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#YoungNLegit: The hashtag 'luring' young Nigerians to work hard and earn

#YoungNLegit: The hashtag 'luring' young Nigerians to work hard and earn

Nigeria

Young and legitimate – that is the source of the hashtag #YoungNLegit, as started by Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The idea behind it is simply to get as many young Nigerians to work hard and earn as against cut corners and eventually fall into trouble with the law. The hashtag was started earlier this week on the EFCC’s twitter handle, @officialEFCC.

The outfit asked young people to tweet whatever work they were doing with the hashtag in order to ‘‘Show your peers that being involved in a life of crime is a personal choice.’‘ And they gave the first example of how to go about it.

Say NO to cyber crime. Young people, please tweet at this handle with the business you do and end with the hash tag #YoungNLegit

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 10, 2017

For example – “ I am 26, I am a food vendor. #YoungNLegit “. Show your peers that being involved in a life of crime is a personal choice.

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 10, 2017

Nigeria – Africa’s most populous and its biggest economy has a long history with corruption in most aspects of the social fabric. The Muhammadu Buhari-led government came to power with the promise to fight the cancer which has given the country a very bad name.

Since the #YoungNLegit hashtag was started, hundreds of Nigerians have posted their professions. Some have hailed the initiative as having given them exposure whiles others have taken the opportunity to seek for jobs in a sly manner.

Below are a series of the tweets – most of which the EFCC has been doing a good job of ‘retweeting’ and ‘liking.’

I am a Computer engineer, software developer, database administrator. I say no to cyber crime.

— Umar Balarabe (@Ubaz27) July 12, 2017

officialEFCC am 37, a PhD holder, Academic & SDGS Advocate. #YoungNlegit

— Ali Bakari, PhD (aleebakari) July 12, 2017

officialEFCC I am 23, a computer engineering undergraduate, dealer in sales and repairs of Phones and laptops.

— Israel Bryan (iswelly3) July 12, 2017

I am 23, a chemistry graduate, currently serving and acquiring the skill of fashion and design. E go beta #YoungNLegit

— Oluwatosin Alao (@tosene_a) July 12, 2017

28, Geomatic Engineer ; 7years experience in all kind of Layout Survey, Engineering and Topography survey. I am #youngNLegit

— Adejare (@AdejareAdebiyi) July 12, 2017

Documentary photography.
My lens sees all.
My story…My hustle.#YoungNLegit officialEFCC #Documentary pic.twitter.com/KiYfRwR9xh

— Melting Heart (MeltingHeart1) July 12, 2017

officialEFCC I'm 27years, I'm a farmer (crops and animals). I choose not to go into crime, I work SMART and it pays.. #YoungNLegit

— Dominic Nkoro (NkoroDominic) July 12, 2017

A tweeter asked if the EFCC was recruiting and got a response

No we’re not but a recruiter may be looking through this TL and find that you have not displayed yours. Don’t carry last. #YoungNLegit https://t.co/tdG9h1hkgC

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) July 12, 2017

I’m a graduate, studied comp. Engine & I’m also an urban clothier..this shirt here is inspired by officialEFCC #YoungNLegit. pic.twitter.com/fMH1mUKy8n

— Yussuph Omotayo nuha (kuli_kuli_level) July 12, 2017

Photo credit: Yussuph Omotayo nuha @kuli_kuli_level

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