ICPC inaugurates anti-corruption and transparency unit at FUTA

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has inaugurated the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, the chairman of the agency, represented by Mr. Olayinka Ayegbayo administered the oath of office on the FUTA ACTU members led by its chairman, Professor Babatunde Ajayi.

Presenting a paper entitled ‘Anti-Corruption Fight in the University System, the role of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU)’ after the inauguration, Professor Owasanoye defined corruption as the abuse of or misuse of office or position of trust for personal or group benefit, or the exploitation of the system to obtain unmerited benefits.

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Citing a 2018 study by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on corruption in Nigeria, he said public higher institutions are also not immune from the bug of corruption.

He, therefore, said it is apt to rise up in unison and proffer solutions in dealing with the aberration bedeviling the university system.

According to him, the corruption in the universities and elsewhere is not limited to financial or material corruption alone but other practices such as sexual harassment, unfair allocation of grades, favouritism among staff, nepotism, plagiarism, certificate scandals, examination malpractices, admission irregularities and racketeering, and discrimination in allocation of staff quarters.

Owasanoye said the aim of establishing anti-corruption fight in the university system and the role of the ACTU are part of the ICPC’s preventive mandate, and it arose from a synergy between the commission and the Federal Government.

He explained that the anti-corruption and transparency unit in each public organisation and public higher institution would operate as an autonomous outfit and have a direct link with the office of the chief executive of the respective establishments.

Speaking earlier, the vice chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape, represented by the deputy vice chancellor (Academics), Professor Rufus Ogunsemi, reiterated that the present management at FUTA had been constantly creating awareness on the need for entrenchment of moral and ethical values, both at the personal and institutional levels.

Fuwape said to complement the activities of ACTU and achieve optimum compliance to rules and regulations, FUTA has developed a range of instruments ensuring that government’s efforts in combating all forms of corrupt practices are well entrenched.