The vigour brought into the operations of Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has earned Mr. Ibrahim Magu, the Acting
Chairman of EFCC, a formidable endorsement.
The Ohaneze Youth Parliament and Arewa Youth Parliament on
April 19 endorsed and praised Magu for the anti-graft war.
The ethnic and socio-cultural groups passed a vote of
confidence in Magu and jointly visited the anti-graft czar to expressed their
commendation.
Speaker of the Ohaneze Youth Parliament, Mr. Okonkwo
Patrick, who led a team to the Abuja headquarters of the EFCC, also presented a
meritorious certificate of credence to the EFCC boss.
“The EFCC under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu has recorded
tremendous achievements since he assumed office,” he said.
While assuring Magu of the group’s support, he said, “the
fight against corruption is not just for Magu alone, it is for each and every
one of us and we believe that this fight is to secure a positive future.”
According to him, “Magu has brought transparency, hardwork
and accountability in the affairs of the Commission.”
He further stressed that “we are going to reap the benefits
of the efforts of the EFCC in ridding the country of corruption.”
Mr. Okonkwo Patrick, Speaker of the Ohaneze Youth
Parliament, with Ibrahim Magu of EFCC
He said, “The EFCC has not only become a watchdog, it has
become a biting dog..”
He also commended the Federal Government for the whistle
blowing policy, noting that it is yielding positive results.
Magu, while appreciating the groups, stressed that the vote
of confidence passed on him and the Commission, would further goad the EFCC to
remain steadfast in the discharge of its mandate.
“I have always emphasized that we do not have the monopoly
of knowledge to fight corruption as corruption is a crime against humanity as
it affects everybody, so we need to effectively tackle corruption,” he said.
He used the medium to call for more support from Nigerians,
stressing that “we must all unite together against the evil called corruption
as that is the only way we can ensure, at least the protection of the future of
our children and our younger ones”.
Magu emphasized that the EFCC remained committed to fighting
corruption and ensuring a better Nigeria.
“Nobody will stop us from fighting corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, the anti-graft war has received a fillip from a
one-time spokesman for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association
of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr. Oluwaseyi Gambo.
Gambo scored the administration’s war against corruption
very high, citing the ongoing raids of homes and business premises across the
country and recovery of stolen public funds in foreign currencies.
“The ongoing raids of homes and other places for the
recovery of monies outside the banking system by the EFCC shows that the war
against corruption is on and the government is working.
“Keeping such monies outside the formal financial sector is
a sickening and very disturbing scenario.
“It is very bad for the economy to have millions in foreign
currencies stacked in septic tanks, air conditioned strong rooms in villages
and other places.
Gambo said even the worst cynics could see that President
Buhari’s multifaceted campaign against corruption was working.
On April 12, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) said it had uncovered cash to the tune of 43.4 million dollars, 27,800
pounds and N23.2 million in a residential building in Lagos.
The four-bedroom apartment said to be located on the 7th
floor of Osborne Towers at 16, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was stormed by EFCC
operatives following a whistle blower’s confidential alert.
According to Gambo, corruption is a monster, and the fight
against it is a do-or-die affair without half measures.
He noted the “imprisoned monies” would have been invested in
infrastructure with a great multiplier effect on the economy.
He stressed:“If all these `imprisoned’ foreign currencies
are in circulation, it can be used to finance many projects and activities.
“Imagine Dangote keeping all his monies under the bed, it
will not flow.
“Money in circulation has a multiplier effect and it helps
to create jobs, provide healthcare, education, industries and ease banks’
lending rate for development.
“Putting money in the bank not only gives you security and a
good return on the deposit, it helps the entire economy and the populace
directly with its attendant multiplier effect.
“If we have all these funds in the bank, the government will
sell more bonds or treasury bills, borrowing locally and internationally may be
unnecessary and it will not put pressure on the local currency (the Naira).
Gambo commended FG’s whistle-blowing policy, saying
evidently the policy has led to the recovery of billion of naira in different
locations in the country.
“Is it not amazing that Nigerians knew these things and are
just cooperating with the law enforcement agencies?
`This is the fruit of a good policy; making a policy after
analysing the issue and profiling the personalities at play,” he said and
lauded the EFCC for “a job well done.”
NAN)
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