Help Us In Building A Lawful Society – EFCC Begs Youth

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has begged Nigerian youths to help the country in building a law-abiding society.

Naija News reports that the Chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, made the call on Wednesday, September 8 in an Orientation message to members of the Batch “B” Stream II of the National Youth Service Corps.

Represented by Tony Orilade, Head of Public Interface Unit, Bawa charged the Corps members to become whistleblowers wherever they find themselves across the country, especially in their place of primary assignment.

The EFCC boss noted that most crimes recorded in Nigeria are committed by young people. “Young people must not be mere spectators in the anti-graft campaign. Rather, they should actually be the foot soldiers, leading the mass route of corruption and economic crimes out of our land,” Bawa was quoted saying.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement said Bawa who spoke on the Role of Youth in Curbing Corruption at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja, described youths as critical stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

“One critical group of stakeholders are the youths. Apart from the fact that they are considered as the leaders of tomorrow, most economic crimes, especially cybercrimes are committed by young people. It, therefore, follows that young people must not be mere spectators in the anti-graft campaign. Rather, they should actually be the foot soldiers, leading the mass route of corruption and economic crimes out of our land,” he said.

According to him, youth can blow the whistle by reporting acts that fail the simple test of integrity, instead of lamenting that things are not right with the country. “We are inviting you to lend a hand in helping us build a society where there is respect for law and order and where impunity is a thing of the past. We urge you, when you see something, to say something; and don’t stop there, please do something!”

Also addressing the youths at the Orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, Bawa, who was represented by Ayo Oyewole, Head, Public Affairs Department, Lagos Zonal Command, reminded the youth that hard work and integrity brings success, stressing that there is no shortcut to wealth and fame.

He said: “The fact that the rate of unemployment is high should not be an excuse to resort to crimes. 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 crimes. Yahoo-Yahoo is not a sustainable way of life.”

At the Ekiti State Permanent Orientation Camp in Ise/Emure/Orun Ekiti, the EFCC chair, who was represented by the Head of Public Affairs Department, Ilorin Zonal Command, Ayodele Babatunde, described corruption as malignant cancer that must be vigorously fought to a standstill.

The anti-graft agency thanked the NYSC for giving the Commission the opportunity to impact the corps members while tasking the youths to stay away from acts of criminality.

“Yahoo Yahoo is not a sustainable way of life. It is painful when our operatives arrest as many as 50 Yahoo Yahoo boys in a single raid. Add your voice to mine, because the fight against economic and financial crimes involves you and I, while I play my part, you will play yours”, Bawa said.

At the Orientation camp in Okada, Edo State, Williams Oseghale, Head Public Affairs, Benin Zonal Command, who presented the Executive Chairman’s message, urged the Corps members to partner with the Commission by joining the EFCC Anti-corruption Community Development Group. Uwujaren said similar messages were presented at the orientation camps in Isele-Uku, Delta State; Nowa Gbam, Rivers State; Keffi, Nasarawa State; Awgu, Enugu State; Iseyin, Oyo State; Kaduna, Kaduna State and Gombe, Gombe State