The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has said that corruption is hampering development, and impeding progress in the Niger Delta.

As a result, it called on the youths in the region to rise against it to shape their future. The Secretary to the ICPC, Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, made the call at a workshop organised by Social Action Nigeria (SAN) tagged ‘Youth against Corruption Sensitisation and Cluster Launch of Students Anti-corruption Vanguard (SAV)’ for tertiary institutions in Delta State.

Oparaodu said: “I stand before you today with immense proud and optimism as we gather with our partners – Social Action Development Integrated Centre, the AFRICMIL and MacArthur Foundation, to affirm that the youth of this country, especially of the Niger-Delta, have indeed risen against corruption and are determined to be responsible for shaping and forming the future they desire.

“I am equally elated to stand with you all for the cluster launch of the Students Anti-Corruption Vanguard in at least 10 more tertiary institutions in the state.”

He said the theme and sub-theme of the workshop, ‘Youth Against Corruption: Mobilising for Behaviour Change, Whistleblowing and Social Development’ was a significant step torward a collective fight against corruption.

Also speaking, a whistleblower, Mr. Godwin Onyeacholem, implored the students to be bold to report any corrupt practices in their areas. He said: “We cannot completely eradicate corruption in Nigeria but we can reduce it in a substantial manner.” He said the whistle-blowing policy was to fight corruption in the country, stressing that it is the duty of citizens to report corrupt practices.

Students from Dennis Osadebey University; University of Delta, Agbor; Petroleum University, Efurun; College of Education (Technical), Asaba, among others, were present at the inauguration of the Students Anti-Corruption Vanguard.