The Federal Government has urged civil servants to shun corrupt practices  and other related offences in their work places, in line with the anti-corruption mantra of the present government.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, made the call in Abuja as she flagged off a Sensitization and Awareness Creation Workshop on Transparency and Anti-Corruption Practices organized for junior officers of the Ministry.

Represented by the Director, Human Resources Management, Ajibola Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary said the workshop would educate the participants on the proper understanding of corruption, as well as their roles, individually and collectively, in curbing the menace.

She explained that corruption was not limited to financial crimes alone, but included “the little things you do, or neglect to do in the conduct of your daily schedule of duties like movement of files, handling mails/other official documents, among others”.

In a welcome address, the Director, Special Duties/Projects, Dr. M. E. Nwordu, said the workshop was organized to arm the junior officers with adequate information to guide their official engagements to be in line with the principles and practices of transparency devoid of corruption.

She expected the workshop to usher in a significant improvement in service delivery by the officers, which would consequently aid the war against corruption, as instituted by Government.

In his presentation titled “The Integrity Imperative in the Workplace”, the Resource Person from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ahmed Abdul, discussed Corruption in the workplace – the definition, forms, causes and consequences.    

He also stated the importance of integrity in the workplace and its positive impact on any organization.

Mr Abdul then enjoined the management of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to not only provide punitive measures for corrupt practices, but to also reward officers for outstanding performance as a motivation to staff.