The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commended the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) for taking the initiative in creating awareness and garnering support for the whistleblower policy and the fight against corruption in the country.
The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Musa Abubakar Abdullahi, gave the commendation today when he received staff of AFRICMIL at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Commission’s Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Review, Mr. Segun Adigun, said there was pressing need for the sensitization of Nigerians on the fight against corruption.
He noted that while the country may not be witnessing rampant corruption as it was in the past, the issue of corruption still remains a big problem in Nigeria.
“We need an organization like yours to keep the sensitization campaign going and that is why we need to collaborate in this task,” Adigun said.
He promised that ICPC would collaborate with AFRICMIL to build public support for whistleblowing as an important tool for fighting corruption in the country.
Earlier, Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, said the organization, through its accountability and good governance project tagged “Corruption Anonymous,” sought to achieve three basic things on the whistleblower policy of the government. First, was to enlist the buy-in of citizens in the policy by creating awareness; second was to ensure the integrity of its implementation, and third, to ensure the protection of whistleblowers.
He noted that the success of the initiative depended largely on the participation of citizens, the transparency of the government in the corruption war, as well as the safety of whistleblowers. According to him, “If people don’t feel safe, they are not going to come forward to submit tips.”
Onumah, who stated that AFRICMIL embarked on the courtesy visit to seek collaboration with the ICPC, observed that it was important to let Nigerans know about what was being done with tips submitted and monies recovered. He said such information was necessary in getting the support of citizens.
He commended the ICPC for its support and for its effective participation at the three zonal town hall meetings so far organized by the Centre.
