The executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyode, has urged students across the country to be change agents by being the ears and eyes of the commission wherever they observe any fraudulent activity.
He gave the charge in Lagos weekend during the second edition of All Public Primary Schools in Lagos Debate Competition organised by the LG News Academy.
A statement by Dele Oyewale, head, Media & Publicity, Monday said the EFCC’s boss, who spoke through Babatunde Sulaiman of the Public Affairs Department, PAD, Lagos Zonal Command, commended the initiative and praised the pupils for reaching the finals among the 1021 participating schools.
In his goodwill message at the occasion, Olukoyode lamented the growing involvement of youth, who are potential leaders of the country, in cybercrimes.
He also expressed grave concern that the commission, almost on a daily basis, receives credible intelligence linking many youth across the country to all manner of economic and financial crimes.
Speaking about the efforts of the commission to curtail the disturbing trend of youth involvement in cybercrimes, the anti-graft czar stated that the commission, in line with its prevention mandate, would continue to collaborate with critical stakeholders and organisations, including schools to sensitise the youth.
He encouraged the young minds to become anti-corruption ambassadors, who would always condemn fraudulent practices, while utilising their God-given talents for the betterment of the society.
“In this hall today, I see a crop of young minds who inspire with their powerful and moving words and whose facial expressions alone convey the readiness to be anti-corruption ambassadors. I see a crop of youth who are desirous to join the commission to break the chain of corruption and economic and financial crimes that has stymied the country,” he said.
He also pointed out that, “You have shown us that all Nigerian youth must not be tarred with this same brush of criminality.”
