Greater opportunities for sensitization and education
on the dangers of corruption, economic and financial crimes are now available
for the public, courtesy of a new drama series on EFCC Radio 97.3 FM, titled
Eagle Theatre.
The drama series was presented on Thursday, June
19, 2025 at the corporate headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC to the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede by
the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, Dr.
Shuaibu Husseini.
As a product of collaboration and partnership between
the EFCC and NFVCB, Husseini while presenting the drama series, disclosed that
it highlighted the dangers and consequences of corrupt
practices in the country while promoting the values of integrity,
patriotism, accountability and transparency.
“We are here to present this special
project. This project, conceived under our Service Innovation Unit is our
modest contribution to the ongoing anti-corruption campaign,
being championed vigorously since you became the Chairman of this Commission. Through
the compelling medium of drama and storytelling, we believe
that Eagle Theatre explores real life-inspired scenarios and everyday
moral choices that confront Nigerians, highlighting the dangers and
consequences of corrupt practices while promoting the values of integrity,
patriotism, accountability and transparency”
“We believe that when stories resonate with the
people, when characters reflect the choices and challenges of ordinary
citizens, they can serve as a powerful instrument of change. So,
Eagle Theatre is our attempt to give voice to the anti-corruption
message in a format that entertains, educates and also enlightens. We trust
that this programme will strengthen the Commission's public engagement and
deepen awareness on the far-reaching implications of economic and financial
crimes,” he said.
Speaking further, Husseini assured on behalf of the
NFVCB to continue to galvanize the film industry players on the side
of EFCC’s anti-corruption fight. “I want to assure on behalf of the Board that
we will continue our engagement with film and skit makers on the need
to support what you are doing to ensure that we have a corruption-free
society. Our plan is that when this catches on,
we will translate it into videos because when people see and
hear, it sticks more. So we will translate the radio versions into
videos and we will collaborate with the NTA to see how we
can run them. I wish to restate the unwavering commitment of
the NFVCB to work collaboratively with the EFCC in advancing
national development, promoting civic responsibility and ensuring that the
media and entertainment sectors are instruments of positive change” he said.
Olukoyede, who was delighted by the outcome of the
EFCC, NFVCB synergy noted that awareness creation was a crucial aspect of the
Commission’s mandate.
“Our mandate is not just about investigation and
prosecution, it has its social aspects which is prevention through
advocacy, enlightenment and reorientation. When you
arrest some people for spraying money and mutilating our currency, they
will tell you, ‘we didn't know it was a crime; we are not
aware’ and all of that. Even though ignorance is not an
excuse in law enforcement, at the same time it is incumbent on us to
also create awareness. And one of the best means of creating that
awareness is the industry that you regulate”, he said.
While harping on the critical role the Eagle Theatre
drama series will play in awareness creation on the work of the Commission,
Olukoyede observed that “Things such as this have a way of appealing to
people's mind. I've discovered on this job that when you bring certain
things to people and let them know the implications of what they are
doing, the propensity to do worse will be reduced. At least they will
caution themselves. We know that some people don't understand the meaning
of being an ex-convict, particularly our young men, but for
those of you who travel regularly, you discover that when you are filling the
visa form, they will ask you, if you have been convicted
before and if you say yes, there's no country that will give you a
visa. And in this country, there are places you will not be able to
work for the rest of your life as an ex-convict. There are public
offices you will not be able to occupy for a number of years. So it has
implications, even your family’s name. So, help us let them
know because some of them don't know. If you help us make
them aware of some of these implications, it will go a long way in reducing the
tendency on part of our people to see corruption as a way of life. For us
to make our youths to believe in the dignity of labour and hard work is
very important. I believe that the drama episodes will go a long
way in building the emotions and appealing to the minds of the
people, which will help them to reform their character.”
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