Stakeholders of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission have lauded the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for his contributions to the anti-corruption fight in the country.

This was as the Chairman, ICPC, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, seeks behavioural changes among citizens, to curb corrupt practices.

Speaking at the ICPC Policy Dialogue on corruption, social norms and behavioural change in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja, the keynote speaker, Professor Toyin Falola, commended Prof Oloyede, noting that the JAMB Registrar has distinguished himself as an anti-corruption advocate amongst public officers, and deserves to be celebrated.

“Show me one corrupt Nigerian, and I’ll show you many more incorruptible Nigerians. One of them that has distinguished himself as an anti-corruption advocate, Prof Oloyede, is here with us today, and he deserves to be commended,” Falola said.

While speaking on the adverse effects of corrupt practices, the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Yamusa, also noted that he was not surprised by the commendation and ovation that was accorded the JAMB Registrar, noting that Oloyede is worthy of emulation, having standout as one of the most trustworthy public servants in the country.

Meanwhile, the ICPC Chairman, Owasanoye said, “The timing of this Policy Dialogue on Corruption, Social Norms and Behaviour Change in Nigeria, could not have come at a better time than now when the foundation of our social values and norms has become seriously threatened.

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“In actual fact, a lot of changes are taking place across the wider Nigerian society. But more worrisome to me, is the emergence and pervasive spread of corruption-inducing social norms across all ethnicities and religious divides.

Despite the widespread cultural and religious perception of corruption as a negation of societal values, a survey carried out by ACAN-ICPC in 2020 revealed that corruption among public servants is enabled by community ambivalence towards the proceeds of corruption.

“Corruption is therefore fuelled by community expectation of people in the office. There is for example a general belief that groups, networks and communities expect the holder of an office to confer benefits from (or of) the office on members of the community regardless of whether (a) the benefits are corrupt practices in themselves (e.g., nepotism), or (b) if the benefits come from proceeds of corruption (e.g embezzlement).”

Also speaking at the programme, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by Busayo Oluwole-Oke, said poor salaries and remuneration of workers were recipes for corruption.

“This is why the House of Representatives is working tirelessly to review the minimum wage and give Nigerian workers a living wage.”