The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged Youths in the country to shun corruption and join hands together to pursue values that will add strength to their lives.
Olukoyede gave the charge at the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day programme organised by the commission on Thursday, and held at the Federal College of Agriculture, Apata, Ibadan.
According to him, corruption is a deadly phenomenon that affects every age group but bites harder against the prospects and possibilities of youths.
Olukoyede who was ably represented at the programme by the acting Zonal Director of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate, ACE 1 Hauwa Garba Ringim said the scourge of graft limits and vitiates the opportunities of youths for self-actualization, adding that every young person needs an equal opportunity for self-expression.
Speaking on the theme, Uniting the Youths against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”, the EFCC boss said there are structures in place for active engagement with youths at the EFCC, saying at the Primary and Secondary School level, we have the Integrity Club serving as a rallying point for students and at the Tertiary Institution level, we have the Zero Tolerance Club, which are platforms for engagement against corrupt practices.
“Let me congratulate the youths across the country on the theme of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day, “Uniting the Youths against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”, which resonates deeply with the compelling need for young people to close ranks and confront the monster of corruption.
“I feel greatly delighted to address our youths at this event to commemorate the 2024 International Anti-corruption Day, a yearly gathering that has become an occasion of stocks-taking and pragmatic analysis of anti-graft initiatives across the world.
“At this juncture, let me point out the route that can be taken by youths to achieve unity in the fight against corruption. One of those routes is deliberate synergy against graft. They can do this by forming associations, clubs, think tanks, societies that promote good values. This makes it more binding on young people to tackle it more fiercely than any other age group.
Speaking on the menace of corruption, Olukoyede said corruption makes the youths vulnerable to fraudulent practices, saying one of the dreadful effects of internet fraud is its bandwagon effects on youths.
“The allure of easy money is drawing young people into the vortex of criminality. This explains why our institutions of higher learning are struggling to make students stay away from internet fraud. Any young person that is tainted with cybercrime faces a grim future. There is no sustainable success in internet fraud.
“Youths need collaborative efforts for progressive innovations. They cannot achieve this in a corrupt environment. The attendant strength that comes from a positive outlook and reformed -minded pursuits is too important for youths to compromise on the altar of corruption.
“Youths need a united voice to challenge unsavoury practices at every level of government. They need to come together to be watchdogs and active forces against any form of corruption. No other age group will do this for them.
” But this is impossible in societies where favouritism, nepotism, partisan and other extraneous considerations tilt opportunities in favour of some few privileged people.
According to him, another means of uniting against corruption is to lend forces and voices in support of activities of anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, adding that progress-inclined youths should be more vibrant in identifying with the activities of the Commission.
He said youths can also unite against corruption by exposing tendencies and actions that run counter to accountability and right values in their neighbourhood.
“This is simply a whistle blowing opportunity for youths. 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.
” More important in this crusade against corruption is the overarching necessity of individual and corporate accountability. This entails making a decision against corruption. No matter the structure any youth may want to form against corrupt practices, without a 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.
“In conclusion, every unifying action against corruption promises better prospects for all our youths. I urge them to embrace this alternative and make it a new rule of engagement against corruption. The youths hold the rod of the future in any nation. They should use their brains and brawn 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. Let our youths see a better future ahead of them by choosing the pathway of integrity. As we always say, taking short cuts always cuts people short. Reject the shortcut of corruption and your future will be established, he added
Speaking at the programme, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police CP Ayodele Sonubi who was ably represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police SCID Operations, DCP Toyin Agbaminoja commended the EFCC for the initiative, describing the programme as a veritable medium to strengthen youths against corruption.
The Oyo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Augustine Padonu ably represented by Deputy Commander, Ademola Raman urged the youths yo say no to corruption and avoid anyone who wants to involve or engage them in corruption.
Also speaking, the state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Oluwakemi Afolayan said the youths should be reminded that they have a role to play in the development and progress of the nation.
According to her, the stability and progress they are enjoying today were the efforts and contributions of people like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Anthony Enahoro and others, urging the youths to stand firm in the task of moving the country forward.
She appealed to all stakeholders, parents, guardians, religious leaders and others to work together to achieve a corrupt free Nigeria.
In his contribution, the President, National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) John Alao commended the EFCC for reaching out to the youths via the Programme to educate and encourage them to do away with corruption.
He admonished the commission to intensify efforts at abating the scourge of corruption in many institutions across the country.
The Programme had in attendance members of the National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), Some secondary school students and others.
