As activities marking the commemoration of 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day have commenced, Nigeria’s Anti-Graft Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has held a town hall meeting with stakeholders, civil society organizations, and youths in Kano state, North West Nigeria.
In a message to mark the day, the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Oukoyede, encouraged Nigerian Youths to join forces in the fight against Corruption.
Represented by Kano Zonal Commander of the Commission Ibrahim Shazali, the EFCC boss emphasized the need for deliberate synergy against graft through the formation of associations, Clubs and think tanks that promote good values.
Oukoyede also encouraged youths to unite against Corruption by exposing all tendencies and actions against accountability and right values within the neighborhood.
He said, “there is no way corruption can be tackled if we allow it around us without a challenge.”
According to the EFCC boss, youths have formidable roles to play in all forms of the fight against graft for the development of thrive.
Olukoyede noted that corruption limits and vitiates the opportunities of youths for self-actualization, making it impossible for them to have equal opportunities for self-expression.
He also highlighted the vulnerability of youths to fraudulent practices, particularly internet fraud, which he said has a bandwagon effect on young people.
The youths hold the rod of the future in any nation. They should use their brains to fashion out the future they desire for themselves.
“The EFCC is always willing to lend a hand in this regard. We have initiated so many measures to educate and engage young people and even building a Cyber Crime Research Centre to build capacities against internet fraud.”
Also, the Chairman Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Muhyi Magaji challenged the youths to choose the path of integrity by joining campaigns against Corruption.
He said although the fight against Corruption is an easy task, doing it with vigour will emancipate Nigeria from underdevelopment.
Also Speaking, the Chairman of Kano State Civil Society Forum Mr Ibrahim Waiya commended the efforts of the EFCC in their recent recoveries of multi-billion naira estate in Abuja among other recoveries.
He called on EFCC to allocate the houses recovered to middle class Nigerians at 30% discount as doing so will reduce their sufferings.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists Kano state through its Vice, Mustapha Gambo and Chairman Correspondent Chapel Aminu Garko both called on the EFCC to ensure decentralisation of news releases and audience to journalists for greater coverage of the Commission efforts in the Anti-Corruption war.
There were discussions, questions and answers at the event.
Dominica Nwabufo
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