Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission,ICPC, Ekpo Nta, has charged public office holders to adopt the principles of accountability and transparency in the discharge of their duties.

Nta gave the charge at a one-day Abia Anti-Corruption Summit organised by the Abia Government in Umuahia on Monday.

The summit is entitled: “Transparency and Accountability: A Panacea to Good Governance and Sustainable Development.”

The chairman urged stakeholders to take the anti-corruption challenge more seriously, emphasising that such commitment would be an indication of Abia’s determination to complement the Federal Government’s effort in fighting the scourge.

The commission is in Abia to witness the charting out the state’s anti-corruption agenda that will align in the words of the 2016 UK anti-corruption summit.

These are the promotion of integrity, transparency and accountability through exploring innovative solutions and by strengthening international cooperation.

Provost, Anti-corruption Academy of Nigeria, Prof. Sola Akinrinade said the summit was a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to anti-corruption campaign.

Akinrinade said corruption could be controlled through massive public enlightenment and proper implementation of sound policies.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia said the state had joined the crusade against corruption in support of the federal government’s change agenda.

Ikpeazu commended the commission for being proactive in fighting corruption, adding that the state government had established mechanisms for minimising corruption in Abia.

The summit featured panel discussions and the unveiling of anti-corruption campaign in Abia.