‘Nigeria’s future is in your hands’ — Olukoyede charges young women to uphold integrity

Michael Olumide Alabi

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has urged young women across Nigeria to reject corruption, fraudulent practices and the get-rich-quick mentality, while deploying their creativity, talents and influence towards integrity, hard work and national development.

Olukoyede gave the charge on Sunday, in Abuja, in his goodwill message at the graduation and award ceremony of the African Girl Guide (AGG) 12-Week Leadership Exposure Programme.

The programme, which was organised with the theme, “Leading Beyond the Programme: Sustaining Purpose, Influence, and Impact,” brought together young women who had undergone leadership training designed to equip them with the values, knowledge and confidence required to make positive contributions to society.

According to the Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC Chairman, who was represented at the event by the Head of the Commission’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of EFCC (ACE II), Aisha Mohammed, said the training was particularly important in shaping the character and mindset of young people.

According to him, the fight against corruption cannot be left to law enforcement agencies alone, stressing that character formation and proper upbringing remain critical to preventing young people from engaging in fraudulent activities.

He said the EFCC’s campaign against internet fraud, popularly known as “yahoo yahoo,” and the wider get-rich-quick mentality must be complemented by strong moral education and leadership development.

“Your theme is exactly what Nigeria needs. In EFCC, we fight the ‘yahoo yahoo’ and the ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality that is destroying many of our youth. But we know law enforcement alone is not enough; we need home training; we need the Girl Guide training.

“In EFCC, we know that corruption starts with a compromise of character. And character is what you are building here,” Olukoyede stated.

He challenged the graduates to become positive examples in their schools, businesses, communities, families and other areas of society, urging them to resist pressure to compromise their values.

The EFCC boss specifically called on the young women to reject fraud, shortcuts, examination malpractice and bribery, noting that genuine success must be built on hard work, discipline and integrity.

“Be the girl who says no to fraud, no to shortcuts, and yes to hard work. Your influence is powerful when you pool it together,” he said.

Olukoyede further urged the graduates to lead with purpose and use their influence responsibly, stressing that the future of Nigeria would depend largely on the quality and character of the country’s emerging generation of leaders.

He assured the participants of the EFCC’s continued collaboration with youth-focused organisations in creating opportunities for young Nigerians to positively develop and harness their talents.

“Nigeria’s future is in your hands, and we are counting on you to be women of integrity in school, in business, in government and in the home,” he added.

Leadership beyond authority

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, urged the graduates to embrace integrity, confidence, courage, responsibility and continuous learning as essential qualities for effective leadership.

Issa-Onilu, who was represented by Margaret Yenami, Deputy Director, Abuse Rights Narcotics Department of the NOA, said leadership should not be understood merely as the possession of authority or the ability to give orders.

He explained that true leadership was measured by the ability of an individual to inspire others, make responsible decisions and create positive change in society.

“Leadership is not all about wielding authority, giving command, or giving orders. It is all about your ability to create positive change, do what is right and inspire others,” he said.

The NOA Director-General encouraged the graduates to become worthy ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they found themselves, while promoting values capable of strengthening national unity and development.

He also highlighted the National Values Charter, describing it as an initiative designed to reconnect Nigerians with the values that define the nation.

According to him, leadership remains one of the key principles of the Charter and must be reflected in the conduct and decisions of citizens, particularly young people who will eventually assume greater responsibilities in society.

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The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, also commended the African Girl Guide for its efforts at empowering young women.

Bello, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Kehinde Akomolafe, described AGG as a critical partner in the fight against human trafficking and other forms of abuse.

She said programmes that equip girls and young women with knowledge, confidence and awareness of their rights could play a significant role in preventing exploitation and trafficking.

According to her, the participants had been empowered to better understand the dangers around them and take steps to protect themselves and others.

She charged the graduates to know their rights, protect their dreams and become guides and sources of support to other young women in their communities.

‘The value of a woman should not be underestimated’

The Founder of the African Girl Guide, Jindu Peter Elueze, expressed appreciation to government agencies, partners, parents and other stakeholders who supported the leadership programme.

Elueze emphasised the importance of investing in women and girls, stressing that empowering young women was critical to building a stronger and more responsible society.

“The value of a woman should not be underestimated,” he said.

He described the 12-week leadership programme as a journey of transformation and empowerment, expressing confidence that the participants had acquired the knowledge, values and skills required to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the country at large.

He also acknowledged the contributions of parents and other stakeholders whose support made the programme possible.

Olukoyede receives integrity award

A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the “Distinguished Integrity” and “Legacy Advocacy” awards to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

The awards recognised his commitment to integrity, ethical leadership and accountability, as well as his contribution to inspiring young women to become principled and responsible leaders through the African Girl Guide initiative.

The recognition further underscored the central message of the programme — that leadership must be rooted in character, integrity, responsibility and a commitment to positively influence others.

The graduation ceremony, therefore, provided an opportunity for government agencies, youth development organisations, parents and other stakeholders to reinforce the need for sustained investment in the character and leadership development of young Nigerians.

With the graduates now equipped with leadership exposure and a stronger understanding of integrity and responsibility, stakeholders urged them to take the lessons beyond the programme and translate them into practical actions in their schools, workplaces, families and communities.

The event ended with a renewed call for young women to become agents of positive change, reject corruption and exploitation, and use their talents and influence to contribute to a more responsible, ethical and prosperous Nigeria.