The launch last week of the “Clean Hands” initiative by the EFCC indicates that the anti-corruption agency is beginning to move in the right direction. Any institution set up to combat a prevailing social challenge should realize that the measure of its effectiveness should be in the prevention rather than cure. The launch of the “Clean Hands” project indicates that EFCC under its current leadership is prepared to embrace a new way of thinking and accept a new interpretation of its role. EFCC is beginning to realize that all the years of ruthless devotion to catching people and throwing them in detentions have hardly dented the huge problem of corruption in Nigeria. With this new initiative, EFCC is bringing preventive advocacy to the heart of its operation. This should be commended.

His every move was calm and deliberate as if he was scared of attracting unnecessary attention, but his gaze was directed at the baby in his hands. With eyes full of emotions and compassion as he lovingly cuddled the four-month-old baby, it was extremely difficult for onlookers to believe the man was a member of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group.