By Nkechi Eze
The Emir of Fika and Chairman of the Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its ongoing efforts in the fight against corruption, describing the Commission’s work as “wonderful.” The monarch also pledged continued support from the Fika Emirate to the EFCC’s operations across the country.
This commendation was made on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the Maiduguri Zonal Director of the EFCC, Commander of the EFCC, CE Aisha A.T. Habib, to the Emir’s palace in the Fika Emirate, Yobe State. According to an official statement signed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the visit was part of a broader engagement drive to strengthen the EFCC’s relationship with traditional institutions in the North-East.
“The EFCC is doing a wonderful job. We congratulate and urge you to maintain the tempo as you are not alone in the fight against all fraudulent activities happening in the country,” the Emir stated during the visit. “We will continue to support you, and our doors are open whenever you need us. You should feel at home and call upon the Emirate whenever the need arises.”
Responding, CE Habib thanked the Emir for the warm reception and support, explaining that her visit was aimed at reinforcing the strategic collaboration between traditional institutions and the EFCC. She stressed that the battle against economic and financial crimes cannot be fought by the EFCC alone but requires the active involvement of every stakeholder, including royal fathers who wield significant influence in their communities.
As part of her outreach activities, Habib also paid a similar courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Mustapha Umar Mustapha, in Borno State. During the engagement, the Zonal Director restated the importance of deepening synergy between traditional rulers and the EFCC to ensure that anti-corruption messages permeate grassroots communities.
The Emir of Biu, in his response, welcomed the EFCC team and affirmed that the Commission enjoys cordial and visible support from traditional institutions in both Borno and Yobe States. He noted that the work of the EFCC is being felt and appreciated across the region, and pledged continued cooperation with its zonal office in Maiduguri.
In a related development, CE Habib also visited the Nigerian Army University and Command Primary and Secondary Schools in Biu, where she launched the EFCC’s “Zero Tolerance” and “Integrity Clubs.” These platforms are designed to promote anti-corruption values among students and cultivate a new generation of Nigerians committed to integrity and ethical conduct.
Speaking at the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lawan Bala Buratai, expressed the institution’s full commitment to promoting academic excellence rooted in character and discipline. He noted that the Nigerian Army University is dedicated to fostering knowledge, creativity, and innovation for national self-reliance, and welcomed the EFCC’s initiative as a timely intervention in nation-building.
Habib, addressing the students, encouraged them to be agents of change and ambassadors of anti-corruption in their schools and communities. She emphasized the need for young people to take ownership of the future by upholding values of honesty, transparency, and accountability.
The series of visits and stakeholder engagements by the EFCC’s Maiduguri Zonal Office signal a renewed focus on building broad-based partnerships to combat corruption, with traditional institutions and educational stakeholders playing key roles in shaping public attitudes and supporting enforcement efforts.
