In a decisive move to fortify institutional ethics, the Kaduna State office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has formally inaugurated the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Afaka, Kaduna.
The ceremony, held recently on the college premises, signals a renewed commitment to rooting out unethical practices within Nigeria’s public service framework. The event drew key members of the college’s management and the newly constituted unit, forming part of the ICPC’s broader mandate to entrench transparency, accountability, and integrity across all public institutions nationwide.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Assistant Commissioner and Head of the System Study and Review Department, Habib Muhammad Kwalam, congratulated the newly inaugurated ACTU members and underscored their pivotal role in the anti-corruption crusade. He remarked that integrity remains the bedrock of any successful fight against graft.
Kwalam urged members to uphold the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and transparency in discharging their duties. “The effectiveness of ACTU,” he noted, “depends largely on the willingness of its members to lead by example and inspire ethical conduct among their colleagues.” He also stressed the importance of awareness creation, explaining that a primary function of the unit is to educate and sensitise staff on the dangers and consequences of corrupt practices. By fostering a culture of compliance, the unit is expected to act as a preventive mechanism against corruption, rather than merely a reactive one.
The Assistant Commissioner further encouraged the team to remain vigilant and proactive, reporting any instances of corruption or misconduct without fear or favour, and assured them of the ICPC’s continued support and collaboration to ensure due process is followed and offenders held accountable.
In his welcome address, the Provost of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Boni, expressed profound gratitude to the ICPC for extending the ACTU initiative to the college. He formally received the unit and reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to transparency and accountability.
Dr. Boni stated that corruption undermines institutional growth and development, pledging to work closely with ACTU to eradicate all forms of unethical practices within the college. He assured the commission of management’s full backing, including the provision of an enabling environment for the unit to function effectively.
The highlight of the event was the formal investiture of ACTU members, who were charged with serving as the institution’s internal watchdogs. Their responsibilities include monitoring compliance with established rules and procedures, promoting ethical standards, and acting as a liaison between the college and the ICPC on corruption-related matters.
In his vote of thanks, the newly appointed ACTU Chairman of the college, Emmanuel Ajibade, lauded the ICPC for its indefatigable efforts in combating corruption across the nation. He described the ACTU initiative as a timely intervention for strengthening institutional integrity.
Ajibade assured all stakeholders of the unit’s readiness to discharge its duties diligently, pledging that ACTU would work collaboratively with management and staff to entrench transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in every facet of the institution’s operations.
The inauguration of ACTU at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against corruption within public institutions. It reflects a shared resolve between the ICPC and the college to build a culture of integrity; one where transparency is not merely encouraged but expected, and where wrongdoing finds no safe harbour.