By Tina Amanda
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt Zone, Ola Olukoyede, has emphasized the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption nationwide.
Speaking during a walk to commemorate the 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day in Port Harcourt, themed “Deepening Anti-Corruption Fight Through Effective Whistleblowing,” Olukoyede described corruption as one of the deadliest afflictions impacting humanity globally.
He urged Rivers people to leverage the Eagle Eye app, a corruption reporting device to expose acts of shadiness around them, while assuring safety and protection to every whistleblower.
“The world over, the issue of corruption has been a bane to both local and global development. There can be no accurate statistical or quantitative evaluation of the havoc corruption is wreaking on genuine efforts at development because of its pervasive and recurring nature.
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“The Whistle-Blowing Policy in Nigeria was launched on December 21, 2016, by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance as an anti-corruption program that encourages people to voluntarily disclose information about fraud, bribery, looted government funds, financial misconduct, abuse or embezzlement of government assets and any other form of corruption or theft.
“Aside from terrorism, corruption ranks as the next deadliest affliction of humanity in every region of the world.
“In view of the danger and threat to our existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies, and indeed the whole world join hands together to tackle it frontally. One way of doing this is through the whistle-blowing initiative.
“The theme of the 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day is “Effective Whistleblowing for Corruption-Free Nigeria”. Whistleblowers are anti-corruption promoters. Through their efforts, anti-corruption agencies are alerted about environmental compromises that should be investigated. The alert can come through verbal and non-verbal corridors.
“At the EFCC, the Eagle Eye app is an established corruption reporting device that is generating intelligence the Commission can leverage. I urge whistleblowers to key into this device. Mail can be sent, telephone calls can be made, and personal visits can be made to any EFCC Command across the country to expose acts of shadiness around us. We also assure every whistle-blower of protection. EFCC will never betray you.
“One salient fact about whistle-blowing is that it shows commitment and drive towards anti-corruption. No effort is too little in this regard. Although there are ample rewards accruable to the whistleblower, the most important thing is the need to move the wheel of anti-corruption forward. This is a duty for every Nigerian and it is the focus of this year’s anti-corruption Day”.
The EFCC chairman further called on the general public, and corporate organizations to join hands in the fight against corruption in the state, as it affects everyone in the
“I want all of us to embrace this obligation more seriously. We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outbursts, or mere mob campaigns. There is a need for commitment, passion, consistency, and credibility of intelligence. Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proof. There is punishment for false claims and misleading intelligence.
“Finally, let us always remember that corruption affects all of us. An internet fraudster poses as much danger to our collective progress as a looter of our national treasury. We should not encourage their villainy by being indifferent, silent, or non-committal. Whistle-blowing is our own opportunity to kick against corruption. Let’s embrace it totally”.
Chairman, of the Conference of Civil Society and Coordinator Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMCO), Adams Otakwu, lamented that the nation has lost trillions of dollars as a result of corruption.
“We have always and will continue to collaborate with the EFCC in fighting corruption. Corruption has become a menace
“Corruption has taken trillions of dollars from our country the former president said “if you do not kill corruption, corruption will render us useless” which means we will not exist. So, for anything that means fighting corruption we stand for”.
He commended the EFCC for their efforts in fighting corruption while urging people to always blow the whistle whenever they see fraudulent activities around them
