ICPC graduates 246 newly recruited officers from NSCDC training academy

By Matthew Eloyi

After a rigorous six-weeks course, a total of 246 officers newly recruited by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have graduated from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC) training academy

The Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, who was the Reviewing Officer at the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the new officers, which held at the NSCDC training academy in Suaka, Abuja, said that the coming onboard of the new staff would bridge the human capacity gap being faced by the Commission.

Owasanoye stated that the recruitment of the 246 staff, comprising senior and junior cadres, out of over 400,000 applicants, would enable the Commission to tackle the problem of corruption that had been bedeviling Nigeria.

Addressing the new officers, the ICPC boss said: “Consider yourself lucky to have been selected by the Commission out of the over 400,000 that applied for the job.

“Your conduct must be above board because the ICPC mandate demands it. Integrity and discipline are essential character traits you must have to excel in your career.

“You must make integrity and honesty your watchword.”

Owasanoye also informed them that as the country is battling the menace of corruption posed by illicit financial flows, internet fraud, and grand corruption among others, they are expected to shun all acts of corruption, warning that defiant staff would be shown the way out of the Commission.

In his words, “You have the herculean task of ridding Nigeria of the menace of corruption. This board and management have zero tolerance for corruption, indiscipline, and other forms of official malfeasance. You must strive to always live above board. Any act of disloyalty to the Commission will not be tolerated and the person will be shown the way out.”

Also speaking, the Commandant-General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, said the new staff had been rigorously trained and equipped to function as anti-corruption officers.

Audi, who was represented at the POP by Deputy Commandant Nnamdi Nwenyi, added that the training had churned out well cultured, disciplined, and loyal staff for ICPC.

The camp commandant, Mr. Wellington Nkemadu, speaking to the ICPC Media crew after the event, gave the assurance that the new staff would perform any task assigned to them having undergone six-week rigorous military and technical training.

He added that the senior cadre would be moved immediately to the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the training arm of ICPC for another six-week training focusing on technical and core mandates of the Commission, while the junior cadre will remain in Suaka for another two weeks.