The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in their operations.
This is contained in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, by the ICPC Spokesperson, Mr Okor Odey.
Odey quoted the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) for Borno and Yobe States, Mr Linus Gubbi, as given the charge in Maiduguri, while speaking at a sensitisation lecture and interactive session, held at the Customs Command Headquarters in Maiduguri.
Gubbi said that the charge formed part of the commission’s broader crusade against official graft and its determination to inculcate ethical values across public institutions.
He said that integrity, transparency, and accountability remained the cornerstone of effective public administration.
He also emphasised that public officers must consistently demonstrate professionalism and remain accountable for their actions and decisions, noting that corruption not only erodes institutional credibility but also hampers national development.
According to him, the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility; officers must therefore see themselves as ambassadors of ethical governance.
The resident anti-corruption commissioner further called on customs personnel to embrace preventive measures against corruption and to actively support initiatives that promote good governance within the public sector.
He noted that public officers must consistently demonstrate professionalism and remain accountable for their actions and decisions in the discharge of their duties.
He added that public confidence in government institutions hinged largely on the ethical conduct of its workforce.
Responding the Customs Area Comptroller, Abdullahi Idris, expressed appreciation to the ICPC for the timely and insightful engagement.
Idris reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in all facets of its operations.
He pledged the NCS’s continued collaboration with the commission in advancing anti-corruption reforms and institutional strengthening.
Meanwhile, a paper titled “Enhancing Integrity and Accountability in Customs Operations: Promoting Transparency and Ethical Practices”, was presented by an Assistant Chief Superintendent (ACS) in the ICPC, Abba Dzikwi.
In his presentation, Dzikwi highlighted the imperative of transparency in customs processes, strict adherence to ethical codes, and the avoidance of practices that could undermine public confidence.
He encouraged officers to embrace institutional reforms that strengthened efficiency and accountability across all levels of operations.
The programme reaffirms the ICPC’s unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability across public institutions in Borno and beyond.
It aligns with the Commission’s broader mandate to combat corruption and entrench ethical governance at all levels of public service, and marking yet another significant step in the nation’s ongoing anti-corruption crusade.
