The Provost of Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Dr Adetayo
Ajayi has opined that Corruption erodes the moral fabric of society
and has a long-term negative impact on future generations, therefore
every well meaning Nigerians must fight the hydra headed monster
Dr Ajayi made the remark at the inauguration of Anticorruption and
Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) of the Institution held at the
Kunle Filani Lecture theater, FCE, Abeokuta..
The Provost who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Provost
of the College, Dr Ayo Soyede stressed that corruption lies in the
heart of the underperformance of public sector organizations in many
developing countries and has contributed in making the continent more backward..
He said the gathering was particularly to sensitise members of staff
of the FCE on anti-corruption and transparency in line with the
present administration’s crusade.
According to him, it is imperative that the Institution partners and
collaborate with ICPC through the ACTU in combating corruption.
“The government’s crusade of national rebirth and social regeneration
was necessitated by the need to urgently correct the damage done to
the image of the Country
“Fortunately, this administration has successfully diagnosed the bane
and has provided the required legal frame work to combat corruption at
all levels in many tertiary institutions.
Also speaking the ICPC Commissioner in Charge of Oyo and Ogun States,
Stephen Bimor condemned Tertiary Institutions that are yet to have its
Anti Corruption and Transparency Unit in their Institutions saying
that the ICPC will soon come hard on them.
He said ACTU remains a very good watch dog saying that the Unity is
established to with the “Aim of bringing about a new social economic
and political order, as it has been established that one of the most
difficult things to change is culture,’’
According to him, it is also important for the psyche of members of
staff to be dealt with through advocacy and awareness creation
programme.
He urged the staff to always be mindful of the danger that corruption
poses to the development of the country.
Earlier, Mr Abdulrahman Ibrahim, the Chairman, ACTU said the present
administration was making a lot of effort to fight corruption.
“The passage and establishment of Corrupt Practices and Other Related
Offenses Act by previous regimes underscores the seriousness of
government in the fight against corruption in the educational sector
and the country.
“Mr President is not relenting in his efforts because he sees
corruption as a virus that threatens the very fabric of our society.
“It is endangering the present and future of the staff and our
children. It must therefore be of concern to every individual,
institutions,’’ he said.
Speaking on the Theme “The Effects of Corruption on Economic
Educational Development and Moral values in Nigeria a need for moral
rejuvenations, the Vice Chancelloor of Lead City University, Ibadan,
Professor Kabir Adeyemi said the use of internal mechanisms to fight
corruption in the Universities and other educational institutions
remains a potent weapon which the government should explore..
He argued that “Institutions of government should be strengthened by
allowing them more powers to deal with corruption at their own levels
instead of making their officials mere figure heads who must take
instruction from the School authorities”.
He advised that ACTU should be used to “ nipping corruption in the
bud rather than accumulating it and waiting for the intervention of
the ICPC when things get out of hand
0 Comments