The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on students across the country to pursue integrity and transparent conduct as effective means of building resistance against corrupt practices.
This call was made in Abuja on Thursday, 31st March 2022 by the Head, of EFCC Academy’s Media Unit, Assistant Commander of EFCC (ACE) Chidimma Amanambu, while addressing students of Margaret Thelma International School and Perfect Steps International Schools, both in Karu, Abuja, during an excursion to the Academy.
“As students having a long future ahead of you, your understanding and practice of honesty, integrity and openness in everything you do is imperative. Corruption thrives in cover-ups and shadiness. I urge you to shun unhealthy practices always and report any form of economic and financial crime around you to the EFCC”, she said.
The students were allowed to interact with senior officers of the Commission in the course of their visit. Aaron Tarien, Deputy Superintendent of EFCC said “the purpose of creating the EFCC is to combat the overwhelming effects of corruption affecting the development of Nigeria’s infrastructures”. He urged the students to always rise against fraudulent dealings everywhere they find themselves.
Head, Networking and Collaboration Department, ACE Uchenna Edeh, who spoke for the Commandant, EFCC Academy, Ayo Olowonihi, warned the students against playing or tampering with phones belonging to their parents. Edah, sharing experience on the EFCC job with the Students, said that “there are instances where people bring complaints to us here in EFCC, that monies were stolen from their bank account, but upon investigation, we usually discover that their bank details were compromised through the click of an app or malicious links embedded in messages received via their phone and this kind of scenario may occur when children tamper with their parents’ phones”. He advised the children to alert their parents whenever a message pops up on their phones while in their possession instead of clicking on it.
In his presentation, Head, Accounts and Finance, Superintendent of the EFCC, Abdullahi Mohammed M. gave the students tips on how to manage resources to avoid the temptation of greed. “You need to always give value for any money that is spent on you. Whenever you are given money, make sure you return the extra change that you do not need and that shows that you are accountable and prudent”, he said.
In response, the Proprietress of Perfect Steps International School, Mrs K. Iyabo expressed appreciation to the EFCC, stressing that “the privilege given to the children to learn how to be law-abiding and shun fraudulent practices is a laudable opportunity”.