President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede on his focus and determination in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
He gave the commendation in Abuja on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, when he led other council members of the Institute on a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters. According to him, the EFCC’s Chairman, since assuming office, has been focused on dealing with corrupt practices thereby reviving the hopes of Nigerians for economic development.
“At the Governing Council level, we have taken time to follow your activities, and monitor your programmes and we are very confident that you are focused. What we have seen you do, the way you have directed the affairs, your frankness, and your openness in admitting where there are shortcomings and proffering solutions and how to make things better, indicate very clearly that you are bent on leaving a legacy of honour on the seat, and for that, we want to commend you”, he said.
Neliaku also commended the EFCC Chairman and the Commission on complying with its Act in the appointment of public relations experts to manage the information architecture of the Commission. “We discovered that in the EFCC, you have always maintained the compliance principle which gives us the impression that this is indeed a professional organization. We want to commend you for the support that you have given Mr. Dele Oyewale when he was appointed as the Head of Media and Publicity. He is one of us and we are giving him all the support that he needs. Before him, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, also our member, was there and when the opportunity arose, he was elevated”, he said.
He sought the partnership and support of the EFCC in the execution of NIPR’s impending programmes, especially the National Spokesperson Summit, Nigerian Reputation Fair, Nigerian School of Public Relations, and Anti-Corruption and Consumer Protection Hub, among others.
Responding, Olukoyede appreciated the Institute and assured the President of more collaborative engagement with the apex public relations body.
“I want to assure you that we are not taking this for granted. We appreciate your sense of commitment to nation-building and also commitment to making sure that Nigeria moves forward.” He called for greater efforts towards public awareness and sensitization concerning the menace of corruption, maintaining that publicity and collective responsibility are crucial to achieving success in the anti-corruption fight.
“As an Agency, our mandate is to fight economic and financial crimes and there is no way you will be successful in this fight without public engagement. One thing I have discovered in the anti-corruption fight is the need for collective responsibility. I see Nigerians looking at this fight as a fight between EFCC and the rest of Nigerians or between ICPC or any other relevant Agency and the rest of Nigerians. As long as we continue on that particular note, there is no way we will make progress”, he said.
Olukoyede says that the fight against corruption is achievable, especially with the passion and political will of President Bola Tinubu.
“One of the things that has made us believe and kept me optimistic about the fact that now we are ready to do something is the commitment of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Every time I see him, I see that passion in him”, he said.
The NIPR president was accompanied on the visit by General Sani Usman Kukasheka, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue, Dr. Ahmad Sajoh, Mrs. Chinwe Ogbuka, Mrs. Tiwalade Fapohunde, Aisha Gambari and Stanley Ogadigo.
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