By Our Reporter
A private Communication firm based in Kaduna, Wadata Communication limited, in collaboration with US based MacArthur Foundation, has trained 36 journalists/producers in Nigeria on investigative journalism.
The Project Manager, Mallam Zubair Abdurauf Idris, made this known Saturday in Yola while addressing a Town Hall Meeting on Anti-Corruption and Promotion of Good Governance.
Idris said the training was to build their capacity and assist them to expose corruption and promote good governance.
Idris said that investigative journalism training meant help check corruption and promote good governance has been yielding results, citing example of how an investigative programme by one of their partner radio station in Yola, Pulaku FM, stopped extortion of motorists by policemen along Yola-Fufore-Gurin road in Adamawa.
Idris who observed that corruption has adversely affected the development of the nation said more active approach like investigative journalism and such town hall meetings to mobilise stakeholders for popular participation in the fight against corruption became necessary.
“We therefore urge community leaders and NGOs to cooperate with journalists in the production of investigative reports on the fight against corruption.
“Community members and radio listeners will be engage in anti corruption dialogue and discourse to achieve maximum result,” Idris said.
Also speaking at the occasion on behalf of traditional rulers, the District Head of Yola, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad and that of Jimeta, Alhaji Inuwa Baba-Paris, urged government to give constitutional powers to traditional rulers to enable them play more effective role in ensuring good governance and fighting corruption.
In their respective contributions, the representative Muslims Council, Moddibo Tijani, and that of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Barry Shaida, spoke on how the two major religions prohibit corruption and task leaders on good governance.
They noted that knowing the right thing and refusing to do it as a leader or follower is corruption.
In his remarks, the General Manager of Pulaku FM, Alhaji Umar Sambo, lauded partnership with the communication firm and commitment of Pulaku FM to continue to play it role as station of the people.
Sambo who spoke on a popular investigative programme on Pulaku FM, said the programme has been effective in checking corruption and encouraging good governance.
Highlight of the town hall meeting is the presentation of papers on corruption and good governance by Prof. Abba Tahir of American University of Nigeria, Yola, Dr Hadiza Dauda of Adamawa Polytechnic, Mr Umar Dankano of NUJ, Mr Annas Kolo of ICPC, and Mr Ahmed Umar of National Orientation Agency (NOA).
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