The Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has charged parents to complement the efforts of the Commission in the fight against corruption by instilling values of discipline and integrity in their children, in order to achieve a corrupt-free Nigeria.
This was contained in his keynote address titled, “Corruption, A Cause of the Pain of the Nigerian Child”, which was delivered on his behalf by Babatunde Ayodele, a Principal Detective Superintendent of the EFCC’s Public Affairs Department, at the graduation ceremony and launch of maiden magazine of Sylsol P. Academy, Dutse, Abuja.
“Impact of corruption on children is incalculable and damaging, because it has permeated every sector of our social and economic life to the extent that it is largely seen by many as a way of life,” he said, stressing the need to engage them in their formative years.
While lamenting negative impact of corruption on the economy, particularly the education and health sectors, he noted that “sadly, children suffer the repercussions of corruption more”, adding that “without the efforts of the EFCC, the current economic challenges confronting our nation could have been worse.”
He used the medium to strongly enjoin parents and guardians change the mindset of the youth against “lust for money, flamboyant lifestyle and the get-rich-quick syndrome”.
“Inculcate in them the culture of discipline, honesty, hard-work, transparency and accountability,” he said.
He further intimated them of various value reorientation programs of the EFCC targeted at the youths including the anti graft agency’s Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, the Zero Tolerance Clubs for tertiary institutions, and the Anti Corruption Community Development Service, in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
He further stressed that the EFCC will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that “anyone who steals our common patrimony, however highly placed or connected, will not be allowed to go scot-free.”
