UNICROSS Holds Sensitisation Programme on Ethics and Anti-Corruption Compliance
The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Akwa Ibom State Office, Uyo, has held a sensitisation programme on Ethics and Anti-Corruption Compliance, aimed at strengthening ethical conduct, accountability and responsible leadership within the University.
The programme, which brought together members of Top and Expanded Management, Deans, Directors, Deputy Deans, Deputy Directors, Deputy Registrars, Professors and other members of the University community, focused on promoting ethical standards, responsible organisational behaviour, protection of public resources and effective compliance with anti-corruption regulations.
The initiative reflects the commitment of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, to building an institution anchored on transparency, accountability, discipline and responsible administration. By creating opportunities for staff to engage directly with anti-corruption experts, the Vice Chancellor is strengthening institutional awareness and equipping members of the University community with the knowledge required to identify and prevent practices that could undermine the University's integrity and resources.
Declaring the programme open on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Thomas Ojikpong, described the engagement as a significant and memorable development in the history of the University. He urged participants to pay close attention to the presentations and take advantage of the opportunity to deepen their understanding of ethical conduct and accountability, noting that the initiative was part of the Vice Chancellor's determination to ensure that members of the University community were adequately informed and guided on issues of responsible administration.
In his goodwill message, the Head of Delegation and Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the ICPC Akwa Ibom State Office, Mr. Alaro Shaiub, commended the University Management for providing the platform for the engagement. He noted that universities play an important role in shaping values and producing future leaders, stressing that corruption often begins with seemingly minor compromises. He therefore encouraged participants to develop a strong culture of integrity and compliance.
The Resource Persons addressed a range of issues relating to corruption risks and ethical responsibilities in tertiary institutions. Mr. Akpan Nsuhoridem, Head of System Service and Review Department, examined corruption risk areas and compliance obligations in public tertiary institutions, identifying procurement, payroll, revenue collection, project execution, grants and asset management as areas requiring strong internal controls, monitoring and accountability.
Mr. John Okokon Okam, Second-in-Command of Investigation, focused on protecting public funds from systemic fraud. He explained that public resources are held in trust and must therefore be managed with a high level of responsibility. He identified weaknesses in processes, internal controls, organisational culture and technology as factors that can create opportunities for systemic fraud, and emphasised the importance of prevention, effective systems review and the protection of whistle-blowers.
Another major presentation by Dr. Bassey Anam Ekpenyong, Deputy Director, Institute of Language and Collaboration, University of Calabar, examined organisational behaviour and ethical leadership. Using practical examples, he demonstrated how inconsistency in the application of rules can undermine trust and create a culture of impunity. He stressed that ethical leadership requires fairness, integrity, transparency, accountability and responsible use of institutional resources, noting that the behaviour of leaders and staff ultimately shapes the culture of an organisation.
The interactive session also provided participants with an opportunity to seek clarification on practical ethical issues. A question on whether accepting gifts from individuals connected to official duties could constitute wrongdoing generated further discussion on the distinction between genuine goodwill and inducement, with the ICPC resource persons emphasising the importance of transparency, caution and compliance with established regulations.
Before the event concluded, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, joined the proceedings after returning from an official trip.
In her remarks, she thanked the ICPC officials, members of Management, participants and organisers for making the engagement successful. She expressed satisfaction with the positive response of participants and stressed that the future of UNICROSS depends on the collective actions and choices of its members.
Prof. Bassey urged staff to take personal responsibility for promoting positive change within the University, emphasising that meaningful transformation requires a conscious departure from practices that hinder institutional progress. She further directed that the lessons and proceedings from the programme should be made available to members of the University community, including through digital platforms such as YouTube, to ensure that the knowledge gained extends beyond those physically present at the event.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks by the Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Catherine Ndifon, while the closing session was conducted by Mrs. Sayara Ofem, Director and Secretary of the Postgraduate School.
The engagement is scheduled to continue today at the University’s New Cafeteria, with teaching and senior non-teaching staff participating.
It will further strengthen the University's commitment to ethical conduct, accountability, transparency and responsible management of public resources, while reinforcing the Vice Chancellor's vision of building a more disciplined, responsive and ethically grounded institution.
UNICROSS Media Team
