Thelma Osatohanmwen
In a proactive step against corruption, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in conjunction with the Ekiti State Ministry of Education has inaugurated students anti-corruption clubs (SACs) in 30 secondary schools across the State.
The inauguration, themed “Inculcating Positive Values in the Youths Using Anti-corruption Clubs: The ICPC Perspective,” took place on Wednesday at the conference hall of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology in Ado-Ekiti.
In his keynote address, the acting chairman of the commission, Clifford Oparaodu, represented by the Ondo State Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner, Kayode Kupolati highlighted the strategic importance of forming anti-corruption clubs in schools to instill value-oriented skills in students.
The aim, according to him, “is to empower them to become positive contributors to society and agents of change in the ongoing fight against corruption.”
Kupolati hammered that the ICPC has established over 2000 anti-corruption clubs nationwide.
“In Ekiti State, the current goal is to officially inaugurate 30 such clubs in private and public secondary schools. The commission introduced the National Values Curriculum (NVC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). This curriculum incorporates 12 core values into subjects like English Language, Religious Studies, and Civic Education.
Furthermore, the ICPC has implemented the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP), launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, as part of its anti-corruption initiatives. The three projects—formation of anti-corruption clubs, NVC integration, and NEIP implementation are essential components of the commission’s strategy to prevent corruption by fostering attitudinal changes among Nigerians.” He added
Kupolati commended the Ekiti State Government for actively collaborating in the fight against corruption by educating students on the importance of embracing positive values from a young age.
He thereby urged all key stakeholders to support the ICPC in implementing the core values to prevent corruption on a national scale.
The inaugural lecture, delivered by the Head of Public Enlightenment and Education Unit, ICPC Ondo State Office, Suleiman Achile emphasized the roles of Anti-corruption Club members as executives and ambassadors.
Achile underscored the significance of practising integrity, discipline, dignity of labour, religious tolerance, social justice, and self-reliance in shaping a better society.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Adebimpe Aderiye, represented by the tutor general, Ekiti central, Amele Oludiran, expressed optimism that the establishment of anti-corruption clubs in schools would significantly contribute to changing the corruption narrative globally.
He lauded ICPC for initiating the program and hoped that students would benefit and extend the club’s influence to other schools in the state.
During the induction ceremony led by the Head of the Legal Unit, ICPC Ondo State Office, Barrister Kehinde Adetoye urged the students to uphold virtues of integrity, honesty, and character, reinforcing the importance of the principles in their educational journey and beyond.