The honour, according to the Council, is in appreciation of Olukoyede’s “leadership excellence, immense contribution towards youths and women empowerment and human transformation.”
The President of the Council, Ambassador Haruna Gambari, who spoke through Mohammed Abdulrazaq, CNYA’s director of programme, stated that Olukoyede’s leadership style and record achievements in office have made it difficult not to acknowledge and honour him. He reviewed the activities of the EFCC since Olukoyede assumed office and applauded his strides, maintaining that the Commission under his watch is getting better.
“We are here because we see you as a distinguished team leader and a quintessence of good leadership. Nigerian people are pleased with your leadership style because of the landmark achievements that you have made in less than two years in office. You have been able to restore the confidence of Nigerians in the EFCC, he said.
Speaking further on Olukoyede’s effort, he said, “We are very pleased with the establishment of the Special Task Force against Abuse of the Naira. Out there, the naira is now very respected. If you see people spraying naira now on an occasion, you would even be afraid of them. You have been in an aggressive pursuit of high-ranking corrupt Nigerians, involving notable former governors, senators and ministers, ensuring that you bring them to book. All patriotic Nigerians must stand behind the EFCC in its fight against the evil that a few Nigerians have brought upon all Nigerians. As the late Thomas Sankara said, we all must choose between champagne for a few and safe and drinkable water for all. We are not unaware that corrupt actors will surely fight back. But you must be consistent, you must be focused, because over time, you have brought renewed hope and renewed focus to accountability and transparency in the EFCC. You have also upheld integrity, the rule of law and international best practices for the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, and we are proud of you.”
Olukoyede in his remarks, lauded the Council for recognizing EFCC its efforts in the anti-corruption fight and publicly identifying with the Commission.
“It’s not everybody that has the confidence to identify with what we’re doing because quite a number of them are involved in the menace that we are fighting. That’s why a lot of people would not publicly identify with us the way you have done. When we see people like you as youths of this country, standing up to support this kind of cause, we know that Nigeria will be better. The glory of Nigeria can still come back with people like you willing to take over the baton, he said. He called for closer collaboration with the Commission through direct association with all the works of the EFCC.
Olukoyede pointed out that the future of youths in the country has been devastated by corruption and urged every youth to rise in battle against corruption.
“I also want to send you back to the youth. That is where your assignment begins. We need to reorient ourselves. Go back to them and let them know that when you get crumbs from all these people, it’s your future that they are eating. They give you crumbs from the future that they have eaten, there will be no future for you. Be strong in your mind, be ready to fight. All of us must come together. Foreigners will not do it for us. Angels will not do it for us. If we are the ones who destroyed this country. It will also take Nigerians to rebuild it,” he said.
