The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerian youths to reject internet fraud and other social vices.
He urged them to embrace education, innovation, and entrepreneurship as paths to personal success and national development.
Olukoyede made this appeal at a sensitisation event in Abuja organised by the Coalition of Nigerian Youths on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The event, held at the Army Resource Centre, was themed: “Uniting Nigerian Youths in the Fight Against Cultism, Internet Fraud, Money Laundering, Drug Abuse, Child-Trafficking and Economic Sabotage.”
Olukoyede was represented by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Aisha Muhammed, the Commission’s Head of Enlightenment and Re-orientation.
He emphasised that youths are critical stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes and must focus on ethical conduct and capacity-building.
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“There is no virtue in deceit, no honour in impersonation and no sustainable wealth in stealing from others. Nation builders cannot emerge from business breakers,” he said.
Olukoyede decried the rising involvement of youths in cybercrime, warning that it damages Nigeria’s global image and erodes young people’s sense of values and dignity.
“Our youth are losing their sense of values and dignity to internet fraud. Nigerian youths should redirect their talents and skills to sustainable ventures and imitate the positive strides of other youths around the world,” he added.
He further encouraged unity among Nigerian youths in combating social ills:
“As we stand together, united and determined, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and our nation. Let us join forces to reject cultism, internet fraud, money laundering, drug abuse, child trafficking and economic sabotage.”
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, Obinna Nwaka noted that social vices are symptoms of deeper societal problems and called for collaborative action from both government and stakeholders.
“These issues demand a united front, prompt and coordinated response from the government and relevant stakeholders to tackle,” he said.
Security expert and Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Kabir Adamu, blamed the growing insecurity and youth involvement in crime on systemic corruption, which he said diverts critical resources from youth development.
“Corruption creates a climate of limited opportunities and fuels frustration among young people,” he warned.
Also speaking, CONYSSA President, Ade Mario, advocated a holistic strategy to combat insecurity and criminal behaviour among youths, urging policymakers to treat the issue with seriousness.
“The more politics people play with issues of insecurity, the more the country and citizens will continue to suffer,” he stated.
