Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Prof. Zana Akpagu has cried out that some members of staff were forging his signature and collecting money from the public to get them fake jobs.
The VC, who spoke at the inauguration of the student wing of the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), codenamed Students’ Anticorruption Vanguard (SAV), said some members of staff were being investigated for the offence
He added that the institution was also investigating persons involved in certificate and admission racketeering, and if culpable, would be dismissed.
Prof. Akpagu, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari, said the university is the first to introduce anti-corruption as a course of study.
The don lamented the desire of some Nigerians to do things wrongly and embezzle public fund as the main problems against the development of the country.
He said: “We are here today as partners and not enemies of the ICPC. Our commitment to the anti-corruption war of the present administration is total, and we have demonstrated this by becoming the first university in Nigeria to establish Anti-Corruption Study as a course. We may not have achieved our set goals yet, but it is a right step in the right direction. In Nigeria it may be new, but we want to catch them young by teaching the younger generation the danger of corruption.
“The problem of this country is doing things the wrong way and embezzlement of public funds by some privileged individuals. If you travel out of this country and return, you will cry for the country because when you see that money meant for the development of the country ends up in some people’s pockets, you weep. Some individuals in this country are richer than a state. So, for us, the creation of this student wing of the ICPC is a well thought initiative.”
Chairman of ICPC Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who was represented by the board’s Commissioner in charge of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Sola Shodipo, lamented that corruption was everywhere, including tertiary institutions, hence the need to involve stakeholders in education to combat the menace.
He added that SAV was one of the initiatives of the anti-corruption agency intended to directly involve students in the fight against corruption.
Shodipo hailed Prof. Akpagu and his management team for the collaboration and the strides recorded in ensuring that corruption is defeated in the University.
Coordinator of SAV Prof. Lulu Uwatt urged the ICPC, the school management and volunteers to watch each other’s back, have sincerity and unity of purpose, and work relentlessly towards sanitising the university community.
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