Anti-Graft Fight: Enugu NUJ Online Chapel Seeks Partnership With EFCC 

The Online Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to sensitise the people on efforts against economic and financial crimes in the state.

Chairman of the Chapel, Clinton Umeh, made this known when he led his team on a courtesy visit to the Acting Zonal Director, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Directorate, Aisha Abubakar.

He stressed the need for an enhanced partnership focused on educating youths about the dangers of cybercrime and other related offenses.

“As a chapel and as journalists, we are bothered about the rising incidence of crimes. If we report everything we see, except for those of you in the security department that will know it is possible, some people will doubt the originality of what we are saying.

“We want to be part of your campaigns. Most of these youths who engage in crimes don’t know the implications of what they are doing, but if there is adequate orientation and sensitization, except for those determined to commit crimes, the innocent ones can be saved.

“That is what we can achieve with our chapel because as a chapel, we relate with everyday people on social media. So, we want to see how we can work with your Directorate. Let us know what you are doing, let us know your programme; we are ready to partner with you on sensitization,” he said.

Responding, the Acting Zonal Director, EFCC, Enugu Zonal Directorate, Mrs. Aisha Abubakar welcomed the initiative and commended the media’s role in nation-building.

She described the NUJ as “critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption” and reaffirmed the Commission’s willingness to partner with the Union.

“We are always willing and ready to partner with you. Of course, when it comes to our duties, based on the Establishment Act and right from inception, the EFCC has been strong on collaboration as it is one of our Core Values. Again, one of our functions is to go out there and eradicate economic and financial crimes through sensitization and awareness,” she said.

The Acting Zonal Director also encouraged the NUJ to share intelligence with the EFCC, noting the availability of anonymous reporting tools such as the EFCC Eagle Eye app.

“All you need to do is to download it and report a crime without even letting us know you are the one,” she explained.

She concluded by assuring the journalists of the Commission’s full support and ongoing readiness to collaborate. “We will be happy to collaborate with you. When you have any programme, we will be there. When we are having ours, we will invite you,” she added.