ICPC solicits support of religious leaders in anti-corruption war

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has solicited support of religious leaders in the anti-corruption war through advocacy of honesty and uprightness to their congregations.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Osogbo by Mr Demola Bakare, the ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in Osun.

Bakare made the appeal at a one-day sensitisation lecture organised for religious leaders in the state.

He said following the role religious leaders’ play in shaping attitudes of their followers as well as respect accorded them, it was important for them to be part of the Anti-corruption campaign.

Bakare said that spiritual leaders could use the opportunity of their constant interface with the masses in churches and mosques to preach behavioural change.

He said that the behavioural change would entrench the practice of integrity in the society and result in a better Nigeria.

The ICPC official said that lecture was aimed at sensiting religious institutions to assist in mainstreaming behavioural change/value of integrity and anti-corruption into the society.

Bakare appealed to the religious leaders to speak more about the impacts and consequences of corruption to their congregations.

In his lecture titled: “Leaders in the fight against corruption”, Mr Laaro Sulyman, a staff of ICPC, said the commission recognises religious leaders as a major stakeholder in the crusade against corruption.

Sulyman said ICPC believed that the spiritual leaders were important channel of spreading the anti-corruption messages to the grassroots.

He said that they were to speak the truth and disassociate themselves from being used by the political class at the expense of the poor in the society.

Sulyman further tasked religious leaders in Nigeria to spearhead a moral revolution and ethical reorientation for the country.

He said that religious leaders were perceived as embodiments of Godly virtues and should lead by example.

The Imam of Alekwuodo central mosque, Osogbo, Alhaji Hafeez Adediran, commended ICPC for organising the lecture.

Adeniran said the lecture was timely and expository as it gave participants the opportunity to learn more about the anti-corruption campaign as pursued by ICPC.

Speaking in the same vein, Rev. John Adeleke, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Osun Chapter, promised to further spread the anti-corruption message to members through his sermons.