NISLT Inaugurates ACTU, Charges Staff on Integrity and Transparency
The Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) has inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) with a charge to staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The Acting Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Peter Adefisoye Oluwafisoye, gave the charge on Tuesday in Ibadan during the sensitization and inauguration ceremony of the Unit, organized in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Dr. Oluwafisoye said the fight against corruption demands collective commitment, strict adherence to established procedures and the promotion of ethical standards across all departments of the Institute. He urged staff to utilize internal mechanisms for resolving grievances and administrative matters, stressing that effective institutional processes are critical to the smooth running of NISLT.
In his keynote address, the Head, System Study and Review Department (SSRD), ICPC, Oyo State Office, Mr. Oscar Ndukwe, described ACTU as a preventive mechanism designed to identify and address system vulnerabilities to corruption within public institutions.
Ndukwe emphasized the importance of regular system reviews, staff sensitization, ethical conduct and continuous monitoring of institutional processes. He called on both staff and ACTU members to support initiatives aimed at ensuring judicious use of institutional resources and entrenching good governance.
Also speaking, the ACTU Desk Officer, ICPC Oyo State, Prince Adegboyega Akinleye, explained that the Unit is composed of senior officers drawn from strategic departments, including Finance, Accounts, Audit and Procurement.
According to him, the mandate of ACTU includes preventive and monitoring functions such as reviewing organizational processes for corruption risks, receiving and handling complaints, sensitizing staff on anti-corruption issues, as well as monitoring projects and budget implementation. He urged members to discharge their responsibilities in strict compliance with ICPC guidelines.
The high point of the ceremony was the administration of the ACTU Oath of Office on the newly inaugurated members by the Legal Officer, ICPC Oyo State, Barr. Farida Sanusi, formally committing them to the duties and responsibilities of their office.
In her acceptance speech, the Chairperson of the Unit and Deputy Director, Special Duties, Mrs. Olusola Odu, expressed appreciation to the management of NISLT and the ICPC for the reconstitution of the Unit. She assured that members of the Unit are prepared to work collaboratively with management and staff to promote ethical practices and strengthen internal anti-corruption mechanisms.
“We are committed to carrying out our responsibilities in accordance with relevant guidelines, with emphasis on preventive measures and ensuring that the objectives of ACTU are achieved,” Odu said.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Deputy Director, Human Resources, Mr. Musa Ibrahim, commended the ICPC team and the management of NISLT for the initiative, describing the inauguration as a significant step towards reinforcing ethical standards and institutional integrity within the Institute.
The programme ended with the formal inauguration of the new ACTU members by officials of the ICPC.
