The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukayode, has said that every young person needs an equal opportunity for self-expression but that Nigerian youths face serious impediments as a result of nepotism and favouritism.
Speaking during a Town Hall Meeting organized by the EFCC in Kano, the Chairman of the Commission, said the theme, “Uniting the Youths against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” resonates deeply with the compelling need for young people to close ranks and confront the monster of corruption.
He said “Corruption affects every age group but bites harder against the prospects and possibilities of youths. This makes it more binding on young people to tackle it more fiercely than any other age group.”
The Chairman who spoke through the Kano Commander of the Commission, Ibrahim Shazali, noted that there is no sustainable success in internet fraud, saying that youths need collaborative efforts for progressive innovations, as they cannot achieve this in a corrupt environment.
The Chairman, explained that the attendant strength that comes from a positive outlook and reform-minded pursuits is too important for youths to compromise on the altar of corruption, “youths need a united voice to challenge unsavoury practices at every level of government.”
“It is high time youths joined hands together to pursue values that will add strength to their lives, another means of uniting against corruption is to lend forces and voices in support of activities of anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“Youths can also unite against corruption by exposing tendencies and actions that run counter to accountability and right values in their neighbourhood. This is simply a whistle-blowing opportunity for youths. There is no way corruption can be tackled if we allow it around us.
The Chairman noted, “No matter the structure any youth may want to form against corrupt practices, without a self-driven resolve to reject such practices, no other framework can work. This means that personal choices and decisions against corruption count better than any other force.
Nepotism, favouritism, partisanship killing Nigerian youths – EFCC