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Farida Waziri, the
Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the
commission has recovered over $6.5 billion from fraudsters since its
inception in 2003.

Mrs. Waziri made
the statement in Minna on Monday at a two-day “Train the Trainers
Workshop” organised by the commission for secondary school teachers in
the North Central Zone.

“So far, the EFCC
has recovered over 6.5 billion dollars and delisted Nigeria from the
list of non-cooperating countries amongst other notable achievements,”
she said.

The official said
that the commission handled a myriad of cases out of which over 700
accused persons were prosecuted and more than 400 accused persons
convicted.

Mrs. Waziri, who
was represented by her principal staff officer, Bala Sanga, noted that
the country has had a prolonged period of economic stagnation, rising
poverty levels and many years of mismanagement by its rulers.

She pointed out
that corruption in the country had made it difficult for government at
all levels to deliver services to the people.

She also said that
the commission was working hard to create an enabling environment for
local and foreign investors and that youths and students were important
to the anti-corruption crusade.

“We have taken
steps to involve them in the fight through various programmes that have
been initiated by the commission, one of which is the Integrity Club”,
she said.

Mrs Waziri said
that the goal of the club was to build great future leaders with
integrity and produce youths and students with high moral and ethical
standards in the society.

She said that the
workshop would ensure that teachers have adequate information on
corruption and economic and financial crimes that would empower them to
tutor and guide students on the path of integrity.

Babangida Aliyu,
the Niger State governor, on the occasion, urged society to assist the
youth to live better lives and described them as “our future leaders.”

“Let us do more to help the young people coming behind because they will definitely be the future of our country,” he said.

Mr. Aliyu, who was
also represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Kuta Yahaya,
advised teachers and students to take the workshop seriously.

Earlier, Asmau
Usman, the state’s Commissioner for Basic Education, who was
represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mahmud Ndatsu,
said 20 secondary schools in the state had registered with the
Integrity Club.