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EFCC tasks Nigerian youths on uniting against corruption
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on youths across the country to unite and take the lead in the fight against corruption.
Olukoyede made the call in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing stakeholders at a Town Hall Meeting in preparation for the commemoration of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day.
The 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day will be held on Dec. 9 with the theme: “Uniting the Youths Against Corruption”.
He decried the adverse impact of corruption on the prospects of young people and the urgent need for collective action.
According to him, corruption limits the opportunities for self-actualisation and tilts the playing field in favour of a privileged few.
“A corrupt society cannot provide the equal opportunities that every young person needs to thrive,” he said.
The EFCC boss further lamented the increasing allure of internet fraud among the youth, describing it as a threat to their future.
“The allure of easy money through cybercrime draws many young people into criminality. However, there is no sustainable success in internet fraud; it only leads to a grim future.
“Youths must reject such practices and embrace integrity,” he said.
Olukoyede also urged the youth to lend forces and voices in support of activities of anti-corruption agencies, like the EFCC.
“Progress-inclined youths should be more vibrant in identifying with the activities of the commission. There are structures in place for active engagement with youths at the EFCC,” he said.
Olukoyede said that there is the need for the existence of EFCC’s anti-corruption clubs in primary, secondary and higher institutions across the country.
He advanced support for whistleblowing, as another potent means of tackling graft by young people.
“There is no way corruption can be tackled if we allow it around us without a challenge.
“Youths have formidable roles to play in this regard. There is a need for stronger energy against the corrupt in our midst. No effort is too little and no sacrifice is too tasking in this regard,” the EFCC boss said.
He further called for individual and corporate accountability by youths, pointing out that, “no matter the structure any youth may want to form against corrupt practices, without self-driven resolve to reject such practices, no other framework can work”.
“This means that personal choices and decisions against corruption count better than any other force,” Olukoyede said.
The event featured a panel discussion moderated by the Director, Public Affairs Department, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren.
Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, encouraged the youth to reject association with corrupt individuals as their future depended on their integrity.
“Following corrupt people only fools you. Work hard, be transparent, and you will succeed without cutting corners,” he said.
Participants, including students and youth leaders, commended the EFCC’s efforts and shared insights on how young people could actively participate in the anti-corruption crusade.
Discussions on the same issue were held across all the Zonal Commands of the EFCC, where youths were also urged to embrace right values and shun criminal tendencies.(NAN)
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.