The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has urged newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service to place public interest above personal or sectional considerations in the discharge of their official responsibilities.
According to an official signed statement by J. Okor Odey, Head, Media and Public Communications ICPC, Dr. Aliyu gave the charge during an induction training programme for four newly appointed Permanent Secretaries held at the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Conference Hall within the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja.
The ICPC Chairman said unwavering commitment to the public good is essential for promoting transparency, accountability and good governance across the public service.
Delivering a paper titled “Avoiding Corruption Pitfalls: Adherence to Anti-Corruption Principles,” Dr. Aliyu described corruption as a global challenge driven by greed, weakened integrity, poor accountability mechanisms and ineffective institutional oversight.
He outlined the mandates of Nigeria’s three major anti-corruption agencies, explaining that the Code of Conduct Bureau is responsible for promoting ethical conduct and enforcing asset declaration compliance among public officers, while the ICPC is mandated to prevent, investigate and prosecute systemic corruption within the public sector in addition to its public enlightenment responsibilities.
He added that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) focuses on investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes across all sectors of the economy.
Drawing attention to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Dr. Aliyu noted that the convention places a binding obligation on member states to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of office, emphasizing that Nigeria’s ICPC Act 2000 provides a comprehensive legal framework for combating corruption.
The ICPC Chairman described Permanent Secretaries as the engine room of government, explaining that while ministers formulate policies, Permanent Secretaries are responsible for translating government policies into tangible results for citizens.
He reminded the newly appointed accounting officers that they are entrusted with managing public resources and must demonstrate the highest standards of diligence, integrity and accountability.
According to him, corruption extends beyond bribery to include abuse of office, conflict of interest, contract inflation, ghost worker schemes, nepotism and other unethical practices that undermine public confidence in government.
Dr. Aliyu urged the Permanent Secretaries to strengthen internal control systems within their ministries, protect whistleblowers from victimisation and ensure strict compliance with due process in all official transactions.
He also encouraged them to consistently place public interest above personal or sectional interests in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
Representing the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Dr. Danjuma Usman Kalba, commended the ICPC Chairman for his sustained commitment to Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.
He also praised the Commission’s proactive efforts at ensuring Ministries, Departments and Agencies comply with due process, describing the initiatives as critical to strengthening accountability and restoring public confidence in governance.
The induction programme featured four newly appointed Permanent Secretaries: Mrs. Bekearedo Augustina Waren, Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Dr. Kamil Ayinde Shoretire, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Mrs. Nkiruka Bella Jones-Nebo, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; and Mr. Sani Yargaya Aminu, Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The training formed part of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s ongoing efforts to equip newly appointed Permanent Secretaries with the leadership, ethical and administrative skills required to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery across the Federal Civil Service.
