By Nnenna Okonkwo
African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), in partnership with the Centre for Information Technology and Development center (CITAD) held a one-day anti-corruption workshop June 27, 2024, for women groups and people with disabilities in Kano State.
The theme of the event, ‘The importance of women and people living with disabilities in promoting whistleblowing and whistleblower protection in Nigeria,” was aimed at galvanizing women and people living with disabilities to embrace the habit of blowing the whistle on corruption and other illegalities undermining society’s well-being.
The coordinator of AFRICMIL, Dr. Chido Onumah, in his welcome address, said that women and people with disabilities are known to be the greatest victims of corrupt practices in the country and therefore this workshop is designed to encourage them to break the culture of silence by speaking out and reporting wrongdoing to competent authorities.
Chief superintendent of police Salisu Saleh, who represented the special guest of honour, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Ramingado, chair, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, stated that women and PWDs cover fifty percent of the economy and therefore it is important that they are equipped with the knowledge of whistleblowing and are included in the fight against corruption.
Abdulkhareem Mohammed, Managing Director, Moving Image communications Ltd, in his goodwill message, stated that corruption is the key obstacle for good governance. He further explained that there is no fighting corruption without activists and therefore urged participants to imbibe the culture of whistleblowing in order to promote good governance.
In her presentation tiled ‘Why women and PWDs must join the fight against corruption through whistleblowing,’ Dr RuquyyahYusuf Aliyu, Senior lecturer, dept of information and media studies, Bayero University Kano, said the fight against corruption must be seen as a collaborative effort where each person has a role to play. She explained that as citizens, fighting corruption is a key responsibility for all.
On the issue of women and PWDs, she explained that having a disability shouldn’t be a reason to be silent whenever corruption or wrongdoing is noticed. She urged women and PWDs to brace up and embrace the fight against corruption. She also stated that special consideration should be given to PWDs when blowing the whistle, suggesting that facilities should be made available for the blind, deaf or dumb to enable engage in whistleblowing. She urged participants present to key into the fight against corruption, as it gives a sense of fulfillment in contributing to nation building.
In the second presentation tiled ‘The role the media in promoting whistleblowing among women and PWDs in Nigeria,’ Abdullateef Abubakar, publisher, Solace-base Newspaper Jos, said the media plays an important role by creating awareness and educating the public about the activities of the government. He pointed out that by showcasing successful whistleblowers individuals are in turn encouraged to blow the whistle.
“The media can advocate for a stronger legal protection for whistleblowers, especially women and PWDs while educating the public and providing information on legal rights,” the publisher said.
Participants thanked AFRICMIL and CITAD not only for holding the workshop in Kano, but also for focusing on women groups and PWDs in the campaign against corruption and other forms of illegalities affecting society’s wellbeing.
