Tin Can Island Command, ICPC Collaborate to Advance Public Service Transparency
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service's Tin Can Island Port Command recently collaborated with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to hold a training session on transparency in public service in an effort to increase accountability and fortify ethical standards throughout public institutions.
Representatives from the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and ICPC joined Customs officers from several departments at the event, which was held at the Command Headquarters on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Customs Area Controller Comptroller Frank Onyeka welcomed guests and emphasised the value of the partnership, recognising the vital role that the ACTU and ICPC play in combating corruption. “Discipline, transparency, and accountability are non-negotiable values in our operations,” he stated.
The session was introduced by Assistant Comptroller Owoniyi, Coordinator of ACTU in Customs Zone A. He set the tone with a brief overview and reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to nurturing a strong ethical culture within the Service.
Guest speaker, Mrs. Mary Omonoyan from ICPC’s Department of Public Enlightenment and Education, gave a powerful lecture stressing why transparency and accountability must be prioritized in public institutions. She reminded officers that “public trust is built on openness” and that ethical behaviour is key to effective governance.
Also addressing the participants, Dr. Florence Bari, Deputy Director of ICPC’s Lagos office, spoke on the long-term damage corruption causes within the system—particularly in cases of lateness to duty and irregularities in public procurement. She urged officers to hold themselves to higher standards. “Corruption undermines public service delivery and weakens institutional credibility,” she warned.
The session wrapped up with an engaging interactive segment, where officers exchanged ideas on how best to embed transparency in their day-to-day operations.
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