Tunde Bakare
The National Christian Youth Professionals, NCYP, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to strictly monitor the management of funds accruing to local government areas across the country owing to the financial autonomy granted them by the government.
This call was made in Abuja on Thursday, February 6, 2025 when the Chairman of NCYP, Isaac Abrak led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.
Abrak explained that development at the grassroots level was low and that only prudent management of resources being channeled to local government areas could accelerate growth, reduce poverty and light up the areas. “We come from the grassroots, we know what’s going on in the local government, we thank the President for giving the local government autonomy. If the local government can achieve 40 percent of what they are supposed to do, we can record a robust development. That is why we came to you, we want proper monitoring of the management of resources ,we want to offer our hand of partnership so that the commonwealth sent to the grassroots is utilized”, he said.
The youth leader applauded Olukoyede on his strides as the EFCC’s boss, stressing that his performance has shown that he is living up to the demands of his faith as a Christian. “We are proud of you. You have represented our faith in a standard manner”, he said. He commended the professionalism and diligence of officers of the EFCC in winning the P&ID case for Nigeria in 2023 and expressed satisfaction with the record-breaking achievements of Olukoyede since he assumed duties as the EFCC’s Chairman.
Abrak decried the rising involvement of youths in internet fraud in the Northern part of Nigeria, maintaining that “ cyber crime has encroached into the North and we want the EFCC to intensify its operations in this part of the country”.
Responding, Olukoyede appreciated the group for the visit, urging members of the group to use their platforms to unite Nigerians to do what is right.
“Doing the right thing has nothing to do with whether you are a Christian or a Muslim. Let’s continue to operate as people of integrity irrespective of our faith”, he said.
He agreed with the group on the need for closer monitoring of allocations to the local government, stressing that the Commission will continue to do its job in the overall interests of the nation. “There is need for us to monitor allocations going to the grassroots and we have started that already. We have a department called Fraud Risk Assessment and Control that is closely monitoring and tracking payments, contracts and other releases to ensure that funds are expended on what they are meant for.