President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, in Abuja decried the labeling and blanket stereotyping of Nigeria as a country with the prevalence of cybercrime and other forms of corrupt practices.
Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the statement at a Public Engagement on Youth, Religion, and the Fight Against Corruption, organised by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was a multi-dimensional stakeholders’ involvement in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
It also featured the launching of the Inter-faith Manual and Fraud Risk Assessment Project for the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Tinubu said that the stereotyping of Nigerians undermined majority of the citizens to maintain the principles of integrity and diligence.
He regretted that over the years, the entire Nigerian populace had been linked with internet crimes without statistical proof.
He said the development was out of tune with the way of life of the typical Nigerian citizen.
He noted that on the contrary, “Nigerians are meticulous, authentic citizens who have been making significant contributions to innumerable fields of endeavours around the world.
“Over the decades, Nigerians have been victims of mis-labelling. Such gross misrepresentation fails to reflect the true essence of our diverse and resilient nation.
“The association of internet crimes with the entire Nigerian populace lacks statistical evidence and does not align with the sociology of everyday Nigerians.
“Our nation comprises hardworking, honest citizens who contribute significantly to various fields globally, from Artificial Intelligence to medicine.”
Tinubu said “Nigeria rejects blanket stereotyping that undermines the majority upholding principles of integrity and diligence.
“We must face the fact that we function in an interconnected world where cybercrimes have evolved into a global phenomenon.
“This poses a threat not only to our nation but to the entire world.”
Delivering his speech titled, “Youth, Religion, and Our Battle Against Corruption: A Call to Action,” Tinubu lauded the EFCC for remaining a moral compass, persistently rousing the nation’s conscience.
The President said through its operations, EFCC remained vocal in “telling the world that Nigeria is neither complicit nor complacent in confronting the menace of corruption.”
He underscored the urgency of combating internet crimes and neutralising the threat caused by other forms of corruption head on.
The Nigerian leader assured the anti-graft agency of the government’s support in its quest to combat the digital offenses.
The President reminded the Nigerian youths that there were abundant opportunities for lawful enterprises, both within and outside the shores of the country.
This, he said, was the reason why the Federal Government had taken steps to establish a Students Loan Board to address the financial needs of students.
Earlier, the Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), emphasised the significance of paying more attention to preventive measures in the renewed fight against corruption.
He urged religious leaders, traditional rulers, heads of tertiary institutions and youth groups to take ownership of the reinvigorated anti-corruption crusade under the Tinubu administration.
In attendance were traditional rulers and spiritual, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the president of CAN, Arcbishop, Daniel Okoh and Bishop John Praise.
Also in attendance were the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu and Prof. Lilian Salami, Chairperson of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin.
Others are the Chairman of Channels TV, Mr John Momoh; Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and some heads of government agencies and parastatals, among others. (NAN)