Magu: The Uncertainty of Acting Capacity Spurs Urgency to Do More

Calls for support of anti-graft war
Senator Iroegbu in Abuja
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said the uncertainty of his appointment in acting capacity has spurred him to work harder and exceed target within the shortest possible period.

Magu stated this in Abuja while speaking at a one-day workshop on ‘Reporting of Economic Crimes,’ where he encouraged all Nigerians, especially journalists to join hands with the commission in its fight against corruption.

While responding to a question by one of the resource persons and former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Tony Iredia, the EFCC boss said his acting position does not deter him from doing his job but serves as an extra motivation to work round the clock.

He said: “No, no, no, it rather tells me to do more, I feel like let me do this. You never can tell tomorrow the fact that I’m acting gives me more determination, you never know, when I’m there (confirmed) I’ll crush it or fight it.

“That’s why sometimes I put EFCC on 24 hours basis so that we can do what we can within the available time (of acting capacity); I think I have more determination to clear the ground as much as we can.”

Concerning the allegations and recent media war against him, Magu called for support and constructive criticisms
He said: “I prefer to hear the wrong ones (criticism), I don’t expect to be pampered, when I am wrong, tell me.”

According to him, constructive criticism  would help him to perform better towards meeting the goals, objectives and targets of the anti-graft agency
“It is easier for you to correct my wrong doings so I want to hear the wrongs so that we can correct them, there’s nothing like perfection.
“The evil of corruption affects everybody so it is our duty to put our house in order,” he said.

Magu called for synergy, cooperation and inputs from all members of the society to ensure that the war against corruption is successful “We have work together, we all are stakeholders in the fight against corruption, and we must and let’s put more efforts and move the country forward.

“The country is so big for each and every one of us to play great roles in Nigeria.
“It is not only for us (EFCC) as we cannot claim monopoly of knowledge of fighting corruption, everybody is a stakeholder, if we work together, we are going to record tremendous success,” he added. The EFCC boss however, lamented that the fight to ensure zero tolerance for corruption in the country is proving difficult because “not all Nigerians believe corruption is wrong.

“Some people don’t believe corruption is wrong, you should not expect 100 per cent acceptance but I’m sure a greater number of Nigerian do.”