November 24, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has opened discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to strengthen anti-corruption communication and public enlightenment efforts across the state.
The engagement took place at the weekend when the NIPR State Executive Council, led by its Chairman, Elder Manasseh Umoette, paid a courtesy visit to the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Baba Alaro Shuaib, at the ICPC office in Uyo.
Umoette said a partnership between both bodies would reinforce ongoing campaigns promoting transparency and accountability.
He stressed that effective communication remains central to combating corruption, noting the need for joint initiatives in value reorientation and public education to help communities better resist practices that undermine development.
He also highlighted NIPR’s ongoing programmes, including the PR Clinic, public lectures, and community outreach sessions designed to support crisis management, strengthen ethical conduct, and promote transparency in public and private institutions.
“By combining your enforcement and preventive measures with our communication expertise, we can expand public understanding of the cost of corruption and strengthen a culture of accountability,” Umoette said.
In his remarks, Shuaib underscored the ICPC’s emphasis on prevention through education, noting that values such as integrity and accountability were introduced into school curricula nationwide in 2008.
He said the Commission’s engagement with NIPR was timely, particularly in deepening public enlightenment.
He outlined ICPC’s work with Students Anti-Corruption Clubs in secondary schools and Anti-Corruption Vanguard groups in tertiary institutions, alongside its involvement in monitoring procurement processes, recruitment exercises, and handling cases—including sexual harassment—across its 21 state offices.
The visit also featured the exchange of mementos and group photographs.
Present were NIPR State Secretary Unyimeobong Ikpe, Financial Secretary Dr. Uduak Iwok, Auditor Josephine Ekpa, Public Relations Executive Comrade Effanga Usen, and ICPC management staff.
