Anti-graft War: Olukoyede urges students to be change agents

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ola Olukoyode, has urged students across the country to be change agents by being the ears and eyes of the Commission wherever they observe any fraudulent activity.

He gave the charge  in Lagos on Thursday, June 13, 2024 during the Second Edition of All Public Primary Schools in Lagos Debate Competition organized by the LG News Academy.

The EFCC’s boss, who spoke through Babatunde Sulaiman  of the Public Affairs Department, PAD, Lagos Zonal  Command, commended the initiative and praised the pupils for reaching the finals among the 1021 participating schools.

In his goodwill message at the occasion, Olukoyode lamented the growing involvement of youths, who are potential  leaders of the country, in cybercrimes.

He also expressed grave concern that the Commission, almost on a daily basis, receives credible intelligence linking many youths across the country to all manner of economic and financial crimes.

Speaking about the efforts of the Commission to curtail the disturbing trend of youths’ involvement in cybercrimes, the anti-graft czar stated that the Commission, in line with its  prevention mandate, would continue to collaborate with critical stakeholders and organizations, including schools to sensitize the youth.

He, therefore, encouraged the young minds to become anti-corruption ambassadors, who would always condemn fraudulent practices, while utilizing their God-given talents for the betterment of the society.

“ In this hall today, I see a crop of young minds who inspire with their powerful and moving words; and whose facial expressions alone convey the readiness to be anti-corruption ambassadors.  I see a crop of youths who are desirous to join the Commission to break the chain of corruption and economic and financial crimes that has stymied the country”, he said.

He also pointed out that,  “you have shown us that all Nigerian youths must not be tarred with this same brush of criminality.  As youths, you cannot afford to be bystanders  in the fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes in the country.  You must have in the back of your mind that sitting on the fence is dangerous, especially if you consider the havoc that corruption and economic and financial crimes have wreaked  on the nation.  You have to be intentional about your efforts to wage  war against internet fraud.”

Olukoyede tasked the students that “whenever you find yourself, you must try to be the ears and eyes of the Commission by condemning any fraudulent practice you may observe. Also, you must not abuse the talent that God has endowed you with; you must put it to good use for the betterment of humanity”.

In his remarks, Tunde Jakande, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, LG News Academy, said the debate topic, “ This House Believes That Technological Innovations Are More Effective in Fighting Corruption”, was informed by the recent disclosure by the EFCC’s Chair that the leadership of the country by the youth might be threatened if the spate of their involvement in cybercrime was not halted now.

Jakande, who expressed gratitude to the EFCC for its support, added that the competition “aims to educate the  children about the dangers of internet fraud and scams.”