Children’s Day: ICPC, Ministry of Education Propose Debate for Schools in Osun State
Ahead of the May 27th celebration of this year’s Children’s Day, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Osun State Ministry of Education are mulling the idea of organising a Debate competition for secondary schools in the state as part of moves to engaging them in the anti-corruption campaign.
The idea for the debate was arrived at when the ICPC’s Osun State Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Mr. Demola Bakare, fsi led the Commission’s delegation on a courtesy call to the Permanent Secretary of the State’s Ministry of Education recently.
Mr. Bakare explained that ICPC believes in engaging the youths in the anti-corruption campaign, and as a result, the proposed Debate would be an avenue for youths in the state, particularly those in secondary schools, to contribute their quota to the campaign.
He further said that the visit was informed by the need to enhance more collaboration between the Commission and the Ministry in order to promote the formation of more Students’ Anti-Corruption Clubs (SACs).
The RACC explained that the planned Debate competition would be for schools with existing SACs, adding that there were also plans to organise a Quiz competition in commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day coming up on 9th December later this year.
In his response, the Permanent Secretary and the acting Commissioner of Education, Mr. Adelani Aderinola, expressed his willingness to partner with the Commission to give adequate support to ICPC’s Schools Outreach programmes and to the campaign against corruption in general.
Shun Corruption, ICPC Tells School Principals
As part of efforts aimed at boosting the anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Osun State office has urged principals of secondary schools in the state to eschew all forms of corrupt practices.
The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) in the state, Mr. Demola Bakare, gave the advice at a one-day conference organised by Osun State Principals of Public Secondary Schools under the aegis of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).
Mr. Bakare explained that the school system is the number one stakeholder in the fight against corruption and noted that ICPC was not just a law enforcement agency, but a change agent that sensitises the society through various platforms focusing more on behavioral change.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of ANCOPSS, Mr. Emmanuel A Ijaodola, commended ICPC for their efforts in the campaign against corruption.
He urged the principals to shun all forms of corrupt practices that can indict and jeopardise their career, while advising them to be exemplary leaders and nation builders.
The Permanent Secretary and the acting Commissioner of Education, Mr. Adelani Adeniriola in his address informed the principals that the government intends to engage in staff audit which involved checking of credentials and image capturing.
He further laid emphasis on regularity and punctuality, clean environment and unauthorised exorbitant levies.
