fight corruption before it kills your dreams,” the Commission’s Chairman said.
He told them further that ICPC was established to fight corruption but could not win the fight alone, and therefore enjoined them to imbibe the culture of integrity while also joining ICPC to fight the menace by saying, “No!” to all forms of corruption like examination malpractice, bribery, fraud, nepotism, embezzlement and others.
Earlier in his remarks, Sanusi Hamisu, who led the pupils from Prime Scholars had explained that the visit to ICPC was very important for them to know more about the Commission and its effort in the fight against corruption, adding that it would go a long way in complementing what they were being taught concerning integrity in school.
Also, the Head teacher from Mater Misericordiae Nursery and Primary School, Christy Egesi, who spoke during the visit stated that the essence of the visit to the Commission was to enable the students acquire a practical experience of what they had been taught in school on the ills of corruption.
She stressed that inculcating the virtue of integrity in pupils at their formative stage would help them grow up as good citizens as envisioned by the National Values Curriculum championed by ICPC, and embedded in school subject curricula across educational levels in the country.