The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN has advised secondary school students in the country to be morally upright and ethically strong in order to see a Nigeria that will be conducive for them to becoming what they aspire in life.
The ICPC boss stated this on Thursday during the inauguration of Students Anti-Corruption Club in four schools in the Federal Capital Territory.
Dr. Aliyu, who was represented by Acting Director, Public Enlightenment and Education Department, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, stated that the society has been eroded by corruption and this affects the educational system in Nigeria, and charged the students to play their role in eradicating corruption.
“Corruption has eaten very deep into the fabrics of our society and it has grown to such a large extent that it is difficult to ignore it. The fight against corruption is the responsibility we all must share because corruption affects students everywhere so your involvement is so important to us.
“Your role is very crucial because you witness some of these corrupt practices in your homes and schools, and as students, you have a role to play to get rid of corruption. You can act as those that report corruption. You can report to your school, your parents, your teachers, and of course, you can report to ICPC.
Making a presentation at the event, Mr. Godwin Basheru, a Chief Superintendent officer with ICPC explained the specific roles the students can play to fight against corruption.
He said “you should cultivate the virtue of integrity, be a watchdog on corruption at home, school and anywhere else you may find yourself, report corrupt practices including exam malpractices to the school authorities and ICPC, educate the people around you on the ills of corruption, refuse to pay bribes and report requests for bribe from public officials to the Commission.”
He further advised the students to ensure that the changes they want to see in Nigeria begin with them and they can do this through the upholding of values such as honesty, positive attitude to work, discipline, contentment, courage, concern for others, family values, religious and traditional values.
The high point of the event was the administration of the oath of allegiance on members of the Club.
Schools present were Government Senior Secondary School, Mpape, Government Junior Secondary School, Mpape, Genesis Christian Academy, Kuje, and Redeemers Private School, Dutse-Alhaji, Abuja.