The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has urged Nigerian youths to collaborate with the organisation and unite with it to fight cybercrime, corruption.
The organisation said this has become necessary in view of the devastating effect on the country’s economy, reputation and their own future.
The acting Lagos Zonal Director, Michael Wetkas stated this at a Town Hall Meeting on Youths Against Corruption held at the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi office of the commission.
Wetkas, who also read the address of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede at the event called for collaborative efforts to fight the “monumental evil” which he said is giving the country a bad image abroad and in order to protect their own future.
“Cybercrime is not just destroying lives; it is sinking our country’s image locally and at international level. If we don’t change the narrative, we risk extinction as a nation. Our future depends on the decisions we make today.
. “The world is watching us closely,” he explained. “If we fail to act, we risk being blacklisted, which will have grave consequences for our economy and global standing.”
Wetkas warned that Nigeria’s international reputation is under severe threat, stressing that the country is presently on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) watch list, pointing out that urgent steps needed to be taken to reverse the trend in order to save the future of the youth.
He described as disturbing statistics from a recent sting operation at a Lagos hotel where its taskforce arrested over 200 individuals involved in cybercrime and drug abuse.
Wetkas lamented that out of the 116 people taken into custody, 78 per cent were secondary school students, and only 20.8 per cent had attended tertiary institutions. These are children as young as 18 or 19, wasting their lives,” he said. “Some were so intoxicated they didn’t even realise we were standing in front of them. This is the future of our country, and it’s slipping away from our hands.”
He said when those arrested were profiled, it was shocking to discover that about 64.1per cent of those arrested were living with their parents, while 76.4 per cent were unemployed.
He said many of these young people arrested told the commission that they support their families through proceeds of their criminal activities.
Wetkas said it was disturbing when the profiling revealed that 61 per cent of their parents are aware of this, adding “If you condone a child’s wrongdoing at home, one day, that child will steal from you.”
The EFCC state coordinator also shared a case involving a 19-year-old boy who impersonated Nigerian musician Flavour to defraud an American client of $30,000.
He said, “what the boy did was to tamper with the email of the musician. Those organizing the show Flavour was to perform thought they were exchanging correspondences with him. When Flavour was to be paid advance payment for the event, it was the boy that received it.
“Incidents like this tarnish our international reputation and make it difficult for Nigerians to gain trust abroad,” he lamented.
Wetkas appealed to parents, schools, and communities to play active roles in addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour among the youths.
He urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities and support the Commission’s efforts.
Wetkas who also read the address of the chairman of the EFCC, Olukayode at the Lagos event, lamented that corruption affects every age group but bites harder against the prospects and possibilities of youths adding that this makes it more binding on young people to tackle it more fiercely than any other age group.
Olukayode noted that the scourge of graft limits and vitiates the opportunities of youths for self-actualization.
“Every young person needs an equal opportunity for self-expression. But this is impossible in societies where favouritism, nepotism, partisan and other extraneous considerations tilt opportunities in favour of some few privileged people. This is not good for the youths and it is for this reason that they need to forge a united front against corruption.”
Olukayode said that the youths need a united voice to challenge unsavoury practices at every level of government stressing that they need to come together to be watchdogs and active forces against any form of corruption. No other age group will do this for them.”
The EFCC boss listed ways that could be taken by the youths to achieve this.
“They can do this by forming associations, clubs, think tanks, societies that promote good values. 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 EFCC.”
He assured that there are structures in place for active engagement with youths at the EFCC.
“At the Primary and Secondary School level, we have the Integrity Club serving as a rallying point for students.
“At the Tertiary Institution level, we have the Zero Tolerance Club. They are all platforms for engagement against corrupt practices.
“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 without a challenge. Youths have formidable roles to play in this regard”, he stressed.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, in his address lamented the collapse of the system, culture and values in the country .
Ogunlende said the state was ready to work with the EFCC, including the NDLEA to unite the youths against corruption.
He argued that the youth must be at the vanguard of combating corruption adding that they must also embrace whistle blowing to strengthen corruption fight and called on Nigerian youths to prioritise integrity and take an active role in combating corruption.
He urged the youths to embrace honesty and accountability as tools for national transformation.
“Corruption is not just the misappropriation of resources; it is a betrayal of trust and a theft of opportunities.
“The fight against corruption is not only a moral imperative but also a patriotic duty. It is up to us to change the narrative.”
Ogunlende emphasised the need for collective action and personal responsibility by the youths in driving societal change
“Integrity begins with each of us,” he said, adding, “We must commit to honesty in our daily lives, whether in school, work, or community. It is the only currency you can take to the panel and the foundation for collective transformation.”
He warned against the dangers of drug abuse, urging participants to remain vigilant in their communities.
“Corruption and drug abuse are not distant issues; they affect every one of us,” Ogunlende said.
“Youth innovation and energy are essential in this fight,” he noted. “We need to amplify our efforts through education, advocacy, and collective action.”
Former President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Malachi Ugwumadu, citing several sections of the constitution to support his arguments, said unless the youths are ready to be at the vanguard of the people, the fight against corruption would not succeed.
The Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, remarked that for the youths to be groomed to fight corruption, the move must be backed by efficiency which he said is about doing what is right.
Adeniran also remarked that over zealousness on the part of the EFCC led to the truncation of the trial of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
He said they should have waited for the injunction obtained in court against the commission to expire before arraigning him in court. EFCC seeks collaboration with youths against cybercrime, graft
By Adebisi Onanuga
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has urged Nigerian youths to collaborate with the organization and unite with it to fight cybercrime, corruption.
The organization said this has become necessary in view of the devastating effect on the country’s economy, reputation and their own future.
The acting Lagos Zonal Director, Micheal Wetkas stated this at a Town Hall Meeting on Youths Against Corruption held at the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi office of the commission.
Wetkas who also read the address of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukayode at the event called for collaborative efforts to fight the “monumental evil” which he said is giving the country a bad image abroad and in other to protect their own future.
“Cybercrime is not just destroying lives; it is sinking our country’s image locally and at international level. If we don’t change the narrative, we risk extinction as a nation. Our future depends on the decisions we make today.
. “The world is watching us closely,” he explained. “If we fail to act, we risk being blacklisted, which will have grave consequences for our economy and global standing.”
Wetkas warned that Nigeria’s international reputation is under severe threat, stressing that the country is presently on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) watch list pointing out that urgent steps needed to be taken to reverse the trend in order to save the future of the youths.
He described as disturbing statistics from a recent sting operation at a Lagos hotel where its taskforce arrested over 200 individuals involved in cybercrime and drug abuse.
Wetkas lamented that out of the 116 people taken into custody, 78 per cent were secondary school students, and only 20.8 per cent had attended tertiary institutions. These are children as young as 18 or 19, wasting their lives,” he said. “Some were so intoxicated they didn’t even realise we were standing in front of them. This is the future of our country, and it’s slipping away from our hands.”
He said when those arrested were profiled, it was shocking to discover that about 64.1per cent of those arrested were living with their parents, while 76.4 per cent were unemployed.
He said many of these young people arrested told the commission that they support their families through proceeds of their criminal activities.
Wetkas said it was disturbing when the profiling revealed that 61 per cent of their parents are aware of this, adding “If you condone a child’s wrongdoing at home, one day, that child will steal from you.”
The EFCC state coordinator also shared a case involving a 19-year-old boy who impersonated Nigerian musician Flavour to defraud an American client of $30,000.
He said, “what the boy did was to tamper with the email of the musician. Those organizing the show Flavour was to perform thought they were exchanging correspondences with him. When Flavour was to be paid advance payment for the event, it was the boy that received it.
“Incidents like this tarnish our international reputation and make it difficult for Nigerians to gain trust abroad,” he lamented.
Wetkas appealed to parents, schools, and communities to play active roles in addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour among the youths.
He urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities and support the Commission’s efforts.
Wetkas who also read the address of the chairman of the EFCC, Olukayode at the Lagos event, lamented that corruption affects every age group but bites harder against the prospects and possibilities of youths adding that this makes it more binding on young people to tackle it more fiercely than any other age group.
Olukayode noted that the scourge of graft limits and vitiates the opportunities of youths for self-actualization.
“Every young person needs an equal opportunity for self-expression. But this is impossible in societies where favouritism, nepotism, partisan and other extraneous considerations tilt opportunities in favour of some few privileged people. This is not good for the youths and it is for this reason that they need to forge a united front against corruption.”
Olukayode said that the youths need a united voice to challenge unsavoury practices at every level of government stressing that they need to come together to be watchdogs and active forces against any form of corruption. No other age group will do this for them.”
The EFCC boss listed ways that could be taken by the youths to achieve this.
“They can do this by forming associations, clubs, think tanks, societies that promote good values. 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 EFCC.”
He assured that there are structures in place for active engagement with youths at the EFCC.
“At the Primary and Secondary School level, we have the Integrity Club serving as a rallying point for students.
“At the Tertiary Institution level, we have the Zero Tolerance Club. They are all platforms for engagement against corrupt practices.
“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 without a challenge. Youths have formidable roles to play in this regard”, he stressed.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, in his address lamented the collapse of the system, culture and values in the country .
Ogunlende said the state was ready to work with the EFCC, including the NDLEA to unite the youths against corruption.
He argued that the youth must be at the vanguard of combating corruption adding that they must also embrace whistle blowing to strengthen corruption fight and called on Nigerian youths to prioritise integrity and take an active role in combating corruption.
He urged the youths to embrace honesty and accountability as tools for national transformation.
“Corruption is not just the misappropriation of resources; it is a betrayal of trust and a theft of opportunities.
“The fight against corruption is not only a moral imperative but also a patriotic duty. It is up to us to change the narrative.”
Ogunlende emphasised the need for collective action and personal responsibility by the youths in driving societal change
“Integrity begins with each of us,” he said, adding, “We must commit to honesty in our daily lives, whether in school, work, or community. It is the only currency you can take to the panel and the foundation for collective transformation.”
He warned against the dangers of drug abuse, urging participants to remain vigilant in their communities.
“Corruption and drug abuse are not distant issues; they affect every one of us,” Ogunlende said.
“Youth innovation and energy are essential in this fight,” he noted. “We need to amplify our efforts through education, advocacy, and collective action.”
Former President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Malachi Ugwumadu, citing several sections of the constitution to support his arguments, said unless the youths are ready to be at the vanguard of the people, the fight against corruption would not succeed.
The Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, remarked that for the youths to be groomed to fight corruption, the move must be backed by efficiency which he said is about doing what is right.
Adeniran also remarked that over zealousness on the part of the EFCC led to the truncation of the trial of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
He said they should have waited for the injunction obtained in court against the commission to expire before arraigning him in court.
