The Zonal Head of Operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr. Ishaq Salihu, has charged students across the country to always question their parents about sudden and un-earned riches.
He gave the charge on Thursday in Port Harcourt, while admonishing students of Bishop Crowther Memorial Secondary School, Rumuobiakani, Port Harcourt, Rivers State who visited the Zonal office of the EFCC on an educational tour. According to him, corrupt practices can only be minimized when children begin to “interrogate their parents about sudden riches”. “Ask questions about the transactions of your parents. Familiarize yourself with their finances and whenever you notice any questionable deposit, ask them questions. You need to do this because whatever happens to your parents will eventually affect you”, he said.
Salihu explained the roles of the EFCC in tackling the menace of financial and economic crimes since its inception and scored the Commission high in “consistently moving against corrupt practices in both the public and private sectors”. “The EFCC has changed the narratives positively in the fight against economic and financial crimes. Nigeria was on the precipice before the Commission was established in 2003. However, in less than fifteen years, we have succeeded in taking the fight to all ends of the country and your educational tour to our office is proof that we are doing our work”, he said.
In spite of the challenges posed to the nation by problems of unemployment, poverty and corruption, Salihu told the students to be full of hope. “Each and every one of you have a dream to be engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants and any other professional. You can be whatever you want to be if you are focused, determined, responsible, Godly and avoid corrupt practices. You are at an impressionable age. The future of Nigeria is in your hands. When you join the anti- corruption fight, your future will be assured and secure”, he said.
In his response, the Representative of the school, Mr. Chibiuke Anyanwu expressed delight at the reception accorded the students. “We are better informed now about the works of the EFCC and we wish the Commission greater success in its assigned mandate”, he said. The students were later taken round the offices for closer interactions with officers of the EFCC.
In a related development, a leading anti-corruption group in the South- South, Foundation for Human Rights and Anti- Corruption Crusaders, has declared that the people of the South- South are the cause of the problems in the region. The National President of the group, Mr. Alaowie Cleric made this disclosure on Thursday during a Courtesy Visit to the Port Harcourt’s Zonal office of the EFCC. According to him, the under- development of the region is due to poor management of the resources by those entrusted with them.
” While we are always confronting the government on the development of the Niger Delta, we have never dealt with the real problems in the region. The major problem lies with us, with our people. We have beamed our searchlight and found out that the people of the Niger Delta are the problem. We don’t want this to continue anyone”, he said. Cleric explained that projects meant for the development of the region are usually abandoned, poorly- executed or never executed at all”.
In his response, the Zonal Head of Operations, Port Harcourt, Mr. Ishaq Salihu commended the group for its resolve to collaborate with the EFCC and assured that information supplied to the Commission will be treated confidentially. ” We cannot do it alone. The anti- corruption project must be owned by Nigerians. You have come to the right place. We are public friendly and information given to the Commission will be treated in strict confidence”, he said.
