Deploy Technologies To Tackle Criminality, NOA Tells Security Agencies

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on security agencies to deploy technologies to combat youths who resort to criminal means to acquire ill-gotten wealth.

The director-general (DG), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, speaking in Asaba during a discussion on World HIV Day, Security Awareness, Discouraging Get Rich Quick Syndrome, World Human Rights Day, and Tax Reforms, said such technologies should include surveillance systems and intelligence gathering.

Represented by the director of General Services, Dr Rebecca Nasamu, and supported by his Delta State Director, Mrs Tracy Ikolomi, disclosed that NOA is prepared to strengthen awareness and framework against shortcut to wealth, HIV/AIDS stigmatization, violation of human rights and new tax regime, to create a society that is healthy, secure, ethical and united in purpose.

While he said the youths indulge in criminal ways to acquire ill-gotten wealth so as to impress others, he implored citizens to take advantage of the services provided by the federal government, especially the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) and uphold time-tested values to end unethical practices.

“The small and medium enterprises through grants and loans to promote entrepreneurship by governments at all levels were designed to discourage youths from the alarming rate of get-rich-syndrome.

“With increased enforcement by agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), criminalized fraudulent practices, including internet fraud and financial crimes, citizens should reject shortcut to wealth and embrace integrity, hard-work and the opportunities provided through government initiatives,” Issa-Onilu stated.