By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed readiness to partner with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against internet fraud.
A statement issued by EFCC’s head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, disclosed that the union of Nigerian students made the pledge in Ibadan on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 during a courtesy visit to the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC.
Led by the Coordinator, South West Zone D, Comrade Kowe Odunayo Amos, the team expressed the association’s satisfaction with the Commission’s effort at ridding Nigeria of economic and financial crimes, and affirmed its readiness to collaborate with EFCC to fight internet fraud across the nation’s tertiary institutions.
According to Comrade Kowe: “In as much as we appreciate the EFCC, we believe there is more that needs to be done especially now that a lot of youth are involved in financial crimes.
“Forming a synergy with EFCC will go a long way in fighting corrupt practices that are happening all over the country, especially in the universities”.
Kowe also disclosed that the Association was planning programmes to sensitise youths in tertiary institutions on the ills of corruption.
The NANS leader, who disclosed that members of the association are also victims of internet fraud as the luxury lives of fraudsters had eroded the dignity of hard work, said the union will not tolerate or support any act of criminality.
“Though it is our responsibility to protect the interest of students, we will not protect the interest of criminals in our communities,” he said.
He distanced the Association from any protest against the Commission, noting that “we love the activities of EFCC within and beyond the shores of Nigeria and we are here to create a long lasting relationship.”
The Ibadan Zonal Commander, Kanu Idagu, who received the delegation, expressed delight at the opportunity to interact with the students.
Idagu told the students: “Nigeria belongs to all of us, the school you are in now is a passage.
“The Commission is trying to strike at the root of corruption so that we will not be dealing with the branches tomorrow; we have a very big challenge to help transform this country so we can leave the shores of this country without discrimination, have equal right and be proud to say we are Nigerians.”
He thanked the student leaders for the visit and their offer to be part of the efforts to make Nigeria a crime-free society.
The Zonal Commander charged them to face life challenges with determination and ensure that they give their best in all they do, saying ‘hard work pays.’