The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned youths and students across the country against negative use of the internet, stressing that the internet could be counter-productive if wrongly used.
EFCC boss made the remark on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, when the students of Oloye Comprehensive College, Sabon Lugbe, Airport Road, Abuja, came on a study tour of the Commission.
Represented by the Head, Public Interface Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1 Tony Orilade, Olukoyede advised the students to shun internet fraud and corruption and be focused on their academics in order to actualize their dreams and visions in life.
He charged the students to consciously shun every form of internet fraud and corruption by supporting and partnering with the EFCC to eradicate corruption in the country.
‘‘The purpose of the EFCC is to fight economic and financial crimes. You can use social media positively at school by conducting researches and scholarly pursuits.
“Don’t allow your friends to teach you the wrong use of social media. These days, some parents sponsor their children to study or join yahoo criminal gangs, whenever you are faced with such a situation, tell your parents that you want to go to University and study instead.
“Agencies like the EFCC that are set out to fight crimes will catch up with those using the internet to commit crimes,’’ he said.
He cautioned that the EFCC was on the look out for those using the internet to defraud people and will spare no one when found guilty.
‘‘If you are on the wrong side of the law, the EFCC will catch up with you, because there is no hiding place for internet fraudsters. There is no shortcut to achieving your dreams and ambition.
“Be good Ambassadors of the Commission in your homes, in your communities, and country at large,’’ he said.
The Head, Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit of the Commission, ACE II , Aisha Mohammed, urged the students to embrace transparency, integrity and be responsible citizens by letting their lives reflect good moral conduct.
She said, ‘‘you are foot-soldiers and Ambassadors of the EFCC. Let your behaviour reflect integrity, transparency, honesty and be accountable for your actions from now henceforth.
“Honesty is all it takes. Do the right thing when no one is watching you. Let your faith either as a Christian or Muslim reflects in your activities and life as prescribed to you by the two holy books.
Mohammed tasked all students to be patriotic and good citizens of Nigeria and to shun all forms of corruption and cybercrime, adding that ‘‘you are the future of Nigeria and understand that your voices matter.
She also charged them to be true change-agents of the society by spreading the message of anti-corruption fight back home and wherever they may find themselves.
‘‘Your decision starts now. We are counting on you. Help us spread this message to everyone to help in the fight against corruption”, she said.
Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I Ogunjobi Olalekan, explained to the students the menace of cybercrime and its consequences.
He charged them to shun internet fraud stating that people who indulge in cybercrimes are punished because of greed and lack of discipline.
He further highlighted three points to staying safe online such as: “Stop, Think and Connect”, as the best route to avoid cybercrimes and cyber bullying and abuse
The EFCCs boss presented gifts of mobile phones to Mosimua Prudence and Michael Eneodoh, who emerged winners in a Question and Answer session, while Eteng Divine Chioma was crowned as the Commission’s Ambassador.
Responding, Head Girl, Oloye Comprehensive College, Mosimua Prudence thanked the Chairman and his management for the opportunity granted them to be part of anti-corruption fighters.
