Shippers’ Council mobilises youths, students in anti-corruption campaign

By Steve Agbota      

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has raised concerns over Africa’s annual loss of over $50 billion to corruption, urging Nigerian youths and students to take an active role in reshaping the region’s corrupt image.

At a recent event in Lagos, organized by the Council’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Barr. Pius Akutah MON, emphasized the importance of involving young people in the fight against corruption. This event, held to mark African Union’s Anti-Corruption Day, featured participation from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and Industrial Trainees, and included a debate among secondary school students on the theme: “Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption.” Resource persons from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education also contributed to the discussion.

Represented by the Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Ada Okam, Akutah highlighted the critical role of engaging young minds in discussions on anti-corruption and other significant issues at national, continental, and global levels.

“Corruption is a pervasive issue that affects everyone, regardless of wealth, age, or gender,” Akutah stated. “It negatively impacts every sector, stalling national progress, stability, and prosperity.”

Research shows that Africa loses over $50 billion annually through illicit financial flows, severely affecting the continent’s quality of life. These losses hinder efforts to alleviate poverty, improve education, and provide essential services, thereby stalling Africa’s growth and the achievement of the African Agenda and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Akutah praised the African Union’s commitment to anti-corruption efforts by dedicating a day to discuss and strategize on reducing corruption. This initiative aims to share ideas, assess progress, and identify areas for improvement in the fight against corruption.

He also mentioned that the NSC has a robust policy to protect whistleblowers as outlined in the NSC Code of Conduct, with ACTU overseeing whistleblower protection within the Council.

Mrs. Florence Barry from the ICPC engaged the students in discussions on whistleblowing, urging them to uphold integrity and honesty. She pointed out that whistleblowing can be a part of everyday life, as children and students report wrongdoings to parents and teachers.

Through events like this, the NSC seeks to foster a culture of transparency and accountability among the youth, empowering them to play a crucial role in combating corruption and contributing to the continent’s development and prosperity.