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Youths are change agents of anti-corruption war – ICPC boss
The Chairman Independent and Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), says youths are agents of change the nation desperately needs in the fight against corruption.
Aliyu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of 30 Students Anti-Corruption Clubs (SACs) from public and private secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory.
The chairman, who called on the youth to be the vanguard against corruption, stressed the need for collective commitment to combating corruption from its very roots, starting with the students.
“The youth of Nigeria hold a unique position in society – you witness firsthand the various corrupt practices occurring within our schools.
“From teachers demanding bribes or sexual gratification for higher grades to the embezzlement of school funds, as well as absenteeism from classes.
“These acts of corruption erode the foundation of our educational system. You have a role to play to stop corruption so that you are not merely observers or victims.
“You can act as whistle blowers, reporting instances of corruption to relevant authorities and to ICPC,” he said.
According to him, by speaking out the wrong doings, they will become catalysts for change, accountability and transparency in the school system.
“You are the agents of change we desperately need in our fight against corruption. Your voices, your actions and your determination can transform Nigerian schools into beacons of integrity, innovation, and excellence,” he added.
The ICPC chairman said that the establishment of the students anti-corruption clubs was to signify the need for collective action in combating corruption from the roots, starting with the future leaders.
“The few of you here are the leaders of the clubs in your schools and as leaders, it is imperative that you lead by example.
“You must strive to cultivate ethical and moral values, rejecting the allure of corruption,” he said.
Aliyu explained that the purpose of the anti-corruption clubs was to combat the insidious plague of corruption as individuals and community.
He expressed concern that corruption had eaten very deep into the very fabrics of the nation, and has become impossible to ignore.
“We must acknowledge the fact that Nigerian schools are not immune to the stain of corruption.
“It has infiltrated our classrooms, marred our examinations, and tarnished the reputation of our educational system.
“The present fake certificate scandal rocking institutions is evidence of how bad the rot has eaten deep into our system,” Aliyu added.
The chairman, therefore, said that the fight against corruption was a collective responsibility which must be shared by all.
Aliyu said that the clubs were meant to serve as platforms for the students to learn about the causes and consequences of corruption, engage in discussions and debates, and develop innovative strategies to combat the menace.
“The clubs are a part of our efforts at entrenching positive behavioral change in schools; through the clubs, we empower our students to be agents of change, to challenge the status quo and demand accountability from those in authority,” he said.
A Deputy Director, FCT Department of Science and Technology and Innovation, Mrs Yacim Bako, said that the fight against corruption was a battle that must be won.
“If you are corrupted, you have devalued yourself, hence you need to stay in the path of honour. You can achieve great success without being corrupt,” she said.
The Head of Clubs and Society, FCT Secondary Education Board, Mr Itam Nneoyi, appreciated the partnership with the ICPC to instill anti-corruption values in the students.
Nneoyi said that the partnership was already yielding results as some students were already distinguishing themselves in carrying out anticorruption activities in theirs schools.
Also, Mr Okor Odey, the Deputy Director, Education Division, Public Enlightenment and Education Department, ICPC, urged the students to stay away from all forms of corrupt practices.
Odey in a presentation titled, “The place in ICPC of Youths in the fight against Corruption in Nigeria,” said corruption include all forms of anomalies, such as truancy, examination malpractice, lateness to school, bullying, jumping fence, and laziness among others.
“To be a member of anti-corruption club, you must not cheat, not join a bad group, must study to pass in flying colours, and you should be a good example to others,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Director, Public Enlightenment and Education Department of ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, said that the establishment of the clubs was part of the commission’s efforts to fight corruption from the grassroots.
Ogugua said that the clubs would serve as platforms for students to learn about the causes and consequences of corruption (NAN)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which includes the removal of Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari and Chairman Pius Akinyelure, along with all other board members appointed in November 2023.
In an announcement, the President introduced an 11-member restructured board, appointing Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new GCEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as the Non-Executive Chairman. These changes are effective immediately, as stated by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
Emphasizing the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC,” President Tinubu exercised his authority under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to implement this significant reorganization.
The newly formed board comprises Adedapo Segun, who continues as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), alongside six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: Bello Rabiu (North West), Yusuf Usman (North East), Babs Omotowa (North Central), Austin Avuru (South-South), David Ige (South West), and Henry Obih (South East). Additionally, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Aminu Said Ahmed, representing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, will serve on the board.
The President has charged the new board with conducting a strategic review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture assets to optimize value. This includes increasing crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 and 3 million bpd by 2030, boosting gas production to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion by 2030, and expanding NNPC’s refining capacity to 200,000 bpd by 2027 and 500,000 bpd by 2030. The administration also aims to attract $30 billion in oil investments by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030, building on the $17 billion secured in 2024.
Ahmadu Musa Kida, the new Chairman, is a Borno-born engineer and former Deputy Managing Director of Total Nigeria. He also has a background in basketball, having served as the ex-president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF). Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the newly appointed GCEO, hails from Kwara State and was previously the Executive Vice President of Renaissance Africa Energy, where he led a $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell’s Nigerian assets. He brings extensive experience from Elf and Shell, having worked across Europe and the Middle East.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing board for their contributions, particularly their efforts in reviving the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which have resumed production after years of dormancy. Analysts view this leadership change as part of Tinubu’s broader reforms in the oil sector, following last year’s removal of fuel subsidies and the promotion of private refinery investments. With the new team established, there are high expectations for enhanced transparency, efficiency, and profitability within Nigeria’s state oil enterprise.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The minority caucus in the house of representatives has condemned the killing of 16 Kano-bound hunters in Edo state.
On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi area of Edo killed 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Elele, Rivers state.
The travellers were attacked and lynched after some vigilance group members raised the alarm on suspicion that they were kidnappers.
The Edo state government said 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing would be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
During a visit to some of the families of the victims at Bankure LGA in Kano, Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, assured that justice would be served.
In a statement issued on Monday, the minority caucus described the killing of the hunters as “barbaric”.
“We find such brutal killings of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible, and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of the federal government, such actions could threaten the peace and unity of the country,” the statement reads.
The lawmakers asked Nigerians never to resort to jungle attacks on fellow citizens but to always report any concerns to security agencies.
“We are a nation under the rule of laws, and our law enforcement agencies are always available to partner with every Nigerian to assuage their concerns,” the caucus said.
While noting that the incident is “already setting emotions on edge” in parts of the country, the legislators urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the security agencies investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Also, adequate compensation should be paid to the affected families,” the caucus said.
The lawmakers implored Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding and allow the federal and state governments to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
The statement was signed by Kingsley Chinda, minority leader; Ali Isa, minority whip; and Aliyu Madaki, deputy minority leader.