The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has admonished teachers and students of Government Secondary School Yangoji-Kwali, Abuja to fight corruption in all forms to ensure their time at school was remembered for positive change.
The Head of Education Division of ICPC, Mr. Okor Odey, gave this advice at the inauguration ceremony of the school’s Anti-Corruption Club recently in the school premises.
Mr. Odey, while congratulating them on the positive steps they are taking to play their part in the war against corruption and related offences, highlighted the importance of battling corruption, and enlightened the students on the benefits that they stand to gain as individuals and collectively.
He pointed out that corruption was not limited to the top echelons of the society but also shows up in places like primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. He gave examples of corruption in schools to include exam malpractice, tardiness and disobedience.
The ICPC representative emphasised that one of the duties of the Commission was to help inculcate a lifestyle devoid of corruption in students so that they can positively affect the society as they grow. He encouraged them to take the activities of the Club seriously and ensure that they remain involved with anti-corruption activities even beyond their time in secondary school.
Mr. Odey stressed that members of the Anti-Corruption club were expected to be of exemplary character so that they be role models to other students. According to him, this would reflect positively on the image of the school and would signal the valuable effect the club has on the character of students.
The principal of the school, Rukaiya Adaviruku thanked ICPC for the visit and expressed delight that the lessons taught in the sensitisation session echoed the values that the school is trying to impart into the students.
In his remarks, the school’s club patron, Mr. John Oguh promised that the staff would do everything in their power to ensure that each member and executive of the Anti-Corruption club performed their duties optimally to ensure that the goal of stamping out corruption is achieved.
The sensitisation and inauguration session was attended by five school officials and forty students and featured an anti-corruption oath administered on the students.
In a similar development, the teachers of the Government Secondary School Kwali were sensitised on the importance of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) to Nigeria and encouraged to use the Core Values contained therein to guide their daily activities in life.
Mr. Odey, while addressing the teachers of the institution, stated that the values were key to making informed decisions which would help teachers dispatch their duties without bias.
He explained that the role of teachers in the society placed them as models for students and as such the actions and behaviour of teachers will rub off on their wards.
In his welcome speech, the school principal, Dr. Samuel Okpe expressed the institution’s appreciation for the supportive action of ICPC and promised that the school would strive to inculcate the core values that make up the NIEP.