By 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 social vices.
The agreement was reached when the State Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Mr. Dio Emmanuel, and his management team paid a courtesy visit to the State Director of NOA, Barr. Lady Ifeoma Chijioke, in Awka.
Emmanuel said the ICPC Act empowers the Commission to investigate and prosecute persons involved in corruption, stressing that its mandate also includes promoting integrity and national core values.
He described corruption as endemic and said public enlightenment remained critical to winning the fight.
“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,” he said.
He added that the Commission would extend its anti-corruption campaigns to remote communities across the state’s 21 Local Government Areas with the support of NOA.
Responding, Chijioke welcomed the partnership, saying the mandate of both agencies was people-oriented.
She disclosed that NOA had introduced programmes targeting youths, including campaigns against drug abuse, sexual abuse and other social vices.
She also revealed that the agency had established Integrity Clubs in schools across the state, while condemning examination malpractice and the practice of students offering money to lecturers in exchange for grades.
Head of Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC Anambra, Mr. Inalegwu Shaibu, said the Commission was taking civic education and national values campaigns to institutions, particularly primary schools, to “catch them young.”
He said anti-corruption clubs had also been established, including one at the NYSC Orientation Camp in the state.
Shaibu noted that ICPC had uncovered the sale of adulterated palm and groundnut oil in some markets, stressing that investigation and prosecution must be complemented by sustained public sensitisation.
Deputy Director, Civic, Value and Democracy Education, NOA Awka, Mr. Remigius Obi, said the partnership would strengthen public enlightenment and enable ICPC to reach difficult terrains in the state when necessary.
NOA Desk Officer for Youth Engagement and Inclusion, Mr. Ignatius Obiorah, urged ICPC to share reports on tracked constituency projects with the agency to enable communities to monitor their execution and ensure that contractors deliver them properly.
Tags: ICPC, NOA, Anambra, Corruption, Sexual Abuse
