The Akwa Ibom State director of the National Orientation Agency ,NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Ufort Mkpoutom has commended the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in combating corruption, economic and financial crimes in the country.
He gave the commendation in a recent courtesy visit to the Uyo Zonal Command of the Commission.
Speaking during the visit, the NOA director says there is a need for collaboration between the EFCC and NOA towards improving the image of the country and ensuring that Nigerians are proud to identify with their country as citizens. He also says that no crime is small, noting that every degree of crime does damage to the reputation of the country.
“Our priority on this visit is to identify with the EFCC here in Akwa Ibom. We have been on ground and present in every local government area and we have heard that you are doing a great job and we are here to identify with you because you’re worth identifying with”, he said.
Continuing, Mkpoutom noted that “since we are concerned about the health of the nation as you are, we must continue to work together and we all must say ‘no’ to every form of crime because no crime is small or big. We want Nigerians to know how to identify and operate as Nigerians. We chose to first identify with you as we continue this talk,”
Responding, the Uyo Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Bawa Hamidu thanked the NOA team for the visit which he said was both crucial and timely, especially at a time when public education is necessary in achieving the prevention mandate of the Commission.
“Partnering with you will help in our public sensitisation. You have come at the right time because we need intelligence and you are virtually everywhere, so you must share information with us because Nigeria is for all of us,” he said.
He called on the NOA to join the EFCC in its sensitisation campaign in schools in the state in order to arrest the trend of cybercrimes which, according to him, is disturbing.
In the same vein, the Akwa Ibom State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Commander Obot Bassey has assured officers of the Uyo Zonal Command of the EFCC of the cooperation of his agency, urging them to continue to be focused in the anti-graft war.
He gave the encouragement recently when she came on a condolence visit to the Zonal Commander of EFCC, ACE I Bawa Hamidu Saidu over the untimely death of Tekon Ndifon, who until his passing, was the Head of the Legal and Prosecution Department of the Command. “Ndifon was a friend to all, and a professional that will be missed,” he said.
While receiving the condolence letter, Saidu who thanked the Commander for her words of encouragement stated that “Mr. Ndifon is greatly missed, and we appreciate you taking out time to visit us. We’re truly encouraged by this gesture.”
Commander Bassey was accompanied on the visit by Head Legal, NDLEA, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mrs A. Ogah.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
December 24, 2023.
