Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that among deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world, corruption ranks the closest, adding however that, a stringent way to fighting corruption is through whistle-blowing initiative.
Olukoyede, represented by Harry Erin, the Zonal Director of the EFCC, stated this while speaking with journalists in Ilorin on the sidelines of a road walk held recently as part of the activities marking the 2024 African Union Anti-Corruption Day.
The theme for the 2024 campaign according to him was ‘Effective Whistleblowing for Corruption-Free Nigeria’
He said the danger and threat corruption posed to human existence had made it become imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies and indeed the whole world join hands together to tackle it.
He noted that through whistle blowers efforts, anti-corruption agencies are alerted about environmental compromises that should be investigated.
“The alert can come through verbal and non-verbal corridors. At the EFCC, the Eagle Eye app is an established corruption reporting device that is generating intelligence the commission can leverage on.
“I urge whistleblowers to key into this device. Mails can be sent, telephone calls can be made, and personal visits can be made to any EFCC command across the country to expose acts of shadiness around us.
“We also assure every whistle-blower of protection. EFCC will never betray you”, he said.
The duty of every Nigerian according to him is to move the wheel of anti-corruption forward, adding that there is need for commitment, passion, consistency and credibility of intelligence.
“We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outburst or mere mob campaigns, let us always remember that corruption affects all of us. An internet fraudster poses as much danger to our collective progress as a looter of our national treasury.
“We should not encourage their villainy by being indifferent, silent or non-committal. Whistle blowing is our own opportunity to kick against corruption. Let’s embrace it totally.
“Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs. There is punishment for false claims and misleading intelligence”, Olukoyede said.
In his submission, Oba Solomon Oloyede, the Olusin of Isanlu Isin, who spoke on behalf of the chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in Kwara State and Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, called for more grassroots involvement in the fight against corruption.
Sulu-Gambari described the walk as a good exercise aimed at fighting against corruption. He said the awareness and campaign should be taken to communities, villages, and also primary and secondary schools.
“This is because corruption is everywhere in the country. Examination malpractice which is prevalent in our schools is a form of corruption, ” he said.
