NEC Staff Advised by Amupitan: Corruption Undermines Institutions

The leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Staff Multi-Purpose Co-Operative Society has been asked by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan to maintain the commission’s fundamental principles of accountability, transparency, and integrity.

In his keynote speech at the Society’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, and Election, Amupitan made the request.

He counseled the association’s leadership to conduct its internal elections in a free and fair manner and to exercise caution with the members’ funds.

According to the head of INEC, corruption and improper handling of members’ funds must not be tolerated.

“Any form of corruption is a poison to any institution, especially one built on collective trust,” he declared.

The INEC chairman emphasized the importance of members’ welfare while highlighting the co-operative’s primary goal, particularly in view of the present difficult economic situation.

“As the guardian of the electoral process, it is my responsibility to instill in the entering and departing leaders of this wonderful society an essential set of ideals that cannot be compromised.

“First, you need to give careful money management and openness top priority. The executive is only a trustee; the cooperative’s funds belong to its members.

“Your transactions must be traceable, your books must be open, and your choices must be justified.

Secondly, you have to abstain from corruption and pledge to be completely accountable. Any kind of corruption is detrimental to an institution, particularly one that is based on public trust.

Mismanagement of members’ savings must not be tolerated at all. Party celebrations are not the use of cooperative funds.

To increase the welfare of members, every naira must be tracked and allocated to productive endeavors.

The welfare of its members is the cooperative’s main goal. The cooperative is a dependable way for employees to help and support one another during these difficult economic times, he said.

Amupitan reaffirmed his dedication to the welfare of his employees and called on the cooperative leadership to give members’ welfare top priority and guarantee fair access to loans.

He stated that all members should have equitable access to the packages and advantages provided by the organization, irrespective of their status or affiliation.

“The principles of justice, equity, and fairness as well as the rules of the multipurpose society must always guide the exco.”

“A forward-thinking approach and a good investment focus will help society build a more resilient future,” he stated.