The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on public servants at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Kazaure, Jigawa State, to uphold high ethical standards and personal integrity in order to curb corruption.
This appeal was made by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Kano and Jigawa States, Mr. Ahmed Muhammad Wada, during the inauguration of the college’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU). He was represented at the event by Mr. Shehu Dange.
Dange outlined the ICPC’s tripartite mandate of enforcement, prevention, and public education as established by the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; further explaining that ACTUs, established in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, are vital for driving the anti-corruption fight within public institutions.
Elaborating on the call for ethics, the ICPC representative stressed that integrity is the non-negotiable foundation of public service. He defined high ethical standards as encompassing accountability, transparency, and prioritising the public interest over personal gain. These principles, he noted, are essential for restoring public trust and ensuring that government institutions effectively serve the citizens.
Furthermore, he emphasised that imbibing a culture of integrity required proactive measures such as diligent record-keeping, adherence to procurement laws, resisting all forms of gratification, and the courage to report unethical conduct through established channels like the ACTU. Such a collective commitment, he affirmed, creates a powerful internal mechanism for self-regulation and good governance within the college.
Mr. Denge clarified that the unit was empowered to perform all functions of the Commission except prosecution, urging the college’s management to support the unit for optimal results and advising its members to be dedicated to their duties.
In her remarks, the Principal of FGGC Kazaure, Mrs. Vokito P.F., thanked the ICPC and assured the Commission of the management’s full support for the new unit in its efforts to eliminate corruption within the college.
The newly appointed ACTU Chairman, Mr. Isyaku Umar, pledged that the Unit would ensure strict compliance with due process and all regulations governing its operations. He thanked the management for the trust placed in him and his team, promising to discharge their responsibilities effectively.