The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN has charged anti-corruption agencies in the country to give more attention to models of integrity in our society rather than focusing on the criminals.
The ICPC boss gave the charge recently at a one-day public event organised by the Foundation in Abuja aimed at bringing together Models of Integrity in Nigeria for recognition.
His words, “sometimes we lose sight of models of integrity while pursuing the criminals. I say NO when people say we don’t have people to be emulated or people of integrity, most time we look in the wrong direction to find models of integrity to be emulated.”
The ICPC boss who was represented by the Acting Director of the Public Enlightenment and Education Department/ Spokesperson of the Commission, Mr. Demola Bakare, fsi said he believed that the highest standard of integrity had been exhibited in selecting those on the list for the award while congratulating them for being so recognized.
Dr Aliyu commended Lux Terra Leadership Foundation for partnering with the Commission in the fight against corruption over the years.
According to him, “ICPC joins the foundation to congratulate you all for your good work, what you do and practice has found you out… please don’t drop the ball.’’ He advised the recipients of the awards.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Rev Fr. George Ehusani, asserted that for any society to sustain its corporate existence, it must jealously guide, diligently disseminate, and promote the core values made to guide its members.
Speaking Further, Rev Fr Ehusani said, ‘’…And where a nation fails in carefully defining and cautiously inculcating these core values… such a society eventually slides into inevitable dysfunction.
‘It is therefore gratifying to know that there are men and women out there who remain committed to the life of integrity, struggling daily to live out their lives with the highest principles of personal and social morality even in an environment where corrupt practices have become – for the majority of people a way of life.
‘Over the last six years, we have identified and profiled 48 persons from across the length and breadth of Nigeria, who have demonstrated the virtue of integrity to an exemplary degree in their private and public conduct and we are all gathered here to acknowledge and celebrate them.’’ He revealed.
He expressed appreciation to the Mac Arthur Foundation, ICPC, EFCC, the media, and everyone present for honouring his invitation.