By Samuel Ogenyi,Uyo
A Chief Superintendent of Police with Always Ibom Police Command, Francis Erhabor and four secondary School students have received the 2020 public service integrity award of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission ICPC.
The students, Oghene Whisky from Topfaith International Secondary School, took the second position in the National essay competition for the junior category, Noble John Pedro from Government Secondary School, Eket, came third in the senior category of the essay competition, Juliet Mfon Dick from Topfaith Legacy College, came third in the junior category while Uche Williams, a music artist also received an award.
Presenting the prizes to the awardees at the commission’s zonal headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji. Owasanoye, represented by a board member of the commission, Dr.Grace Chinda, said Ehrabor was carefully selected considering his track record of integrity and honesty.
“While serving in Edo State, Erhabor refused a N1.5Million bribe as a pipeline commander. He also refused a bribe of N500,000 from subordinate to allow adulterated petroleum product into the State. For these and other acts of integrity, he has been given several awards.” Owasanoye said.
The chairman stated that the essence of the award was to encourage other public servants to uphold integrity, diligence and look away from any form of graft and corruption.
For the students, the ICPC boss who noted that the aim was to inculcate anti corruption spirit into the consciousness of the young people called on them to continue to champion the fight against corruption in their respective schools in order to make Nigeria a better society.
In a remark, Erhabor, who is also the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Itam in Akwa Ibom, said he took a decision to tow a line of honesty and eschew any form of corruption while joining the police force 30 years ago.
Erhabor, further said he told God, to expose and disgrace him in the national television and dailies any day he takes bribe or collect any form of gratification adding that such vow though not easy has being his watch word and guide.
“I took a vow to be what i am today. I knew where I was going to and what I was looking for, and I thanked God for my parents who brought me up well.
“One legacy my dad left behind before his demise was that good reputation is better than an expensive perfume. I have always hunted for that good reputation and I really want to bless God. It wasn’t really an easy decision.
“Integrity does not come without a prize but I want to say that the prize i am receiving today is the prize of the good path I have taken.” He explained.
He maintained that there were still honest and corrupt free officers in the police and other public sectors who have not been noticed and urged governments to identify them for naming and faming to serve as encouragement to them and others.
