The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has called on religious leaders across the country to be discreet in their emphasis on material wealth in their messages, stressing that youths could be negatively swayed into criminality through such actions.
He stated this in Abuja on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the Nigerian Youth Stakeholders’ Security Summit organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youths On Security and Safety Affairs, CONYSSA.
Speaking on the role of government, religious institutions, community and youth leaders in the fight against internet fraud, the EFCC boss who spoke through Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE11 Aisha Muhammed called on the stakeholders to come together to tame corruption and internet fraud.
“Government should continue to empower our youth through adequate provisions of jobs, encouragement of entrepreneurship, scholarship for further studies, encouragement of innovation and scientific advances and opportunities for inclusive engagement in governance. Religious institutions have unique roles to play in this regard. Messages and sermons on virtues, values and higher issues of life should always be preached. Less emphasis should be placed on the celebration of material wealth. Religious leaders should walk their talks and make youth see God in their lives. Youth making waves in the right ways should always be celebrated to set their minds on useful pursuits,” he said.
Continuing, the EFCC’s boss stressed that, “community and youth leaders also have roles to play in building resistance of youth against internet fraud. Central in this regard is regular and focused mobilization of youth towards value-adding engagements. As closest links to youth across the country, community and youth leaders should always direct the energy of our youth to development-focused enterprise. They should monitor them against criminality and expose those not yielding to useful instructions.
The EFCC boss also called on all the stakeholders who have a stake in the development of the Nigerian youth to play their roles accordingly adding that the youth cannot be allowed without guidance.
“We cannot afford to leave leaders of tomorrow without guidance. The EFCC believes that there are alternatives to internet fraud. There are ample opportunities for youth to exercise their talents and creative energies than indulgence in criminal acts. This fact should be widely embraced by our youth and we all have a responsibility to make them accept it”, he said.
In his welcome address, Director General, CONYSSA, Ambassador Ade Mario Emmanuel appreciated the efforts of the EFCC Chairman at redirecting the thinking of the Nigerian youth.
“The EFCC is trying its best. In fact, I must appreciate the EFCC Chairman. There is no programme the EFCC is doing in this country that CONYSSA is not at the forefront and we sincerely appreciate the Commission for the good work it is doing and for seeing it as a thing of necessity that young people must be involved in the fight against internet fraud in the country and he is intentional about it,” he said.
Commenting on the theme of the Summit, “The Place of Nigerian Youth in Complementing National Security and Enhancing the Protection of Critical National Assets For Sustainable Peace and National Development”, the Niger State Coordinator of CONYSSA, Ambassador Dalhatu Abubakar Iya says that it is a call to every young Nigerian to recognise his or her role in securing the future of Nigeria, “not just by patriotism and vigilance, but by protecting the very assets that form the backbone of our economic and developmental stability.
“The youths of Nigeria are our most strategic assets, but without proper guidance, empowerment and responsibility, these assets can also become vulnerable. We have seen how neglecting the youth leads to their involvement in criminal activities, drug abuse and other social vices and it is time we changed the narrative.
EFCC Chairman was presented with a National Outstanding Leadership Award, by the organizers of the Summit.
