Lokoja
The consistent war to reduce corruption to the barest minimal in Nigeria got a boost on Friday in Lokoja with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and National Youth Service Corps staggering walk to kick against the menace.
Duaglobalnews reports that the solidarity walk, tagged ‘Nigerian Youth Walk Against Corruption”,was to lend helping hands to youths in the crusade against the cankerwarm that has eaten deep into the national fabric of the country.
The exercise which kicked off from the township stadium, through NTA round about to SUBEB and backed to the stadium, saw some youths singing and dancing with banners of various inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Zero Tolerance to Corruption”, ”Say Yes To Decent Work Agenda”, ”NYSC Kogi State Says No To Corruption,” among others.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Edward Onoja and the Secretary to the state government, Dr Folashade Ayo-Ade Arike and other top government officials were also spotted in the exercise.
Mr Dapo Oyebade, who represented EFCC Zonal Office, Ilorin during the exercise, said the solidarity rally targetted youths because they were the worse hit by corruption in the society.
He urged youths to support the commission in the crusade against the cankarworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the country.
“When you build the youth, you build the nation, conversely, when you destroy the youth, you destroy the nation. We urge the youths to join us to fight corruption to its kneel,” he said.
He expressed concern that corruption could be felt in various elements of corruption such as, embezzlement, cybercrime, money laundering, among others.
The representative identified unemployment, institutional and infrastructure decay, poor health facilities, poor education, insecurity,as some of the effects of corruption, adding that the menace must not be allowed to continue.
Oyebade disclosed that the EFCC zonal office Ilorin recovered cash and assets worth N8.5 billio in Kogi and Kwara states in 2019 with 48 convictions.
Onoja expressed delight over the exercise and louded youths for their active participation in the solidarity walk.
He gave kudos to the President, Mohammadu Buhari, for his consistency in the anti-corruption fight.
He said the prosecutions and convictions carried out by the commission in the two states would go along way in deterring other public officials from.indulging in corruption.
According to him, the Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello had zero tolerance for corruption, adding Bello would account for every single kobo that belonging to the citizens of the state.
Toward this end, Onoja said the state government had begun Treasury Single Account (TSA) noting that some top government officials were recently suspended due to non compliance to such financial system.
The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Olayiwola Lasaki, said that the Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, had directed all state coordinators in the north-central to ensure that corps members and staff carry out one kilometre anti-corruption walk rally in collaboration with the EFCC.
