Agency, NANS sign MOU to check corrupt practices in higher institutions

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to check corrupt practices in higher institutions.

A statement signed by Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, the commission's spokesperson, on Thursday in Abuja, listed the corrupt practices to include indiscipline, examination malpractice, extortion and sexual harassment, among others.

She said that the MOU would also encourage students and teachers to engage ICPC through its training arm, the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) in research on corruption and related matters.

The commission’s Secretary, Mr. Elvis Oglafa, was quoted in the statement as saying that the commission was "looking at a bigger picture where institutions of higher learning can achieve 100 per cent discipline and zero tolerance for corruption’’.

Oglafa, the statement added, stated that over the years, NANS had not provided any platform which could enable its members to report corrupt practices within the educational system.

"But with the signing of the MOU, a new door has been opened for the reporting of such vices.’’

He expressed optimism that since Nigerian students had demonstrated willingness to confront corruption, a new vista which had just been set, would cleanse the system of the debris of corruption in institutions.

"NANS President, Mr Tijani Usman, commended ICPC for the initiative and affirmed that Nigerian students were willing to fight corruption because they were always at the receiving end of its adverse effects.

"The MOU was signed on behalf of ICPC by the Secretary to the Commission and Usman, the head of the students’ delegation, on behalf of Nigerian students,’’ Okoduwa said in the statement.