The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged officers of its Internal Security and Support Unit (ISSU) to recognise that their conduct at the reception desk is more than a mere formality; it is a direct reflection of the Commission’s integrity and commitment to public trust.
The admonition came during a one-day sensitisation and capacity-building programme held recently at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, designed to sharpen the skills of ISSU personnel who serve as the frontline ambassadors of the anti-graft agency.
Representing the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, the Director of Legal Services, Mr. Henry Emore, underscored that the manner in which visitors are received leaves an indelible impression on the public perception of the ICPC.
“While professionalism and courtesy must guide your interactions, vigilance and firmness in executing security protocols remain equally non-negotiable,” Emore stated. He expressed optimism that the training would empower officers with the requisite competencies to discharge their duties with excellence and distinction.
In her welcome address, the Service Improvement Officer, Mrs. Chinenye Thelma Ani, noted that the programme was meticulously designed to acknowledge the pivotal role ISSU personnel play as the Commission’s first point of contact with citizens.
The training, she explained, would strengthen capacities in customer service, effective communication, conflict management, protocol adherence, and other critical areas that foster efficient service delivery and bolster public confidence in the Commission’s operations.
Describing the initiative as timely, the Head of the Internal Security and Support Unit, Mr. Henry Hwande, reminded participants that their duties often demand split-second decisions in high-pressure situations. He urged officers to approach the sessions with open minds, leveraging the opportunity to refine their professional edge.
The event featured a paper presentation by Mrs. Nneka Oleh, Deputy Team Leader for ICPC from the National SERVICOM office, who dissected “The Components of Effective Service Delivery”; offering participants practical frameworks for balancing security imperatives with hospitality standards.
As the ICPC continues its crusade against corruption, the message resonates clearly: the battle for public trust begins not in the courtroom, but at the Commission’s entrance.