The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, have reached an agreement to re-strategise and come up with a more mutually-beneficial Memorandum of Understanding, MoU to strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
This development came recently in Abuja when the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters led a delegation of his management team to the headquarters of the EFCC on a courtesy visit.
Speaking on the visit, Peters explained that NOUN had a long-standing relationship with the EFCC and the visit was meant to bolster the existing relationship between the two agencies . He stated further that since the signing of the MOU in 2021, the two agencies have been able to build synergy on cyber security and forensic studies.
“Since our initial agreement, the synergy between our institutions has strengthened and our collective efforts have significantly contributed to building capacity in the areas of recognising and combating cyber threats in Nigeria”
“Our two institutions, having become aware of complementary features inherent in the execution of our mandates, signed an MOU to build synergy on cyber security and forensic studies. Since our initial agreement, the synergy between our institutions has strengthened and our collective efforts have significantly contributed to building capacity in recognising and combating cyber threats in Nigeria”, he said.
He recalled the joint International workshop organised by ACTEL in collaboration with the International Information Development Agency, African Centre of Excellence in Mathematics Computer Sciences and Applications and the EFCC. Additionally, he spoke about the Digital Footprint organized by NOUN in June 2023 which featured five of EFCC staff in active participation.
“We are proud to note for the records that an EFCC staff member, Mr. Kennedy Ketebu was among the first four students to bag a Phd degree in Artificial Intelligence from our University. This staff also benefitted from a Digital Science Support Fund that enabled him to showcase his research work at the World Bank office in Washington, USA, in October 2022. Our partnership is indeed yielding results. Over the past two years, we have witnessed other notable achievements such as joint seminars, workshops, supervision of Masters and Phd programmes in artificial intelligence, cyber security and management information system”, he said.
He pressed for enhanced collaboration and renewal of the MoU with the EFCC to allow for internship opportunities, technology- based services, research, capacity building, supervision and facilitations and public awareness campaigns.
“As was before, we hope that the MOU will be managed through collaborative efforts and activities and projects will be jointly developed and implemented. “I’m confident that renewal of the MOU will further solidify our partnership and lead to even greater achievements. Together, we will continue to make significant strides in enhancing cyber security, preventing financial crimes and contributing to the overall development of our great country”, he said. He appreciated the dedication and commitment of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede since he assumed office and charged him to continue to do the good work he is doing.
Olukoyede, while responding, appreciated the visit of the delegation and thanked them for the extension of hand of fellowship and comradeship to the EFCC. He assured that the Commission was ever ready to continue the relationship between the two agencies. He harped on the need for public awareness to the ills of corruption and “the best way to create public awareness is through educational services which NOUN is providing”. He commended NOUN management for the distance learning opportunities Nigerians are getting through the institution.
The EFCC boss also charged the institution to develop a curriculum on anti-corruption studies to build in their students requisite skills and knowledge against corrupt practices. He assured the VC and his team that the EFCC would renew and review the MoU with the institution for stronger and more fruitful collaboration. “We are ready to collaborate with you and strengthen the relationship. We are not just just going to renew the MOU, we are going to review it to allow for fresh inputs to be put into it”, he said.
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