By Hajara Leman
The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Muhammad Ali, has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to be more open to journalists in its anti-corruption crusade.
Ali said this during a one-day roundtable on effective collaboration in corruption prevention, on Monday in Abuja.
The exercise organised by the ICPC in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is supported by MacArtur Foundation.
Represented by Mr Ephraims Sheyin, the Editor-In-Chief of the agency, Ali described openness as part of a broader push for greater accountability in government institutions.
”By allowing journalists better access to information and investigation, the media can play a crucial role in exposing corruption and keeping the public informed,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of fostering trust between the press and anti corruption agencies.
“By being more transparent and open with journalists, the ICPC can help ensure accurate and fair reporting, which in turn strengthens public trust in the institution’s efforts to combat corruption.
“Providing timely and accurate information and regular communication with the press to ensure that journalists have the facts, will reduce the likelihood of misinformation,” he said.
Dr Mohammed Bulama, Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), pledged the readiness of the corporation to take a centre stage in promoting anti corruption work of the commission.
According to Bulama, the FRCN has been repositioned, re-equipped and refocused to effectively play its role of informing and mobilising Nigerians for positive tasks.
He lauded the commission for organising the stakeholders’ meeting, adding that it would bolster the fight against corruption in the country.
Also, Mr Salihu Dembos, Director-General, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), stressed the need for closer collaboration between the media and anti-graft agency in the fight against corruption.
Represented by Mrs Halima Musa, Director, News, NTA, Dembos said the media as the watchdog of the society had a crucial role to play in holding government accountable to the people.
“Good governance is about the wellbeing of the people and society as a whole,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Rabiu Sani-Ali