The Director General and Chief Executive
Officer of the National Board for Technology
Incubation, (NBTI), Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji has praised
the leadership qualities of the Executive Chairman of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede
and the successes of the anti-corruption fight under his watch.
He gave the commendations on Tuesday, February 18,
2025 when he led the executives of the Board on a courtesy
to the EFCC Chairman at the corporate headquarters of the
Commission in Jabi, Abuja.
“Let me begin by wholeheartedly commending the
EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, a man of unparalleled vision, courage, and
integrity, whose tenure has set new standards in the fight against corruption,”
he said.
He observed that the EFCC boss has been
result-oriented since he took over the leadership of the Commission. “Under
your stellar leadership, the EFCC has intensified its crackdown on economic and
financial crimes, ensuring that accountability and transparency become the
bedrock of governance and business practices in
Nigeria. Your commitment, resilience, and unprecedented achievements
have not only restored public confidence in the anti-corruption
efforts but have also positioned the EFCC as one of the most effective
crime-fighting agencies in Africa. Your leadership is inspiring, and your
impact is undeniable. Mr Chairman, under your stewardship, the EFCC has
achieved remarkable milestones that have significantly bolstered Nigeria's
fight against corruption and enhanced our nation's global standing. Notably,
during your tenure, the EFCC has recovered over N200 billion and secured
approximately 3,000 convictions within a single year, demonstrating an
unwavering commitment to justice and financial accountability.
“You have arrested and prosecuted high-profile
individuals and facilitated the seizure of 753 properties in a single
estate, showcasing the Commission's resolve to address corruption at the
highest levels. You apprehended foreign nationals involved in economic
sabotage, thereby safeguarding Nigeria's economic interests and deterring
international financial crimes. These accomplishments have not gone
unnoticed on the global stage. Transparency International’s Corruption
Perceptions Index has acknowledged Nigeria's progress, reflecting the positive
impact of the EFCC's intensified anti-corruption efforts. This improvement
has in turn, elevated the perception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's
administration, affirming its dedication to eradicating corruption and
promoting good governance.
“While the EFCC is tackling corruption head-on, the
National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) is complementing this effort by
creating economic opportunities, fostering innovation, and empowering
entrepreneurs with the right tools to build a corruption-free and
self-sustaining economy,” he said.
Dr Raji who stated that NBTI’s mission was to
seek the possibility of forging a collaboration, noted that working together
with the EFCC will enhance the use of technology to disrupt financial crimes
networks and fraudulent schemes.
“NBTI plays a pivotal role in driving emerging
technologies in today’s knowledge-based economy. To remain competitive,
Nigeria must prioritize technological advancements, digital skills, and
workforce development. We recognize that
sustainable development cannot thrive in a corrupt
environment. Corruption stifles innovation, discourages
investment and robs the nation of its full economic potential. This is why
our collaboration with EFCC is not just necessary but critical.
“Together, we will leverage technology to develop
anti-corruption tools for real-time monitoring of financial
transactions, procurement processes and fund disbursement; ensure
accountability in SME funding, preventing mismanagement and ensuring
that investments in startups are used for their
intended purpose; launch capacity-building programs to educate
entrepreneurs on ethical business practices, financial integrity and
compliance frameworks; provide entrepreneurial training for rehabilitated
offenders, equipping them with skills for legitimate economic
activities; strengthen research and development collaborations to use AI and
data analytics in detecting and preventing financial crimes,” he said.
While noting that corruption was one of the greatest
impediments to Nigeria’s progress, he stated that EFCC-NBTI synergy could be
decisive in the anti-corruption fight.
“Corruption is an enemy of progress. It is the
greatest obstacle to Nigeria's economic growth. However, with
EFCC leading the charge in enforcement and NBTI fostering job creation and
entrepreneurship, we are laying the foundation for
a transparent, accountable,and prosperous Nigeria. This
collaboration is a game-changer, a powerful statement that Nigeria is
ready to rebuild trust, boost investor confidence,and create an
economy that works for all. Together, NBTI and EFCC will stamp out
corruption, unlock economic opportunities and drive Nigeria towards
sustainable prosperity,” he said.
In his response, Olukoyede, who was represented by the
Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Mohammed Hammajoda congratulated the NBTI boss
on his appointment and urged him to thread the paths of ethical standards in
the discharge of his duties. He expressed delight at NBTI's hunger for
collaboration with the EFCC in the anti-corruption fight.
“Let me congratulate you on your appointment as the
Director General and CEO of the National Board for Technology Incubation
(NBTI). We are all aware that the agency you lead is among the drivers of
technology, research and development in the country. This means that a lot is
on your shoulders. And as the saying goes, to whom much is given, much is
expected. Much is expected of you because we are far behind in
science and technology and only trying to catch up with the rest of
the world as a developing country. In your efforts to make a
difference in your new position and assignment, I wish to encourage you to
always thread the paths of probity, transparency and accountability. This
simply means that you must keep your hands clean. Don’t approve expenditures or
contracts sums that you cannot defend. You must be guided by the fact that the
position that you hold today is that of trust, meaning that a day of reckoning
must surely come, a time to account for your stewardship is inevitable, even if
it tarries,” he said.
The EFCC boss expressed appreciation of Dr.
Raji’s kind words on the successes of the anti-corruption fight. “We are
encouraged by your kind words on what we have been doing in the past one year
and four months in the Commission. The challenge of fighting corruption is
enormous in a society where the value system has been eroded and all that
matters is “get rich quick,” but our assurance to all Nigerians is that we are
in this fight with all devotion and everything we could muster. We are focused
and determined to win for the sake of our country.
He thanked the NBTI for stepping out to be counted in
the anti-corruption fight, noting that the only choice was to stamp out
corruption.
“The anti-corruption fight is a fight for the survival
of our country. The only option we have is simply to win. We are therefore
happy that an important agency such as yours is identifying with our efforts
and stepping out to contribute your quota in the fight against corruption. I
am particularly delighted with the collaboration you seek in the areas of
developing anti-corruption technologies, capacity building, promotion of
transparency, joint research and development and strengthening of compliance
frameworks. You have my assurance that we will collaborate and partner
with you in the pursuit of your mandate and in our pursuit of ours. We will
work with you in the interest of Nigeria. Our doors are open to further
leverage the anti-corruption fight on the wings of science and technology,” he
said.
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