- * Cautions Youths Against Peer Pressure
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, to brace up to the challenge of fighting economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the overall interests of the nation and their future.
He made the call in Abuja on Wednesday June 5, 2024 while receiving a delegation of the Council that paid him a courtesy visit at the headquarters of the Commission.
According to him, reform-minded youths should no longer wait until the deleterious effects of corruption form brick walls against their future. They should rise to the task of fighting corruption to save their future. “We must demonstrate it, we must walk the talk, we must fight the fight. We recognize youths as one of the stakeholders in the Nigerian project. They must rise to the task. Every hand must be on the deck to save Nigeria”, he said.
The EFCC’s boss stressed that youths needed complete reorientation to stay away from internet crimes and materialistic pursuits. He pointed out that youths could still have a taste of good governance if they support every anti-corruption initiative of the EFCC. “When you see us at the forefront of the fight against corruption, back us up, support the move and the future will be good for you”, he said.
He challenged youths to look inwards and tackle bad eggs among them in order to be strengthened against corrupt practices. “ Let’s look inwards, from villages, communities, zones, local governments, state governments and everywhere. Organize the youths together and let them know that we can rescue this country from the corrupt”, he said.
He submitted that Nigeria had enough riches to cater for the needs of youths if economic and financial crimes are frontally tackled. "Look inwards and talk to yourselves. Nigeria is so resourceful that youths should not suffer at all”, he said. He charged them to be courageous against challenges around them stressing that posterity would vindicate them. “We have to work together and win the fight together. We can make Nigeria work again,” he said.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Ambassador Sokubo Saraibe Sokubo, in his opening remarks commended Olukoyede on the success recorded within a short period of time. “We have seen your doggedness, sincerity and commitment in driving the fight against corruption since you assumed office”, he said.
He expressed support for the works of the EFCC stressing that “Nigerians are the problems of Nigeria”. He explained that His Council was willing to partner with the EFCC to deepen the fight against corruption.
Sokubo stated that NYCN was non-partisan and “ has wide networks to mobilise youths against corrupt practices. He promised that fraudulent youths would not be allowed to sabotage the efforts of the EFCC.
He also used the opportunity of the visit to invite the EFCC to the 60th Anniversary of NYCN.
In a related development, Olukoyede cautioned students and youths across the country against yielding to destructive peer pressures. He gave the advice on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at Glisten International Academy Abuja, which hosted its Technology Week with the theme: “Building a Safe and Inclusive Digital Space.”
Speaking on the topic: “Peer Pressure and Fake Life: A Recipe for Cybercrime,” the EFCC boss who was represented by the Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Aisha Muhammed, described peer pressure “as an influence exerted by a group of individuals, usually of similar age, status or interests to make others conform to their attitudes, behaviours or values.”
Peer pressure he further said, could be subtle or overt, negative or positive but in all, it is capable of affecting the recipient’s beliefs, choices and actions. While positive peer pressure encourages good habits and new positive experiences that conform with good morals and values, negative peer pressure, he said, pushes for risky, destructive behaviours such as encouraging other youths to try out consumption of harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol or engage in internet crimes or in sexual activities; skip school attendance or engage in other delinquent behaviours such as stepping out in inappropriate clothes.
Olukoyede urged the students to recognize and manage peer pressure properly by noting when such promptings conflict with good morals and their well-being and urged teachers and parents to be helpful in this regard.
“Be authentic, avoid presenting fake life online. Be true to yourself and don’t feel pressured to exaggerate or misrepresent your life. Set boundaries and be cautious about what you share online and with whom you interact. Educate yourself and stay informed about online threats and best practices for suspicious activities”, he said
“I want you to know that your future starts today. Future is not what is waiting ahead without any conscious effort. The cumulative effort of today is what translates into the future. Therefore, focus your attention on what you do today because your future starts now,” he said.
The Principal of the school, Mr. Charles Eneh thanked the EFCC for the visit and enlightenment of the students on managing the challenges of adolescence.
“On behalf of the entire students and the management staff, Board of Directors and Trustees of Glisten International Academy, we sincerely appreciate you for coming to speak to the students. We want to say that we will make good use of the EFCC Zero Tolerance magazines given to the school,” he said. NNL.
