ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Mr. BELLO BAKORI (STATE COMMISSIONER) ICPC YOLA, ADAMAWA STATEPRESENTATION BY:ANAS MUHAMMED KOLOATA TWO-DAY SEMINAR ON ANTI-CORRUPTION ORGANIZED BY THE ADAMAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, MUBI.
ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
SESSION OUTLINE
IntroductionMeaning of CorruptionCauses of CorruptionCorruption in tertiary institutionForms of Corruption in tertiary institutionEffects of Corruption in tertiary institutionICPC Anti-Corruption outfitConclusion
INTRODUCTION
Corruption is everywhere, educational institution that is known for inculcating ethical values, honesty, and humanity, and help produce a useful and productive society, and where there were no parent, the teachers took all responsibilities of discipline and training because they are highly regarded and respected in the society due to their immense contribution in shaping a better society. But now the institutions has become an epicenter where all forms of social vices prevail from both part of the lecturers and the students.
CONT’D:GENERAL DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION
SECTION 6 a-f (MANDATE)Investigation and Prosecution (Enforcement; S6(a)).Prevention of Corruption through the review of lax operational systems in government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). (Prevention; S6(b-d)).Public enlightenment, education and mass mobilization against corruption. (Education; S6(e-f)).
MEANING OF CORRUPTION
Bribery, fraud & other related offences (ICPC Act, 2000)Misuse of entrusted power for private gain (Transparency International)“Abuse of office of trust for private gain”-World Bank.All those improper actions or transactions aimed at changing the normal course of events, judgments and position of trust. (Vision 2010 Committee).Wrongdoing by those in special position of trust (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia)
CONT’D
Dishonest or immoral behavior (Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary)Behavior that deviates from the formal rules of conduct governing the actions of someone in a position of public authority because of private –regarding motives such as wealth, power or status (House of Commons, London
CAUSES OF CORRUPTION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION
Lack of genuine fear of GodGreed and avariceExtensive discretionary powersDistorted societal values/Societal Pressure.Weak law enforcement systemLack of virile welfare structuresPoor remuneration.Dishonesty/Lack of IntegrityInsensitivity on the part of leadershipIndiscipline
FORMS OF CORRUPTION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION
EXAM MALPRACTICESEXUAL HARASSMENTCULTISMBRIBERYFAVOURITISMADMISSION RACKETEERINGACADEMIC DISHONESTYPLAGIARISMFREQUENT USE OF OFFICIAL TIME FOR PERSONAL PURSUITS.PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENT
Effects of Corruption in tertiary institution
Decay of morals in the societySocietal degenerationpoor standard in our educational system.Dilapidated InfrastructureUnemployment/ UnderemploymentLack of Foreign Direct InvestmentLoss of confidence in the educational systemPoor EconomyPoor Output in workforceImmoralityPoverty & Disease
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGIES FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ICPC
The major components of our strategies:The conduct of systems in Ministries andParastatals: The ICPC examines the practices, systems and procedures of public organizations and the exercise exposes corruption-prone areas. Recommendations are then made for the review and reversal of such practices. The Commission has been able to effect reviews of tainted procedures and practices in some of these organizations, thus plugging loopholes and reducing corrupt practices.Establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs): ICPC establishes Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies as its outposts. The establishment of ACTUs was mandated by the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The units are composed of staff of the host organizations that have been screened by the Commission for integrity. They serve as the eyes and ears of the ICPC in their organizations and as members of staff, they in a good position to identify corruption-prone areas in their administrative systems.
CONT’D
ACTUs are established to perform the following duties:To receive and investigate any report or any conspiracy to commit or commission of corruptionTo report all alleged cases of corrupt practices to the Commission wit copies sent to the Minister, Permanent Secretary or Executive Officer of an organization as the case may be, except where the Chief Executive Officer is involved.To report cases involving Minister, Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive Officer of the Organization to ICPC, and not to the management of the organizationTo examine the practices, systems and procedures of their organizations where such practices, systems and procedures facilitate fraud and corruption, to submit the detailed report with recommendations to the Head of the Organization with copies to the ICPC.To educate officials of their respective organization on and against bribery, corruption and related offences by organizing seminars, lectures, distribution of anti-corruption handbills, posters, stickers etc.The Commission attaches its personnel to these Units as Desk Officers for coordination and first-hand report on issues raised. The Units are also to render periodic reports to the Commission on their activities. So far 412 of these Units exist and are doing very well.
CONT’D
To provide all concerned Nigerians who are willing to be part of the crusade against corruption with enabling structures and platforms , the ICPC has initiated the followingprogrammes:the National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) is aprogrammedesigned to take anti-corruption and integrity issues into the public domain and promote voluntary participation of very honest and credible Nigerians who are pained by corruption and are willing to participate in all legitimate efforts to control it. Interested individuals are required to fill forms (obtainable at all ICPC Offices) to register their interest, after which they would be recognized officially as members of the NAVC by the ICPC.
CONT’D
The Commission has also established a coalition of Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) tagged National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) which brings together all NGOs who want to focus on the fight against corruption. To be a member of coalition, an NGO would have to obtain a form from any of the ICPC offices, fill and return it to the Commission with relevant documents attached. The Commission would vet and verify all the claims made by an NGO in the form before admitting it into the coalition. The goal of the Coalition is to brainstorm on how best to fight corruption, to give NGOs a sense of direction for the fight and collectively source funding for anti-corruption projects andprogrammes.
CONT’D
Formation of Anti-Corruption Clubs: In an effort to catch Nigerian youths in their early years, the ICPC inaugurates Anti-Corruption clubs to get youths enlightened and involved in the anti-corruption crusade. So far the Commission has inaugurated anti-corruption clubs at schools invariuosstates and the FCT. There are plans to cover the entire country with the clubs.NYSC/ICPC Anti-Corruption Community Development Service: Thisprogrammewas inaugurated in September 2002. It involves the delivery of Anti-Corruption lectures at NYSC orientation camps throughout the country during each camping season. The effort has led to the formation of NYSC Anti-corruption Community Development (CD) groups among NYSC members during the service.
CONT’D
Formation of Anti-Corruption Vanguards: the Commission has also taken this initiative into tertiary institutions. Anti-CORRUPTION Vanguards are inaugurated in the institutions of higher learning to ensure that students get involved in and enlightened on the anti-corruption war.The National Values Curriculum: The National Values Curriculum (NVC) is aimed at inculcating sound moral values and national consciousness in Nigeria Youth right from their formative years. The Commission, with technical assistance of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) had developed and infused elements of the NVC into school subjects.
CONT’D
Core values such as honesty, discipline, patriotism etc have now been integrated into subjects such as Social Studies, English Language, Business Studies, Islamic Religious Studies, and Christian Religious Studies at Basic educational Level while these elements are embedded at Post-Basic Education Level. The NVC project will ensure that the Nigerian child is exposed continually to moral values throughout his educational career in the hope that the anti-corruption consciousness becomes ingrained. The harvest of the long-term project will be reaped in the crop of citizens that would emerge to work in the different segments of the economy and lead the country in the future.
CONCLUSION
Our institutions need urgent government intervention for adequate funding and censorship. The society and parents on their part have a role to play by providing all necessary assistance to the lecturers, and the lecturers too need to be upright and also have the fear of God in carrying out their duties as they contribute immensely to the future of a society and nation building.
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