The African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) has honoured the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, for his leadership and efforts in the fight against corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria.
Key highlights:
The students presented Olukoyede with the Pan-African Leadership Hall of Fame Award as “Africa’s Patriotic Icon of Integrity and Leadership,” during a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, ASUP’s Nigerian representative, James Uneze, said the award recognises Olukoyede’s contributions to nation-building and his efforts to combat economic and cybercrimes.
Uneze, a student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, said the students have followed Olukoyede’s activities at the EFCC, particularly his efforts against economic crimes, cyber fraud and financial crimes.
“We share in your remarkable characteristics, visions, and quest for positive national development,” Uneze said.
He described Olukoyede as a role model whose activities have provided hope to Nigerians affected by financial crimes and economic hardship.
“Today, we have a man of integrity, a man with confidence in the person of Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman who is fighting immensely to ensure that Nigeria attains its economic glory.
“He is fighting corruption, financial crime, and also recovering stolen funds and properties to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President is achieved,” he said.
Uneze said the award is also linked to the students’ campaigns against cyber fraud, drug abuse, proliferation of small arms and light weapons and other social problems affecting African youths.
He said young Africans must play an active role in building a better continent.
“Today, we are not fighting for independence, though we frown at and condemn the act of racism.
“But what we are doing in our own corner is reintroducing or rearticulating the concept of Pan-Africanism and Pan-Africanism for us is the development of Africa by Africans and for Africa,” he said.
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The award plaque described Olukoyede as “Africa’s patriotic icon of integrity and leadership,” citing his contributions to nation-building, patriotism, economic and human capital development, the renewal of Pan-Africanism and promotion of peace across racial, national and religious boundaries.
Receiving the award on behalf of Olukoyede, the Head of the EFCC’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Aisha Mohammed, said the recognition shows that the commission’s anti-corruption efforts were being noticed by young Africans.
Mohammed stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling corruption and other social challenges.
“You cannot talk about EFCC without collaboration. It is part of our core values. We collaborate and we are open to collaboration. Nobody can do it alone,” she said.
She noted that Olukoyede also serves as the chairman of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), describing the award as timely.
According to her, the EFCC maintains partnerships with anti-corruption agencies across Africa and internationally.
“EFCC has collaboration and relationships with all anti-corruption agencies across Africa and even internationally. Just like I mentioned, collaboration is part of our core values,” she said.
Mohammed assured the delegation that the EFCC would continue working with stakeholders, particularly young people, in its efforts to combat corruption and other social vices.
The delegation comprised students from several African countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.
