The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said fighting corruption in a country like Nigeria takes time, adding that it only takes courage to continue on the path.
Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the anti-graft agency, stated this in Abuja in a commendation message sent to members of staff of the commission nationwide.
“I have said it times without number that there is nothing wrong with us as a nation. Nigerians are great people. Corruption is what is painting us black and we should all fight it with all our strength,” he said.
Reacting to criticism from some quarters that some cases stayed long with the anti-graft agency, Olukoyede said Nigerians should appreciate the staff of the commission once in a while for their job.
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“We all know that fighting corruption takes all of the time, talent and value systems of every focused fighter. The least we can do is to appreciate them once in a while for their labour of love,” Olukoyede said in a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s spokesperson.
He said the doggedness, diligence and sacrifices in breaking the fangs of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption by the staff of the commission are commendable.
The EFCC boss, who disclosed that he has been on the anti-corruption corridor for more than two decades as an active stakeholder, also said the task of fighting corruption is all-embracing, deep and uncompromising.
“It requires intellect, integrity, focus and commitment. On a day like this, I consider it important to salute the brain and brawn of my officers. They are nation builders and we need to appreciate them,” he added.
Olukoyede also charged staff of the commission to be ardent, and fearless in the face of intimidation by corrupt people in society, and continue to uphold the core values of the EFCC which are courage, integrity, professionalism and collaboration.
“These values are the real weapons of combating corrupt practices. We are stronger with our values. Any compromise of any of them makes the fighter vulnerable. We should always remember that corruption always fights back,” the EFCC boss counselled his officers.
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