The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has called on the Nigerian workers to ensure that the love of the country is paramount in their heart in the discharge of their duties.
The EFCC boss made the call in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Thursday, November 14, 2019, while delivering the maiden edition of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State Council’s lecture series.
Magu, who was represented by Jide Jegede, Head, Public Affairs, EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Office, noted that only a patriotic mind possesses the capacity to resist and fight corruption in his sphere of influence,
According to him, the Nigerian workers are strategically placed in the scheme of things, and have all it takes to prevent corruption.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me state emphatically that the labour movement is much more important in effort to rid our system of official corruption. You are critical stakeholders in both private and organised public sectors. The government will rely on your members for policy implementation and projects execution. It, therefore, presupposes that it is absolutely within your powers to secure a corruption-free system for Nigeria if you so desire. I will urge you to take up this challenge today as we work together to take Nigeria to greater heights,” he said.
Entitled ‘Corruption As Factor For Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Retrogression And Underdevelopment: Time To Act’, the lecture established how corruption has retarded the socio-economic growth of Nigeria despite her many human, mineral and natural resources.
“Due to our failure to stop corruption at the initial stage, our nation now struggles to cope with its debilitating pang. As consequences for our lack of proactive response, we are now burdened by dwindling economy, collapsed infrastructure, ineffective health system, problematic academic system, unemployment and insecurity, among many other social challenges,” Magu submitted.
He also emphasized on the importance of citizen’s self-determination in ridding the Nigerian system of corruption as he urged for urgent action.
“That individual you see each time you stare at the mirror in your closet is the only solution to Nigeria’s challenges. When you get home today, go back to your mirror, challenge the fellow you see there to rise up to the occasion. Remind him, remind her that he/she has a critical role to play in getting Nigeria back on track. Tell him, tell her that time is NOW!”
The state chairman of the NLC, Emmanuel Bankole, thanked the EFCC and other guests for attending the event which, according to him, was the labour movement’s modest contribution to the fight against corruption.
He said the union was bothered because of the unpalatable consequences corruption often imposes on its members.
“When establishments become inefficient on account of corruption, it is our members that suffer most. They will say they want to downsize and many of our members will be laid off.,” he said.
The state NLC also inaugurated its Citizens Rights and Anti-Corruption Advocates (CRACA) team to collate human rights and corruption-related petitions and help forward same to the appropriate government agencies for action.