By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on youths across the country to embrace innovation and strategic thinking as effective ways of building resistance against internet crimes.
He stated this in Ile-Ife, Osun State at the 2024 Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) Award ceremony, held at the Obafemi Awolowo University to celebrate the remarkable achievements and outstanding leadership 100 young people across Africa.
According to him, there are ample opportunities for development in Nigeria and Africa in general if youths stayed away from corruption and cybercrime.
He said, “Greater prospects for Nigeria and Africa in the future will not be attainable if our youths continue to wallow in corruption and cybercrime. African youths especially Nigerian youths must demonstrate exceptional innovation and dedication in order to make positive impact in the society.”
The anti-graft czar who spoke through the Ag. Zonal Director, Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Hauwa Garba Ringim applauded the Royal African Young Leadership Forum for being a blueprint for the development of African youths.
He noted that the forum was building capacity and helping youths to channel their energy towards getting quality education, acquire and develop skills that would alleviate poverty in Nigeria and Africa at large.
While lauding the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for envisioning RAYLF, he urged African countries to come together under the forum to achieve better feats that would further transform and elevate the place of Africans in the comity of nations.
Congratulating the awardees for showcasing their success stories for the purpose of inspiring and motivating other youths and thereby foster cultural excellence and empowerment across Africa, the EFCC boss charged them not to betray the confidence reposed in them while assuring the Ooni of his unwavering and unequivocal support.
In his remarks, Oba Ogunwusi explained that RAYLF “is a very strong and formidable platform that brings young minds together to network and do great things in terms of how they can better their immediate community and their nation as a whole”
“Our mission is ambitious and essential. It is geared towards promoting peace, economic prosperity, and unity across Africa by harnessing the exceptional potential of our young population.
“Today, the world increasingly acknowledges Africa’s importance, not just for our abundant natural resources, but for our vibrant and dynamic youths who are lighting the way towards a prosperous and unified continent”, he said.
He called on leaders across the continent to unite to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of young Africans who are making significant impact in their communities and beyond.
“These young leaders, innovators, and change makers embody the bright future of Africa, and I am honored to stand with them as they continue to inspire and drive positive change”, he said.
The Royal Father unfolded the emergence of “Royal Africa Chamber of Commerce” which is a new initiative under RAYLF that compels a free trade agreement.
The new initiative, according to the monarch, would raise N1billion to encourage strong- minded and innovative young females entrepreneurs across Africa, including Nigeria, “who do not have opportunities to thrive in various sectors of human endeavours”.
Among the awardees are: Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Jamilu Bio Ibrahim, Minister of State for Youth and Sport Development, Ayodele Olawande, Director General and CEO of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Charles Odili, and Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu.
Also, the Managing Director and CEO of NEXIM Bank, Abubakar Abba Bello was in attendance among others.
RAYLF is a platform by the Ooni of Ife for celebrating young trailblazing talents across African continent in various sectors. The 2024 RAYLF was themed “Africa of the Future – Better Together”.
