Youth group launches campaign against corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) corruption prevention project, ‘Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption’ (CYIAC) commenced a critical stage on Friday which is targeted at meeting global goals by 2030, through youth sensitisation, self-awareness and sustainable educational and creative developments in Children, Youth and Women in Nigeria.
CYIAC was launched by EFCC in October 2016, and commenced with the three months intensive pilot scheme tagged: “My New Nigeria: Free From Corruption”.
The pilot scheme was supported by EFCC, Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany and Nigeria Stock Exchange.
According to the Project Director, Foluke Michael, the 2017 edition will kick-start with online campaign to sensitise children, youth and women through the “Join Our Community Campaign.”
The online campaign will be followed by the launch of CYIAC App and nationwide registration portal on November 1, 2017, for participants between ages 9-14 years (Category 1), and 15-25 years (Category 2).
Participants will also be required to submit essays, short stories or creative ideas online, based on the theme “Imagine the World Free from Corruption”, between November 1 and December 15, 2017.
She further stated that their Creative Innovation – CYIAC Corruption Busters (CCB) will be launched on December 9, 2017 to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, at the Filmhouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki. CCB is expected to launch in London and New York on December 9, and it will be available for free download worldwide same day.
Foluke added that, the strategy to achieve project objectives is tagged: ‘CYIAC Five’, which are based on Make, Create and Innovate (MCI). The stages of CYIAC Five are Registration, Submission, Interview, Development and Presentation. All applicants will be expected to go through registration, submission and interview whilst the selected participants will complete the last two (2) stages; which are training at the Development centre and Presentation of Creative Ideas. The final showcase of various ideas will be shown to local and International audience at the cinema and online television, dedicated for the programme.
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Women Arise and Chairman, Steering Committee for Movement Against Corruption (MAC), stated that both organisations have endorsed CYIAC as vehicle to reach out to children, youth and women. Dr Odumakin further stressed that the idea to involve young people in advocacy and fight against corruption is a movement in the right direction. According to her, “corruption must be destroyed from the root in Nigeria if the sufferings of the masses will be alleviated. Dr Odumakin however observed that presentations by the participants cannot be limited to arts. In addition, entrants are expected to express themselves in different sectors, such as energy, environment, climate change, health, justice, gender equality and others. MAC is a coalition of over 70 Civil Society organisations with a mission to #killCorruptionnow!
Odumakin added that CCB Innovation series are derived from the view that “our society must be seen through the lenses of children and youth.” This submission is based on EFCC-CYIAC 2016 Integrity Ambassadors. CCB is the contribution of CYIAC towards achieving global goals in 2030. The initiative is tailored to achieve culture of integrity and a nation free from corruption through educational development in Literary Arts, Music, Dance, Paintings, Digital Communication, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Information Technology.
The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, condemned the practice of celebrating corruption and corrupt people in the country. He said Nigerians must continue to expose anyone involved in corrupt practices, saying the anti-graft war was a collective responsibility.
Magu also lamented that those who had been celebrating the treasury looters did not understand the evil in corruption. “But we must chase them; we must expose them. Let them return the loot to the treasury so that it can be judiciously utilized for our common good “There is nothing personal about the fight against corruption. It is rather a war for the betterment of the country,” he added.
The EFCC boss, who described corruption as Nigeria’s greatest enemy, added that one of the most effective strategies for winning the anti-graft war was to mobilise everybody to join in the fight. He added: “If there is any success story, it goes to all of us.
“If we can sustain this fight with determination for the next one year, we will see a change of attitude in our people. In any case, we are already beginning to see the change of attitude.”
Magu, who also urged the anti-corruption ambassadors across the country not to be discouraged, stated that there had been efforts to mobilise Nigerians in the Diaspora, adding that “They have expressed determination to join in the anti-graft war.”
He added that the commission is prepared to reach out to millions of children and youth on the platform of Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption and urge Schools, Parents, Guardians, Educators, Corporate Bodies, Governmental and International organizations, to work together with the commission in other to create a great nation we all would be proud of.