Head of EFCC Sports, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Halilu Dauda
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has identified sports as a powerful tool for engaging young people and steering them away from internet fraud, criminal activities and other social vices.
Olukoyede made the assertion during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Association of Directors of Sports from the Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary Agencies to the President of the Organization of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Major General Maikano Abdullahi (Rtd), in Abuja.
Represented by the Head of EFCC Sports, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Halilu Dauda, the anti-graft agency boss said sports have continued to create opportunities for thousands of young Nigerians by channeling their talents into productive ventures.
According to him, the EFCC has successfully used sporting activities as a platform to empower youths, provide employment opportunities and discourage involvement in cybercrime.
He noted that many young people have been recruited into the EFCC through sports programmes, stressing that expanding such initiatives across security and paramilitary agencies would significantly reduce unemployment, internet fraud and insecurity.
Olukoyede explained that keeping youths actively engaged through sports not only helps to discover talents but also provides a sense of purpose and belonging.
He added that with greater investment in sports development, many young Nigerians who might otherwise be vulnerable to criminal activities could become productive citizens contributing positively to national development.
Responding, OSMA President, Major General Maikano Abdullahi (Rtd), described sports as one of the largest industries in the world, capable of creating jobs and fostering social cohesion. He commended the delegation for promoting collaboration among security agencies through sports and pledged his support towards strengthening the initiative.
Abdullahi emphasized that military and paramilitary institutions possess enormous untapped sporting talents that could be harnessed for national and international competitions. He expressed confidence that a combined team drawn from Nigeria’s security agencies could become a dominant force on the African sporting stage.
The retired military officer also called for increased awareness and institutional support for military and paramilitary sports, noting that sporting activities promote discipline, teamwork, patriotism and unity among participants.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Commandant of Sports of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lawal Oladipo, said stronger sporting relationships among security agencies would improve cooperation, information sharing and operational coordination.
He added that beyond strengthening security collaboration, sports provide an avenue for talent discovery, national integration and the development of athletes capable of representing Nigeria at regional and global competitions.
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