The Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its sustained war against graft, economic and financial crimes which he said had impacted positively on the image of the country.
He gave the commendation in Ilorin on Thursday, June 20, 2024, while on a visit to the Acting Zonal Director, Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Harry Erin, at the Commission’s office.
Declaring support for the works of the EFCC, Egbewole expressed his management’s readiness to collaborate with the Commission to exterminate cybercrime on school campuses and among the youths. He said the EFCC’s job was a difficult national assignment and should be supported by all stakeholders in order for its mandate to succeed.
The VC said that the purpose of the visit was to further cement his varsity’s relationship with the EFCC with a view to entrenching sanity nationally, particularly within the academic sphere.
“We are here to consolidate on our already established relationship and to welcome the new Zonal Director of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC to the State of Harmony. I can assure you of our support for your efforts aimed at eradicating cybercrimes on school campuses and ensuring a corruption-free Nigeria. We are aware of the enormous work you are saddled with but are ready to complement you in whatever way possible”, he said.
According to him, the University of Ilorin was an institution of international repute that prides itself not only as a “Better by Far University”, but as an institution with zero tolerance for corruption.
“Once again, I want to welcome you to Ilorin, and wish to let you know that this collaboration is not taken for granted. We cherish it and we want to assure you that we are very eager and quite happy to partner with you and ensure that your mission, which is a mission that is supported by the Federal Government Renewed Hope Agenda, actually comes to fruition”, he said
In his response, Erin appreciated the VC and his team for the visit adding that he felt honoured to receive an astute academician, renowned legal luminary and the number one citizen of the University of Ilorin as a guest.
He commended the management of the University of Ilorin for being a worthy partner in the fight against financial crimes noting that the Commission had received series of support and cooperation from the University over the years, which had aided its operations in so many ways.
Harry lamented the damage that corruption has caused the country, stressing that for it to be effectively tamed, there was the need to strengthen institutions towards making our systems work as it obtains in other civilized countries of the world.
“Why the crime rate is reduced in America is because they have a system that works. If Nigeria must overcome the problem of corruption, we must allow our systems to work and give no room for criminals to hide under it. We must work together to tame the corrupt individuals without considering religion, ethnic or political affiliation”, he said.
The crime- buster encouraged every stakeholder to join hands with the EFCC in the fight against corruption, stressing that “we must all be united to serve this country, because corruption is a threat to the survival of Nigeria, it is a threat to the unity of the country”.
He commended the VC and the university management for being supportive to the Commission, especially in the area of illegal mining.
“Our fight against illegal miners is total, and it is now yielding results. No fewer than twenty trucks loaded with different brands of solid minerals were arrested in the last two weeks. In fact, I can proudly tell you that illegal miners are now relocating from Kwara State because it is no longer a business as usual. We equally have it on good authority that licensed miners are currently in the process of establishing factories in the state. When this is done, it will not only boost local revenue for the government, but equally provide job opportunities for our teeming job seeking youths”, he said.