ICPC Engages South East Leaders On National Ethics, Integrity Policy

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has engaged stakeholders drawn from the public and the private sectors on how to implement the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) with a view to stimulating desired behavioural change.

The national chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasonoye, spoke on the initiative at a sensitisation workshop for stakeholders on bringing about behavioural change in society using the NEIP.

Owasonoye was represented yesterday at the event by the resident anti-corruption commissioner of ICPC, Enugu and Ebonyi states, Kennedy Ebuhotemen.

He said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in August, 2020, approved the National Ethics and Integrity Policy as a response to many damaging effects of corruption on both the public and private sectors with a view to help restore and revitalise them.

He recalled that NEIP was developed by the ICPC in collaboration with the office of the secretary to the government of the federation and the National Orientation Agency to enhance Nigeria’s core values in the society.

“Using the behavioural change approach, the policy seeks to strengthen efforts at positive national transformation, saving the country from erosion of ethics and collapse of values and to help the country reach national development goals, among others.

“As part of corruption prevention mandate, ICPC through ACAN, organises training programmes to build capacity of the general public to be able to tackle corruption within their areas of operations. This is one of the sessions that aims to empower you with the required knowledge and strategies to address corruption induced social norms,” he stated.

In a remark, the country director of Global Society for Anti-Corruption, Mrs Amaka Nweke commended the ICPC for organising the workshop and described it as a step in the right direction.

Nweke said from 2018 till date, they have been working with ICPC, adding that it is the attitude of people that encourages corruption.

She therefore urged people to embrace the right attitude, stating that corruption will be tackled when people behave well.