President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria is not a nation of fraudsters, noting that the pejorative reference to internet crimes as the “Nigerian scam” across the world is unfair, untenable and unacceptable.
The Nigerian leader said this at a public function organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31.
The Herald can report that the event is a one-day public engagement on youth, religion and fight against corruption and the launch of Fraud Risk Assessment Project for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressed that the disturbing contagion of cybercrimes has been a challenge and slur on the image of the nation, urging the EFCC to spare no effort in tackling it more frontally.
“Our country is not a nation of fraudsters and the pejorative reference to internet crimes as the “Nigerian scam” across the world is unfair, untenable and unacceptable.
“Cybercrimes, to all intents and purposes, are a global phenomenon. Today’s world is run real time on the internet. Governance, businesses, institutions and even individual domestic affairs are dependent on the internet.
“Cybercriminals are, therefore, a threat to the rest of the world. This is why no effort or expense should be spared in confronting the evil.
“I want to assure the EFCC that the government will continue to offer its support in its quest to kill the dragon that internet offences have become,” he said.
The president expressed government’s determination to give corruption hard tackles, stressing that “we cannot be focused on growth and development and at the same time offer any breathing space to corrupt practices. No nation grows without breaking the fangs of corruption.
“The EFCC has been duly instructed to do its job at all times without any extraneous considerations. The Renewed Hope agenda of our government is impervious to corruption.
“We should all join hands together to move Nigeria in a new direction of purpose.”
Tinubu spurred the EFCC not to be dismayed by throw backs coming from some sections of the society regarding its consistent fight against internet crimes and other corrupt practices, pointing out that government is “aware of all the foul cries and unwarranted accusations against the lawful efforts of the Commission to bring fraudsters to book.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch our youths descend into morbid criminalities.”