IBUKUN KING-OKUNEYE
In an effort to prevent corrupt practices in the society, the Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has established students’ anti corruption clubs across schools in Osun.
The project is designed to sensitize young Nigerians on the evils of corruption in the society
While collaborating with the Osun State government, they inaugurated the anti- corruption club in 68 public and private schools in the state.
The Osun Commissioner for Education, Folorunso Oladoyin described corruption as an evil that hinders speedy development in the society
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Adelani Aderinola, stated that there was nothing to benefit in getting involved in corrupt practices.
He also said that it can deny the student quality education.
While advising the students against corrupt practices, Oladoyin said that the essence of the club is to sensitise the nation, starting from schools.
Professor Bola Owosanoye, the ICPC Chairman, represented by Osun State Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Babalaro Shu’aib, added that corruption is beyond pecuniary issues.
“Section 2 of the Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Act, 2000 defines corruption as anything that include fraud, gratification and other related offences and any act that snacks of lack of integrity can qualify as other related offence and can be punished under the ICPC act 2000 and any other law that seeks to prevent corruption,” he said.
He explained that while identifying building institutional capacity and reinvigorating positive values among youths as one of the surest ways to prevent corruption in the society, he noted that preventing it at an early stage is always the best.
He said youths anywhere in the world are the backbone of national development because they possess energy, talent and valour, which if properly galvanised and channeled could lead to positive national transformation, growth and development.
Prof. Owasanoye highlighted that, “the Commission has been able to rejuvenate the nation’s positive values, followed up on the formation of clubs with the introduction of the National Values Curriculum (NVC) in conjunction with the Nigeria Education Research and development council (NERDC).”
