IACD: NOUN’s VC spots corruption as a global problem

By Ene Edoka
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The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Femi Peters, has identified corruption as a global Issue that requires urgent united efforts to prevent and counter.

Peters  stated this during an event organised by the Anti –Corruption and Transparency Unit (NOUN-ACTU) of the National Open University of Nigeria, with theme: Your Right, Your Role; Say NO to Corruption, held on the 9th of December 2021, to mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) at the headquarters of the university in Jabi, Abuja.

He said that member nations of the United Nations on 31st of October, 2003, ratified the General Assembly Resolution 58/4 which set aside the 9th of December as an annual global date to create awareness against corruption at all levels of the society’’.

The vice-chancellor, who was represented by the director, Learners Support Services (DLSS), Prof. Gregory Okagbare, said the event was organised to enlighten members of the NOUN publics on the effect of corruption, most especially examination malpractices in the university.

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Middle:Prof. Gregroy Okagbare, Dr Moses E.Shaibu (L), Mr Philip Embiet,NOUN-ACTU Secretary during the event. 

 

According to him, ‘’NOUN-ACTU, has been mandated by the university to campaign against all forms of corruption, misconduct and wrong doing in the university.’’

"It is for the purpose of benefitting from these set mandates that the university management has over the years empowered and supported the NOUN-ACTU's efforts in order to promote the principles of accountability, transparency and integrity  within the university community," he added.

Peters further commended the foresight of NOUN-ACTU for shedding light on the ills of examination malpractices which he said is one of the worst forms of corruption ravaging our higher institutions today.

In his welcome address, the dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Moses Shaibu, highlighted on the issue of examination corruption which has eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation.

Shaibu, who spoke on behalf of the Head NOUN-ACTU, Mr Ifeanyi Ikenze, also stated that corruption could be termed as practice which is not acceptable to the society, imploring staff to relate well with students as this is part of NOUN-ACTU's mandate.

He also emphasised on the issue of whistle blowing, which he said  staff could also be encouraged with accelerated  promotion or increase in steps instead of giving monetary value, to enable staff disclose information about those involved in examination malpractices.

Meanwhile, some of the papers presented at the event include, Corruption in Examination Administration: Role of DEA_ by director, Examination and Assessment (DEA), Prof.Olugbenga Ojo, Online Examination Malpractices: The ICT Experiences , by the director, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Prof.Gregory Onwodi.

Others were, Examination Corruption in Faculties  and Departments and the Way Out, by the dean, Faculty of Law, Dr. Ernest Ugbejeh; as well as Staff/Students Related Examination Malpractices and Its Impacts on Quality Assurance in NOUN .

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