The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has called on Nigerian leaders to study and emulate the leadership character of former President of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua.
Recall that Yar’adua became president in 2007, but in 2010, he died as a result of ill health.
Drawing inspiration from Yar’ Adua, Olukoyede said he displayed qualities of integrity and transparency, which he noted were key tools in making a good leader.
The EFCC boss spoke in Abuja on Monday, at the first President Umaru Musa Yar’a Adua International Leadership Conference and Awards.
Speaking on “Moral and Ethical Leadership; Antidote to National Development,” Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs of the Commission, Wilson Uwujaren, noted that though there are rules and laws across the country to enthrone integrity, he opined that poor enforcement of the laws is responsible for low integrity quotients among many Nigerians.
According to him, “The EFCC as a Commission identifies with the legacy Yar’ Adua left behind because that is what the Commission stands for, which is integrity and transparency.
“If you look at the theme of this event, it borders on moral and ethical leadership and that is what he stood for both as Katsina Governor and as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These are virtues we are here to identify with, and I also believe that the future generation will imbibe these virtues.
“If you look at the work of the EFCC, the mandate that the government has given us captures the key points of integrity, fairness and transparency in both the public and private sector, so all the crimes that we set out to fight, are all about integrity and ethics.
“Are we talking about embezzlement, bribery, contract inflation and all the ills that we will find in the public sector? It all boils down to the absence of integrity. So I want to implore us to imbibe integrity in all that we do”.
Continuing, the EFCC boss said that the Commission was committed to the provisions of its Establishment Act, vowing that the Commission would not relent in its enforcement roles.
Also speaking at the event, former president of Nigeria. Gen. Yakubu Gowon, praised the late president for imbibing the true spirit of patriotism, as he is still remembered for his love for Nigeria.
He said, “I know him from as far back as when he was governor, I visited the state at a time when the guinea worm was affecting the people of Katsina State.
“He was concerned about the rural areas, the welfare of the people. I saw how passionate he was about the people. He was a man of honesty, he has to be remembered for that.”
Also delivering a speech as an awardee, Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, thanked the organizers for preserving the legacy of the late president, encouraging Nigerian leaders to be steadfast in delivering on the mandate given to them to move Nigeria forward.
“We should learn to believe and accept the challenges before us so that we can move from one point to the next towards a better Nigeria.
“We must remain very hopeful because Nigeria holds a great dream for all of us, and the man we are celebrating today is an example of that. This day is for all of us. Let’s continue to believe that we shall overcome,” he stated.
