ICPC Adopts New Weapon To Raise Nigeria’s Most Honest Generation

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has adopted storytelling as a new strategy to instil integrity and ethical values in young Nigerians, taking its anti-corruption campaign directly into classrooms.

The initiative was unveiled during the inauguration of a Students’ Anti-Corruption Club at Comprehensive Secondary School, Emekuku, in Imo State, where the Commission said the fight against corruption must begin with shaping the values of future leaders.

Leading the session, Assistant Chief Superintendent of the ICPC, Mr. Onakpoberuo Onoriode Victor, engaged students with a story titled The Honesty Pencil, which centred on a pupil who returned a pencil found during an examination despite having the opportunity to keep it.

The story reinforced the message that integrity means “doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”

The lesson struck a chord with the students, many of whom introduced themselves with the prefix “Honest” during the interactive feedback session, reflecting the impact of the exercise.

The Commission also urged the students to develop clear career plans, stressing that “any goal without a plan is merely a wish.”
According to the facilitators, purposeful planning promotes discipline, discourages time-wasting and helps young people make responsible life choices, while careers built on integrity contribute to community development.

Members of the newly inaugurated Students’ Anti-Corruption Club were encouraged to organise anti-corruption awareness campaigns within the school, obey school authorities, value time and serve as role models of honesty in their homes, schools and communities.

The event culminated in an oath-taking ceremony during which the students pledged to uphold the values of integrity, accountability, transparency and ethical conduct as ambassadors of the ICPC’s anti-corruption campaign.

In her vote of thanks, the Club Adviser, Mrs. Pauline Ojowundu, commended the Commission for the initiative and assured the team of the school’s commitment to sustaining the club’s activities.

The inauguration is part of the ICPC’s broader effort to promote integrity in the education sector through school-based programmes, including storytelling and behavioural change initiatives designed to nurture a generation that rejects corruption from an early age.