The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has on Wednesday inaugurated the Student Anti-Corruption Vanguard (SAV) of the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Delivering a keynote address at the event, the ICPC Chairman, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN OFR, stated that the Commission commenced the inauguration of clubs and vanguards in 2003, and has established over 2000 clubs over the years.
Prof. Owasanoye added that the Commission engages members of these clubs and vanguards in line with the guidelines of their establishment, in sensitization activities such as essay competition, debates, music competition etc.
“Clubs and vanguards members participate in these annual competitions and not only cart away mouth-watering prizes, but imbibe positive moral values. You will recall that University of Abuja students had participated in the debating championship among students of tertiary institutions in FCT and Nasarawa State which took place in June 2023. The worthy ambassadors of your university came second in the competition and got a laptop and some cash prize.”
The ICPC boss, who was represented by the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education Department, Mr. Mohammed Ashiru Baba, fsi, presented a certificate of participation to the institution urging it to cooperate with the Vanguard in the conduct of its legitimate duties.
Mr. Baba also thanked the Vice Chancellor and his management team for approving the launching of the University’s chapter of SAV.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, who was represented by Professor H. A. Apeh expressed his delight stating that it had been the desire of the University to have the Vanguard just as he noted that corruption robs us of our humanity.
He went further to say that each time we practice corruption, we hurt ourselves and our future and expressed hope that the programme would result to a change in attitude and not engage in corruption.
The inauguration programme featured a paper presentation by the Deputy Director of Education Division, Mr. Okor Odey on the topic “About ICPC and its activities”, Mr. Okor Odey during which he listed and explained the various initiatives of the Commission.
In his remarks, the head of Guidance and Counselling Centre of the University, Professor M. B. Usman, promised that the Vanguard would live up to expectation and make the Commission proud.