The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged young women across the country to shun corruption, fraudulent activities and the get-rich-quick mentality, urging them to channel their creativity and influence towards integrity, hard work and national development.
According to an official statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, Olukoyede gave the charge in his goodwill message at the graduation and award ceremony of the African Girl Guide, AGG, 12-Week Leadership Exposure Programme held in Abuja.
The programme, which had the theme, “Leading Beyond the Programme: Sustaining Purpose, Influence, and Impact,” was held on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Represented by the Head of the Commission’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, Olukoyede said the training received by the graduates had prepared them to make positive contributions to society.
He stressed that the fight against corruption required more than law enforcement, noting that character building and proper values were essential to preventing young people from embracing fraudulent lifestyles.
“Your theme is exactly what Nigeria needs. In EFCC, we fight the ‘yahoo yahoo’ and the ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality that is destroying many of our youth. But we know law enforcement alone is not enough; we need home training; we need the Girl Guide training,” he said.
According to him, corruption often begins with a compromise of character, making integrity and sound values critical to building responsible future leaders.
Olukoyede urged the graduates to lead with purpose, use their influence positively and reject fraud, shortcuts, examination malpractice and bribery.
“Be the girl who says no to fraud, no to shortcuts, and yes to hard work. Your influence is powerful when you pool it together,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman further urged the young women to uphold integrity in every sphere of life, assuring them of the Commission’s continued collaboration with youth organisations to create opportunities for young people to positively harness their talents.
“Nigeria’s future is in your hands, and we are counting on you to be women of integrity in school, in business, in government and in the home,” Olukoyede said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, urged the graduates to embrace integrity, confidence, courage, responsibility and continuous learning as essential attributes of effective leadership.
Issa-Onilu, who was represented by Margaret Yenami, Deputy Director, Abuse Rights Narcotics Department of NOA, said the National Values Charter was designed to reconnect Nigerians with the values that define the nation, identifying leadership as one of its key principles.
“Leadership is not all about wielding authority, giving command, or giving orders. It is all about your ability to create positive change, do what is right and inspire others,” he said.
He charged the graduates to uphold the image of Nigeria positively wherever they found themselves.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, described the African Girl Guide as a critical partner in the fight against human trafficking and other forms of abuse.
Bello, represented by the agency’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Kehinde Akomolafe, said the programme had equipped young women with knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and others from exploitation.
She urged the graduates to know their rights, protect their aspirations and become guides and positive influences to others.
Earlier, the Founder of the African Girl Guide, Jindu Peter Elueze, expressed appreciation to government agencies, partners, parents and other stakeholders for supporting the leadership programme.
Elueze emphasised the importance of empowering women and girls, stressing that the value of women should not be underestimated.
He described the programme as a journey of transformation and empowerment and expressed confidence that the participants had been adequately equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of the “Distinguished Integrity” and “Legacy Advocacy” awards on Olukoyede in recognition of his commitment to integrity, ethical leadership and accountability, as well as his contribution to inspiring young women to become principled and responsible leaders through the African Girl Guide initiative.
