By Nkechi Eze
The Katsina State Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has intensified calls for collective vigilance in the fight against corruption, declaring that integrity must begin with citizens and institutions alike.
The renewed commitment was highlighted during a weekly public enlightenment programme on Vision FM Katsina titled “Babbar Magana,” where the Commission reiterated its readiness to deepen collaboration with government bodies, non-governmental organisations and community groups to curb graft and related offences.
In an official signed statement, the Commission’s Spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, disclosed that the Katsina office emphasised the importance of synergy in reducing corruption to the barest minimum, describing the anti-graft campaign as a shared civic responsibility that requires active citizen participation.
Speaking on behalf of the Katsina Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Mr. Samuel S. Lodam, Assistant Director in the ICPC Media and Public Communication Unit, Sani Tarauni Tukur, reaffirmed the Commission’s steadfast resolve to tackle corruption across both public and private sectors.
He noted that as one of Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption agencies, the ICPC continues to champion transparency, institutional integrity and responsible management of public resources as essential pillars for national development.
Mr. Lodam underscored the Commission’s comprehensive and proactive strategy in addressing corruption, describing it as a defining feature of Nigeria’s broader anti-corruption architecture. He highlighted sustained engagements with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) aimed at embedding integrity-driven practices within institutions and grassroots communities.
Central to these efforts, he said, are initiatives such as the National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) and the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in government MDAs. Both mechanisms, he explained, are designed to institutionalise ethical conduct, promote accountability and strengthen civic responsibility in public service.
Addressing concerns about investigative procedures, Mr. Lodam assured the public that all corruption allegations received by the Commission are subjected to thorough, impartial and professional scrutiny. He stressed that cases are handled with fairness and objectivity, in line with established legal frameworks.
“We in the ICPC stand as a pillar of Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture,” Mr. Lodam stated. “We are working assiduously to restore public trust in governance and ensure that national resources are utilised for the collective good. Our efforts are geared towards reclaiming Nigeria’s standing within the comity of nations through transparency, accountability, and institutional rebirth.”
The session also took time to celebrate Nigeria’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, a development attributed to sustained reforms and strategic leadership within the country’s anti-corruption and financial integrity institutions, including the ICPC under the chairmanship of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.
Participants on the programme reflected on prevailing public perceptions about corruption and explored practical pathways for building a united national front against graft.
