The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has stated that anyone without integrity cannot fight corruption in the country.
He stated this recently when students of Lucky Igbinedion University, Edo State came on a study visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Olukoyede who was represented by the Head of Public Interface of the Public Affairs Department, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Tony Orilade noted that Nigeria was hugely endowed with resources but that the evil of corruption has reduced it to a poor country.
“You have no place in anti-corruption fight if you lack integrity. For Nigeria to be redeemed, we all have to do the right thing at all times by catering for our needs, not our greed. In the spirit of collaboration, everyone is needed onboard because the fight is very huge and everyone has a part to play. One of our core mandate is prevention, so feel free to join us by becoming part of EFCC`s groups like the Zero Tolerance and Integrity clubs to spread the word to your friends, family and community” he said
Speaking on the internet and its benefits, ACE II Saed Mohammed of the ICT Department revealed how the internet has helped in improving lives, especially with the advent of Artificial Intelligence which has made work and learning easier. He encouraged the students to look at the positive side of the internet and all the opportunities it has to offer to enrich and better themselves.
Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation, ACE II Aisha Mohammed took the visitors through the mandate of the Commission and its prevention efforts.
“That is why we move around to sensitize the public and stakeholders about things they don’t know, especially engaging with the youths by trying to catch them young. We have Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, Zero Tolerance for undergraduates. I tell young people to think about their family and community before making decisions about their future. Think of where you are coming from. Stay away from getting rich quickly, work hard and be contented with what you have, success will surely come” she said.
DSE Armayau Aliyu from the Cybercrime Section, while speaking on the effects of cybercrimes, noted that demography shows that young people are the main actors. He charged the students to take precaution and enrich themselves with information that will prevent them from falling victims of cybercrimes. He revealed that cybercrime was the third largest economy in the world with statistics showing in 2023 that 33 billion accounts were breached, translating to a staggering 2,200 cyber attacks per day, or one attack every 39 seconds. The cost of cybercrime is predicted to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
The students through their leader, appreciated the EFCC for mentoring and hosting them and promised to assist the Commission spread the anti-corruption message at school, home and community levels.
