Treat corruption as an enemy always – Olukoyede charges corps members

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on corps members and youths across the country to always treat corruption as an enemy to be destroyed because it is at the root of all developmental challenges confronting the nation.

He gave the charge in Abuja on Thursday, January 30, 2025 while addressing corps members of Batch C Stream 11, at the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp, Kubwa

According to him, “every challenge around us today can be traced to the consequences of corruption, with the rising troubles of unemployment, insecurity, poverty, diseases, low life expectancy, hunger, robbery, kidnapping and others caused largely by past mismanagement, misapplication of resources by those entrusted with them”

The EFCC’s boss, who spoke through Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE Sani Emmanuel emphasized the need for youths to have a new perspective by treating corruption as an enemy to be destroyed. He further tasked them to be inventive and focused on self- development to overcome every threat to their future aspirations.

At the the NYSC Orientation Camp in Awgu, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Olukoyede, spoke through Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Abosede Samuel Gadzama on “Roles of Youths in Fighting Corruption to Promote Economic Growth”, charged youths to embrace hard work and shun crime, adding that the implications of internet fraud and other forms of economic and financial crimes are capable of deterring foreign direct investments and exposing the nation to unnecessary challenges and vulnerabilities.

“There is no shortcut to wealth and fame. The fact that the rate of unemployment is high, should not be an excuse to resort to crime. Acts of criminality might deliver wealth in the short term but ultimately, there will be misery and gnashing of teeth. We are calling on youths to embrace hard work and shun crime. Yahoo-yahoo is not a sustainable way of life”, he said.

At the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Wammako; Sokoto State, the EFCC’s boss spoke through

ACE II Kamilu Ibrahim Gebi and urged corpers to be change agents, active foot soldiers, community advocates and whistle blowers on behalf of the EFCC.

He specifically charged them to play active roles in their Community Development Service, CDS, groups and impact their places of primary assignments positively. ” The NYSC is an opportunity for national service. Use it to prove yourself as a reform- minded Nigerian”, he said.

Olukoyede spoke in a similar vein at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, and other Orientation camps in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos state; Kaduna; Iseyin, Oyo State; Kaiama, Bayelsa state; Nounwa, Rivers State, Kano and other camps across the country.