The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged Nigerian secondary school students to be proactive and advocate for good governance to combat corruption in the country.
This charge was given by Mr. Demola Bakare, the Acting Director of the Public Enlightenment and Education Department at ICPC, who was the keynote speaker at the Junior Chambers International (JCI) Secondary School Debate held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr. Bakare emphasized the detrimental effects of corruption on mental health, noting that it leads to frustration, anger, resentment, depression, and low self-esteem, especially among peers due to the lack of an enabling environment.
The Spokesperson of the Commission who urged students to be active participants in the fight against corruption by rejecting, resisting, and reporting cases of corruption stressed the need for the students to use social media to prompt action and to engage in the political process by registering to vote and supporting the right candidates.
Mr. Bakare while stressing the importance of taking proper measures to punish corrupt individuals rather than rewarding them and admonished students not to succumb to peer pressure, which can lead to corrupt behavior asked the students to “Stay positive always; remember that we are a reflection of our past decisions,”
Also present at the event was JCI ASO President, JCIN Ambassador Yetunde Adebisi, who highlighted the importance of the student’s role in eradicating corruption as future leaders.
Ambassador Adebisi charged the students to view the debate not just as an intellectual exercise but as a catalyst for action, emphasizing that citizen participation was crucial in the fight against corruption.
According to her, “A truly effective fight against corruption cannot rest solely on the shoulders of government institutions; each of us bears a responsibility,”.
After the event, Mr. Bakare was presented with an appreciation award by JCI in recognition of his involvement in the event.
