Anambra State Targets Students in Anti-Corruption Drive
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The Anambra State Anti-Corruption Strategy (ANSACS) Secretariat has launched an outreach program to mobilize young people against corruption, taking its anti-graft campaign to schools in the state capital territory.
The sensitization campaign, held in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Civil Society/Media Accountability and Anti-Corruption Initiative (CMAAI), targeted students at Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana (NASSA); Model Secondary School, Awka; and Anambra State Polytechnic (ANSPOLY), Mgbakwu.
The campaign was themed “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” and aimed to educate students on the dangers of corruption and promote a culture of transparency and accountability. The initiative is part of the state’s efforts to involve young people in the fight against corruption and ensure a corruption-free society.
Lilian Oguchi of ANSACS highlighted everyday corrupt practices among students, including stealing, cheating, and gangsterism, emphasizing the importance of integrity and good behavior. “Stealing from classmates is corruption. Sleeping during classes is corruption. More importantly, going into examination halls with strange materials is corruption,” she said, urging students to take their studies seriously and avoid corrupt practices.
Oguchi further emphasized the need for students to be of good behavior, saying, “You’re not here for gangsterism. Get serious with your studies so that you can excel. You must be of good behaviour.”
Rosemary Okeke defined corruption as the abuse of power for personal gain, warning students against actions that undermine integrity. “Principals giving admission to those who don’t merit it for personal gain is corruption. Writing exams for another person is corruption. Covering your friends who have done wrong is corruption,” she said, advising students to avoid getting rich quickly and to shun cybercrime.
ICPC’s Shaibu Inalegwu stressed the collective responsibility to combat corruption, saying, “Corruption hurts. Doing the right thing all the time is one way to overcome it. Nigeria, Anambra, and Njikoka will be good for us if we all work together to combat corruption.”
Ugochi Freeman of CMAAI condemned the preference for special exam centers, describing it as corruption, and urged students to uphold truth and accountability. “Not giving your parents their correct balance after running errands is corruption,” she said, emphasizing the importance of accountability in all aspects of life.
The campaign ended with the establishment of anti-corruption clubs in the institutions, with students pledging to promote transparency and integrity. The event was supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme.
Students displayed placards bearing messages such as “Empowering citizens helps to fight corruption,” “Say no to corruption, yes to transparency,” and “Unite against corruption, build a better future.” The initiative aims to engage young people in the fight against corruption and shape a more transparent and accountable society.
The outreach program is expected to continue in other schools across the state, with ANSACS and its partners committed to promoting a culture of integrity and accountability among young people.
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