The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says there is need to instill discipline and moral values in schools to tackle the menace of corruption in the society.
Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman, ICPC, made the call on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation session with schools’ anti-corruption clubs stakeholders within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Aliyu was represented by Mr Clifford Oparaodu, Secretary, ICPC.
The theme of the event is “Enhancing Stakeholders’ Engagement in School Anti-corruption Initiatives.”
Aliyu expressed concern that the rate at which corruption had crept into the fabric of the nation was alarming and must not be left unchecked.
“There is no doubt that the cankerworm of corruption has crept into every nook and cranny of our daily lives including our basic educational institutions where the foundation for becoming a loyal citizen is being laid.
“From the physical to the social infrastructure we’ve witnessed evidences of corrupt practices within our classrooms and the overall educational system.
“From parents to teachers to students and other stakeholders this menace has gradually crept in to this very crucial segment that if left unchecked the future certainly becomes bleak.’’
He explained that the commission had introduced Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs Initiative in its bid to help instill discipline, integrity and sound moral values at the basic and post basic educational institutions.
“As critical stakeholders and custodians of this very noble initiative the Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs, it becomes imperative to scrutinise our strategies and appraise our performance in a bid to raise the bar and tackle this menace to a standstill.”
While commending the efforts of all stakeholders in driving the noble initiative to the fore, he said that there was still room for improvement.
He urged them to dedicate more time for Anti-Corruption Clubs in their schools wherein Club Advisers and ICPC officers would properly educate students on the ills of corruption and how to tame it in their school environment and beyond.
According to him, it is pertinent for principals, supervisors, and directors of relevant ministries/boards or regulatory bodies to work together and not dissipate energies too wide.
He urged the stakeholders to synergise in sustaining behavioural change drive among the young ones.
“All anti-corruption and integrity issues in our domain should be handled under the umbrella of a single Schools Anti-Corruption Club to avoid duplication and/or multiplicity of function,” he said.
The Executive Secretary Universal Basic Education, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, stressed the importance of all stakeholders to dedicate more time to educate the students on the ills of corruption and how to tame it in school’s environment and beyond.
“There is need to rejuvenate the teaching the moral value in the society; when we are all growing up, we were part of the community, and community was responsible for ensuring that community members behave responsibly,” he said.
Secretary Secondary Education Board FCT, Mohammed Ladan, also noted that corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of the nation; hence a major obstacle to growth and development as a country.
According to him, corruption has penetrated into the Socio – economic and political system in such areas as cheating, embezzlement, Favoritism, bribery, sexual exploitation and nepotism etc.
“It is worthy of note that corruption impedes the role of the education sector in supporting personal development; therefore, as it is said in our local parlance–let us kill corruption or corruption will kill us.
“The time has come for all of us especially the heads of schools and the club patrons and patronesses to join hands together to stop it.
“We must employ all necessary machinery and eschew all forms of corrupt tendencies as we take responsibility and strive to serve as role models of anti – corruption and integrity in all facets of our lives as we live above board,” he said.
Other stakeholders, who spoke at the event, included representatives of Step up Nigeria Oluwaferanmi Iyanda, who urged the parents to join forces with teachers in instilling discipline in students.
Iyanda said that collective effort was required to build future leaders and restore the eroded value system in the society.
Also, Peace Ozegbe from Connected Development (CODE), urged more sensitisation programmes on fighting against corruption in the grassroots.
