The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has inaugurated the anti-corruption clubs in 40 secondary schools in Niger.

The official oath of office was administered by Mohammed Usman-Yau, a lawyer, on Wednesday in paiko, Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the event, Chukwurah Alexander, the resident anti-corruption commission, Niger Office, said the formation of anti-corruption clubs by ICPC in secondary schools was a very important strategy in the fight against corruption.

According to him, it gives the commission the opportunity to engage the youths in the fight against corruption by inculcating in them sound moral values.

He explained that between 2003 and now, ICPC has inaugurated no fewer than 3,000 anti-corruption clubs in both public and private secondary schools across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.

Mr Alexander explained that corruption goes beyond pecuniary issues such as giving or collecting bribes.

“Section 2 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 defines corruption to include bribery, fraud, and other related offences.

“Any action that smacks of lack of integrity can qualify as other related offences and can be punished under the ICPC Act 2000 or any other law that seeks to prevent corruption,

“For instance exam malpractices, sex for marks, award of contract to cronies without following due process etc,

“Corruption is a dream killer, It kills the dream of the youth and prevents them from becoming what they aspire for in future”, he explained.

He said one of the surest way of preventing corruption was by building institutional capacity and reinvigorating its positive values.

In her welcome address, the commissioner for basic and secondary education,  Hadiza Mohammed, commended the ICPC for the initiative.

She enjoined all participants to partake actively in the anti-corruption crusade for the nation to move forward.

The commissioner who was represented by Hassan Mohamed, director, schools and education services assured of the ministry’s readiness to partner with ICPC to curb the menace of corruption in the state.

(NAN