Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on corps members and youths across Nigeria to see corruption as an enemy that must be eliminated, as it remains the root cause of the nation’s developmental challenges.
Olukoyede gave this charge on Thursday, while addressing members of batch C stream II at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Kubwa, Abuja.
Speaking through Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, Sani Emmanuel, he emphasized that corruption is responsible for many of Nigeria’s challenges, including unemployment, insecurity, poverty, and economic instability.
“Every challenge around us today can be traced to the consequences of corruption, with the rising troubles of unemployment, insecurity, poverty, diseases, low life expectancy, hunger, robbery, and kidnapping largely caused by past mismanagement and misapplication of resources,” he stated.
Also, at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Awgu, Enugu State, Olukoyede, represented by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Abosede Gadzama, spoke on the topic: “Roles of youths in fighting corruption to promote economic growth.”
He urged corps members to embrace hard work and avoid crime, warning that internet fraud and financial crimes deter foreign investments and expose the nation to economic vulnerabilities.
“There is no shortcut to wealth and fame. The fact that the unemployment rate is high should not be an excuse to resort to crime.
“Criminal acts may bring short-term wealth but will ultimately lead to misery. We are calling on youths to embrace hard work and shun crime. Yahoo-yahoo is not a sustainable way of life,” he said.
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At the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Wammako, Sokoto State, Olukoyede, represented by Kamilu Gebi, urged corps members to become change agents, community advocates, and whistleblowers for the EFCC.
He also encouraged them to play active roles in their community development service groups and positively impact their places of primary assignment.
“The NYSC is an opportunity for national service. Use it to prove yourself as a reform-minded Nigerian,” he advised.
Similar anti-corruption messages were delivered at orientation camps across the country, including at Yikpata (Kwara State), Iyana Ipaja (Lagos), Kaduna, Iseyin (Oyo), Kaiama (Bayelsa), Nounwa (Rivers), Kano, and others.
The EFCC chairman’s nationwide engagement with corps members aligns with the commission’s ongoing efforts to sensitize young Nigerians on the dangers of corruption and financial crimes.
