By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
Members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI), Akure, have been called upon to work in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to promote a corrupt free organisation in the society.
The ICPC Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye, made the call on Sunday in Akure, the Ondo state capital at the end of a 3-day mandatory training for Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) Members which was organised by the Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI), Akure in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Owasanoye who was represented by Olayinka Ayegbayo said the members of the ACTUs have a big role to play through their mandate in achieving a sanitised system and workplace.
While requesting for the continuous support and backing of the Chief Executive to the Units in achieving success within the institute, Owasanoye, therefore, said the commission shall continue seek their support and assistance in tackling corruption in the state.
According to him, this capacity building would further give them the requisite knowledge required in winning the fight against corruption in their respective MDAs.
In his welcome speech on ‘Corruption Curbing and Reporting,’ the Managing- Director, Engineering Materials Development Institute (EMDI), Akure, Samuel Olusunle said, “The fight against corruption is a battle for the different souls of our countries and it is one that we must win. Since independence, our continent has suffered consequences of corruption and it is imperative that we take steps to reverse the trend.”
Olusunle, who spoke through the Head of Human Resources of the institute, Faosat Yusuf said the training was an opportunity to help curb and build a system that focuses on preventing corruption and also to strengthen ACTU EMDI Unit to discharge their duties more efficiently.
He also said the training would serve as an impetus to all EMDI staff in avoiding corrupt practices in the society.
Speaking in the same vein, Gbenga Akinbobola, the ACTU Chairman said this is the right time to rise up against corruption noting that the entire work system in Nigeria has collapsed.
Akinbobola, however, said there is need to urgently rise and correct the wrong in fighting against the corruption in the country.
He said, “We all know that Nigerians pray, but prayer alone cannot do it, it requires our collective efforts in doing the right thing. God will not come down to do it for us, but He has put it in Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s mind to establish these anti-corruption bodies, which he has done.”