In a stern yet encouraging message, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Mr. Mohammed Alkali, to maintain the highest standards of integrity in his leadership. The charge came during a courtesy visit by the NEDC management team to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, a visitunderscoring the critical role both agencies play in the fight against corruption and the development of the North East region.
Taking to the EFCC’s official X handle, Olukoyede delivered a clear message to Alkali: “Please let your hands be clean and your heart be pure in whatever you do. Do not forget that we are holding positions of trust, and that one day we’ll be called upon to give account.” This powerful statement serves as both a reminder and a challenge to Alkali and all public servants to remain vigilant against corruption and to lead with transparency and accountability.
The meeting highlighted the shared vision between the EFCC and NEDC, with Alkali expressing gratitude for the EFCC’s impactful interventions in the commission’s operations. “After going through the EFCC Act and our own Act, there are a lot of cross-cutting issues which we can play around,” Alkali noted, emphasizing the potential for greater collaboration between the two agencies. This partnership is seen as vital in ensuring that the resources and efforts dedicated to rebuilding the North East are not tainted by corruption.
Olukoyede, in turn, pledged the EFCC’s full support to the NEDC, particularly in the area of capacity building. He also commended Alkali for his leadership, noting the absence of major corruption scandals under his tenure. “I want to commend you because you’re the pioneer of the Commission, and you have proven to deserve the appointment. We have not heard any major scandal about your commission. We are ready to give you all the necessary support,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC Chairman further offered the agency’s assistance in ensuring that entities owing obligations to the NEDC fulfill their responsibilities, reinforcing the commission’s commitment to aiding the NEDC in its mission. This alliance between the EFCC and NEDC represents a united front in the battle against corruption and the drive towards a more transparent and effective public service in Nigeria.
As the NEDC continues its vital work in the reconstruction and development of the North East, the words of Olukoyede resonate as a call to maintain the integrity of the commission’s efforts. The collaboration between these two agencies is poised to set a new standard in governance, where accountability and transparency are not just goals but the foundation upon which public service is built.
PIONEER NEWS 