Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on Nigeria students to shun computer related frauds and other criminal tendencies and imbibe desirable attitudes necessary for national development.
He gave the charge in a lecture entitled, *“Impact of Cybercrime on Nigeria Economy: Tertiary Education in Perspective” delivered during the matriculation ceremony and orientation programme for Degree and NCE students for 2023/2024 academic session of the Nigerian, Army College of Education, NACOED, Sobi, Ilorin.
The EFCC boss, who spoke through the Head of Public Affairs Department of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, Ayodele Babatunde expressed worry over the alarming rate of students’ involvement in cybercrime and other social vices, said the country could realise its full potentials when youths imbibe the culture of excellence and shun all forms of criminalities.
He acknowledged the Nigerian youths as having great potentials, and challenged them to deploy their talents and ingenuity to good use. He added that cybercrime should not been seen as a way of life, noting that “ostentatious and flamboyant lifestyle without a corresponding hardwork is perilous.”
“It is very unfortunate that young people these days have chosen to follow the fast lane, forgetting that speeding in the wrong direction leads to problems. Imagine young people including teenagers going into cybercrimes and even rituals. I want to encourage you not be discouraged. Always remember that evil can never win over good and that every action has a reward”, Olukoyede said.
Speaking on the impact of cybercrime, the EFCC Chair said that a society where cybercrime and corruption is allowed to thrive, would among other things suffer underdevelopment, poor education, public and private dysfunctionality, poor infrastructural development and security crisis which included but not limited to banditry, kidnapping, killing for rituals, cultism and terrorism financing.
Enumerating some of the efforts by the EFCC in tackling cybercrime among the youths, Mr. Olukoyede said that, the Commission recently convoked a meeting of heads of tertiary institutions and faith-based organisations in Abuja to deliberate on ways to curb the menace of cybercrime on campuses. He added that resolutions at the meeting had already started yielding results.
He urged the students to take advantage of the EFCC’s Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Club in our secondary and tertiary institutions to enlist as anti-corruption foot soldiers of the Commission.
The anti-graft czar, while congratulating the matriculants enjoined them to always live above board in character and learning and be good ambassadors of their home, school and our country at large. He also urged members of the public to always secure their phone and devices by using strong passwords and avoid sharing personal details and sensitive information such as PIN, BVN or card details with people, on or social media in order not to fall victim of hackers.
In his closing remarks, the Provost of the NACOED, Major General Umar Babangida commended the EFCC for the presentation which he described as “rich and resourceful”, pledging the readiness of the College to collaborate with the EFCC in its efforts to rid the country’s campuses of cybercrime. He also promised to work closely with the EFCC to ensure the establishment of the Zero Tolerance Club in the college and ensure its functionality.
