Maintain integrity, it pays, for Amalambu urges NAVC members
By Charity Uwakwe
Rev. (Dr.) Blessed Amalambu, the Coordinator of National Volunteer Corp (NAVC) of Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Abia State chapter has charged members of the Corps to guard jealously their position of integrity in the extant fight against corruption in the State.
Amalambu gave the charge during a one day sensitisation workshop he organised for members of the Corp in his office, at Aba Road, Umuahia, the state’s capital, Thursday, December 12, describing integrity as the hallmark of the Corp.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Anti-corruption agent and the challenges of 2025’, he commended the corp for her resilience in combating corruption, lamenting that corruption had become a norm among Nigerian youths.
Advised members to endeavour to say no to bribery and all manners of gratification while monitoring an election or any official duties, insisting that NAVC is designed to militate corruption in the society.
That is why anybody that cannot imbibe the spirit and act of integrity is not qualified to be a member. Because I as a person, for me to succeed, make impacts and achieve the goals of the federal government who through the ICPC appointed me to coordinate this state, I must imbibe the spirit of integrity. I must have it as a culture and lifestyle to make sure I’m not involved in taking bribery or found guilty of involvement in any form of corruptible acts.
Amalambu regretted that most parents were guilty of indulgence, wailing that most parents aid their children in their quest to amass wealth through cybercrime otherwise known as internet fraud.
This is even as he appealed to parents to endeavour to inculcate the attribute of integrity, saying that it pays.
Amalambu who wailed that those who fight corruption did so in ignorance, stressed that the essence of the workshop was to eradicate from the minds of the general public that corruption is a norm in the society, saying, “if you do not know what corruption entails, you embrace it, thinking it’s a normal way of life.
Maintained that everyone interested in fighting corruption ought to be prepared to face the challenges that accompany same, insisting that “I want to work with those who are credible so that we can really achieve success.
He charged them on the need to absorb self-discipline, urging them to disabuse their minds from seeing the corp as a means to escape poverty thereby involving in extortion of money from innocent citizens.
“Whatever goes wrong here, I shall be held accountable and that’s why I must ensure that I have credible men as my members. My motivation is not the money I intend to make rather because of the people who are being victimised by some hoodlums.
I want to work with those who are credible so that we can really achieve success”, he noted.
According to Amalambu, who expressed intense joy with the outcome of the event, advised that one must be adequately equipped before engaging in a battle whatsoever, saying: “I am very delighted because for one to engage in a battle, one must be properly equipped. we don’t fight by gun rather we use our pen and that pen
goes with proper information
“When you reject such offers, onlookers will remark NAVC of ICPC as a body that has zero tolerance for corruption. And when this happens, when there is an opportunity for key positions, you could be recommended. Please, maintain your position of integrity, it pays.
On the issue of Extortion of money by the police, what’s the position of the Corp, he advised members not to confront other security agents such as the police, military, saying “members of the Corps should not confront them but should wisely let them know that extorting money from motorists is corruption. Where possible, they should get pictorial evidence”.
Addressing Journalists, Amalambu expressed great joy for successfully enlightening his members, noting that proper information and enlightenment were core prerequisites in the war against corruption in the society.
“In fighting against corruption, you need proper information and enlightenment that will furnish you with all weapons you need to fight corruption, to enable you unravel the corruption and its menace in order to stop it. So, it was successful. Although the turn up wasn’t that encouraging, I believe subsequently more people will come for proper training and empowerment, since it’s now going to be done quarterly”, he explained.
He advised members who did not participate in the training to endeavour to do so so they could be able to effectively engage in the war against corruption, adding “nobody fights what he doesn’t know.”
Asked how the Corp had been surviving over the years without a tinge of support from the giver, the Coordinator said:
“Well, it is by individual free will donations; Corp members have been donating just like the hosting of this event today was achieved by the kindness and magnanimity of members who made donations. Moreso, the paying of our office rent has been always done through the free will donations of members.
This is because we consider this office very important and viable because corruption is the concern of everybody.”
Furthermore, he regretted that corruption hinders the development and growth of the State, but, however, he pointed out that with the total eradication of corruption from the State, the impacts of the government would be enhanced.
Moreover, he expressed undaunting optimism that sooner than anticipated, the government of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti would integrate the NAVC in his government.
Hear him:
“And a corrupt environment doesn’t witness development of any kind. However, if we strike out corruption in our state, then the efforts of the Governor will be enhanced. So, that’s why we’re bent on making this body function effectively. We believe in the course of time, the government will give us attention.”
Speaking with an aura of confidence, the Coordinator expressed dauntless belief that corruption, though endemic and systemic according to him, would, through the Corp be annihilated from the State and country in general.
Speaking, he said: “Well, I know corruption, being endemic and systemic, it’s not easy for a single body to combat it and that’s why there’s a collaborative effort; we’re going to synergize with other security outfits to make sure that we haunt and reduce corruption to nothing whereby its effects will not be felt even if it’s not eradicated completely.”
