By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Sokoto
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), has said Nigeria cannot achieve lasting peace unless corruption is decisively tackled.
Aliyu made the remark on Tuesday while addressing members of the Students’ Anti-Corruption Club at Yahaya Abdulkarim Girls Day Secondary School in Sokoto.
He said the anti-corruption fight must extend beyond arrests, investigations and prosecutions to addressing the structural and behavioural factors that encourage corruption.
According to him, building an honest society begins with raising children on the values of integrity, discipline and punctuality, describing them as the country’s future leaders.
“We need to tackle both structural and behavioural problems in our fight against corruption. Therefore, we must start with our children by teaching them honesty, discipline and punctuality because they are the future leaders of this country,” he said.
Aliyu urged teachers to lead by example by instilling good morals in their students and encouraging them to speak out against wrongdoing.
“Children easily emulate what we do. We must teach them to report what is wrong and always demonstrate good conduct,” he said.
He also advised students to shun examination malpractice, work hard and aspire to leadership, noting that the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, is an alumnus of the school.
Sharing his personal experience, the ICPC chairman said humble beginnings should not discourage young people from pursuing their dreams.
“I am not from a rich family, but I became a lawyer, served as an Attorney General and now I am the Chairman of the ICPC. There is no limit to what you can achieve if you study hard and respect your teachers and elders,” he said.
In her response, the school’s Principal, Murjanatu Muhammad, thanked the ICPC chairman for choosing the school for his first official visit and pledged that the management would continue to promote integrity and good character among its students.
