Mr Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has urged heads of tertiary institutions across the country to educate their students about internet fraud.
He made the appeal during an interactive session with Kogi tertiary institution heads on Monday at the commission’s Zonal Command Office in Ilorin.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Ilorin Zonal Commander Mr Michael Nzekwe, urged tertiary institutions to work with the commission to combat the rising tide of internet fraud among students.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the engagement is a continuation of a meeting held earlier on May 4, as part of the command’s proactive measures to combat cybercrime in Kwara.
He advised tertiary institution administrators to put in place measures to discourage students from committing crimes.
“Parents should also be more committed to their children’s moral upbringing, both at school and at home, in order to strengthen the prevention agenda.”
“The commission can achieve the task of ridding the country of corruption if every institution gets involved and actively participate in the fight against the menace,” he told reporters.
He also charged educational institutions with changing the negative narratives about the quality of education in Nigeria.
According to him, a corruption-free Nigeria is possible if everyone takes a proactive and sincere interest in fighting corruption.
Read Also: MASSOB founder, Uwazuruike, claims military invaded his house, kidnapped four people
Prof. Salawu Sadiku, Vice Chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, responded by applauding the EFCC’s initiative.
Sadiku urged the commission to include anti-corruption courses in the school curriculum and teach them at all levels.
“Today’s youth are exposed to a variety of vices that have the potential to permanently ruin their lives.”
“We need to do more for students to focus on their studies and desist from all forms of cybercrimes,” he went on to say.
Similarly, Dr Salisu Usman, Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, and Dr Umar Hassan, Provost of College of Education, Okene, emphasized the importance of instituting anti-corruption watchdogs to combat cybercrime on campuses.
Dr Yahaya Usman, Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Idah, and Mrs Victoria Jagboro, Provost of College of Education (Technical), Kabba, urged the EFCC to strengthen its intelligence gathering mechanisms, as well as guidance and counselling efforts.
