Former Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Dr. John Udoedeghe has bashed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Service Compact (SERVICOM) saying, both bodies have been submerged in corruption, in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Senator Udoedeghe gave this remark, Thursday, while delivering a Lecture at the 2017 Applause and Alumni Lecture of the Nigerian Sociology and Anthropology Students Association (NSASA) held at the Onyema Ogochukwu Auditorium, University of Uyo.
Titling his Lecture, "Sociologists, Social Engineers and Society", the former Lawmaker said that ICPC and SERVICOM have over the years, relegated their primary responsibilities in Nigerian tertiary institutions, due to corruption.
"As one of those who have been privileged to be a Minister, when we send SERVICOM to Nigerian Universities, once they establish ServiCom in the University, they get lost, because some of them will be looking for favours, their wives' admission, instead of doing their job.
"The same thing with ICPC. ICPC is in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, either the corruption in the University submerge them or they get lost, based on corruption themselves", he said.
While sighting corruption as the most vital obstacle to the development of Nigerian Universities, the former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said corruption is perverted through academic programmes, admission processes, administrative mechanism and existing culture in tertiary institutions.
"Corruption occurs at all rounds in our society, from the office manager to the top, including regulatory agencies and Commissions saddled with the responsibility of ensuring smooth running in our institutions.
"It is disheartening to hear that Vice Chancellors and other principal officers are being arrested and detained by the EFCC", he added.
Senator Udoedeghe said corruption obstructs equitable distribution of resources and employment opportunities in tertiary institutions and stressed that regulatory agencies like ICPC and SERVICOM should be reinforced to checkmate the rate of corruption in tertiary institutions in the country.
Earlier, the Association's President, Comrade Amos Nsemeke while delivering his address, identified inability to pay school fees, lack of mobility, and a less stocked library, as some of the challenges facing the students and expressed optimism that succor will come their way, at the end of the event.
On the imperative of the lecture, the Association's helmsman said NSASA has over the years, produced graduates who have excelled in their different fields of endeavors, noting it was pertinent they give back to the Association.
Others who spoke at the event included the Occasion's Chairperson, Professor Kingsley Akpabio, and Special Guest of Honour, Engr. Ekerebong Afia.
Highlight of the event was the Induction of freshmen into the Association.
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