. Promote other ethical values to improve social development
As part of the efforts to stem the tide of corruption in Nigerian society, parents and guardians have been encouraged to instill in their wards and children, ethical values that will help them shun graft such as integrity and empathy.
A Non-Governmental Organization, Step-Up Nigeria, gave the admonition at an event to celebrate its fifth anniversary.
The event aimed at celebrating five years of empowering youths, igniting change and inspiring integrity, charged parents and individuals to exhibit right values.
The forum, which was used to preach against corruption and the need to tackle it at all levels, as well as canvass improvement of social development had parents, pupils and representatives of Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC) in attendance.
Speaking Thursday at the report launch in Abuja, the spokesperson of ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, urged stakeholders and individuals present to continue playing their parts in sensitizing the general public on the cost of corruption. She added that wherever corruption occurs, the citizens are the victims, which in turn, affects the youth and the environment at large.
She reiterated the need for students to be properly guided and cared for to avoid untoward behavior, stressing that the youth are learning and there are a lot of potentials to look inward for.
Earlier while welcoming participants, the Programme Director, Step-Up Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Asimi, stated that the objective of the organization was to reach out to marginalized communities, young people and people with disabilities. It also aimed to educate and enlighten students and children on the dangers of corruption as well as empower them with technical skills on how to tackle corruption generally.
He added that the event presented an opportunity to utilize technology to shed light on the issues that plague the society. According to Asimi, “Step-Up Nigeria aims to continue using story-telling to bridge the gap between the government and citizens of the country.”
He further disclosed that the organization would be strengthening its actions on anti-corruption education as according to him, the focus of anti-corruption crusade over the years has been on the enforcement and sanctions approach.
He noted that there were story books for little children that will help them inculcate and imbibe the virtues of anti-corruption. “We think that is also very important as we have generally suffered the effect of corruption in this country”, he stated.
