By Christopher Oji

He gave the charge yesterday, while addressing corps members of Batch A Stream II in their orientation camps across the country.

In an orientation lecture, delivered on his behalf by Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC II, Otagada Sunday Ogar, in Nonwa Gbam, NYSC Camp, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on the theme,”The Role of Corps Members in the Anti-Corruption Fight,” Olukoyede observed that the role of youths in the anti-corruption fight was crucial in nation-building, adding that youths should see corruption as a war against their future. He warned them against the desire to get rich quick, because of its dire consequence of earning them the tag of ex-convicts

“An ex-convict cannot hold any leadership or public office in future, embassy officials across the world won’t grant visas to ex-convicts and no serious international or national enterprise can be run by those already jailed in any court of law. To this end, youths should be careful and steer clear of what may put their future on the line. Corruption can lead to conviction in several ways and youths should not be snared in such entanglement,” he said.

Speaking further, he urged that:”In your places of primary assignment, invest your time and energy on public enlightenment against corruption. Let the whole nation know that every Nigerian is a stakeholder in the fight against corruption. Use your education and insight to move everyone in your locality against economic and financial crimes. This is how to build a community of anti-corruption fighters and the surest way to move the nation forward,” he said.

In Kiama Orientation Camp, Bayelsa State, Olukoyede through Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC II, Cynthia Chiamaka Okoye called on Nigerian youths to be whistleblowers by making use of the EFCC Eagle App and not to aid or turn blind eyes to fraudsters.

“I also wish to admonish you all to be ready to serve as whistleblowers in your various environments. Don’t cover up criminal tendencies and fraudulent practices around you. Expose them. Offer useful intelligence to the EFCC through the Eagle Eye App, which is the EFCC’s official digital fraud reporting app. The application is open to everyone that wishes to offer useful information to the Commission. You will surely find it useful and engaging,” he said.

Speaking in Yikpata NYSC Orientation Camp, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, through Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Gbenga Adewoye, the EFCC boss also noted that the corps members could take ownership of the anti-corruption fight by actively engaging in public enlightenment and serving as whistleblowers against corrupt practices in their places of primary assignment. He also encouraged them to utilize the “EFCC’s Eagle Eye App” to report suspicious financial activities, noting that corruption was levying a “warfare” against their future. “When you see something, say something and the EFCC will do something,” he said.

While describing the NYSC service year as a rare opportunity for youths to become nation-builders and agents of positive change, he noted that Nigeria was at a critical point where the roles of youths in combating corruption have become both necessary and urgent, especially as internet fraud and other financial offences are undermining national development.

He further advised the corps members to look inwards and be innovation-driven.  “There are alternatives to internet fraud and other acts of corruption and these alternatives are what will make you leaders and nation builders,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein in Awgu NYSC Orientation Camp, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the EFCC boss, who was represented by the Head of Tax Fraud Section, Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Adaora Asabe Oragudosi again, charged the corps members not to aid or cover up fraud and corruption but make optimum use of the Commission’s Eagle Eye APP in blowing the whistle on fraudsters and the corrupt.

Speaking further, he reiterated that the fight against corruption was imperative and obligatory for the youth for the sake of their future and that of the country, noting that the nation’s ecosystem is over-burdened by corruption, which has hobbled its growth and development.

“As young Nigerians, you can only shape tomorrow by changing today. The fight against internet crimes and other acts of corruption is a fight that cannot wait. It is a fight of today to make tomorrow greater. Owing to the scourge of corruption, our national ecosystem is extremely burdened. We are encompassed on all sides by challenges of growth and development,” he said.

He admonished the corps members to see the NYSC period as a unique time and privilege they should treasure, towards becoming light bearers for the greater glory of the country.

Similarly, the EFCC Chairman, while addressing Batch A Stream II corps members in Okada, Edo State, NYSC Orientation Camp, charged them to take up fight against corruption and all forms of economic and financial crimes in every environment they will find themselves in during the service year. Olukoyede who spoke through the head, Public Affairs Department, Benin Zonal Directorate, ACE I Williams Oseghale, stated that as leaders of tomorrow it was important that youth corps members got involved in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes, noting that youths cannot afford to be spectators in the fight as they are the worse victims of the consequences of corruption.

He regretted the increasing number of youths’ involvement in internet fraud and urged the corp members to become anti-corruption crusaders and agents of public sensitization on the ills of internet fraud in their places of primary assignments.