Make Integrity your Guiding Principle, Olukoyede Charges Youths

Make Integrity your Guiding Principle, Olukoyede Charges Youths

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged youths in the country to make integrity their guiding principle, noting that integrity is the bedrock on which other values and aspirations are built.

He gave the charge when executives of Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, and the Leadership of the Association of Southern Nigerian Students, ASONIS, paid a courtesy visit to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission on Tuesday September 15, 2026.

The Chairman who spoke through the Acting Director, Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, while commending the youth leaders for the visit noted that Nigerian youths were some of the most industrious, creative, innovative and intelligent in the world citing their successes in fintech, music, sports, academics, businesses and other areas of endeavours. However, he lamented that while many youths were aspiring to contribute their quota to the country’s development, the misguided ones among them have taken to crime, especially internet fraud which damages the image and reputation of the country. “The effects of those who engage in internet fraud rub off on all of us. We have all become victims because when you travel out of the country, you are given special treatment due to the activities of those involved in internet fraud. We must collectively decide to change that narrative,” he said.

Comrade Wisdom Osaro Isaac, the Chairman of NYC, Edo State chapter, disclosed that the association is a youth-focused association, committed to the advancement of youth engagement and empowerment in the country, noting that the visit was to explore areas of collaboration with the Commission in tackling the menace of crime in the state especially cybercrime and other related fraud. “We recognize the great work that the Commission is doing and we will like to collaborate with the Commission in whichever way possible to make our contribution in tackling cybercrime in the state,” he said.

In his remarks, the President of ASONIS, Isinugben Christopher, said he was optimistic that an engagement with the EFCC will provide the members of ASONIS with valuable knowledge and perspectives that can positively influence their academic and personal development. “We have a lot of respect for the EFCC. We believe that there are many things we can learn from them especially as it concerns economic and financial crimes. Many youths in our society are getting involved in internet fraud, and we believe that constructive engagement with EFCC will be beneficial to students across higher institutions in the state.

So, we are open to collaboration in areas of sensitization and prevention,” he said.