The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on Nigerian youths to embrace integrity, ethical leadership and responsible citizenship as essential pathways to building a better society.
The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) for the Rivers State office of the ICPC made the call recently at the YAS Youth Summit 2026, held at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking through her representative, Ase Juliet, the RACC commended the Youth Anti-Corruption Society (YAS) for organising the summit, stressing that the fight against corruption demands the active participation of citizens, particularly young people.
She urged young Nigerians to reject corrupt practices, embrace ethical leadership, and harness their talents and creativity to build a more accountable and prosperous society.
“Be the generation that makes integrity a way of life, not merely a slogan. Let your choices today become the foundation for the Nigeria you want tomorrow,” she charged.
The RACC further observed that corruption thrives where silence and indifference prevail, warning that young people can ill afford to remain passive spectators in a struggle that directly shapes their future. According to her, the energy, innovation and idealism of the youth constitute some of the nation’s most potent weapons against graft, and these must be deployed deliberately in homes, schools, workplaces, and places of worship.
She noted that small, consistent acts of honesty often ripple outward to transform institutions and communities, and that a generation rooted in integrity would inevitably produce leaders whose legacies outlast them.
In addition, she stressed the importance of value reorientation and civic education in nurturing a culture of accountability from an early age. She encouraged participants to serve as ambassadors of integrity within their various institutions, adding that the Commission remains resolute in its preventive mandate and would continue to create platforms that empower young Nigerians to take ownership of the anti-corruption agenda.
The RACC reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with youth organisations, educational institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote preventive measures and entrench a culture of integrity.
The summit drew about 120 participants, including students, youth leaders and other stakeholders, who engaged actively in discussions on integrity, youth development, leadership and sustainable development.
The event concluded with a renewed call for young Nigerians to embrace integrity and play an active role in building a corruption-free and prosperous society.