By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, has established an Anti Corruption and Transparent Unit, ACTU, to curb corrupt practices and related offences in the institution.
The project, an initiave of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is said to be the institution’s ethics and anti-corruption instrument, designed to function as an autonomous outfit.
Also, the ACTU is said to be a functional linkage to help in fighting corruotion and eliminate sharp practices in the Polytechnic.
Speaking at the inauguration of the anti corruption outfit, the Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owosanoye, who was represented by the Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner for Osun State, Mr. Baba Alero Shuaib, commended the acting Rector of the Polytechnic; Dr. Olarongbe Afolabi, and his management team, for establishing the unit in the institution.
Stressing that the anti-corruption unit in the school would serve as an added impetus to the efforts of the ICPC in promoting and entrenching the anti-corruption crusade among students, and by implication, the larger society, Professor Owosanoye solicited for further full support and backing by the management for the success of the unit through the provision of enabling environment to make it carry out its functions effectively.
Professor Owosanoye however sounded a note of warning to the ACTU officials in the Polytechnic, cautioning them to avoid using their offices as a tool to witchhunt, or victimise other staff of the institution.
Also, the Chief Superintendent of ICPC in Osun State; Mr. A.O Lawal, who was present at the occasion, said that the ACTU derives its powers from the provisions of Section 6(a-f) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The Act, he further disclosed, empowers the unit to carry out all the functions of the ICPC except prosecuting corrupt practices suspects in court.
In his remarks, the acting Rector; Dr. Afolabi, expressed his admiration and personal deep appreciation of the ICPC officials for their tremendous efforts towards eradicating corruption in Nigeria.
The Rector expressed the readiness of the Polytechnic’s management to fully work with the unit to ensure accountability and transparency in the system, promising full supports towards the smooth running of the anti-corruption outfit.
