Sola POPOOLA
In its renewed efforts toward deepening the anti corruption war at the grassroots ,the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has set up Students’ Anti-corruption Clubs(SACs) in some secondary schools in Ekiti .
Tagged: “Inculcating Positive Values in the Youths Using Anti-corruption Clubs: The ICPC Perspective.”, the initiative is mearnt to inculcate in the students value oriented skills so as to actively contribute positively to the society as agents of change.
The programme was organised by the anti- graft agency ,in collaboration with the Ekiti State Ministry of Education ,where students-vanguards were inducted in 30 Schools across the three senatorial zones in the State.
Speaking at the event ,the acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Clifford Oparaodu, said “the formation of the club is a strategic move in the fight against corruption.
Oparaodu, represented by Ondo State Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner, Kayode Kupolati disclosed that the commission whose mission is to achieve lawful enforcement and preventive measures has also launched about 2000 anti-corruption clubs in various schools in the federation.
“In its efforts to prevent corruption, the ICPC followed up the formation of clubs by introducing National Values Curriculum (NVC) in conjunction with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
“Its 12 core values has been infused into subjects like English Language, Religious Studies, Civic Education as it’s currently been taught in schools. The commission also initiated the National Ethics and Integrity Policy(NEIP) launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020.” He added.
He added that the three projects are fully being implemented with the view to changing the attitude of Nigerians in preventing corruption.
Kupolati also commended the Ekiti State Government for its partnership in tackling corruption from the grassroot by educating the students on the need to imbibe positive values at their formative age (catch them young) as contained in the constitution so as to “assume positions of responsibility, zero tolerance for corruption and other social vices.”
Kupolati thereby appealed to all key stakeholders to support the commission in implementing the three core values so as to prevent corruption in the nation at large.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Adebimpe Aderiye stated that the launching of the club in various schools will promote the fight against corruption as it will go a long way in changing the narrative in the international community.
The Commissioner, represented by the tutor general, Ekiti central,
Amele Victor Oludiran, commended ICPC for organising the program, adding that he hoped the students would benefit and educate their colleagues.
The Director of the National Orientation Agency, (NOA) in Ekiti State, Adeyemi Akintola emphasized on value reorientation as established in the constitution, urging students to be morally conscious and be agents of change in the society.
In his inaugural lecture, the Head of Public Enlightenment and Education Unit, ICPC Ondo State Office, Suleiman Achile on the topic, “Inculcating Positive Values in the Youths Using Anti-corruption Clubs: The ICPC Perspective,” hammered on the need to practise integrity, discipline, dignity of labour, religious tolerance, social justice and self reliance as it will help them in every sphere of life.
Achile stated that ICPC has reduced impunity and hoped that the menace will be mitigated with the establishment of the club.
The representative of the ICPC Chairman, Ekiti State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and Head of Legal Unit, ICPC Ondo State Office, Barrister Kehinde Adetoye tasked the students to uphold virtue of integrity, honesty and character as they took their oath of allegiance.