RismadarVoice Reporters, September 2, 2026
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, has charged young Nigerian women to reject corruption, fraud and the get-rich-quick mentality and embrace integrity, hard work and responsible leadership.
Olukoyede gave the charge at the graduation and award ceremony of the African Girl Guide, AGG, 12-Week Leadership Exposure Programme in Abuja, where he warned that corruption often begins with compromises in character.
The programme had as its theme: “Leading Beyond the Programme: Sustaining Purpose, Influence, and Impact.”
Represented by the Head of the EFCC Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, the EFCC Chairman said the training had equipped the young women with values needed to make meaningful contributions to national development.
According to him, law enforcement alone cannot win the fight against corruption without deliberate efforts to build character and promote sound moral values among young people.
“Your theme is exactly what Nigeria needs. In EFCC, we fight the ‘yahoo yahoo’ and the ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality that is destroying many of our youth. But we know law enforcement alone is not enough.
“We need home training; we need the Girl Guide training. In EFCC, we know that corruption starts with a compromise of character. And character is what you are building here,” he said.
Olukoyede urged the graduates to use their influence positively and reject fraudulent activities, shortcuts, examination malpractice and bribery.
“Be the girl who says no to fraud, no to shortcuts, and yes to hard work. Your influence is powerful when you pool it together,” he added.
The EFCC boss assured the participants of the Commission’s continued collaboration with youth organisations to provide opportunities for young people to channel their talents towards productive ventures.
He said Nigeria’s future depended largely on a generation of young people committed to integrity in schools, businesses, government and their homes.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, charged the graduates to embrace integrity, courage, confidence, responsibility and continuous learning.
Represented by Margaret Yenami, Deputy Director in the NOA’s Abuse Rights Narcotics Department, Issa-Onilu said leadership was not about wielding authority but about the ability to create positive change and inspire others.
He said the National Values Charter was designed to reconnect Nigerians with the values that define the country and urged the young women to represent Nigeria positively wherever they found themselves.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, described the African Girl Guide as an important partner in the fight against human trafficking and other forms of abuse.
Represented by the agency’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Kehinde Akomolafe, Bello said the programme had empowered young women with knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and others from exploitation.
She urged them to know their rights, protect their dreams and become guides and positive examples to others.
Founder of the African Girl Guide, Jindu Peter Elueze, described the programme as a journey of transformation and empowerment and thanked government agencies, parents and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative.
He stressed that the value and contributions of women and girls should never be underestimated.
