The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s executive chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, has praised the collaboration between the commission and the media in the battle against corruption in the nation.
This was said by the chairman at the opening remarks of the 2023 one-day workshop on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for Journalists, which was conducted on Thursday at the commission’s zonal command headquarters in Sokoto.
Represented by the assistant director of the EFCC and the zonal commander in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Aliyu Yunusa, said media has always been the mirror and monitor of other arms of government for accountable governance and quality stewardship.
“This workshop is one of the modest efforts of the Commission to build synergy, understanding and a more cordial relationship with the media.
“The programme was flagged off last year in some of our Zonal commands. It’s scope has been significantly expanded to make Journalists in other zonal commands of the Commission benefits from it”
He reemphasises that the task of fighting economic and financial crimes is daunting and requires an informed media for purposeful public enlightenment and mobilization.
“Journalism is the best channel to whistle-blowing because of its tenets and practices.
“I urge the media to deploy more time, energy, commitment and professional strength to exposing fraudulent activities in both the public and private sectors.
“Keeping an eye on the activities of politically exposed persons and exposing those who steal our common patrimony, will help in safeguarding the nation’s resources for development purpose ” he added.
Meanwhile, no fewer than three papers were delivered during the workshop which includes”New Money Laundering Framework: Duties and Responsibilities of Individuals and Corporate Organization.
Others include Investigative Journalism and Nigeria’s fight against Money Laundering and Digital system payment: emerging opportunities for fraud and prevention tips for victims.
Speaking earlier in his remarks, the head of media and publicity, EFCC office, Wilson Uwujaren, tasked journalists to do more to investigate journalism so as to restore confidence of the general public in the profession.