The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged youths across the country to build resistance against cybercrime.
He made this call in Abuja on Tuesday, when students of ARWA Basic School, Abuja, visited the corporate headquarters of the Commission on a study tour.
Speaking on how to build resistance against cybercrime, the EFCC’s boss pointed out that youths should cultivate right mentality to be fortified against criminality. “It is your mentality that determines your finality”, he said. Olukoyede, who spoke through the Spokesperson of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Dele Oyewale outlined modalities, frameworks, and strategies that could serve as moral and spiritual resistance that, if followed carefully, will empower youths against internet offences.
He tasked youths to develop innovation, industry, clean wealth, statesman and honour mentality to be able to resist the lure of internet fraud. “ It all boils down to the power of your mind. Decide not to go into internet fraud. Train your mind to follow a positive lane and you won’t be dragged into the mire of the fraud”, he said. He further called for hard work as a potent means of breaking the walls of poverty, stressing that only through hard work can youths achieve their potentials. “With hard work, you can achieve more; there is no need to go online and pretend to be someone you are not, claiming to be an Australian or American soldier. With hard work and the help of God, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve without hindrance,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, representative of the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Deputy Director and Head of EFCC Radio, Nwayinma Okeanu, said the fight against economic and financial crimes was a fight to protect the future of the youths and ensure that Nigeria thrives and attains its desired height in the comity of nations.
“Corruption is one thing that has taken us so far back that every one of us should weep. It is time to come together and fight it upfront. So, it gives us joy to see young people come to the EFCC to know how the Commission works, how it fights and prevents economic and financial crimes,” she said.
In his presentation on the topic “The Effect of Economic and Financial Crimes on the Individual and the Economy,” Head of Public Interface Unit of the Commission, ACE 1 Tony Orilade, said the effect of economic and financial crimes on the individual and the economy cannot be overemphasized. “It is clear that economic and financial crimes have given Nigeria a bad name in international financial circles, with enormous negative consequences. Efforts to prevent and prosecute these crimes are crucial for maintaining a healthy and stable economy, not only for the individual but also for Nigeria as a country,” he said.
He further called on the youths to be patriotic by reporting any act of economic and financial crimes to the EFCC via its hotline and all social media platforms.
Speaking on the ills of cybercrime, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ACE1, ArmaYa’u Aliyu, cautioned the students to desist from all forms of cybercrime, as taking part in them would jeopardize their life and future.
He identified various forms of criminal indulgence in cybercrimes such as stalking, hacking, business email compromise and several others and warned the students to stay away from them. “The consequences of involvement in cyber crimes are grievous. Resist peer pressure and any other influence that may drag you into the crimes”, he said.
In her remarks, Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Aisha Mohammed, says “it is cheaper to prevent corruption than to fight it, and that is why the Commission is accepting students to visit it on a study tour to reorient their thinking on the ills of corruption”.
Mohammed further charged the students to be patriotic and support the EFCC in its fight against economic and financial crimes by becoming ambassadors of the Commission in preaching the good work of the EFCC to their parents and friends.
Packaged by Emmanuel Okafor
