The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has inaugurated Integrity Ambassadors Clubs at the Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, and Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, in a bid to strengthen transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in institutions across Ibarapa Zone.
Speaking at the separate inauguration ceremonies held on Tuesday at the two institutions, the Executive Secretary of OYACA, Dr. Folasade Ajibade, said the initiative was designed to identify future leaders early and instil in them the values of integrity, transparency and accountability from the grassroots.
Dr. Ajibade recalled that OYACA was inaugurated by Governor Seyi Makinde in December 2020 with the mandate to combat corruption and strengthen ethical standards across the state, adding that the agency has been in full operation since April 2021.
According to her, the Agency has deliberately extended its enlightenment campaigns to tertiary institutions where future leaders are trained, because youths are not just leaders of tomorrow but catalysts for change today.
“The youth are the leaders of tomorrow, they are the decision makers of the near future who will shape the nation’s destiny. When we consider the passion, creativity and determination of young people worldwide, we will discover that they are not just leaders of tomorrow but catalysts for change today,” she said.
She explained that the Integrity Ambassadors initiative was conceived to serve as an anti-corruption vanguard in tertiary institutions across Oyo State, engaging students in anti-corruption programmes and preparing them for a future founded on integrity, transparency and accountability.
Dr. Ajibade charged the newly inaugurated ambassadors to uphold integrity by maintaining clean academic records and demonstrating honesty in their daily lives.
She urged them to promote integrity by championing anti-corruption values among their peers through sensitisation campaigns, debates and essay competitions.
Dr. Ajibade also encouraged them to report any act of corruption observed within or outside their campuses to any branch office of OYACA.
She described corruption as the abuse of a position of trust for personal gain, identifying various forms of corruption to include demanding or accepting gratification in the performance of official duties, inappropriate use of political power, and demand for sexual gratification.
She also listed nepotism, misappropriation of public funds, and the non-performance or improper performance of contracts awarded by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The Executive Secretary assured that OYACA will continue to support the ambassadors with training, materials and mentorship, urging all stakeholders to join efforts to make Oyo State, as the pacesetter state, a corruption-free society and a reference point for transparency and accountability in Nigeria.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Acting Provost of the College of Education, Lanlate, Dr. Olamide Lamidi, appreciated OYACA for choosing the institution for the programme. He described the inauguration as timely and in line with the core values of the college, which is built on character and learning.
Dr. Lamidi pledged the management’s full support to sustain the club.
He charged the ambassadors to be good role models and to let their conduct reflect the integrity they preach.
Similarly, the Deputy Rector of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, Dr. Akinsanya Oke, who represented the Rector, commended OYACA for extending the campaign to the Polytechnic.
Dr. Oke noted that the Polytechnic has put measures in place to promote transparency and discipline among staff and students. He assured that the management will give the Integrity Ambassadors Club the necessary institutional backing to thrive and urged the students to take the responsibility seriously as future leaders.
The events climaxed with the formal inauguration of the OYACA Integrity Ambassadors, College of Education, Lanlate Chapter and Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa Chapter, with presentation of badges and oath of integrity by the members.
In attendance at the event were the Management staff of OYACA; Director of Finance and account Mr Tajudeen Azeez, Director Administration and Supplies Mr Wasiu Alimi, and the Chief Legal Officer Mrs Eto-Abasi Olayanju among others.
