The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has charged youths across the country to deploy their technological skills for the benefit of the nation and for their individual development rather than for negative and fraudulent purposes.
He made the call in Abuja on Tuesday, while addressing the Nigerian Youth Stakeholders’ Conversation themed, “Digital Economy Transition: Pathway to Global Competitiveness.”
EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who represented Olukoyede, said there is so much opportunity for youths in the digital space to demonstrate their technological skills rather than using such skills for fraudulent activities.
According to him, EFCC identified with the objectives of the programme aimed at harnessing the tech skills of young Nigerians for the nation’s economic development and personal growth of the citizenry.
“All of us are aware of the tremendous skills that our young citizens possess, especially in technology. We are all aware of the marvellous things Nigerians are doing, especially in the fintech ecosystem. I doubt there is any other country in Africa that has the type of resources that this nation has in terms of the deployment of technology by young persons in all areas of development.
“Technology is something you cannot run away from; it is the future of the whole world, and we must ensure that youths, who have these skills, deploy them for the benefit of our nation,” he said.
He pointed out that the reputation of Nigeria is at stake owing to the negative use of technology. He added that as long as young Nigerians continue to defraud citizens of other countries of their hard-earned money, the nation’s reputation will continue to suffer.
He called on all well-meaning Nigerians who are aware of the dangerous implications of cybercrime on the economy of the nation to rise up and join forces with the Commission to see that, together, Nigeria wins the war against cybercrime.
According to Olukoyede, it’s time Nigeria moved back to the foundation era of moral values.
“The foundation of our moral values is threatened by the emphasis we have placed on wealth; it is really saddening that parents across the country today do not frown at sudden wealth by their children.
“You found a situation where children, who are being fed and catered for by their own parents, suddenly become wealthy and nobody asks questions. Across our campuses, we have young people who are driving cars that their parents can only have in their dreams, yet nobody asks questions.
“There is no way we can solve this problem until we look inward and find a way to teach the core values.
“There is no Nigerian ethnic group that celebrates stealing, fraud or cheating, which is another name for stealing, and we need to revive those core values that we have,” he said.
President and convener of the programme, Blessing Oyefeson, in her opening remark, said the event was a response to the yearnings of Nigerian youths to lead the country, adding that they have what it takes to lead the country.
“It is not out of place that leaders of tomorrow must coexist with regulatory agencies, policymakers, and socio-impact makers to explore alternative ways for the social economic development of our dear nation, Nigeria,” she said.
She emphasised the need for youth engagements with stakeholders and policy formulators to position them for the development of the country, by creating an enabling environment for Nigerian youths to thrive in the digital economy.
Ololade Ogunnubi, who represented the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiative, Titilope Gbadamosi, stated that the federal government has rolled out several empowerment initiatives for Nigerian youths.
“Under President Tinubu’s administration, we have rolled out several initiatives aimed at empowering our youths in the digital space. These include digital literacy campaigns that are spreading across the nation, the establishment of tech hubs to foster innovation and support systems for tech start-ups that provide the necessary capital and mentorship to succeed.
“Our commitment is unwavering, and our goal is clear: to create an enabling environment where every Nigerian youth can thrive in the digital economy.
“I urge all Nigerian youth to seize the opportunities presented by the digital economy. The future is digital, and it is in your hands. The Federal Government is committed to supporting you every step of the way, providing you with the tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed,” she said.
