Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged Nigerian youths to shun criminality and be agents of change in the fight against financial crimes including corruption.
The Acting Executive Chairman of the commission Abdulkarim Chukkol gave the advice at Mustapha Umar Arabic College, NYSC Orientation Camp in Maiduguri Borno State, North-east Nigeria.
Chukkol, represented by the Maiduguri Zonal Commander of the Commission, Mr. Oshodi Johnson said, “We desire to harness your intelligence and energy for greater public good in your areas of primary assignments.”
He stressed the need for public ownership of the fight against corruption, adding that the youths have roles to play in sensitizing the public on the menace of corrupt practices
Also speaking at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Okada, Edo State, Chukkol, urged the corps members to see themselves as important stakeholders in the anti-graft war.
He said; “The message to you all is that you should become whistleblowers in any place where you find yourself by reporting acts that fail the simple test of integrity. “
The EFCC boss was represented by Williams Oseghale, Head, of the Public Affairs Department of the Benin Zonal Command.
He further charged the corps members to be resourceful, and innovative and to use the internet to solve societal problems rather than for nefarious activities.
“The internet does not necessarily have to be an avenue to impersonate, manipulate, and fabricate lies to defraud others. Let the youths begin to use the internet for socially desirable things like offering digital solutions to the needs of industries, homes, governments, and other engagement of life,” he said.
Also, the Acting Chairman at the NYSC Orientation lecture in Keffi, Nasarawa State, decried the involvement of youth in internet-related fraud and urged them to shun such practices.
Represented by Ngoundu Nguetar, Chukkol further encouraged the corps members to make use of all platforms available to them to report all acts of economic and financial crimes.
At the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Chukkol was represented by Amaka Fingesi, an officer in the Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Lagos Zonal Command. He enjoined the Corps members to be resourceful and join the EFCC/NYSC CD Group for an enduring relationship with the Commission.
Also speaking during the sensitisation programme, Adedamola Adewale, an actress, social media influencer and strategic stakeholder in the anti-graft war, urged the youth to steer clear of criminality, saying it does not guarantee a good future.
She said, “The same energy and smartness you put together to scam innocent persons and organisations can be deployed to money-making opportunities online, entrepreneurship activities, and learning internet trade.”
At the NYSC orientation camp in Boro Town, Kiama, Bayelsa State, the EFCC boss who spoke through Otagada Sunday Ogar, Acting Head, Public Affairs Department, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, charged Corps members to join hands with the Commission to fight Corruption in Nigeria.
Similar messages were presented at other orientation camps across Nigeria.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
