Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has said that youths in tertiary institutions in Nigeria are starved of ethical and cultural values.
The anti-corruption chairman disclosed this on Wednesday at the debate ceremony in Abuja for students across various Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Owasanoye, represented by Goni Ali Gujba, an ICPC board member, stated that for corruption to be reduced, all young Nigerians would imbibe the virtues of honesty, patriotism, and integrity.
According to him, the debate is designed to spur consciousness for a better Nigeria.
He urged tertiary institutions to infuse into their curriculum lessons that would encourage good morals.
He said: “Permit me to observe at this juncture that the deficiencies of our society are magnified by the fact that the youths in our educational institutions are starved of the appropriate ethical and cultural values necessary to become good citizens.
“I, therefore, implore you, the teachers, to take advantage of critical behavioural change initiatives of the commission, such as the National Ethics and Integrity Policy and the National Values Curriculum, as well as the student clubs and vanguard platforms, to add moral values to the precious lives in your care.
“This debate is a mental exercise to broaden horizons and sharpen the mind. As students, you should use this opportunity to learn new things and make new friends.”
