A whistleblower, Joseph Ameh, who was sacked for refusing to endorse illegalities in contract awards at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, has said he would work with journalists to get justice.
Ameh, who was an architect in the physical planning division of the college before his dismissal, spoke in Asaba, Delta State, during a one-day workshop for journalists titled ‘The Role of Journalists in Promoting Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection in Nigeria.’
The workshop was organized by African Centre for media and information literacy (AFRICMIL), in collaboration with the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG).
The Coordinator of AFRICMIL, Dr. Chido Onumah, in his welcome address, stated that the training would enable among journalists, a better understanding of the concept of whistleblowing as a good governance tool and inculcate in them the need to consistently promote the culture of whistleblowing.
He said that journalists and whistleblowers are the same as both are dedicated to holding power to accounts by bringing up the facts. He urged participants to be interactive and share information on what they know about whistleblowing and whistleblower protection as this will help build a strong resolve to protecting compatriots who become victims of impunity.
Two papers were presented at the workshop. In the first paper, Johnson Oludare, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Finance, stated that the whistleblower policy is an essential aspect of checks and balances system in the society. He said that the policy reveals uncomfortable truths while allowing societies and companies to get raw, untainted feedback.
He explained that the relationship between journalism and whistleblowing is mutual, beneficial and an important tool in the fight against corruption and the protection of human rights. He explained the need for journalists to equip themselves with the relevant laws so as to guide and advice whistleblowers accordingly. According to him, one of the challenges facing the implementation of the whistleblower law is the fact that Nigerians are yet to take ownership of the fight against corruption. Oludare urged participants and the public to always speak up when they see wrong doing being perpetuated in their environment and never relent in the fight against corruption.
Austin Agbosunremi, Executive Director, PRIMORG, in his presentation, noted that some of the important roles’ journalists play in promoting the protection of whistleblowers. He said journalists are also whistleblowers who need protection as they are always harassed, incarcerated and sometimes killed while carrying out their constitutional mandate.
Agbonsuremi advised journalists to uphold their integrity and credibility as both traits are very important in the practice of journalism. The workshop featured an interactive session where questions, answers and observations were exchanged by the participants and resource persons.
