Network of CSOs Pledge Support to EFCC: Sends Advisory Note on Corruption Fight

An Enugu based network of over fifty (50) Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in the South East region of Nigeria known as the South East Social Accountability Network (SESAN) has pledged its unalloyed support to the new Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC ,Abdulrasheed Bawa in his avowed resolve to fight corruption to a standstill in the country.

The pledge was given by the Coordinator and Lead Partner of the network, Emmanuel Acha who led a four-man delegation to the Enugu Zonal Head of the Commission, Oshodi Johnson to present a Seven-Point advisory note on the way forward in anti-corruption fight for onward transmission to the Executive Chairman.

“ As a stakeholder in this struggle to defeat crime and all forms of corruption, we are sincerely very optimistic that the Executive Chairman would succeed in building strong partnership and strong working relationship with organisations such as ours as we pledge to support you in any possible way which is why we are here today.” He stated.

He further asserted ; “Your appointment is very timely as the nation grapple with political, social, security and economic challenges that threatens its corporate existence and in a time like this, effective leadership is highly needed and indispensible in providing systemic redirection, transforming different sectors of the economy and changing the perception and attitude of citizens.

“As a young person of early 40 years of age ,our group believe that young people in the 21st century posses the requisite capacity, innovation, creativity and leadership required to turn the tides towards positive development and nationhood.”

The advisory note borders on seven main themes which include promotion of economic empowerment, promotion of open governance in public finance, technological innovation in crime fighting, localizing the fight against economic crimes and corruption among others.

In his remark, the Zonal Head, Oshodi Johnson said he was delichted to receive the group which he said has been an ally of the Commission.

“ I want to thank you very much for the initiative because in the final analysis, corruption is everybody’s business either as a victim or a criminal. Most importantly, we appreciate you because we see you a people of like minds with us, where unfortunately, those of us in this side of fighting corruption are very few. ”

He said that he quite understood the concern of the network regarding economic empowerment of the youth saying such would go a long way in deterring indulgence in criminal activities.

“ If you mirror it down to the grassroots, there is poverty and that is why many people fall prey to these scams either as victims or perpetrators who see it as a way of bettering their economic status.”

He lamented the situation where Nigerians fall prey to ponzi schemes which assures victims of much profit with little investment in a short period of time stating that even very poor people give out the little they have to have the desired much they desire.

“I enjoy you as an organisation to sensitize our people at the grassroot and in fact, everybody about the activities of these internet fraudsters and even high profile corrupt people because none of could claim immunity to the effects of corruption which we have seen affects everybody.”

Oshodi promised to send across their message to the Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.