By Tony Adibe
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede has declared that corruption still remains “Nigeria’s enemy number one,” stressing that the press should try and cut down the rate of corruption in the country by exposing those behind it and holding public officials accountable.
But Olukoyede also lauded the Nigerian Press, emphasising the important roles they have played, and continued to play in the formidable fight against corruption and financial crimes in the country.
The EFCC boss was delivering a key note address, titled: “The Role of Media and Other Critical Stakeholders in Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption,” during the grand finale of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Enugu State Council Correspondents’ Chapel Press Week 2026 held on Thursday at the Press Centre, Enugu.
Represented by the SouthEast Zonal Director of EFCC, Mr Daniel Isei, the EFCC Chairman said that the media have been playing very critical roles of ensuring good governance and a better society, and advised them to sustain their roles by holding the leaders accountable at all times.
He said the Nigerian media, against all odds, deserve accolades for what they have done and have continued to do in sanitising the society. According to him, “The media in Nigeria deserve their flowers for the critical roles they play in ensuring good governance and a better society.
“You have been playing your watchdog role and that is holding the people and institutions accountable.” He further told the gathering that corruption breeds hunger, and insisted that the media should be in the front line in the fight against corruption.
He said the media should be able to expose fraud, help identify persons or group involved in crime and locate proceeds of crime through what he described as “journalists’ investigative abilities.”
The EFCC boss pointed out that it is because of the sterling quality of the media that prompted the crafters of the Constitution to give the media the responsibility of holding the government accountable to the people.
He, however, warned that the media must not lose focus on their role to indulge in cynicism. “In fighting corruption, the media should not amplify public cynicism of the facts,” he warned.
NewsBits reports that the Deputy National Chairman (South), All Progressives Congress, Dr. Ben Nwoye, and the Director-General, Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu Engr. Peter Ogbobe were installed as grand patron and patron, respectively.
The grand finale also featured various stakeholders including journalists, judicial officers, public officer holders, civil servants, professionals, academics, political class, including the governorship candidate of the All Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Ocho Obodoeze among others.
