The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on Nigerians to stop glamourising sudden and unexplained wealth. Instead, the commission urged citizens to cultivate a culture of questioning the sources of such wealth. This appeal was made by Mr Kupolati Kayode, who represented the ICPC chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, at the Verbatim Annual Ethics and Integrity Awards/Dinner in Abuja.
The ICPC chairman emphasized that integrity must be entrenched in society as a way of life. He noted that integrity was essential to national development, institutional strength, and economic prosperity. Dr Aliyu warned that corruption undermined development and public confidence in institutions. The ICPC's anti-corruption efforts, he said, extend beyond prosecution to public education and the promotion of ethical conduct.
The event, themed “The Power of Integrity in National Development: Strengthening Public Institutions, Restoring Trust and Driving Prosperity,” recognised 100 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) for compliance with ethics and integrity standards. The awards were based on the ICPC’s 2025 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard. Mr Tobs Agbaegbu, Publisher of Verbatim News Magazine, said the awards aimed to encourage transparency, accountability, integrity, and effective service delivery in public institutions.
Prof Iyorwuese Hagher, a former Minister of State for Power and Steel, also spoke at the event. He called for an end to the practice of celebrating people with unexplained wealth. Hagher stressed that the fight against corruption required more than laws, investigations, and prosecutions. He emphasized the need to rebuild the nation’s conscience and make integrity a shared moral responsibility.
Hagher described corruption as “violence committed through paperwork,” noting that the diversion of public funds deprives citizens of essential services such as healthcare, education, and roads. He urged society not to honour individuals who allegedly acquired wealth through questionable means. According to him, generosity cannot erase injustice, and a society that allows stolen wealth to buy respect teaches young people that corruption is a legitimate path to success.
The ICPC and other speakers at the event emphasized the importance of promoting integrity and ethical values. They urged the media, religious institutions, and parents to play a role in promoting integrity. Mr Kayode urged Nigerians to contribute to the fight against corruption by obeying the law, speaking the truth, and demanding accountability from public officials.
The promotion of integrity would ensure that public contracts were awarded based on competence rather than personal connections. This, according to Dr Aliyu, would improve efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business. The ICPC's efforts to promote integrity and curb corruption aim to restore public trust in institutions and drive national development.
Key points
- ICPC chairman urges Nigerians to stop glamourising unexplained wealth
- 100 MDAs recognised for compliance with ethics and integrity standards
- Promoting integrity essential to national development and public trust
