Anti-Graft War : Nigerian Universities Registrars Honours Magu

The Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU) on Thursday  honoured the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, with an Award of Excellence over his patriotism and commitment to the fight against corruption.

The association conferred the award on Magu during its 14th Annual Retreat and 67th Business Meeting in Sokoto State University, Sokoto.

The Chairman of ARNU, who is also the Registrar of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Mr John Nnabuihe, presented the Award of Excellence to Magu.

According to the ARNU Chairman, Magu has taken the fight against corruption to the greater heights, saying that his incorruptible stance and remarkable achievements are second to none in the history of the country.

He added that the EFCC boss was also honoured in recognition of his patriotism and commitment to good governance in the county.

Nnabuihe also presented an award to Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and other recipients.

The events, with a theme titled: “Benchmarking the Nigerian Universities to achieve global competitiveness”, attracted registrars from the nations universities nationwide and Nigerians from different walks of life.

In his keynote address at the occasion, Magu spoke on the negative effect of corruption on education and the society, saying that the development is causing devastating hardship, economically, socially,  politically and depletes national wealth.

In his address titled,” Strengthening educational academic integrity, Role of university,” Magu said that it was regrettable that public expenditure meant for economic prosperity  is now being channeled to the pockets of a few greedy people with its attendance consequences.

Magu, who was represented at the occasion by the Director of Organisational Support      , Dr Aminu Gusau (mni), said, “Anywhere corruption sets in, it creates a problem with devastating effect. Imagine the university, a place  where people are molded and sent out to different sectors of the society is becoming corrupt, then the whole society is distorted.

“ Corruption in education affects more people than corruption  in other sectors, both rural and and urban areas basically because schools are breeding grounds for future generations. Therefore it starts from the grassroots and not from the top. When a child is exposed to all these corrupt practices at the tender age, he tends to grow with it and with time exhibits the character  anywhere he finds himself in the future.

“Therefore, we can regrettably, admit that the state universities in Nigeria is in a dilemma, with enormous challenges, requiring  the adoption of out of the box sincere, and pragmatic approach in turning the situation around.”

On the way forward, Magu said that educational  integrity remains the panacea to the problems, saying that everybody must ensure that integrity is the watchword at all times