President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that he is at the forefront of changing the country for the better.
The president also said that his administration had brought some positive changes in the Southeast, south-south, northeast, and northwest in the areas of security and the economy.
The president, who spoke in Enugu while commissioning the ultramodern Enugu Zonal Command Complex of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 19, declared that while things were changing in Nigeria for the better in the past six months, 2024 would manifest the fullness of his administration’s many reforms.
Represented by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, President Tinubu saluted the armed forces of Nigeria, the military, the security forces, the police, the SSS and the rest for the good work they were currently doing in the country.
Ribadu said: “First, I’m bringing the greetings of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said I should congratulate you and your team. Thank you for the good work you are doing.
He said that I should thank the armed forces of Nigeria, the military, the security forces, the police, the SSS, and the rest for the good work you are doing in our country today.
“Everyone will agree with me that things are changing. In just the first six months of his own administration, we are beginning to see what is possible. We want to also encourage you, to go this direction. We need our country to work. We need things to improve. We want to do the right things. And he (Mr President) is in the forefront of doing that. Things are changing in Nigeria. In 2024, wait and see what is going to happen.
“It is important that law enforcement agencies which are critical to our collective safety, security, prosperity, and general well-being, are afforded necessary facilities to ensure their welfare and efficiency. This is why I commend the chairman of the EFCC and his team for this initiative.
“I’m confident that the state-of-the-art facility will further motivate the staff to rededicate themselves to the course of fighting economic and financial crimes, emerging challenges hindering our development as a nation.”
He said the decision to prioritize the welfare of the personnel of the zone and indeed, all EFCC staff with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, was in line with what President Tinubu was trying to do for all Nigerians, the ability for all to have better things.
He further stated: “Support workers, give them what is needed, make the environment okay so that we can get maximum out of all that are involved and participating in the Renewed Hope. Issues of welfare, in particular, are important to law enforcement officers who stake their comfort and oftentimes, their safety and lives for our own well-being.
“I want to assure you that this administration will not compromise when it comes to looking after your welfare.
“All we ask in return is a total commitment to the mandate of your agency. Beyond your regular activities of fighting various forms of fraud, I want to remind you that the EFCC is strategic to the counter-terrorism efforts of this Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
“It is my fervent hope that the commission will take a front row in the determined efforts to check the laundering of proceeds of violent crimes such as kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in our country and restore order and stability, particularly in the economy.
“You have the biggest responsibility to be in the forefront and get things back in order. A lot of things were done wrongly and mismanaged. It is you, EFCC, who should clean up and sanitize, do the right thing, and demonstrate that you are one of our best. Be honest, be just and be fair to all. That is what is needed. That is what you are known for.
“Things were done not necessarily in the best way that was expected. But now, it is your own duty and responsibility. Change it.
“Though I’m aware of the modest contributions of the commission in checking illicit financial flows, especially in the designated non-financial sector through the Special Control Unit Agency against money laundering, there is still potential for improvement.”
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He also emphasised the need for synergy and collaboration among various security agencies, saying, “No agency can do it alone without the support and collaboration of others. I therefore call on other security organizations in this zone to work with the EFCC to ensure it achieves its objectives.
“Under my watch as the NSA, unbridled rivalry among various security agencies will not be tolerated”.
He expressed happiness over the improved collaboration among various security agencies at the national level, saying the new direction had proved to be more valuable.
“Though we do not talk too much, things are changing. The Southeast is changing. The south-south is changing. The same with the northeast and northwest. We’re defeating Boko Haram. We’re defeating bandits. We’re engaging our brothers (agitators) who are in this part of the country to plead that we are all together and we are one.
“That is happening simply because all of us are together in this. Unlike what happened in the past. I’m emphasizing this simply because it makes a massive difference.”
While congratulating the personnel of the commission in the Enugu Zonal Command, Ribadu urged them to make good use of the facility by playing a big role in changing Nigeria.
The executive chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukayode recalled the fire incident that destroyed one of the offices at the Enugu command, saying however that the commission had not only put the sad incident behind but moved on.
While emphasizing the importance of a befitting office to carry out their mandate, Olukayode vowed that the EFCC would ensure that fraudsters have no place to operate in the Southeast and other regions of the country.
According to him, families that have been victims of fraud will wipe their tears away following the commission’s onslaught against corruption and fraud.