THE National Universities Commission
(NUC) has sought stronger regulatory
powers, in order to effectively stamp out
corruption in the Nigerian university
system.
Executive Secretary of the commission,
Professor Julius Okojie, spoke in Abuja,
during a seminar jointly organised by the
NUC and the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other related Commission
(ICPC) on anti- corruption.
Okojie, who was represented by his
deputy, Professor Chiedu Mafiana, also
warned that the commission would not
hesitate to withdraw licenses of any
university found wanting of any corrupt
practices.
He described corruption as an unethical
practice and a global phenomenon which
erodes trust and confidence citizens have
in one another and in the government.
He said as a regulatory body, the NUC
was a frontrunner in the anti- corruption
war in the Nigerian university.
“In 2012, the commission withdrew seven
licenses of some universities in Nigeria,
being a process of sanitising the Nigeria
university system.
“The commission will not hesistate to
withdraw more if any is found wanting in
area of quality”
“Strengthening the powers establishing
the commission would enable us stamp
out corruption in the Nigeria university
system and with what we are doing with
the ICPC, we will not hesistate to
withdraw license of any erring institution.
“Closure of illegal universities, proper
licensing of private universities, inspection
and monitoring visits to both public and
private universities are major activities
the commission does with the ICPC to
promote compliance with set standards,”
he said.
Okojie added that the war against
corruption could only be won with
attitudinal change among public officers.
He called for sensitisation of the labour
force in Nigeria, thereby exposing them to
the consequences of corruption.
“As a matter of fact, every citizen must
make personal decision to choose to do
the right thing, no matter what others are
doing,” okojie said.
Chairman ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta, stressed the
need for conserted efforts from all
stakeholders to reduce corruption in
Nigeria.
Mr Ekpo called on the workforce to be
more committed in the fight against
corruption, urging the NUC management
to offer reward for good performance.

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Story for the gods.

Demon casting out demon...