Education

EFCC-NYSC CDS Group, an ally in Corruption Fight- EFCC

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2024

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has described the EFCC-NYSC Community Development Services, CDS, as an integral social agent in the fight against corruption and internet fraud.

This was disclosed by the Director, Public Affairs Directorate of the Commission, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren while receiving the EFCC-NYSC CDS Group at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja.

Uwujaren charged the corps members to uphold the core values of the Commission in their CDS Group and be conversant with the mandate of the EFCC by carrying out the sensitization and reorientation aspect of the mandate in tackling the menace of corruption in the society.

“You are like our mouthpiece out there now. We believe that you are very important to us in this engagement that we are in, especially for us in the Public Affairs arm of the EFCC. For you to be able to engage adequately, you have to be conversant with what we are doing at the EFCC. We are going to use this opportunity to encourage all of you,” he said.

Uwujaren further charged the corps members to take responsibilities and own the fight against graft, adding that they are the EFCC’s ambassadors, who must uphold the core values of the Commission.

“Being a part of the EFCC group also comes with a responsibility from your part. When you talk about core values, we are talking about integrity, transparency, and those attributes must manifest in your personal conduct with your colleagues within the NYSC and when you go out to engage members of the Community, they should be able to see those virtues in you to convince them that you are also part of the work the Commission is doing

Assuring the corps members of the Commission’s support, the EFCC Director said that, “Whatever resource material we have, when you go out to talk to market women and school children, we will provide those materials for you. And if you have any special project either at individual levels or collectively that you want to execute, you can come up with your proposal and we will support whatever it is in a way that we can,” he said.

Speaking on the mandate of the EFCC, Head, Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of The EFCC, Aisha Muhammed stated that the EFCC investigates, prosecutes and sensitizes the public on the dangers of corruption and cybercrimes.
“These are the three core mandates of the EFCC and advocacy is one of them. We go out to enlighten people and talk to them.

We have the Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, we have the Zero Tolerance Clubs in the universities and then we have the NYSC CDS Group. We go out to talk to people at market places, motor parks, we collaborate with civil society organizations, we do inter-agency collaboration because EFCC cannot do it alone and we can’t be everywhere, so we tend to have everybody on our page and just like my boss said, you are our foot soldiers and you are expected to spread this anti-corruption message,” she said.

On the sensitization works of the corps members, she explained that, “what you need is just to tell people to desist from corruption, we all know what corruption does, we can see the effect of corruption in schools and its effects, even this ‘Japa’ syndrome is a result of corruption. Every youth wants to leave all because of corruption”.

Earlier in his remark, President of the EFCC-NYSC CDS group, Abidemi Akinwande, said his group was desirous of identifying with the EFCC and play its part in in the fight against corruption as individuals and group.

“We want to tell people about what exactly the EFCC is all about, we have people that are not learned, people that didn’t go to school, so we have a plan of going to market places, motor parks and the rural areas with flyers preaching against corruption, and suggesting to them how we can curb corruption. We are interested in letting the people know what exactly corruption is all about and how we can grow as a community and as a nation,” she said.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

Education

Fed Poly Nekede, environ under siege, as masked gunmen attack 2 students

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Fear grips community over alleged threat letter

There was pandemonium within the vicinity of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State on Monday when two students of the institution were allegedly ambushed and attacked on their way back from Owerri Municipality, where they had gone to buy an electricity generating set.

A source close to one of the victims who spoke to our reporter said the two friends were driving back to the school through the Amaeze Obibi-Ezena Road at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday when they saw some people flashing torchlights by the bush side. “They initially thought they were security men and kept driving, but the one on the passenger seat suddenly noticed that those they thought were security men had their faces covered,” the source said.

He continued: “He shouted and told his friend to reverse the car. But as soon as they reversed, the gunmen opened fire and riddled the car with bullets. Fortunately, they escaped unhurt.”

The frightening incident has further fueled reports circulating in the area alleging plans by suspected Fulani herdsmen to launch coordinated attacks on Nekede-where the Federal Polytechnic is located-and neighbouring communities.

Anxiety in the area has intensified due to unconfirmed reports that the gunmen had written a letter to community leaders, demanding a certain amount of money to prevent an imminent attack. It was also alleged that intelligence reports suggest that several armed groups who have infiltrated the area have concluded plans to strike within a specific time frame. These reports further claim that the suspected attackers have been receiving supplies, arms, and ammunition for some time and are being reinforced from outside.

Recall that there have been consistent reports of frightening security challenges in the region, caused by the nefarious activities of gunmen who for a very long time have kidnapped, raped, maimed, and even killed their victims around the FUTO, Ihiagwa, Obinze, Avu, and Oforola axis- all in Owerri West Local Government Area.

Education

Public Notice: Disclaimer On False School-closure Message In Circulation

Published

2 weeks ago

November 22, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Federal Ministry of Education hereby informs the general public that a message currently circulating on social media platforms, alleging that schools nationwide have been directed to close from 24th November 2025, is false, misleading, and did not originate from the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, any State Ministry of Education or any recognized security agency.

The public is strongly advised to rely strictly on verified information issued through the following official channels:

The Federal Government, The Federal Ministry of Education, State Governments and State Ministries of Education Recognised security agencies

Any announcement, advisory, or notice coming from unofficial or unverified sources should be ignored and not shared. Members of the public are urged to always verify the authenticity of information before circulating it in order to curb the spread of misinformation.

Education

FG orders closure of unity colleges over security concerns

Published

2 weeks ago

November 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Due to the resurgence in the abduction of students in schools in some parts of the country, the Federal Government on Friday ordered the closure of 41 unity colleges with immediate effect.

In a statement signed by the Director, Senior Secondary Education, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Honourable Minister, said the closure is to prevent possible breach of security in the listed schools.

The principals of the affected schools were directed to comply without delay.

According to the circular, the affected schools are: FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, and FGC Birnin Yauri.

Others are FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bida, FGC New-bussa, FTC Kuta-shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omuaran, FTC Gwanara, FGGC Bakori, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FTC Ogugu, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji, and FGGC Potiskum.

Also affected by the immediate closure order are: FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri and FTC Zambuk.

An analysis of the list showed that most of the schools affected were in the Northwest, Northeast and North Central.

Only few days ago, some students were abducted from their school in Kebbi and only on Friday scores of students were abducted from another school in Niger State.