▪︎ TELLS STAFF IN IBADAN THE WORLD IS WATCHING WITH EXPECTATIONS
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, says religious bodies have important role to play in the fight against Corruption
He stated this on Thurday at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja at the opening of a meeting of the Inter-faith Anti- Corruption Advisory Committee, IAAC.
Represented by Director of Legal and Prosecution, Mr. Chile Okoroma, he said “I believe strongly that as religious leaders and bodies, you have a critical and prominent role to play in the EFCC’s corruption prevention mandate”
According to a statement by the Commission’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, Bawa charged the Committee to develop initiatives aimed at fighting corruption in the two major religions: Christianity and Islam, stating that “The fight must be from all fronts.”
“I strongly believe that the corruption fight should not be left to the EFCC alone; all hands must be on deck and partnership within all critical stakeholders should be strengthened,” he added.
The meeting witnessed the formal handover between the outgone chairman, Professor Ishaq Oloyede and the new Chairman, Archbishop John Praise.
In his remark, Prof Oloyede pledged continuous support to the Interfaith Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee. He stressed the value of educating people about the ills of corruption, stating that, “it is our desire that while we look for ways to prevent corruption, one of the very important tools that we can use is education”
He however expressed optimism that the vision of the Committee in designing the Teaching and Preaching Manual is accomplished, adding that that the manuals having been produced, all that is left was implementation.
The new Chairman of the Committee Archbishop John Praise while assuring the Commission of his commitment stated that the crucial task before the Committee was putting the manuals to use. He stated that seminars were supposed to be held in different zones of the country and media outreach undertaken to deepen sensitization. He expressed the hope that these activities would be carried out soon.
“With the pace we have taken now, we will be running with a vision and we will ensure that there is so much that is done within the short period of time.
“Corruption is endemic and must be forced out with all resources and with all partners in view, it is not something that must be done by the EFCC alone but by all of us putting our efforts together,” he said.
The Inter-faith Anti- Corruption Advisory Committee IAAC was created in August 2007 by the then Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and has evolved over the years into a platform for the development of Anti-corruption messages for both Christians and Muslims.
Other members of the Committee present at the meeting were Ogunmuyiwa Peter, CAN; Ide Christain, CAN; Sheikh Yusuf Mabera Husaini, Cletus Alu, CAN and Dr. Haruna Zubairu Usman
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, Thursday visited the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission with a message for the staff to be hardworking and devoted to work as Nigerians are looking up to them for success in the fight against corruption.
According to him, “as the saying goes, the eagle is now in the hands of the EFCC but the mission and the vision of the Commission remain the same. Therefore, I urge you to be committed to your job. Always do what is right and guard against wrongdoing.”
The anti-corruption czar who described his visit to the Zone as homecoming of sorts, having previously served as head of the Zone in his career, thanked staff of the zone for their support and prayers since he emerged as Executive Chairman.
He urged the staff to join him in moving the EFCC to the next level. “The Ibadan zonal office is one of the offices I love. I hope you will maintain it and be on top of your game. If the story of my life is not an inspiration to you as officers, nothing will. I want you to join me to steer the ship to another level”, he said.
The EFCC boss expressed confidence that the future of the Commission is great. He said despite its young age, EFCC is rated highly among its peers in the business of law enforcement across the globe.
He assured that officers of the Commission will be exposed to new training opportunities to keep them abreast of changing trends in the fight against corruption.
Bawa was also at the Ilorin Zonal Office on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 where he called on staff of the Commission to rededicate themselves to the task of riding the country of corruption through proactive and intelligence-driven investigation with strict adherence to the rule of law.
According to him, “We are going to digitalise our processes, and we have created a new Directorate of intelligence to enable us gather intelligence so that we will be proactive in our fight against economic and financial crimes; and by so doing, we will also provide the government with necessary quality advice that will lead to good governance”
He urged the staff to make discipline and professionalism their watchword, noting that the Commission under his watch would spare no effort in redeeming the country’s battered image and set it back on the path of sustainable growth and development.
“I’m here to remind you that we have enormous task ahead of us, which is to fight economic and financial crimes in the country. It is a job you and I have signed to do. We have a duty to rid this country of corruption. We’ll certainly take the fight to the next level. Let me tell you, the Government has so much confidence in us (EFCC) and the world at large is watching us. We cannot afford to let them down.
“Everybody is important in this cause; from the chairman to the most junior officer. We need to do our work with utmost integrity, honesty, courage and professionalism, which are our core values. What this means is that, you have to be above board, and of course be incorruptible”, Bawa said.
The anti-graft czar also expressed his desire “to strengthen the Commission’s synergy with other law enforcement organizations, both nationally and internationally with a view to ensure that there is no hiding place for criminals in our society. He noted that the job of fighting economic and financial crimes is for everybody to be on board, and speak with one voice against the menace.
Earlier, Usman Muktar, Zonal Head, Ilorin Office of EFCC, appreciated the Chairman for his visit and assured him of the commitment of the staff of the zone towards upholding the ideals of the Commission.
