- * As Japanese Agency Backs Him On Focus On Economic Development
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede has commended the continuous support of stakeholders in the fight against the menace of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
He gave the commendation in Kaduna on Monday, April 29, 2024 through the Acting Zonal Director, Kaduna Zonal Command, Dr Benedict Ubi while on a familiarisation visit to the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, State Director, Department of State Services, DSS and the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State on Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The visits were meant to further strengthen the collaborative ties already existing amongst the agencies.
In his remark, Ubi assured the heads of agencies of Olukoyede’s appreciation of their unwavering support which has undoubtedly made the anti- corruption fight a huge success while soliciting for more collaboration when necessary, stressing that, " for us to succeed with our various mandates, we must work harmoniously for the betterment of our dear country".
Responding, the various heads of the agencies commended the EFCC for its doggedness and resilience over the years, while assuring the Commission of their increased support.
In another development, the Japan International Cooperation Agency ,JICA, has thrown its weight behind the Chairman of the Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede in his determined bid to use the fight against economic and financial crimes as a potent weapon of achieving sustainable economic development and good governance in Nigeria.
This gesture was made in Abuja on Thursday, May 2, 2024 by the Chief Representative of JICA ,Yuzurio Suzumu while on a courtesy visit to the the corporate headquarters of the EFCC.
According to Suzumu, "EFCC is a very important partner for collaboration, and our aim is to contribute to the sustainable development of Nigeria. We have identified sustainable economic development, social development, good governance and peace building as key pillars of our collaboration, he said.
Suzumu emphasized that financial crimes are a cross-sector issue affecting the development of the economy, society, governance, and peace. He expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its strong commitment and effort towards combating economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, as well as making proposals for broad-based capacity-building programs for staff of the EFCC and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs in the area of fighting corruption.
In his response, Olukoyede pointed out that JICA had shared values and objectives with the EFCC. "We also stand for sustaining economic development and good governance. In fact, upon my assumption of office, one of my policy objectives was to use the anti-corruption instrumentality to stimulate the economy."
He also restated the EFCC's efforts aimed at stabilizing the foreign exchange market, stressing that the Commission would not relent in monitoring developments in the sector and prosecute illegal foreign exchange traders causing disruption in the forex market. “We are trying to stabilize the foreign exchange market and stimulate growth in the economy. To this effect, companies and entities operating to destroy the economy won’t be allowed to have their ways”, he said.
He also emphasized the importance of preventive frameworks against corruption, maintaining that, “We are not going to wait for the money to be stolen before taking actions”.
The Chairman also pledged to collaborate with JICA, particularly in the areas of manpower training and development to achieve shared objectives. He called for more support for President Bola Tinubu in his quest to reflate and rebuild the commanding heights of the economy. “We need to support President Bola Tinubu’s relentless efforts to revive and grow the economy”, he said. NNL.
