The Coordinator of the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Chido Onumah, has urged Nigerians to count it a duty to expose corruption without setting their minds on some reward in return. He said this when he led a delegation on a courtesy call to the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Onumah stressed the need to enlighten citizens on their duty to join in the war against corruption, adding that the anti-corruption fight by the federal government can only succeed with the collaborative efforts of citizens.
The AFRICMIL Coordinator explained that the team was on a visit to introduce its project tagged Corruption Anonymous. He said the Centre thought it needful to seek partnership with the Agency given its strength in raising awareness among Nigerians.
He urged the NOA to join forces with the Centre as it seeks to win the support of the public for the whistleblowing policy of the federal government. Onumah stated that there was need for the federal government to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the policy and also ensure the protection of whistleblowers.
He said the Centre would hold series of town hall meetings across the country to sensitize the public on the need to take advantage of the whistleblowing policy.
In his response, the DG, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, thanked AFRICMIL for the visit and expressed the willingness of the NOA to collaborate with the Centre in advocacy around the whistleblowing policy. He agreed that citizens’ participation was paramount to the success of the war against corruption, adding that the Agency had since embarked on sensitizing the public through it local government assemblies.
According to him, “Local Government Assemblies bring together canvassers and influencers who by their social status can help address issues such as herders/farmers clashes, corruption, violence, thuggery, drug addiction and other vices that negate our cherished national values.”
He disclosed that the Agency was working on placing advertorials in the media to reach Nigerians as it seeks to change citizens’ mind-set on corruption and other vices.
