The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has charged youths and students across the country to imbibe the culture of honesty, integrity and avoid internet fraud and corruption.
He made the call recently at Anglican Girls Grammar School, Apo, Abuja at the inauguration of the School’s Integrity Club.
Olukoyede, who spoke through the Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department of the Commission, DCE Nwanyinma Okeanu enjoined the students to make integrity their watchword always.
He also charged them to see corruption as unhealthy lifestyle that is inimical to the progress of individuals and country and warned them to shun all forms of corruption and internet fraud.
“In the instance of the school environment, corruption manifests as unhealthy practices such as lying, exam malpractices, internet fraud, stealing”, he said.
According to him, youths’ involvement in internet fraud is a threat to their future because of the risks of conviction and associated complications.
The EFCC boss disclosed that “corruption shows up when one decides to cut corners and throws good conducts to the dogs” stressing that they should endeavour to life an honest life.
“We are here because integrity should be the watchword of everyone especially the young ones. If you do not have integrity, you will be missing a lot in life, although to you, you are enjoying and gaining wealth but your life is gradually going down the drain”, he said.
Speaking on the Integrity Club, Olukoyede explained that the club was aimed at promoting positive values and good morals amongst all students in the country and urged them to work hard in being people of integrity and honesty and not make excuses for ill acts.
“I encourage you to take this club seriously and work with the EFCC in the pursuit of ridding this nation of all forms of economic and financial crimes and based on these submissions, I consider it a great privilege to launch an Integrity Club in your school today. I hope that every member, student and entire school community adopts the rules and regulations of the club and in the process make Nigeria better and greater”, he said.
The Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, in her remarks said the Integrity Club is being established in schools across the country because EFCC believes in the youths as the ones that will bring about the change that Nigeria is yearning for.
“You are a special and important stakeholder of the EFCC and that is why we are try ing to educate and instill in you, the young ones the spirit of integrity. The mission of the Club is to develop, nurture and empower future leaders to be proactive ambassadors of integrity”
“Stand for the right thing and do the right thing always even when no one is watching as you are the future of Nigeria. Nigeria will always be home, we do not have any other country and as we all know, we are representatives of this great country and as such, we should thrive to be good representatives”, she said.
Mohammed further added that it’s rewarding to be a true ambassador and citizen of Nigeria and that it pays to be honest in ones activities.
In her words, “If you decide to emigrate to another country in order to escape the harsh realities here, instead of fixing things, what happens to people who do not have that opportunity? Being considerate is also a major indicator of integrity.
“Be a part of this fight against corruption, do what you can in your own little corner, do not wait for anyone to fix the country. If you all decide that individually, you will be a voice against corruption and help to spread the message of the EFCC.
Earlier, the Vice Principal of the School Administration, Mrs Nkiru Nwafor in her welcome address, appreciated the EFCC, in its efforts to make Nigeria corruption-free
She welcomed the idea of the Integrity Club and promised to keep pushing her students to be good representatives of the School and the nation at large.
“We appreciate the EFCC team for deeming us worthy of being their ambassador. We are honoured by their presence and we are grateful that we get to have this Integrity Club as an arm of the Commission. We’ll do our best to make you proud”, she said.
The highlight of the event was the oath-taking ceremony by the Club members, Executives, and their Patrons, including the presentation of Integrity Club manuals and EFCC publications to the School.
Packaged by Emmanuel Okafor
