Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urged Nigerians to adopt and actively participate in whistle-blowing as a critical tool in the fight against corruption.
Speaking at a gathering of anti-graft stakeholders in Abuja, Olukoyede emphasized the urgent need for a collective and unwavering commitment to exposing and tackling economic and financial crimes, highlighting that the whistle-blowing policy, introduced in 2016, remains a vital mechanism for ensuring transparency and accountability in Nigeria.
Commemorating the 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day, Olukoyede emphasized the urgent need to tackle corruption, which he described as a significant threat to individual, corporate, and national growth and development.
He urged Nigerians to fully utilize the whistle-blowing initiative to demonstrate their dedication to eradicating corruption.
“Aside from terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world. In view of the danger and threat to our existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies, and indeed the whole world join hands together to tackle it frontally. One way of doing this is through the whistle-blowing initiative,” Olukoyede stated.
Reflecting on the theme of this year’s African Anti-Corruption Day, “Effective Whistleblowing for Corruption-Free Nigeria,” Olukoyede encouraged Nigerians to embrace the government’s whistle-blowing policy, launched on December 21, 2016.
This policy is designed to encourage the voluntary disclosure of information on fraud, bribery, looted government funds, financial misconduct, and other forms of corruption.
Olukoyede stressed that the fight against corruption requires unwavering integrity and focus.
“We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outbursts or mere mob campaigns.
“There is need for commitment, passion, consistency, and credibility of intelligence. Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs,” he said.
Stakeholders at the event echoed Olukoyede’s sentiments, calling for more decisive actions against corruption.
Joe Ajearo, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), pledged the NLC’s full support to the EFCC’s efforts.
“Most of the governors being prosecuted today are those who couldn’t pay minimum wage. This is an urgent need for us to fight corruption and NLC will throw its weight behind the agency in all fight against corruption,” Ajearo said.
Adams Otakwu, Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Society and Coordinator of Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMCO), lauded the EFCC for mobilizing Nigerians against corruption.
He highlighted that corruption remains a critical threat to national security, alongside terrorism and insurgency, and called for increased funding for the EFCC from the government, national assembly, and international community.
The day was marked by a Road Walk in Abuja, led by Olukoyede, where EFCC staff and stakeholders paraded through the streets, raising awareness and garnering support from the public.
Similar activities were held in other EFCC zonal commands, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Uyo, Ilorin, Ibadan, Makurdi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Enugu, Benin-City, Gombe, and Kano, emphasizing the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption.
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