By Iduozee Paul, Benin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) on Friday led hundreds of their members and non-state actors on a street march against the dangers of corruption in the country.
The rally was organized by the EFCC and the NYSC with the theme “Nigerian Youths March Against Corruption” in Benin.
Also there were non-state actors such as the Edo Civil Society O Organisations, Organised Labour, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the media and other interest bodies, with anti- corruption songs.
They marched through the King’s Square carrying banners with the words, “Corruption kills; Let’s kill corruption” and “Nigerian youths say no to Corruption”.
Speaking to journalists after the rally, the Benin zonal EFCC head, Muhtar Bello noted that youths are pivotal to the success of anti-corruption crusade and it is imperative to include the youths in the fight against corruption because they constitute majority of Nigeria’s population.
The EFCC boss said the rally is aimed at sensitizing and mobilizing youths across the country to shun unethical practices and ensure they are relentless in the anti-graft war.
He said all citizens are being invited to join the fight against corruption.
According to the EFCC boss, “This road walk is unique in the sense that the presidency and the country as a whole have recognized the fact that 90 per cent of the population is being dominated by the youths who are the future leaders of tomorrow.
“It alsorecognized the fact that for us to succeed in fighting corruption and build up Nigeria in the future there is need to involve the youths that is why the road walk has the theme, ‘Nigerian Youths March Against Corruption’.
He however, called for concerted efforts in preventing the scourge of corruption in all sectors of the country.
“Fighting corruption is not the government effort alone but it involves every individual in the society being young or old, the country is ours.
“We need to put hands together in the fight against corruption to expose the scourge of corruption in the Nigeria”, he added.
In his comment, the state coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Adebayo Ojo said that the government is doing all it can to curb youth restiveness in the country.
Ojo stated that the presidency is making frantic efforts to give interest-free loans to corps members.
