FG renews support for Anti-Graft War

Fresh boost came for the war against economic and financial crimes on Thursday, August 19, 2010 with the government expressing un-wavering and un-alloyed support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in its avowed commitment to rid the nation of all shades of corrupt practices. The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, SAN, conveyed this support at the graduation ceremony of the EFCC's Cadet Course 5 and Intermediate Cadet Course 2 held at the Training and Research Institute of the Commission. Adoke says that the graduation ceremony provided another opportunity to “re-affim government's resolve to fight the scourge of corruption and economic crimes in the country as the War Against Corruption remains top on the agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan”. He commended the EFCC for its running successes in  the anti-graft war. “The fact remains that the EFCC has been able to produce fine and dedicated officers who have done the nation proud in many respects”, he said.

The Cadet graduation ceremony is one of the crowning laurels of the EFCC. At the 2010 graduation, a batch of 199 fresh officers were added to the existing crop of Operatives of the Commission . So far, 540 Operatives have been trained at the EFCC's Training and Research Institute.  Another batch of 200 0peratives will soon graduate from the Executive Conversion Course called Course 4. With this string of achievements, the EFCC needs only two more courses to achieve full autonomy in operational matters. The EFCC Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri, says the occasion marked another milestone in the eventful history of the Commission “because it represents the steady progression towards the eventual autonomy of the Commission”. She charged the graduating Cadets to strive towards diligence, industry and integrity saying any Officer found wanting would be dismissed and prosecuted. “The EFCC is an institution founded on integrity. Such integrity must first and foremost be displayed in your personal conduct and character. Officers who live below board will be fished out, dismissed and prosecuted”, she warned.

Waziri also tasked the graduands to justify the huge expectations of Nigerians from them. She admonished them to be agents of light at all times. “ You are not enlisted to cause more darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through the darkness to a safe and sane future”, she said. Waziri assured that the training ambitions of the EFCC are huge.  “It is our dream to transform the Training and Research Institute into an international and regional anti-corruption academy,” she said. The Director, TRI, Dr. David Tukura, said that the graduating Cadets were drawn from various backgrounds and are trained in consonance with their diversified skills.  He explained that the training offered the Cadets was thorough, deep and incisive. He also assured that they were trained to be patriotic, selfless and honest. “Apart from equipping them with the skills of a sleuth in the service of Nigeria , we have ingrained in them love for the nation.  For these young men and women, the battle cry is “ Nigeria first or nothing else!”, he stressed.

All the graduands were trained in field; general; financial; legal and operations studies. Ahmed Hayatudeen emerged Overall Best Performing Cadet Officer while Lawal Hariratu Harilu turned out as Overall Best Performing Intermediate Cadet. The Cadets will undergo another twelve months of mentoring in EFCC Offices nationwide before being commissioned as Officers of the Commission.