Nigeria: EFCC and ICPC charge the Youths to be Active Participants in the anti-Corruption War

As the EFCC and ICPC prepare to merge in accordance with the Oronsaye-led panel on the restructuring of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the two bodies have beckoned on the youths to champion the anti-corruption campaign. The youths are the trustees of posterity according to Benjamin Disraeli but the current situation and trend in Nigeria nay Africa does not portray such a reality. The youths are docile while the elders are pathetically brutal; preventing the youths from rising.

CAJ News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are hopeful their newly-announced partnership will curb corruption in the country. EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, re-affirmed the commitment of the agency to continue combating the menace.

He said the EFCC would not relent in its efforts to rid Nigeria of economic and financial crimes. Larmode said his organisation would collaborate with other stakeholders in the initiatives aimed at tackling corruption. “Corruption has become a cancer worm that is eating up the nation. As such, all hands must be on deck to check the menace," Larmode said during a five-nation Youth Integrity Camp government organisations and youth bodies organised.

The event was held under the auspices of the Anglophone West Africa Youth Integrity Camp. It drew participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone. The programme aims to engage youths as stakeholders in the fight against graft. According to the ICPC, the initiative is geared towards increasing awareness on anti-corruption issues.

"It is also aimed at establishing a network of youth leaders who are empowered and motivated to use their dynamism and innovative minds to fight corruption, demand transparency and accountability and promote integrity," ICPC stated. The ICPC had once initiated such a move geared towards initiating the youths, most especially students in higher institutions, in the anti-corruption war but just as it is usually with the general Nigerian policy syndrome; it only survived more on paper than in practicality.