By Doyin Ojosipe
Anti-corruption stakeholders have reiterated the need for adequate mechanisms to be put in place to ensure the successful implementation of the whistleblowing policy in Sokoto state.
They made the call at a whistleblowing town hall meeting organised by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) in collaboration with the Hikima Community Mobilisation and Development Initiative (HCOMDI) in Sokoto State on Wednesday July 26, 2023.
The event was part of the whistleblowing advocacy of the Corruption Anonymous (CORA) initiative of AFRICMIL which is supported by the Macarthur Foundation.
The Executive Director, Integrated Life Support for Women and Children Initiative (ILSWACI), Dr Hassan Ibn Attahir, said establishing whistleblowing clubs in secondary schools and higher institutions will go a long way in consolidating whistleblowing and the fight against corruption.
He also charged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on the continuous sensitization of Nigerians at the grassroots on the detrimental effects of corruption on their wellbeing.
Another participant, the CEO of Health and Gender Initiative, Mallam Ibrahim Gada, stressed the need for the passage of the whistlebllower protection bill as the fear of reprisals was a major hindrance to exposing corruption.
He urged the anti-graft agencies and civil society organisations to raise the awareness in the Local Government Areas in order to tackle corruption at the grassroots level.
Baba Abubakar of the MARCH Development Initiative highlighted the need for government to expedite actions when reports are made as the sluggishness of the process of law in taking its course was quite discouraging.
Earlier, the Coordinator, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Dr Chido Onumah represented by Senior Program Officer, Nkechi Ugwu in a welcome address said anti-graft CSOs were working towards the passage of the whistle-blower bill which has become a Federal Executive Council bill.
He encouraged Nigerians to show their patriotism by making disclosures on fraud, corruption, theft, mismanagement of public resources and wrongdoing that negatively impact society.
In the same vein, the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulkarim Chukkol, represented by the Zonal Commander covering Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi States, Aliyu Yinusa, said whistleblowing was crucial to achieving a transparent and accountable society.
He said mechanisms such as protecting the identity of whistleblowers, provision of hotlines, online reporting portal and a dedicated email address has been put in place by the EFCC to make the submission of tips easy.
On his part, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) , Professor Bolaji Owasanoye SAN, represented by Sokoto State Legal Officer, Suleiman Ahmed, a deputy superintendent, noted that the ICPC maintains high level of confidentiality while dealing with Whistleblowers or informants and petitions as it is compelled by the ICPC ACT of 2004 to keep secret whatever information it received as tips.
However, he warned whistleblowers to be wary of making false submissions as the act also made provisions for punishment for submitting false tips.
The Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, represented by NOA Sokoto State Director, Bello Umar, stated that the Agency was committed and willing to partner to raise awareness on the negative impact of corruption.
He noted that the fight against corruption was a collective responsibility and required participation of all.
In her remarks, the Executive Director, Hikima Community Mobilization and Development Initiative (HCOMDI), Ubaida Mohammed commended AFRICMIL for the Initiative and encouraged CSOs to continue to collaborate to make the country a better place for all.
