ICPC implores PR practitioners not to cover corruption with image making

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has asked public relations practitioners of security agencies to desist from covering up corruption in the name of image making.

Aliyu Musa, ICPC chairperson, said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on ‘21st Century Policing: Capacity Building Techniques and Brand Management for Security Image Makers’.

Aliyu, who was represented by Clifford Okparaodu, secretary to the commission, said public relations officers (PROs) are instrumental in the war against corruption.

He called for synergy among armed forces and paramilitary agencies to stem the tide of corruption in Nigeria.

He said the commission is willing to work with other agencies in the security sector to prevent corruption through its study and review, corruption risk assessment including capacity building through the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN)

“Undoubtedly, the war against corruption cannot be won in a swoop, neither can it be won by ICPC or any anti-corruption agency alone, but by a series of efforts involving stakeholders like you. This is where your role as the image makers of your agencies comes to the fore,” Okparaodu said.

“As public relations professionals and image makers for your organisations, you should not only report the right things about your organisation but be seen to be doing the right things.

“You are not expected to cover up acts of corruption in the name of projecting the image of your organisation.”

In his remarks, Olawale Babawale, provost of ACAN, said the strategic role of PROs as image makers of organisations requires them to be a bastion of integrity and partners in the war against corruption.

“The learning objectives have been formulated in such a way that participants are equipped with the knowledge and skills that would enable them to become viable partners in the anti-corruption war, while also carrying out their duties effectively, using contemporary strategies,” he said.

“This way, we believe that the foundation for a long-term sustainable assault on corruption is laid.”

Participants at the workshop included officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the ministry of interior.