The Oyo State Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has held a sensitisation programme for officials of Akinyele Local Government of Oyo State. The event aimed to deepen the culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in grassroots administration.
Held at the Akinyele Local Government Secretariat, the session featured a comprehensive presentation by Mr. Akin-Taiwo Bankole, Head of the Public Enlightenment Unit of the ICPC.Â
In his address, Mr. Bankole emphasized the pivotal role local governments play in driving development at the grassroots level, describing them as the tier of government closest to the people and essential for effective service delivery.
He explained that corruption at the local level hinders development and erodes public trust. Identifying key vulnerable areas such as procurement, revenue collection, and project execution, Mr. Bankole urged officials to strictly adhere to due process and maintain transparent systems.
Reiterating that prevention was the strongest approach to fighting corruption, he called on staff to uphold integrity, improve record-keeping, and utilize the Commission’s whistleblowing channels to report suspicious activities. He also reaffirmed ICPC’s commitment to continuous collaboration through training, monitoring, and public enlightenment.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Akinwole Akinleye, the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mrs. Ige Olaronke Sarah, thanked the Commission for the initiative. She described the engagement as timely and beneficial, noting that the insights gained would help strengthen ethical conduct and improve service delivery within the council.
Mrs. Olaronke conveyed the Chairman’s assurance that Akinyele Local Government remained committed to partnering with the ICPC to promote integrity and ensure the responsible management of public resources for the community’s development.
The event concluded with a shared resolve to institutionalise anti-corruption measures within the local government’s operations, underscoring the vital link between good governance and sustainable community progress.