… As ICPC Inaugurates Anti-Corruption Unit, Tasks Members on Objectivity
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has described the fight against corruption as a collective responsibility, urging members of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to uphold integrity, impartiality and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, stated this during the inauguration and induction of 11 members of the Scheme’s ACTU at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
Nafiu, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services, Barrister Chris Ogar, reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to accountability, integrity and zero tolerance for corrupt practices.
He commended the ACTU for its role in creating awareness on ethical conduct and identifying areas vulnerable to corruption within public institutions.
“As you assume this responsibility, I urge you to discharge your duties with integrity, courage, impartiality and strict adherence to extant rules and regulations,” the DG said.
He urged the newly inducted members to lead by example and demonstrate the values they were expected to promote among staff.
“Be proactive in promoting compliance and blocking loopholes that will encourage unethical practices,” Nafiu added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, charged members of the NYSC ACTU to be diligent, objective and guided by the highest ethical standards.
Aliyu, who was represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, described the inauguration as an important milestone that would strengthen internal accountability, promote ethical conduct and institutionalise anti-corruption practices within the NYSC.
He explained that ACTU was established as a complementary structure to work with the NYSC Management and was not intended to compete with or interfere in the administrative functions of the organisation.
According to him, the establishment of ACTUs across Ministries, Departments and Agencies is part of efforts to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms within the public service.
The ICPC chairman commended the NYSC for its contributions to national integration, discipline, patriotism and leadership development among Nigerian youths.
“The scale of NYSC operations makes transparency, accountability and strong internal controls essential to maintaining public confidence and safeguarding public resources,” he said.
Aliyu noted that the ACTU was expected to contribute meaningfully to strengthening the NYSC’s integrity framework and ensuring that effective anti-corruption measures were implemented.
He urged the unit to organise regular sensitisation and training programmes to promote anti-corruption awareness and ethical conduct among staff.
He also listed monitoring of budget implementation and relevant operational activities among the responsibilities of the ACTU, stressing that such efforts would promote transparency and accountability.
The ICPC chairman called on NYSC Management to provide the necessary support for the effective functioning of the unit in accordance with existing government guidelines.
He advised the 11 newly inaugurated members to discharge their responsibilities with confidentiality, diligence and professionalism, stressing that their conduct would be critical to strengthening public confidence in the Scheme.
