The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to uphold objectivity, diligence and the highest ethical standards in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, gave the charge during the inauguration and induction of 11 members of the NYSC ACTU at the Scheme’s National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, Aliyu described the inauguration as an important milestone in strengthening internal accountability, promoting ethical conduct and institutionalising anti-corruption practices within the NYSC.
He stressed that the ACTU was established as a complementary structure to work with NYSC Management, rather than compete with it or interfere in administrative matters.
According to him, the establishment of ACTUs across Ministries, Departments and Agencies is part of broader efforts to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms within the public service.
The ICPC Chairman commended the NYSC for its contributions to national integration, discipline, patriotism and the promotion of leadership values among Nigerian youths.
He noted that the scale of NYSC operations made transparency, accountability and strong internal controls essential to maintaining public confidence and safeguarding public resources.
Aliyu urged the newly inducted members to contribute meaningfully to strengthening the Scheme’s integrity framework and ensuring that effective anti-corruption measures were implemented.
He specifically tasked the ACTU with organising sensitisation and training programmes to promote anti-corruption awareness and ethical conduct among NYSC staff, as well as monitoring budget implementation and relevant operational activities to enhance transparency and accountability.
The ICPC Chairman also called on NYSC Management to provide the necessary support for the effective functioning of the Unit in line with extant government guidelines.
He urged the 11 members to discharge their duties with utmost confidentiality, diligence and professionalism.
Speaking at the event, NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to accountability, integrity and zero tolerance for corruption.
Nafiu, who was represented by the Director, Legal Services, Barrister Chris Ogar, described the fight against corruption as a collective responsibility and commended the ACTU for its role in promoting ethical conduct and identifying areas vulnerable to corrupt practices.
He charged the members to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, courage, impartiality and strict adherence to extant rules and regulations.
The NYSC DG further urged them to lead by example, promote compliance and proactively block loopholes that could encourage unethical practices.
