The Minister for Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has described the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, as a man who has ‘conscience and a committed heart’ to fighting corruption in Nigeria.

Dalung made this assertion on Thursday during a solidarity visit by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone C and the National Female Students Association of Nigeria to Magu at the Commission’s Head Office, Abuja.

He said that generations to come would always remember Magu as an anti-graft czar whose successes are unprecedented in the fight against corruption.

His words: “It is never by accident that you are chairman of EFCC today. Of course, you are mortal just like every other mortal. But, the difference between you and other mortals is that you have conscience. It is that conscience that is helping your discharge of responsibilities as chairman of this Commission.

“Long after we might have gone, generations yet unborn will continue to remember the name, Magu, especially with massive recovery of stolen funds. I will not be surprised if your name, Magu, is used by coming generations to recover looted funds.”

Dalung charged him to keep the good work and refuse to be distracted by the antics of the corrupt elements.

The minister described the students’ visit as ‘overwhelming’ and urged them to join forces with the EFCC in fighting corruption adding that, “money meant to provide education for you, has been cornered and hidden in places.

Students’ unions must speak out and let Nigerians know that corruption is a monster that must be tamed.”

In his remarks, Magu called on the students to take ownership of the fight against corruption, adding that the fight can only be won through common consensus and collaboration.

“We are committed Nigerians. We must all strive to secure a better future for our younger ones. The fight against corruption is not for the EFCC alone. We are all stakeholders in the fight. With you, we can reach out to more people,” Magu said.

The EFCC boss noted that the success recorded so far by the Commission was made possible through the combined efforts of the staff.

He assured the students, that the campaign against graft will soon be extended to the tertiary institutions and urged them to educate others on the ills of corruption.

“Of course, plans are underway to go to campuses to launch the fight against corruption like we did with the ‘Women Against Corruption’. We intend to mobilise all students so that, they can reach out to people. But don’t wait for the launching. Corruption is a crime against humanity. Educate others on dangers of graft and help eradicate it in all forms,” Magu charged.

Earlier, Idongesit Micah Eno and Usman Umar Barambu, who led the National Female Students Association of Nigeria and NANS, respectively, on the visit, described the EFCC as a leading anti-graft agency, whose decorous and diligent show of commitment to the fight against corruption had in no small measure rebranded the battered image of Nigeria.

The two students leaders, who gave their endorsement for Magu as the arrow head of the EFCC expressed their readiness to partner the Commission in driving the campaign against corruption in Nigerian campuses.

Highlights of the visit were the presentation of award of excellence to the EFCC Chair by the two students associations.

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