On Tuesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated that it is a mistake to believe that corruption pays.
This was said by Osinbajo in Abuja at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s event to unveil the Operation Manuals for Integrity and Zero Tolerance Clubs.
He says that many people who think they can get away with corruption are often surprised when, despite sometimes being slow, the long arm of the law eventually catches them.
A crime has no time limit or statute of limitations.A man who steals this year could face criminal charges in ten years.
As a result, if you steal, you can’t sleep with both eyes closed because every doorknock will make you anxious.
He stated, “which is why it is so important to establish integrity clubs in schools.”
According to Osinbajo, it was essential to first acknowledge that integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness were essential qualities for successful individuals and communities.
He went on to say that every act of corruption was not only a crime, but also a crime against society and even unborn children.
“The Nigerian society is robbed of funds for health care, education, and other purposes by every public officer who steals.”
He added, “We must become policemen against corruption and wrongdoing in our integrity clubs.” “Whether it is a member of the government, a shop assistant, or your friend in class who is cheating, they destroy our reputation.”
The VP lauded “the visionary Executive of the EFCC for the extraordinary drive”.
“For realizing that we need to build an army to fight corruption.That army is waiting in our schools, and we need to teach them early on that corruption is the worst thing that can happen to people and their destinies.
He continued, “And they must fight it as you fight a mortal enemy in war.”
Osinbajo explained that the manual’s conception deserved praise and that the clubs in schools had to be set up at the right time.
He continued, “How to protect the youth from the ethical crisis and confusion confronting our nation is the greatest challenge that we face currently.”
Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of the EFCC, stated that schoolchildren and young people were chosen as torchbearers for this significant campaign due to their vulnerability to economic and financial crimes.
He emphasized that the Commission had developed programs and activities to foster a culture of integrity among young Nigerians during their formative years.
He claims that the Zero Tolerance Club for higher education institutions and the EFCC Integrity Club are two examples of such programs.
He added that the clubs were intended to promote honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability in addition to increasing children’s and youths’ awareness of the problem of financial and economic crimes.
“The manuals that are being shown today are useful templates that will make sure that our kids and young people are exposed to important values that can change their lives in a systematic and long-term way.
“They will provide the Commission with a framework for quality assurance and control as well as a guide for all actors who have roles to play in shaping the characters of this young population in various schools.
He stated, “We believe that this Club adds a welcome variety to the learning experience of our children and youth with long-term potential as a catalyst for the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.” He was referring to the club’s long-term potential as a catalyst.
Nicholas Shehu, Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, reassured the EFCC that the House would be prepared to pass legislation and provide sufficient funding to enable them to carry out their mandate.
He thanked the EFCC for the initiative, which aimed to bring the fight against corruption to the grassroots and young people so that when they grow up, they will understand how bad it is for our country.
Abdullahi Dutse, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, said that it was good to catch them young.
“Corruption may not be reduced to the level it is today if we are all brought up in the same manner as the EFCC Chairman is doing now.He added, “These kids will become better citizens as they get older.”
Adegboye Adebola, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, stated that the manuals would be used as advocacy tools to encourage Nigerian students to embrace patriotic zeal in the fight against economic and financial crime.
He urged all educational stakeholders, particularly parents and teachers, to use the manuals to educate students.
He stated, “For the betterment of our nation, the earlier we begin to instill the values of integrity and handwork in our students.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Godwin, the principal of the Model Secondary School in Maitama, stated that the school opposed corruption.
She went on to state, “We will do everything in our power to encourage our students to stand up against all forms of crime in society.”