President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a firm stand against the unjust stereotyping of Nigerians as inherently corrupt.

He expressed this view during the Public Engagement on Youth, Religion, and the Fight Against Corruption, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The event, which also marked the launch of an Inter-Faith Manual and Fraud Risk Assessment Project for MDAs, took place in Abuja this Wednesday.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, commended the EFCC for serving as a moral compass and persistently awakening the nation’s conscience.

He went on to stress the unfairness of labeling all Nigerians based on the actions of a few, emphasizing that Nigeria is home to diligent and honest people.

In clear terms, the President rejected the blanket mislabeling that taints the reputation of the majority of Nigerian citizens.

While highlighting the global contributions of Nigerians in significant fields such as Artificial Intelligence and medicine, he emphasized that such gross misrepresentation fails to reflect the true essence of a nation comprised of diverse and resilient people.

He said, “Over the decades, Nigerians have been victims of mislabelling. Such gross misrepresentation fails to reflect the true essence of our diverse and resilient nation. The association of internet crimes with the entire Nigerian populace lacks statistical evidence and does not align with the sociology of everyday Nigerians. Our nation comprises hardworking, honest citizens who contribute significantly to various fields globally, from Artificial Intelligence to medicine.

“While we reject blanket stereotyping that undermines the majority upholding principles of integrity and diligence, we must face the fact that we function in an interconnected world where cybercrimes have evolved into a global phenomenon.”

Understanding the challenges of the digital age, President Tinubu acknowledged the global threat of cybercrimes and assured the EFCC of the government’s unwavering support in their battle against digital offenses.

Transitioning to the proactive measures being taken, President Tinubu highlighted the establishment of a Students Loan Board to support young Nigerians financially, thus discouraging them from engaging in unlawful activities.

“Our message to the youth is clear: the horizon is wide, and opportunities abound across various sectors,” he encouraged, urging the youth to take advantage of these lawful prospects and contribute to the nation’s prosperity.

Furthermore, President Tinubu called on religious leaders to serve as pillars of guidance and MDAs to work closely with the EFCC to streamline governance processes and ensure resources are used judiciously for the benefit of all citizens.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, echoed concerns over corruption’s detrimental effects, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to reverse the trend.

“Corruption remains one of the major challenges that we have in our country today.

“I would like to urge Government at all levels to strengthen the Justice system in Nigeria to indict and discipline any established act of corruption in order to give strong support to this campaign against corruption in our dear nation,” he said.

The Archbishop reminded everyone that the youth did not create corruption but are being influenced by it.

END.