KANO (North-West, Nigeria) The Chairman, Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) Saidu Yahaya has called on youths to detest corruption and social vices.
Yahaya made the call during a two-day public sensitisation campaign against corruption organised by the Commission with support from Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and MacArthur Foundation, for youths in Kano.
He said corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to development, hence, the need for the youths to make a conscious decision to reject all forms of corruption.
According to him, if the society tolerates corruption or social vices it becomes difficult to address but where it is detested, it will have no place to thrive.
“Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to development. It deprives citizens of opportunities, weakens institutions, erodes public trust, and undermines social and economic progress.
“Beyond financial misconduct, corruption manifests through examination malpractice, cybercrime, abuse of trust, dishonesty, favouritism and other forms of unethical conduct that threaten the future of our society.
“As a young people, you must therefore make a conscious decision to reject all forms of corruption and social vices.
“The fight against corruption cannot be left to government institutions alone. It requires the active participation of enlightened and responsible citizens.”
He said through the programme, the commission seeks to equip them with the knowledge, values and motivation necessary to become advocates of integrity and champions of accountability within their respective communities and spheres of influence.
The anti-graft Chairman commended the Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf administration for its commitment to good governance, transparency, accountability and youth development.
He said the administration has continued to provide the enabling environment for the commission to organise impactful programmes.
In her paper presentation, the commission’s Head of Training unit, Hafsat Aliyu-Khalil said the event was to ensure social behavioral change among the youths.
She urged the youths to become more willing to report corrupt practices, utilise official reporting mechanisms, promote accountability and transparency initiatives within communities as well as encourage ethical conduct among their peers and institutions.
She emphasised the need to expose and prevent corrupt practices, saying it helps to protect public resources, prevent future misconduct and improves service delivery among others.
============ END ============