ICPC tasks Federal Polytechnic, Ukana on corruption
The Resident Commissioner, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Shola Shodipo has charged Federal Polytechnic, Ukana to fight corruption to a standstill with a zero tolerance approach.
The ICPC Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Shola Shodipo made this statement during an ICPC Sensitization Programme held at the Annex Campus of the Polytechnic.
He submitted that the commission needed the Presence of Anti Corruption And Transparency Unit in every institutions for fair representation, hence the ICPC can not be everywhere at the same time.
He noted that the ICPC is the overall umbrella that fights corruption in Nigeria, and it’s mandate is to enforce law by investigating and prosecuting defaulters, Prevent corruption by setting up structures that conduct system studies to identify corruption prone areas, and to offer Public Enlightenment which involves sensitizing the public , which is the more reason they are here in Federal Polytechnic, Ukana.
Mr Shodipo said the ICPC Sentization Programme is to remediate lapses observed in the system and to combat corruption from the grassroots. ” Our aim is to fight corruption in institutions to a stand still and that is why we have initiated the ICPC Students Anti-Corruption Vanguard, (SAV) in a bid to ensure and sustain the policy of active youth participation in the crusade against corruption in tertiary institutions across the country”. He added.
Earlier, The Rector Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Dr. Uduak S Ukekep who was represented by the Deputy Rector Mr. Elijah E. Etuk in his opening remark, stated that the initiative of ACTU is a huge step in the right direction. He stressed that the fight against corruption is expedient and as such should not be taken for granted.
He applauded the steps taken by the ICPC Commissioner and ACTU Federal Polytechnic, Ukana chapter to ensuring that the institution is devoid of corrupt practices by hosting a sensitization programme.
” With a sensitization programme of this magnitude, fighting corruption to a stand still is will be less difficult and of course you know that it begins with you” he said.
Speaking in the event, the Chairperson of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit Federal Polytechnic, Ukana Chapter, Dr. Mrs Mercy Ebong while addressing Staff and Students of the Polytechnic , said ” Corruption is a household name in Nigeria that has eaten deep into the system and caused great havoc but with the adoption of zero tolerance policy against it, we will protect our Polytechnic against the devastating effect of corrupt practises”.
” ACTU is here to work for the Success of Federal Polytechnic, Ukana and by adhering to their mandate, you are supporting ACTU to fight corruption not only in the Institution but in Nigeria”. She added.
The high point of the event was the presentation of the the ACTU Rules and Regulations Guidelines from the RACC Mr. Shola Shodipo to Dr. Mrs Mercy Ebong which was followed by various paper presentations from members of the ACTU Federal Polytechnic, Ukana on key topics associated with Corruption.
In a vote of thanks, Mr Micheal Akpan, who is a member of the ACTU, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana Chapter, thanked the Rector for embracing the idea of ACTU in the institution to prohibit and prescribe punishment for corrupt practices . He also charge everyone to shun corruption and support the fight to reduce it to the bearest minimum in Nigeria .
Also in attendance were the Registrar Dr. Okon J. Ekanem, the Polytechnic Bursar , Mr. Mark Titus Binwal, Memebrs of the ACTU Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Chapter amongs others.
