The National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS) has conferred an Award of Excellence on the Director of the Public Enlightenment and Education Department of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Alhaji. Mohammed Ashiru Baba, fsi.
Speaking at the ceremony which held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the Director of Programmes of the Association, Abubakar Mohammed stated that it was in the tradition of the student body to honour and associate with stakeholders and elders from the region who had distinguished themselves as icons in their various fields of endeavour.
“It is the tradition of the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students to associate with major stakeholders and elders from the region that have distinguished themselves as icons from various fields of endeavour. Based on the recommendations from the student community and the good work you are doing here in ICPC as shown in your track records, we found it inspirational to associate with you and to say kudos to you, and to let you know that all you have done is appreciated by the student community.”
Responding after his decoration, Alhaji Baba expressed his gratitude to the student body for finding him worthy of the award saying “I am very much elated by this award even though I cannot confidently say that I deserve such an award because I have been leveraging on the existing structure to make my contributions towards the development of the nation and the youths.
“When I joined ICPC in 2002, I discovered that the Commission was interested in promoting the youth and that gave me the right platform to make my contributions. I am lucky to be in an organization that is youth-focused and it has been my long-held belief that no nation can grow beyond the level of its youths as they are the backbone of any nation.
“I have leveraged on my position as the Director of the Public Enlightenment and Education Department of ICPC to spearhead many youth-oriented programmes in the fight against corruption and our long-term expectation is that by the time the youths assume positions of leadership, they would have imbibed zero tolerance for corruption. No doubt, the youths of Nigeria deserve every encouragement on nation-building.”
Baba also encouraged the student’s leaders to take advantage of ICPC’s youth-oriented platforms to join in the fight against corruption.
“On this note, we will be happy if the leadership of NANNS team up with ICPC to fight against corruption through many of the Commission’s platforms available to the youths and students. We can organise sensitization and advocacy visits, media talk shows and other activities to encourage youths to participate actively in the fight against corruption.
“Corruption is the single destroyer of your dreams as youths, and it is imperative that you move together in the fight against it.” he submitted.
In her vote of thanks, the spokesperson of the Commission, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua stated that when one receives an award of excellence like the one given to the Head of Department of PE & E, it poses a challenge to keep on doing what one knows how to do best.
“This award is not for our Boss alone but for all us in ICPC. It is a challenge that whatever it is that we are doing that got us this award, you are telling us to go back and work harder. And we assure you that we appreciate the award, and we will work harder and you will feel the impact of the Commission anywhere you are,” she concluded.