Ibrahim Magu, Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), says Nigeria’s war against corruption must continue with or without him. 

President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted Magu is the only man for the job after the legislature rejected his nomination as substantive EFCC Chairman.

But on Friday, Magu said the anti-corruption project would go on without him. He also asked Nigerians not to expect commendation in joining the fight against corruption because “it is a thankless job”.

“I am determined in the fight against corruption,” he said. “I urge other Nigerians not to get exhausted. Don’t expect anyone to thank you for fighting corruption. It is a thankless job.”

NAN reports that Magu spoke in Lagos at the sensitisation forum on the plan to launch ‘EFCC-Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption (CYIAC) Corruption Busters’.

Noting that the fight against corruption had become tougher, he urged all Nigerians to use whatever weapons they have to join the fight.

“The fight against corruption is becoming tougher. We cannot fight it alone. We want to mobilise everyone in the fight; the more people in the fight, the better.

“Whatever weapons you have, use it against corruption. Use your strategic thinking; the fight must go on with or without me, it is not a personal thing.

“The press have a lot to do in this fight. If they do more, the battle would be half-solved.”

Foluke Michael, Coordinator of CYIAC, said the corruption busters would be launched on December. 9 to mark the UN International Anti-Corruption Day.

Michael said that her platform is EFCC’s preventive project, stressing that the forum is a sensitisation programme for children, youth and women.

She said the CYIAC was launched in 2016 with the pilot scheme tagged ‘My New Nigeria: Free from Corruption’, and the  2017 edition would kick off with online campaign to sensitise children, youth and women.

“The online campaign will be followed by the launch of CYIAC APP and nationwide registration portal on Nov. 1 for participants between ages 9 and 14 for category 1, and 15-25 years for category 2,” she said.

“Participants will also be required to submit essays, short stories or creative ideas online based on the theme: `Imagine the World free from corruption’ between Nov 1 and Dec 15.”

Joe Okei-Odumakin, President of Women Arise and Chairman, steering committee for Movement Against Corruption, said both organisations had endorsed CYIAC as vehicle to reach out to children, youth and women.

“The idea to involve young people in advocacy and fight against corruption is a movement in the right direction,” Okei-Odumakin said.

“Corruption must be destroyed from the root in Nigeria if the sufferings of the masses will be alleviate.”