Federal Polytechnic Ukana Partners with ICPC on Anti-Corruption Sensitization Workshop

Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, hosted a one-day Anti-Corruption Sensitization Workshop facilitated by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The workshop, held at the 250-capacity lecture theatre on the Polytechnic’s main campus, focused on the theme: “Public Sector Corruption and Behavioural Code.”

Declaring the event open, the Rector, Amb. (Mrs) Eduma Enobong Essien, commended ICPC for partnering with the institution to promote accountability and transparency. She praised staff for their active participation and charged them to apply the lessons learned.

In her words, “We are ready for the lecture, and I believe that after today, we will handle issues with better understanding. This institution is committed to promoting integrity, and we are determined to set the pace when it comes to work ethics.”

Delivering the lead presentation, Mr. Baba Alaro Shuaib, ICPC Commissioner for Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, provided an in-depth lecture on corruption and behavioural codes in the public sector. He outlined excuses often given to justify corrupt practices and warned of the long-term repercussions on individuals, institutions, and national development.

According to him, “Corruption is not just about stealing money, it erodes trust, cripples development, and weakens institutions. ICPC believes more in education than enforcement. While we have the power to sanction offenders, our priority is to enlighten individuals so that they can avoid corruption before it even begins.”

The interactive session provided staff with the opportunity to engage directly with ICPC officials, presenting practical questions and real-life scenarios, which were addressed with clarity and guidance.

In a vote of thanks, the Registrar, Mr. Jeremiah Jeremiah Akpabio, expressed appreciation to the facilitators and staff for their active role in the fight against corruption. He emphasized the institution’s readiness to implement the lessons from the workshop.

“We are grateful to ICPC for doing justice to the topic and to our staff who came out in their numbers. I am confident that with workshops like this, we will witness remarkable changes in our institution,” he said.

According to the Public Relations Officer, Comr. Tamunosiki Albert Daka, FIELPN, MNAEAP, the workshop represents a bold step in strengthening integrity and work ethics within the Polytechnic community.