Corruption can be defeated if… — EFCC chairman

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukayode, has declared that corruption can be defeated in Nigeria and good governance entrenched if citizens embrace accountability, transparency and due process in all spheres of life.

Olukayode made the assertion on Wednesday in Warri, Delta State, in a keynote address delivered at the opening of the 12th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

The two-day conference, sponsored by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), gathered distinguished communication scholars and professionals from across the country.

Represented by Mr Williams Oseghale, Assistant Commander and Head of Public Affairs, EFCC Benin Zonal Directorate, Olukayode warned that most of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges stem from corruption.

He listed unemployment, insecurity, poverty, hunger, low life expectancy and kidnappings as symptoms of mismanagement and embezzlement by those entrusted with public resources.

“It is worrisome that Nigeria is regarded as a nation with an entrenched culture of corruption and impunity in Africa, if not the world,” he said.

Olukayode urged the media to take up a frontline role in anti-corruption advocacy by rejecting the glamorisation of corrupt practices. He challenged journalists to emulate the nation’s founding media figures by embracing investigative reporting that exposes fraudsters and holds public officials accountable.

“The media must fulfil its constitutional role as the fourth estate of the realm by holding government accountable to the people.

“It is only when the media takes up this responsibility that we can entrench accountability, probity and good governance at all levels,” he stressed.

He further assured that the EFCC remains fully committed to eradicating corruption and would continue to partner with media professionals and organisations such as ACSPN to educate Nigerians on the dangers of graft.

Earlier, ACSPN National President, Professor Rotimi Olatunji, painted a grim picture of corruption in Nigeria, describing it as “multifaceted,” ranging from petty bribery to large-scale looting by political and business elites.

He emphasised that corruption erodes infrastructure, hampers growth, drives insecurity and undermines the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

“We must be relentless in investigative reporting, but our role goes beyond exposure. We must use our platforms to foster a culture of integrity and empower citizens to demand transparency,” Olatunji said.

He expressed gratitude to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for sponsoring the conference, noting that its support ensured the success of the programme.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Majority Oji of Delta State University, Abraka, urged delegates to challenge conventional thinking and generate knowledge that addresses the deeper roots of corruption.

“Such knowledge can help break, or at least reduce, the vicious circle of corruption,” he noted.

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