•As EFCC new zonal office is commissioned

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has drummed support for the anti-corruption campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending the administration for prosecuting the war in a way that is "more result-oriented and more sustainable".

He spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the commissioning of the newly built zonal office complex of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which the state government had facilitated in support of the federal agency.

"I believe that the ambience of the new office complex offers a more conducive environment for the sensitive national assignment that you do," the Governor said at the event attended by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede; Chief Judge of Kwara State Justice Abiodun Adebara; justices of the Appeal Court; Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN); Emir of Ilorin Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; cabinet members; EFCC Ilorin Zonal Commander Michael Nzwekwe; Mutawali of Ilorin Dr. Alimi AbdulRazaq; CEO Kam Holdings Alhaji Kamoru Yusuf; and Founder of Al-Hikmah University Alhaji Abdulraheem Oladimeji; among others.

"I commend (the EFCC) for everything that you do for our country. I align myself with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President to prosecute the anti-corruption campaign in a way that is more result-oriented and more sustainable.

"Erecting strong mechanisms to prevent the commission of crime, having the right legal framework and networks to checkmate corrupt practices, and striking the right balance between the public’s right to know of anti-corruption efforts of the government and actually recovering looted funds through strategic partnerships have been a bold feature of the President’s agenda to fight graft in a sustainable way.

"I thank the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN for his strategic deployment of the law to achieve the agenda of Mr. President. This lends credence to the experience and commitment of the Hon. AGF and his team, including the EFCC.

"I thank the EFCC for its yeoman’s efforts to tackle all shades of financial crimes as a matter of national emergency and for the good of all.

"The fight against corruption is a national campaign that we must all support, especially at institutional levels. Last week, our administration organised a 3-day intensive training on Compliance with Anti-Corruption Policies and Financial Regulatory Frameworks to keep commissioners, permanent secretaries, and other top government officials abreast of key issues in public financial management, sustainability reporting, and tax frauds, among others."

Fagbemi, who commissioned the facility, restated the commitment of the Tinubu administration to fight corruption within the ambits of the law.

Fagbemi said the completion of the project signifies the desire of the anti-graft body to reinvigorate the fight against economic and other financial crimes in Nigeria in line with the rule of law and international best practices.

Strengthening policy and legal frameworks and improvement of quality of good governance and operational capacity of law enforcement agencies are critical to Mr. President's agenda for combating corruption, Fagbemi added.

He thanked the President for his commitment to the key policy documents of the Renewed Hope 2023 Action Plans for a better Nigeria.

He applauded AbdulRazaq for his support for the commission and for being instrumental to the conception and completion of the project in the state.

"I like to specifically thank my good-natured, kindhearted and patriotic brother, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), for being a very supportive host to the Commission and instrumental to the conception and successful execution of this laudable project. This kind gesture is indeed exemplary of the Chairman of the NGF of the kind of support federal agencies should receive from host states,” the AGF said.

“It is gladdening that personnel of the Commission, who have long operated from a rented accommodation, will now have the pleasure of working in an environment that is befitting of a law enforcement agency of the caliber of EFCC."

Olukoyede, in his remarks, said the delivery of the project shows a commitment to provide a conducive working environment for personnel and visitors to the Commission.

He said the new zonal office is a worthy investment that will ultimately reduce the overhead, increase efficiency, and ease their operations in both Kwara and Ekiti states.

He appreciated the President, the Governor, and other stakeholders whose contributions led to the delivery of the project.

While describing AbdulRazaq as a man of integrity, the EFCC Chairman sought the Governor's continued support as the agency strives to stem corrupt practices in the zone, saying the Command has recorded a huge success in the fight against illegal miners in Kwara.