The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged the newly-commissioned Detective Assistant Cadets, Course 5 of the Commission to imbibe the culture of integrity and discipline in the discharge of their duties.
He gave the charge on Friday, February 14, 2025 at the the Passing out Parade ceremony of the cadets, numbering 169 (One Hundred and Sixty-nine) at Nigeria Police Mobile Training College, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.
Olukoyede who noted that the cadets were not only groomed in law enforcement, but in ethics, discipline and leadership charged them to uphold EFCC’s core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration.
“You have been trained not just in law enforcement but also in ethics, discipline, leadership and the need to uphold the Commission’s core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration. These are the principles that will guide you as you embark on your journey as officers of the Commission.
“As new officers of the EFCC, you are now a critical part of our mission to eradicate economic and financial crimes through prevention, enforcement and coordination. A lot of trust is placed on you as cadets of the Commission. Your family, the EFCC and the entire citizens of Nigeria look up to you to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity. You must give no room for compromise, nor tolerance for misconduct,” he said.
He reminded them that the task that laid ahead of them as anti-corruption officers was a national challenge for the good of the country in accordance with the mission of the EFCC.
“In the course of performing your duties, you are likely to face challenges that will test your integrity and commitment. However, be assured that the cases you investigate, arrests you make, assets you recover and every illegal financial transaction you uncover in the course of your duties not only helps in attaining the vision and mission of the Commission, but also works for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians at large,” he said.
Speaking further, Olukoyede noted that the future and wellbeing of the country is tied to the unrelenting sustenance of the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes.
“Let me once again remind us that the fight against economic and financial crimes is one on which the future of our nation depends. Nigeria looks up to the EFCC for solutions to the pervasive corruption as well as help in stimulating the economy. The Commission is also the beacon of hope in addressing concerns about cybercrime and other variants of financial crimes driven by technology,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, noted that the EFCC needed enough manpower as well as the involvement of all well-meaning Nigerians to achieve success in the anti-corruption fight, adding that the coming on board of the fresh cadets further demonstrates the commitment of the government of President Tinubu to strengthen the EFCC and improve the quality of its manpower for effective service delivery.
“Leaders at various tiers of government have a responsibility to support agencies like the EFCC in this critical fight. It is for this reason that Nasarawa State having reconsidered the critical role of the EFCC, pulled out from the legal tussle against the EFCC regarding its statutory powers. Let me take the liberty of this occasion to reiterate that Nasarawa State is the Home of Solid Minerals. This sector, as you are all aware, represents a new frontier for investment, and we need the assistance of agencies such as the EFCC to enhance transparency and build investors’ confidence in our economy, as well as promote the ease of doing business, essentially in boosting revenue in this critical artery of the economy,” he said.
The Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Honourable Ginger Obinna Onwusibe tasked the new officers on professionalism, integrity, honesty, confidentiality and discretion, adding that the “officers must encourage individuals to report suspicious transactions and provide protection for whistle-blowers. You must foster a culture of integrity by promoting the culture of integrity and ethical behaviours in the financial sector among the general public. Implementing these strategies requires a spontaneous effort from all stakeholders. By working together, Nigeria can effectively combat criminality and promote a safer and more stable financial system,” he said.
The representative
of
the
Chairman, Senate Committee
on
Anti
Corruption
and
Financial
Crimes,
Senator
Diket
Plang
described
the
EFCC
as
the
image-maker
of
the
country
adding
that
Nigerians
are
watching
and
expecting
a
lot
from
the
Commission.
“The
EFCC
is
always
in
the
mind
of
the Senate. This
is
for
no
other
reason than the
fact
that the EFCC
is
an
image-maker
for
our
nation. We
want
to
use
this
opportunity
to
thank
the
EFCC Chairman
for
what
they
are
doing.
Nigeria
has
gained
a
lot
of
integrity
and
respect
in
the
international
community
because
of
the
brilliant,
patriotic
and
commitment
of
the
EFCC,”
he
said.
He urged the new cadets to be mindful of their actions on their new assignments. “Nigerians are watching you with a lot of expectations. Our prayers are that as you would now be on the field you will remain nationalistic, patriotic, God-fearing and consider Nigeria as a lowest common multiple. To the Commission, I would like to assure you that the senate will not relent in its effort to ensure that it gives you sufficient grounds and power to operate so that you can give the best to Nigerians,” he said.
On his part, the commandant of the Police Mobile Training College, Ende Hills, DCP Sunday Audu Peter congratulated the cadets and urged them to put to proper use, the training they received in the discharge of their duties. “We are handing them over to you sir. Unleash them to cleanse up the community, to cleanse up the society; to rid of all unwanted elements and behaviours that draw us back as a country,” he said.
Out
of
the
total
of
169
Detective
Assistant
Cadets that passed
out,
eleven
distinguished
themselves
in
different
areas
of
study
and
operational
activities
and
were
honoured
with
awards. Agwuncha
Ugochukwu
Lotanna
was
awarded
Best
Overall
Cadet,
with
the
First
and
Second
Runner-up
awards going to
Anani
One
Melche
and
Adutu
Joy
Uyo. Uyo also emerged
the Best
in
Legal
Studies.
Muhammad
Kabir
Sanusi
was
awarded
the
Executive
Chairman
Award
in
Command
and
Leadership. He also
emerged the
Best
Cadet
in Drill
and was also
the
parade
Commander. Lawal
Lawrence emerged
the Best
in
Operational
Studies.
Oguzi
Promise Yefia emerged
the Best Cadet
in
General
Studies, while
Abbah Favour
Billy emerged
the Best
in
ICT. Joshua
Princewill emerged
the
Best
Marksman and
Oviangbede
Precious emerged
the
Best Markswoman.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 14, 2025
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