By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, on Thursday, charged Nigerian youth to lend their forces and voices in support of activities of anti-corruption agencies so as to get rid of corruption in the society.
He gave this advice at the EFCC Town Hall Meeting on Youth Against Corruption in commemoration of 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day, themed: “Uniting The Youths Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” held at Ultra-Modern Hall, Federal College of Agriculture, Apata in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Olukoyede, whose speech was read by the Acting Zonal Director of Ibadan Zonal Directorate, Hauwa Ringim, further advised them to tackle corruption fiercely, close ranks and confront the monster of corruption.
He explained that corruption affected every age group but bites harder against the prospects and possibilities of the youths.
He said, “This makes it more binding on young people to tackle corruption more fiercely than any other age group. The scourge of graft limits and vitiates the opportunities of youths for self-actualization.
“Every young person needs an equal opportunity for self-expression. But this is impossible in societies where favouritism, nepotism, partisan and other extraneous considerations tilt opportunities in favour of some few privileged people.
“This is not good for the youths and it is for this reason that they need to forge a united front against corruption.
“The allure of easy money is drawing young people into the vortex of criminality. This explains why our institutions of higher learning are struggling to make students stay away from internet fraud.
“Any young person that is tainted with cybercrime faces a grim future. There is no sustainable success in internet fraud. So, our youths need collaborative efforts for progressive innovations.”
Olukoyede added that it was high time the youths joined hands together to pursue values that will add strength to their lives.
“Youths need a united voice to challenge unsavoury practices at every level of government. They need to come together to be watchdogs and active forces against any form of corruption. No other age group will do this for them.”
In their separate goodwill messages, Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigations Department, Toyin Agbaminoja, the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Augustine Padonu, represented by Deputy Commandant, Ademola Raman, state Director of National Orientation Agency, Dr Olukemi Agolayan and state Coordinator of National Youth Service Corp, Oche Odoba, represented by Momson Abimbola, charged the youths on the reasons they need to be enlisted in the war against corruption in order to secure a brighter future.
The event had in attendance stakeholders including National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), secondary schools, civil society groups, parents among others.
