Refusal by members of the public to report corrupt practices is a crime against society.

Mr Elvis Oglafa, Secretary, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) made the statement on Thursday in Uyo while addressing ICPC zonal consultative town hall meeting for states in the South-South zone.

The theme of the meeting is ‘Eradicating all forms of corruption in Nigeria.’

Oglafa said that corruption could only be eradicated when citizens agreed to join hands to do what was right.

“We need deliberate cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders.”

He said that the meeting was a significant step taken by ICPC to bring the fight against corruption to the grassroots.

“The fight against corruption must take holistic approach. We need measures of support both in words and in deeds.”

The secretary urged the participants to have faith in the commission and show their commitment to eradicating corrupt practices in the South-South zone.

He also urged them to discuss the different shapes of corruption in the zone, causes and challenges as well as the solutions.

The chairman on the occasion, Dr Asikpo Essien-Ibok, said that the meeting was aimed at creating awareness among members of the public on the activities of ICPC.

Ibok, a former board member of the ICPC, said that the laws establishing the commission forbade taking and receiving bribe.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his avowed commitment to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.

He called on the participants to have faith in the ICPC and also work to eradicate corruption from Nigeria.

In her speech, Mrs Nene Duke-Netribo, woman leader, ICPC Zonal Advisory Committee, urged women to live by good example.

She said that children learn a lot from their mothers and as such mothers were likely to have positive influence on their children.

She urged all hands to be on deck in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants at the meeting came from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, Edo and Rivers. (NAN)

•Photo shows ICPC Chairman Ekpo Nta.

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