National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu , Tuesday, December 19, commissioned the newly constructed Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) Enugu Zonal Command complex, with a charge on the staff of the commission to rededicate themselves tto duties .
Ribadu
He commended the Governor of Enugu state,Dr Peter Mbah for restoring normalcy in Enugu State, saying the administration has fought insecurity to a standstill in the state.
Ribadu, who was the Special Guest of Honour, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to the war against insecurity and corruption across the country, saying the President Bola Tinubu administration had no room for corrupt EFCC officers and law enforcement agents.
Gov Mbah
He said: “Your Excellency, the governor, we want to thank you so much for the good work you are doing, not just for Enugu State, but for our country. Things are changing. We are getting better here and things are improving. You are one of the very, very few that has shown that, indeed, it is possible. Security is getting back to normalcy in Enugu State and, by extension, the South East. And you are in the forefront of it. We recognise that and thank you for the good work you are doing. The economy is improving. It is clear. You are addressing insecurity. You are engaging.
“We believe that with leaders like you, the human challenges and the typical things we had to face in the past will certainly be put behind us. We want to encourage you and all those, who are doing exceptionally good work in restoring order in Nigeria.
Olukoyede
“We were here in June and we had an interaction with the governor, and he came out strongly and courageously. He said that he would do his best to restore order. Today, based on our own records and statistics – because we get daily reports of activities – there are lots of instances or days or even weeks and more that we have not recorded one single violence or incident of either terrorism or even kidnapping. They are going extremely down in Enugu State and by extension the South East. Things have changed.
Rev.Fr Mbaka
“Unfortunately, before the coming of this administration, police stations were being attacked, law enforcement people were being attacked. People were giving selfish orders. Those who are not even in Nigeria will sit somewhere in the comfort of the countries where they live and be giving instructions that people should not go to work; should not go out to look for their own livelihood and people used to take such orders. But no more; it is no longer happening. We thank the leaders who have emerged in the South East and we thank the federal government for engagement.
“We want to thank the governor of Enugu State. He has done a wonderful job. And also tell people of this state to support him. He is doing a good job. We are very, very proud of what is happening today in Enugu State and the South East by extension”.
As part of the security effort, he reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu administration to giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging and treating every part thereof with equity, justice, and fairness.
Ribadu, who was a former Chairman of the Commission said the EFCC will take a front row in checkmating kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.and restore order. He stressed the need for the law enforcement agents to be adequately equipped and their welfare well taken care of, so they could perform better..
He told the staff of the EFCC that they were one of the Commission’s best and the best results were expected from them. that a lot of things were mismanaged and that this new EFCC should sanitize , be fair,be honest, do the right thing.
He reminded them of the Commission’s fight against money laundering and called for a collaborative efforts amongst law enforcement agencies., noting that,” this is how we can change our country , stand by one another, support one another, be one.
“Things are changing,South East is changing, South South is changing, south west is changing, North East is changing. We are defeating banditry we are defeating Boko Haram, we are talking with our brothers in this part of the country. . He thanked the Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah ,for constructing the new office for the commission.
Ribadu ,expressed happiness being in Enugu for the commissioning, adding that Enugu zone was one of zones he created when he was EFCC chairman.. He also thanked the chairman of the EFCC and his team, saying that they were doing well.” After fire, you rebuild. It is symbolic. The whole Nigeria is being transformed. We will continue to do the needful. Things are changing, . There is encouragement . We need our country to work. “, Ribadiu said
He expressed the confidence that ,”the state of the Arts office will staff to rededicate themselves to the service. He stressed that the staff should be encouraged, well equipped and their welfare taken care of for them to operate optimally.
In his speech, the Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah said that fire gutted the EFCC, Seven months ago( May 5, 2023), he the construction of the new complex. He said the newly constructed office complex will create a conducive environent for the Commission’s staff to work optimally .
The Governor commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on its success at fighting corruption, reiterating the commitment of his administration to waging a remorseless war on corruption and insecurity, saying it was critical to the effort to grow Enugu’s economy from a $4.4 billion to $30 billion economy and eradicate poverty.
He commended the security agencies on the good job done so far in the state, adding that his administration supported the EFCC towards the rebuilding of a befitting zonal office in Enugu to strengthen the war against corruption and insecurity.
“We hereby enjoin the security agencies and EFCC to sustain their good work to ensure that Enugu State and Nigeria as a whole are finally able to consign the memories of insecurity to distant history.
“The opening of this office reconfirms our commitment as a nation to sustain the war against corruption. This commitment is well founded in view of the many proven negative effects corruption has on economic development.
“With this in mind, considering the objective of this administration to make Enugu one of the top 3 states in Nigeria in terms of GDP and achieve a zero percent rate in the poverty head count, it is clear that corruption has to be brought down to a barest minimum within the State,” Governor Mbah said.
Earlier, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, charged his men to raise the ante, utilising the facilities and resources at their disposal in the war against corruption to redeem the nation’s image.
“With this facility, I want to assure His Excellency and indeed all citizens of Enugu State and the entire South East region that fraudsters have no place in any part of the zone.
“To whom much is given is given, much is also expected. I require every staff to be doubly committed to the mandate of the Commission for the South East to feel the greater impact of the EFCC in our development”, he said.
He commended the National Security Adviser,Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for his presence at the event ,as the most senior security personality.
I believe you are proud and you have every reason to be hap seeing the commission you nurtured ,grow.
He commended the security agencies in the country for the successes they had recorded so far.
Highlights of the event were tree planting by Mallam Ribadu and Governor Mbah as well as the prayer session and blessing of the new complex by the Spiritual Director of the Adoration ministry, Rev Dr. Ejike Mbaka
Author: Maureen Ikpeama