EFCC on youth - A commendable futuristic approach

 

In 2011, we read on print media, and listen to radio and Tv broadcasts using the term, "the fear of Ribadu is the beginning of Wisdom", then, Nuhu Ribadu was the head of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, an institution created by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to help curtail the effect of corruption on the economy  and (Maybe to also clamp down on political adversaries, who probably do not play to the balls.)

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, achieved much with the EFCC, only that he has an issue of changing Director Generals, Chairmen, and heads of Department, commissions, and agencies with the slightest blunder, complaints, or issues.

EFCC has had a quantum number of Chairmen before the current, Abdulrasheed Bawa, names like Ibrahim Lamorde, Mrs. Farida Waziri, Ibrahim Magu brought forward to late 2021, Bawa.

In 2022, it is either the fear of Buhari or Bawa, to the extent that most musicians from the southern part of Nigeria, sing with the wordings "EFCC nbo, Japa!" - EFCC is coming, flee. Twitter users quoting and retweeting tweets like, "I will have money, to the extent, EFCC will invite me" EFCC handles replied "Amen". Why are the above examples coming? This is a question that begs an answer.

EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa

Who is Abdulrasheed Bawa?

I do remember when I was on phone with an elderly man from home, asking, who is Bawa? Did I reply, which of the Bawa sir? Em, em, Abdulrasheed, I chant Oh, Abdulrasheed Bawa, He is the current Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission. He hails from Jega, Kebbi State. He stands to be the youngest top ranking government official of the Buhari administration, he has worked in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja, before becoming the 6th chairman of the commission. And I concluded, that people should do themselves good by staying away from anything cybercrime, advance fee fraud, or any other related crime. If not, the eagle will pick them up like it picks the chicken.

Just before I could ask, why the sudden question, he hung up the call. I guess Bawa boys have touched one of his children or the news of the event which happen that EFCC arrests 34 alleged internet fraudsters in Owo, Ondo State.

EFCC before Bawa

Just before Bawa was Ibrahim Magu, a name most times appearing on the floor of the 8th senate, led by Senator Bukola Saraki. The months and years between 2015 - 2019, were not little conquest of words between the National Assembly and EFCC. Magu was hunting the Senate President, who by the powers is the Chairman, National Assembly, the Senate conversely was working night and day to oust Magu.

The tussle which was becoming unbecoming, slightly compared to the Power play between the Late President Umaru Musa Yaradua and Malam Nasir El-rufai, it was a politics of bitterness, the tussle can also be compared to that of John Kayode Fayemi and Adams Oshiomole with the fomer pressuring the latter to collapse the party structure of the All Progressive Congress to the ambients of the Governors Forum. As long as Oshiomole was the Chairman, he declined the order, which saw to him being shown the way through back door. This is politics, the game is played that way.

In the end, Magu was humbled, prevailed upon, and ousted. The day Magu was relieved of his duty, Saraki was full over the media, thus, making his judgment on Magu to be true. The ousting of Magu brought in Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Enigma.

EFCC Headquarters, Abuja

The Bawa Approach 

The early 90's in Nigeria saw the birthing of some vicious men, who turn the ideas of living into an unworkable one, the likes of Anenih, Oyenusi, going global, Pablo Escobar, they held up life and its resources to their gain, as it will never end. 

Pablo Escobar, the greatest of them all, was printing cash, the highest mode of operation of a syndicate or baron. He was a drug baron, he lived to anoint and support Presidential candidates for office, and he became the new hero of the South Americans.

While computing the questionnaire used in coming up with this article, over 70% agree that clamping down on youth is the best approach to confronting corruption bedeviling our nation. With the popular saying "the children/youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow."

The duty of youth is to challenge corruption - Kurt Cobain

One Mr. Adams said, "crime is a crime, both the big wigs and small ones are committing a crime, one should not be left for one. But, it is worth it, he further, by 2023, we won't able to curb corruption again, because, at that time, Yahoo yahoo will have their numbers being in the corridors of power, at all levels with a strong network, both in State and national level. Beyond 2023, some of them will become traditional rulers, as we currently have one, who blow knockouts during festive periods, substantiating the news going on in the media, with the statement "that was a credit card deal not fraud"

Taking a closer look, if the likes of Hushpuppi, DCP Abba Kyari, and others, were not apprehended, the story today will have been a different one. At this point, it's expedient to salute the courage of the Bawa-led EFCC, just to take a stint.

With the right approach implored by Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, sooner or later, birds on the fence will not be counted on board, but overboard for the fishes to feed on, by that time the epic movie caused depression amongst elders, and oppression of the youth will be a thing of the past, 

Before now, the narrative has been, the Yoruba maxim "Eni ta fi Je oye awodi, ti o le mu adiye" - He who has been given the title of the eagle, but can't pick the chicks. Bawa-led EFCC has shown that his own Eagle will pickepickee the chicks and the mother. 

So far, Abdulrasheed Bawa has shown to be a round peg in a round hole. He deserves some honor.