The Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU of the Federal University of Technology Akure has been inaugurated by officials of the ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission).
In her welcome address inauguration on the 7th of May 2024., the Vice Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Timothy Amos, said "the fight against corruption is a crusade that every patriotic Nigeria should embrace. In the 1970s in particular, there were thriving government investments in the form of industries and corporations such as the Nigeria Airways, Daily Times, Nigeria National Shipping line etc. but today they have all gone under. A cursory look at the lives of all the defunct institutions points to one major problem, corruption. In quick succession, the industries that were the mainstay of our economy collapsed and we transmuted rapidly to the nation that now depends absolutely on importation to survive."
The Vice Chancellor said further, " most of the time, activities or behaviours of individuals in an organization or institution become contagious or cancerous and they inadvertently become organizational culture. Seemingly innocuous habits like late coming can cost an organization fortune if left unchecked ".
She pointed out that the issue of corruption can no longer be taken lightly. She said, "the state of our economy calls for introspection and concerted efforts to address every area where our economy has been haemorrhaging and how we are going to emplace structures that would ensure productive and responsible use of our resources. "
The Vice Chancellor commended officials of the university who were found worthy to champion what she described as a noble cause adding that there is no better time than now to welcome ACTU with open arms.
In a good will message the Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner, Ondo State, Mr. Kayode Kupolati said the event marks the commitment of the university to domesticating the anti-corruption crusade and a clear confirmation of government support for ACTU as a veritable tool in fighting corruption in public service. He said, " the ACTU was established in collaboration with the Head of Civil Service Commission to serve as an internal regulatory mechanism to undertake periodic sensitization of staff on and against corruption, procedures that can promote corruption, monitor implementation as well as carry out preliminary investigation into complaints and reports."
He said the ACTU initiative is not to undermine the authority of management but to rather to compliment it. He requested the support and backing of the management towards the success of the unit while congratulating the newly inaugurated members for being found worthy to serve in that capacity.
While giving the overview of the ACTU Standing Order, the Assistant Commissioner ICPC, Ondo State, Mr. Suleiman Achile said the ACTU serves as one of the implementation mechanisms for the prohibition and prevention of corruption in the ICPC mandate. He said the Standing Order has 27 rules which include preliminary investigation, implementation of ethics and compliance score card, integrity assessment forum, monitoring budget implementation, education and public enlightenment and reward system for role models among others.
He said with dogged commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders it was possible for Nigeria to return to the status quo of transparency and the integrity in the discharge of duties.
The highlight of the occasion was the inauguration and administration of the Oath of office by Barr. Kehinde Adetoye on members of ACTU FUTA.
The members as constituted by the Vice Chancellor include.
