Benue State University, Makurdi

The Vice-Chancellor, Benue State University, Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu, fsonta, mnipr, ksm, has expressed the readiness of the University to partner with Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Code of Conduct Bureau and all security agencies in the State in the area of manpower training to enhance professionalism, modern security surveillance and responsibilities of citizens to their institutions and their states.

Professor Iorapuu disclosed this yesterday, Wednesday, 29th March, 2023 when he led Management staff of the University on a courtesy visit to the Ag. Zonal Director, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Sanusi Suraji in Makurdi.According to him, the University recognises the significant role EFCC and other security institutions are playing to enhance accountability in public service, to the state, citizens and self, peace and unity and solicited for sustenance. Stressing that as a university saddled with the responsibility of training manpower for the society and globally, there is need for collaboration to introduce programmes such as cyber security, forensic studies to increase knowledge and enhance skills of staff and would be employees of these agencies for greater productivity.

The Vice-Chancellor further emphasized the need for sustained awareness and sensitization of the activities of EFCC to Benue people in order to assuage their fears and misgivings about the operations of the agency.

Responding, the Ag. Zonal Director, Suraji thanked the University Management for the visit and assured of collaboration particularly in the introduction of GST Courses to educate undergraduates on how to avoid some despicable acts that could lead them to crime and destruction of their future. Adding that, EFCC as an agency would continue to educate and sensitize people both in urban and rural areas to understand its operations. Particularly, the Ag. Director emphasized the need for the younger generation to be properly informed because it would appear many of the falling victims to cybercrime including students of Benue State University.

He maintained that, EFCC is working for the common good of Nigeria so that there would be sanity in public service. That the agency was established not for impunity but corrective measures to enhance transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public space (private or public institutions).

The Vice-Chancellor Directed the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Simon Tervert Ubwa as the focal person to bridge with the agency in the introduction of courses that would conform with the National Universities Commission standard. He also agreed to partner with the agency to host the 2023 International Youth Day (August 8) in the University and direct the Dean, Students Affairs Division, Professor Emmanuel Otor Eriba to mediate with the EFCC for the success of the event as well as the inclusion of the EFCC on the University Orientation Ceremony Programmes for new students.