The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) has set up an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State. News express learnt that the initiative was at the instance of authorities of the instition led by the Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu.

The anti-corruption unit, according to Prof. Onu, will tackle vices and unethical behaviours such as extortion of students by staff, undeserved award of scores after examinations, gratification, indecent dressing, political interference in the management of the polytechnic, and godfather syndrome, special requests for admission and employment, among others.

According to the Rector, “Virtually all aspects of life have an element of corruption entrenched in it and that gave rise to the establishment of an anti corruption and transparency unit in this institution, headed by a seasoned hand and backed by ICPC.

“Corruption is at the very core of the survival of the nation’s tertiary institutions. There is therefore no doubt that our ivory towers should be repositories of knowledge that has capacity to uplift knowledge that chastens vice and offers authority to virtue, instead of promoting corruption.

“Corruption is perverse to the mind; it lowers the man and his institution; it hobbles competence and hard work and destroys initiative and enterprise.

“With the establishment of ACTU and its formal inauguration in this polytechnic, the dog has been empowered to bite and we hope that corruption will, henceforth, be professionally checked in the polytechnic. We also hope that not only will the unit check corruption, but it will also advise on ways to strengthen the mechanism for preventing corruption. If we do what we are supposed to do at all time, we will not fear anything.”

Prof. Onu noted that ACTU has come to stay, assuring that the management of the polytechnic would do everything in its power to support the activities of the unit to ensure that corruption is eliminated among staff and students.

In his speech, Head of the Enugu Zonal Office of ICPC, Mr. Udonsi Arua, welcomed the take-off of the ACTU ofiice at Oko Poly. Arua, who was represented by Mr. Anselem Eze, said it was in line with the directive by the Head of Service of the Federation that an anti-corruption unit be set up in all government establishments.

News Express checks showed that ICPC has has established over 170 ACTUs in federal government ministries and agencies across the country.

•Photo shows Oko Poly Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu.