Students urged to champion accountability, campaign against  corruption in Anambra

Lawrence Nwimo, Awka 

Students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Anambra State, have been urged to take lead in championing accountability and campaigning against corruption in the society.

The CSO Media Accountability and Anti-corruption Initiative (CMAAI), a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and Media practitioners made the call during a sensitization campaign to the institution, last weekend.

Ikengaonline gathered that the campaign is part of the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) Phase II component three programme targeted at eradicating corruption and promoting good governance in the society.The programme is supported by the European Union and the International Institute  for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA) in Nigeria.

Addressing student leaders, the team lead, Ugochi Freeman, emphasized that students, as future leaders, have a critical role to play in promoting accountability and fighting against corruption in the country. 

She urged them to take advantage of their positions as students to demand transparency and accountability from their leaders.

“Corruption is a cancer that has eaten deep into the fabric of our society, and it requires a collective effort to eradicate it,” she said. 

“As students, you have a critical role to play in this fight, and I urge you to take the lead in championing accountability and campaigning against corruption.”

Ugochi further tasked the students to live examplary life that is devoid of corruption, noting that a good name is far better than wealth.

“Being heads of your departments, faculty and university entirely is a testing ground for you at your own level. 

“As leaders, you represent a community of students in this school. Endeavour to ask yourself how well you have led or represented the students. There must be deliberate efforts to represent their interests and not yours. 

“Corruption is becoming rampant among youths. We have come here knowing that we all have roles to play to change the narrative. We implore you to play your own role and be effective in it,” Ugochi added.

Mr. Emmanuel Egenti from the Office of the Auditor-General, Local Government, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the dangers of corruption and its far-reaching consequences. He emphasized the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of life, particularly among the students. 

According to Mr. Egenti, corruption is a menace that undermines the very fabric of society, leading to poverty, inequality, and social injustice. He admonished them to be vigilant and resist any temptation to engage in corrupt practices. He also encouraged them to uphold the values of honesty, hard work, and integrity, and to become ambassadors of anti-corruption in their respective communities.

Earlier, Kelechi Oduebo, an anti-corruption advocate, urged students to ensure they always make conscious choices to avoid engaging in corrupt practices, such as bribery, cheating, and fraud. 

“You can start by being mindful of your actions and decisions, and by promoting a culture of transparency and accountability within your institutions,” he said.

Responding, President of the Student Union Government, SUG, Comrade  Josephat Ezehiri, commended the group for choosing the institution for their sensitization, and assured that the students will key into the accountability demands and fights against corruption in the society.

He also pledged to establish a special anti-corruption club to help achieve the goal of a corrupt-free university and society.