ICPC Seeks Prosecution Of Any University VC On Unqualified Graduates For NYSC

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, has revealed plans by the Commission to prosecute any Vice-Chancellor involved in forwarding unqualified candidates for the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

The ICPC boss made this known during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim.

He stated that the ICPC will act promptly, once a report of illegal mobilization of unqualified candidates for the programme by a Vice-Chancellor was received.

“We are ready to prosecute any university Vice-Chancellor who mobilizes those that should not go for the scheme if you send them to us.”

The Chairman while lamenting the menace of corruption, urged NYSC to enhance the skill acquisition training being offered to corps members by advocating a skills-based tertiary education curriculum that would prepare youths to become employers of labour instead of depending on the government to create jobs.

“We can kill patterns that lead to corruption where necessary. Many young people think there is a short cut to success, that once you are out there, you just hit millions. That is not the case, there should be a gestation period. NYSC should create a platform to provoke positive consciousness, the activism to challenge things when they go wrong.”

The NYSC DG requested for the re-inauguration of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) in NYSC, saying that old members had either retired or been promoted above the schedule.

ICPC Chairman welcomed his request saying that ACTU would be inaugurated as soon as all the formalities were done with.