Abuja: The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reiterated its commitment to promoting fairness, transparency, and integrity in public sector recruitment. The Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, gave the assurance on Saturday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Aliyu made these remarks when the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. The board’s delegation was led by its Executive Secretary, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril. Aliyu emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling systemic corruption and abuse of office, particularly in recruitment processes.
He appealed to the CDCFIB to uphold meritocracy and provide a level playing field for young Nigerians applying for jobs under the board’s supervision. The ICPC chairman also expressed concern over the increasing cases of job racketeering and warned that unchecked practices undermine national development and discourage foreign direct investment.
Aliyu highlighted the challenges young Nigerians face in finding job opportunities and urged government agencies to foster fairness and a level playing ground for all applicants, irrespective of their backgrounds. He stressed that heads of government agencies should be mindful of fairness in recruitment processes to avoid undermining cohesion.
The ICPC boss further detailed the commission’s three-pronged approach to fighting corruption, which includes prevention, enforcement, and public enlightenment. He called for sustained consultations among government agencies to address corruption holistically, rather than relying solely on arrests and prosecutions.
To enhance collaboration, Aliyu proposed the idea of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ICPC and the CDCFIB to boost intelligence sharing, capacity building, and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
In his remarks, Jibril thanked the ICPC chairman for the warm reception and underscored the importance of understanding the functions of the ICPC in guiding the operations of the CDCFIB. He expressed the board’s readiness to collaborate closely with the commission in promoting integrity and transparency in its operations.
The CDFIPB was established by the Customs Immigration and Prisons Services Board Decree No. 14 of July 11, 1986. Before the establishment of the board, the paramilitary services, except the Nigerian Customs and Excise, were administered under the mainstream of the Ministry of Interior.
