The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, hereby announces winners of its 2nd EFCC Essay Competition, following a call for entries in August 2024.

The competition, aimed at promoting critical thinking and innovative solutions to cybercrimes, saw over 1,000 submissions from young Nigerians across the country.
The competition featured two categories: Using Technology for Social Good: How Digital Skills can Be Leveraged to Promote Transparency in Government as the thematic focus for the Tertiary Category, while the Secondary Category had Exploring Alternatives to Cybercrimes for Sustainable Development as its topic.

Following a careful review of all entries by a distinguished panel of judges selected from the academia, media, and civil society organizations, Pearl Okereke took the first position in the Secondary Category. Covenant Adesegun and Emmanuel Victor emerged the first and second runners-up respectively.

In the Tertiary Category, Adeshola Adejumo came first, while Favour Momoh came second, and Godwin Ajala finished third.

The winners will be honoured at the upcoming National Cybercrime Summit 2024, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The event will include an award presentation ceremony spotlighting the outstanding essays that highlighted innovative approaches to leveraging technology for transparency and combatting cybercrimes through sustainable development strategies.

The competition, the second in the series, underscores the EFCC’s commitment to engaging youths in the fight against cybercrimes while encouraging responsible uses of digital skills for social good.

The EFCC remains dedicated to mobilizing all its stakeholders, including youths, towards collaborative engagement in its ongoing fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

Nigerian activist and social commentator VeryDarkMan has made a groundbreaking impact after launching his non-governmental organization (NGO), focused on transforming Nigeria’s public education system.

Within 24 hours, his initiative garnered overwhelming support, raising ₦21,620,780. The majority of contributions came from small donations (₦72-₦500), with notable contributions of ₦2 million and ₦1 million.

VeryDarkMan praised the community’s backing, emphasizing transparency and accountability. He criticized existing NGOs for mismanaging public funds and pledged open governance.

Photo source: X

A bill pushing for the creation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Federal University of Nigerian Languages has scaled first reading in the house of representatives.

Ekwutosblog understands that this bill is sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, and eight other lawmakers: Inuwa Garba, Nasiru Shehu, Alex Ikwechegh, Bako Useni, Amobi Ogah, Akin Rotimi, Halims Abdullahi, and Felix Nwaeke.

The university will be located in Aba, Abia state.

The proposed university would provide equal educational opportunities in Nigerian languages, offering diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate programmes designed to develop skills in language and cultural fields.

It will also produce graduates who can effectively use Nigerian languages for national development.

The university will also collaborate with other institutions involved in Nigerian languages and culture, providing basic training and promoting national unity.

The bill revealed that President Bola Tinubu will be the university’s visitor, responsible for conducting evaluations at least once every five years.

The President is also given authority to remove council members, excluding the pro-chancellor and vice-chancellor, based on misconduct or inability to perform duties.

The bill will need to pass a second reading, public hearing, third reading, and Senate concurrence before it is sent to the president for assent.

However the proposed bill has ignited a flurry of reactions among Nigerians with many criticizing it as unimportant and a waste of resources, especially in light of the current economic challenges.

Williamstalk posted: “Anywhere Belle face people we have a pressing issue facing the people and you guys are busy attending to things that are not relevant for the now!!! Is this not an oversabi something!!!!”

DrWhales tweeted: “The existing Universities are not funded adequately. A lot of Universities in the North suffer low patronage die to insecurity issues and general lack of interest in Education. These are not issues enough, you must play politics by trying to massage an old man’s ego.”

Popular social media critic, Daniel Regha wrote: “And this is important right now because? Many Nigerians can’t feed or cope under this administration, but it’s learning languages that’s being discussed by lawmakers? My God!”

Tomi of Canada asked: “These people are just playing Nigerian’s. Is this what Nigerians need right now with all the universities we already have?”