The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, has advised pupils of Sanusi Dantata Memorial School, Abuja, to make their school a corruption-free zone by saying No to misdemeanours like examination malpractice, cheating, stealing, lying and others.
Professor Owasanoye gave the charge through Ijeoma Ozor of the Commission’s Education Department while speaking to some pupils of the school during an excursion visit to the Commission’s headquarters, recently.
The ICPC Chairman stressed the fact that there was the need to start a Students’ Anti-Corruption Club in the school as it would go a long way in helping them understand the concept of corruption and all that surrounds it while at the same time teaching them to imbibe the culture of integrity.
He urged the students to stand up and secure their future by challenging acts of corruption wherever they occur, and also reporting same to the appropriate authorities. “Be a watchdog against corruption at home, school, and everywhere else you may find yourself” he enjoined them.
He also advised the students to make the National Pledge a personal creed saying “Pledge to Nigeria our country, pledge to yourself, pledge to your family and friend, that you will be faithful, loyal and honest’’.
Earlier in her remarks, the head teacher of the school, Sadiyatu Othman, who led the students on the visit, explained that they were at ICPC to expose the pupils to the practical knowledge of what they had been taught in school on the effects corruption to individuals and the nation.
In recent times, students from numerous primary and secondary schools have been paying visits to the Commission to increase their knowledge of the work the Commission does and to learn how they can contribute to the anti-corruption effort.