Chinedum Treasure
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), and the National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Anambra State Directorate have agreed to collaborate in the fight against corruption, sexual abuse, and other unethical practices in Nigeria.
The agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by the State Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Mr. Dio Emmanuel, and his management team to the State Director of NOA, Barr. Lady Ifeoma Chijioke, in her office in Awka.
Speaking during the visit, Emmanuel said the ICPC Act empowers the Commission to investigate and prosecute persons and groups involved in corruption.
He described corruption as “endemic” and stressed that the Commission’s mandate extends beyond investigation, arrest, and prosecution to include the promotion of national core values and integrity.
“We are here to engage NOA in the ongoing fight against corruption, sexual abuse, and other vices in the country.
“I believe this strong collaboration will go a long way in encouraging Nigerians to do the right thing and make the country a better place for all,” he said.
While identifying public education and enlightenment as critical to sensitizing citizens on the dangers of corruption, the ICPC boss assured his agency’s commitment to extending its activities to remote areas of the state with support of NOA officials across the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.
Receiving the team, Barr. Lady Chijioke welcomed the partnership, describing ICPC as a body NOA is eager to work with, noting that its mandate aligns with NOA’s people-oriented programmes.
“We are fully committed to this synergy. That is why I invited my management team to be part of this important visit to better understand the functions of the Commission,” she said.
The State Director highlighted NOA’s mandate and disclosed that the Agency has launched several programmes for Nigerian youths, particularly against drug abuse, sexual abuse, narcotics and other social vices.
She noted that NOA has established “Integrity Clubs” in schools across the state.
Chijioke who regretted societal failure, especially with regards to the Nigerian child, also condemned the high rate of examination malpractice, citing the practice of students in tertiary institutions seeking to “sort” their lecturers for high grades.
Also speaking, Head of Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC Anambra, Mr. Inalegwu Shaibu, said the Commission’s work covers all sectors, pointing out that the Commission is focused on instilling culture of integrity in a large percentage of Nigerians.
He disclosed that the Commission has taken civic education and national values campaigns to institutions across the country, with emphasis on primary schools “to catch them young.”
He added that an Anti-Corruption Club has been inaugurated by the Commission in the NYSC Orientation Camp in the state and beyond.
“We have also gone to markets and discovered the sale of adulterated palm oil and groundnut oil. However, we believe that investigation and prosecution alone cannot succeed without proper public sensitization,” he added.
Also speaking, Deputy Director, Civic, Value and Democracy Education, NOA Awka, Mr. Remigius Obi described the visit as a long-awaited opportunity.
He lamented that many leaders Nigerians look up to as role models are not living up to expectations.
He said the collaboration would enable ICPC officials to access difficult terrains in the state for investigation, arrest, and prosecution where necessary.
Also, the NOA Desk Officer for Youth Engagement and Inclusion, Mr. Ignatius Obiorah, identified institutional corruption among leaders as a major concern and cited the diversion of constituency projects by members of the National Assembly as example.
He appealed to ICPC to share reports of tracked constituency projects with NOA to enable the Agency to create awareness and ensure that the communities take ownership for timely and proper execution of the projects by contractors.
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