The executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerian youth to take a proactive stance against corruption and internet fraud.
He said their active participation is vital to securing a brighter future.
Represented by Benedict Ubi of the Kaduna zonal command, Olukoyede spoke at the EFCC town hall meeting held in Kaduna to mark the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day.
Olukoyede stated that corruption disproportionately hampers the potential of young people, urging them to confront the menace with unity and resolve. He warned that the allure of quick wealth through cybercrime leads to a bleak future.
“The scourge of internet fraud has drawn many youth into criminality, but there is no lasting success in such pursuits. Integrity is the only pathway to sustainable success,” he said.
The EFCC chairman praised the theme of the 2024 Anti-Corruption Day: “Uniting the Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” calling it a call to action for young Nigerians to work collaboratively to combat graft. He encouraged the formation of integrity clubs and active participation in anti-corruption campaigns, urging youth to serve as whistleblowers against corrupt practices in their communities.
He further noted that, “No structure can defeat corruption without individual resolve. Youth must make a personal commitment to integrity. Reject the shortcut of corruption because, as we say, shortcuts often cut people short.”
