Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on youths across the country to take the anti-corruption crusade to the grassroots level.
He made the call on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC Training Facility, Abuja, while delivering a Goodwill Message at a debate program codenamed “Head to Head,” which aims to inculcate good morals in secondary school students.
The Chairman, represented by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, says the voice of every Nigerian youth matters and the EFCC will count on them to take the anti-corruption message to the grassroots level. “You are the future of this country. We want you to know that your voices matter in this fight, and we want you to know that from today onward, you have to take the fight against corruption dear to your heart”.
“We want you to be people of integrity, do the right thing always and always stand for the right thing even when nobody is watching you, because Nigeria is the only country we have and we all must join hands together to make it great,” she said.
Earlier in his presentation on the topic “Cybercrime and its Menace,” Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Olalekan Ogunjobi cautioned youths to steer clear of all forms of cybercrime no matter how tough the pressure may be from peer groups, parents, and guardians. According to him, there are many ways one can make a living legitimately via cyberspace and make lots of money without indulging in fraud.
On his part, the Executive Chairman/Board Secretary of UBEC, Federal Capital Territory, FCT Chapter, Dr Alhassan Sule said UBEC under his watch will ensure that every child in the FCT goes to school, as most of the nation’s challenges can be solved in the classrooms. “We are using you as advocates of change, talk to your friends who are not going to school to come to school, and if they refuse, tell your teachers, and from there we will know what to do.
“Polish your minds and become responsible citizens and that is why we reach out to various agencies, including the EFCC to come and talk to you on the need to be good and responsible citizens who will bring change to our nation.”
The purpose of the debate was to address the out-of-school syndrome by children of school age in the country and to redirect the minds of children and youths on the path of good morals towards a better society.