EFCC Charges NYSC Members to be Whistleblowers
As the ‘Batch A Stream 1, 2020″ opens on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, across the country, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has urged the NYSC members in Nigeria, to be whistleblowers and to join hands with the EFCC to fight against corruption and economic crimes in the country.
Magu, who was represented by Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Public Affairs Department, EFCC headquarters, Abuja, Oladele Oyewole, while speaking at the ongoing national orientation camp, Kubwa, Abuja on the “Role of Youths in the Fight Against Corruption”, charged the corps members to be whistleblowers and change agents in the struggle to end corruption in Nigeria.
He said: “You all should be agents of change and also whistleblowers of criminal acts. Report any evil activities around your environments, whenever and wherever you find yourselves.”
He further encouraged the corps members to join the Commission in the fight against corruption by enlisting in the EFCC-Community Development Service (CDS), group in the course of their service to their fatherland.
Assistant Chief Inspection, Local Government, NYSC, Kubwa, Ifofa Cornellia, appreciated the acting Chairman for his tireless effort in the fight against corruption and admonished corps members to live a transparent and honest life at all times.
Ifofa urged corps members not to rest on their oars in their quest to serve Nigeria adding that they should learn from the lectures given to them and be great leaders of tomorrow.
Speaking through Ayo Oyewole and Dolapo Adeniran of the EFCC’s Directorate of Public Affairs, Lagos office, at the Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp, in Sagamu and the Lagos State Camp at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos respectively, he also urged corps members to see themselves as Anti-corruption Ambassadors.
In a sensitization lecture titled, “The Role of the Youth in Curbing Corruption”, he described them as “critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption”.
He said: “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 rout of corruption and economic crimes out of our land.
“Nigerian youth must also take more than a passing interest in the affairs of their country. They must be willing to hold their leaders accountable.”
Magu described as unfortunate the fact that the Nigerian youths who were idealistic and puritanical in their reasoning and positions on issues as corruption are now toeing dishonourable paths by also involving in internet fraud, among other vices.
According to him, “sadly, an increasing number of young persons who found themselves in positions of authority have not shown that the youths are themselves immune from corruption. A number of them have surpassed the older generation in the manipulation of the system to feather their own nests.”
Represented by Kanu Idagu, Head, EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office, Magu urged corps members at the Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State, to shun corruption.
While delivering a speech titled: “EFCC and the role of the youths in curbing corruption”, he challenged the youths to be alive to the fight against corruption as the future of the nation rests on them.
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“Apart from the fact that you 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,” he said, and charged them to be the foot soldiers leading the mass rout of corruption out of Nigeria.
The Second-in-Command to the Ibadan Zonal Head, Bright Igeleke, addressed the corps members at the Oyo State NYSC orientation camp at Iseyin, to deliver his message on behalf of the EFCC acting Chairman.
While delivering the address entitled: ‘EFCC and the role of the youths in curbing corruption’, Magu challenged the youth to be alive to the fight against corruption as the future of the nation rests on them.
“Apart from the fact that they (the youth) 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 rout of corruption and economic crimes out of our land,” he said.
At the NYSC Orientation Camp, Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the EFCC acting Chairman who was represented by the Second in Command, Bank Fraud Section of the zone, Perelasu Oruzia, urged the 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members to shun any illegal activity as the EFCC has in the past, prosecuted Corps members who engaged in corruption.
He said: “Do not be used to divert public funds during and after your service year.
“As you go to your places of primary assignments, don’t allow civil servants or public servants to use you in committing any form of corruption, economic or financial crimes.”
Represented by Head, Public Affairs, EFCC Maiduguri Office, Jamilu Sale, Magu, while delivering a keynote titled “EFCC and the Role of the Youth in Curbing Corruption” at the Yobe State National Orientation Camp, Damaturu, Yobe State said, “You should become whistle-blowers in any place where you are posted to, by reporting acts that fails the test of integrity; as it’s no use lamenting that things are not right with our country.”
He further urged corps members to be people of integrity and to equally join the EFCC and become foot soldiers for an effective advocacy against corruption, economic and financial crimes in the northeast.
Speaking through Nana Abubakar of the EFCC Kaduna Office, Magu called on the corps members to always see themselves as “agents of change”.
“You must refuse any form of inducement using money, juicy employments or otherwise in their various places of primary assignments during their one year compulsory service to their fatherland,” he said.
In Enugu, the Acting Chairman charged the Youths to shun every form of corruption especially, Advance Fee Fraud popularly known as ‘yahoo-yahoo’ and join hands with EFCC in its efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes.
Magu was speaking at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Awgu, Enugu State in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Head, Public Affairs of the Commission in the South East, Chris Oluka.
“Young people must not be mere spectators in the anti-corruption campaign; rather, they should actually be the foot soldiers leading the mass rout of corruption and economic crimes out of our land,” he stated.
Tony Orilade
Acting Head, Media & Publicity
