The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on youths across the country to embrace the right value systems by refraining from internet-related crimes and other offences.
He gave the charge on October 24, 202,3 when a delegation of students from Oloye Comprehensive College, Abuja, visited the corporate headquarters of the Commission, in Jabi, Abuja on a Study Tour.
The Chairman who spoke through Head, Media & Publicity Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Dele Oyewale said right value systems by youths have great prospects of helping them to build resistance against crimes. He called on youths to redirect their focus from the existing negative value systems; such as the get–rich–at–all–cost value system, materialist value system, and impunity to a more acceptable positive value system.
“Instead of the get-rich-at-all-cost value system, we must embrace a value system of legitimate undertakings which emphasize hard work, industry, patience, and waiting for your time. It is the get–rich–quick syndrome that is at the root of cybercrime and all manner of economic and financial crimes. Youths across the country must avoid wrong values so that they can develop a very sound and profound value system that will be good for them and for the society, for those who take shortcuts are always cut short”, he said.
Deputy Director, Creative Engagements, DCE Nwayinma Okeanu, stressed that the anti-corruption fight is not for EFCC alone, stressing that, it is a collective effort from everyone to make Nigeria great, and equally helping the EFCC achieve its mandate.
“The EFCC is for everybody because the fight against economic and financial crimes is a fight that touches each and every one of us. The nation needs to be cleansed because young people like you are doing things that they are not expected to do, those things are putting our dear country in a bad light; those things are putting our collective future in jeopardy. If we do not clean that mess that we are in now, the future we are looking for may not be achievable”, she said.
On her part, Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, called on the youths to be part of the anti-corruption fight, stressing that change begins with them.
“We expect you to always be our foot soldiers and ambassadors of the EFCC, as the future of Nigeria is in your hands”, she said.
In a presentation on the paper; “Concept of Cyber Crime”, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Daniel Nwaka, expressed the need for students to be cautious of cyberspace as crimes on the internet are on the increase. “The choice to use cyberspace to do what is right, is yours to make. If you choose to do what is bad, the EFCC will be waiting for you”, he said