The Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption, a corruption prevention initiative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC entered its third phase today November 9 with the short listing of 20 finalists drawn from about sixty schools (primary and secondary) within Lagos State.

Participants expressed their views for a 'New Nigeria Free From Corruption' through their creative abilities in Painting, Literary Arts, Music, Dancing, Drama, Information Technology, etc.

 The nationwide initiative, collaboration between EFCC and Vision of the Child project, articulated in 2012 by Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, is aimed at sensitizing children and youth on the ills of corruption through creative development.

EFCC - CYIAC is currently partnering with primary and secondary schools within Nigeria to identify talented children and youth with vision for a corruption - free Nigeria. The objective is to inculcate in them values of honesty, integrity and ethics that would make them grow into young responsible citizens.

According to Foluke Michael, Project Director, entries for the creative writing contest which is a major aspect of the Lagos project closed on October 30 2016. “The creative writing contest is open to children and youth in primary and secondary schools within Lagos State. All entrants are between ages 9 to 14 years", she said. She further disclosed that another aspect of the project which is the creative presentation of ideas to be depicted in Painting and Poetry will hold on the 18th of November 2016 in Lagos before a live audience.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, acting Chairman of the EFCC said the initiative was in tandem with the Commission’s preventive mandate to deploy measures to sensitize the people on the ills of corruption

The Nationwide School campaign will begin in 2017.  And the major attraction is that outstanding youths will be offered scholarship to attend leadership academy so as to build a network of trainers that will in turn impact other children and youth.

This projects intends to cover the six geopolitical zones in the country, there will be launch on the 1st of December 2016 at the Nigeria Stock Exchange special event hall.

 CYIaC is committed to lead change in children and youth by eradicating corruption through character (attitude) and skill (aptitude) development for the positive advancement of our great Nation.

Media & Publicity

9th November, 2016