NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
General News

Stakeholders advocate inclusive opportunities for children with special needs

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By Joshua Olomu

Child right advocates, educators and caregivers have called for inclusive opportunities for children living with autism and other special needs to enable them achieve their full potential and contribute to society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders made the call at a “Meet and Greet’ event in Abuja.

It was an occasion to celebrate Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-year-old Nigerian autistic artist who recently broke the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the Largest Painting, as the latest world’s largest art canvas by an individual.

Tagbo-Okeke, had on April 2, unveiled the awe-inspiring canvas titled: “Impossibility is a Myth,” measuring 12,303 square meters, surpassing a previous 9,652 square meter record held by Emad Salehi.

The event tagged “The Back-Story”, brought together representatives of civil society groups, artistes, stakeholders in the arts and culture sector and friends and family of the ace artist.

According to the stakeholders, while Tagbo-Okeke is being celebrated for his ingenuity and exceptional feat in arts, there is need to reflect on the challenges children with special needs face in Nigeria.

Mohammad Sulaiman, President, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), said the association was offering equal opportunities for talented young artistes to thrive irrespective of their background.

He, however, lamented that both government and relevant institutions have not realised the place of the artists in nation building, hence they provide little or no support for them.

“I would want to say that this actually marks the beginning of a very eventful period in Nigeria’s art life.

However, what Nigeria has not done, unfortunately, is that it has not been deliberate about looking at arts.

“The government must be very deliberate especially in these unique areas that are beginning to make impact, like autistic ones, and put funds into those areas,” he said.

Helen Neete, an Art Instructor, said many Nigerians still have little or no knowledge of the Autism spectrum, and therefore have a polarised view of autistic children.

“I believe that these individuals are specially touched by God, and I don’t think they have special needs.

“I think they have special abilities and each of them has his own form of expression; for some, it’s music, for others, it’s writing, and then those in visual art.

“One of the reasons why individuals on the spectrum are pushed aside is the lack of sensitisation and awareness in our society.

“Nobody goes into motherhood or parenthood thinking that they will have a child on the spectrum, and many people don’t even ask if this happens to me, what do I do?

“So, when you are just faced with this individual, and you don’t know what to do, so the first thing to do is that we as a society we have to educate ourselves,” she said.

Also, the mother of the young artist, Dr Sylvia Tagbo-Okeke, said children with special needs require individualised care, attention, and accommodations for them to feel included and motivated to manifest their God-given talents.

According to her, the journey of her son to stardom was that of resilience, determination and sacrifices by the family.

She, therefore, called on parents with autistic children not to give up, adding that society, especially in the Nigerian setting, needs to be more empathetic and understanding with children who have special needs.

“For parents that have special needs children, I always tell them never to give up on their child or lose hope.

“No matter how bad, if you keep at it, if you are patient, if you show love, at least they will be able to move from a point A point B and to a point C.

“You will deal with stigmatisation, discrimination and with people that do not have empathy, because in this society, you have the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“For us as a family, we have met some good people as well that have encouraged us, and then we have met some very bad ones that have made us feel very bad.

“But what we decided that we are not going to dwell on those bad, because we have a motto that autism is not a tragedy, ignorance is,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

General News

Stakeholders advocate inclusive opportunities for children with special needs

52 total views today

By Joshua Olomu

Child right advocates, educators and caregivers have called for inclusive opportunities for children living with autism and other special needs to enable them  achieve their full potential and contribute to society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders made the call at a “Meet and Greet’ event on Friday night in Abuja.

It was an occasion to celebrate Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 15-year-old Nigerian  autistic artist who recently broke the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the Largest Painting, as the latest world’s largest art canvas by an individual.

Tagbo-Okeke had on April 2, unveiled the awe-inspiring canvas titled: “Impossibility is a Myth,” measuring 12,303 square meters, surpassing a previous 9,652 square meter record held by Emad Salehi.

The event, tagged “The Back-Story”, brought together representatives of  civil society groups, artistes, stakeholders in the arts and culture sector, and friends and family of the ace artist.

According to the stakeholders, while Tagbo-Okeke is being celebrated for his ingenuity and exceptional feat in arts, there is a need to reflect on the challenges children with special needs face in Nigeria.

Mohammad Sulaiman, President, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), said the association was offering equal opportunities for talented young artistes to thrive irrespective of their background.

He, however, lamented that both government and relevant institutions have not realised the place of the artists in nation building. Hence, they provide little or no support for them.

“I would want to say that this actually marks the beginning of a very eventful period in Nigeria’s art life.

However, what Nigeria has not done, unfortunately, is that it has not been deliberate about looking at arts.

“The government must be very deliberate especially in these unique areas that are beginning to make impact, like autistic ones, and put funds into those areas,” he said.

Helen Neete, an art instructor, said many Nigerians still have little or no knowledge of the Autism spectrum, and therefore have a polarised   view of autistic children.

“I believe that these individuals are specially  touched by God, and  I don’t think they have special needs.

“I think they have special abilities, and  each of them has his own form of expression; for some, it’s music, for others , it’s writing, and then those in visual art.

“One of the reasons why individuals on the spectrum are pushed aside is the lack of sensitisation and awareness in our society.

“Nobody goes into motherhood or parenthood thinking that they will have a child on the spectrum, and  many people don’t even ask if this happens to me. What do I do?

“So when you are just faced with this individual, and you don’t know what to do, so the first thing to do is that we as a society we have to educate ourselves,” she said.

Also, the mother of the young artist, Dr Sylvia Tagbo-Okeke, said children with special needs require individualised care, attention, and accommodations for them to feel included and motivated to manifest their God-given talents.

According to her, the journey of her son to stardom was that of resilience, determination, and sacrifices  by the family.

She therefore called on parents with autistic children not to give up ,adding that society, especially in the Nigerian setting, needs to be more empathetic and understanding with children who have special needs.

“For parents that have special needs children, I always tell them never to give up on their child or  lose hope.

“No matter how bad, if you keep at it, if you are patient, if you show love, at least they will be able to move from a point A point B  and to a point C.

“You will deal with stigmatisation, discrimination, and with people that do not have empathy because in this society, you have the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“For us as a family, we have met some good people as well that have encouraged us, and then we have met some very bad ones that have made us feel very bad.

“But what we decided is that, we are not going to dwell on those bad, because we have a motto  that autism is not a tragedy, Ignorance is”, she said.(NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

General News

Experts urge sustainable land use

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By Angela Atabo

Stakeholders in the housing sector have called for urgent action towards responsible land management and sustainable development across Nigeria.

They made the call during the unveiling of the Nathaniel Atebije Foundation and his 70th birthday thanksgiving, held on Friday in Abuja.

Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Guest Lecturer and Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, said God entrusted man with land management, as stated in the religious books.

Speaking on ‘The Ethics of Space and the Moral Imperative of Urban Planning,’ Ahmed described urban planning as an ethical endeavour currently facing serious threats.

He identified threats such as unchecked expansion, deforestation, habitat loss, gentrification, and land grabbing under the guise of urban renewal and agricultural land conversion.

Ahmed added that unregulated development and over-reliance on car-centred infrastructure contribute to carbon emissions, land degradation, and unsustainable living environments.

He urged town planners to reclaim their ethical roles by applying land ethics in all planning decisions and strategies.

This, he said, requires shifting from profit-driven, short-term planning to more inclusive, sustainable, and environmentally conscious urban development.

Ahmed also called for climate-resilient cities, ethical governance, indigenous stewardship, and the prioritisation of ecological integrity in planning efforts.

He praised Atebije’s contributions to urban planning and wished him well on the occasion of his 70th birthday celebration.

The celebrant, Nathaniel Atebije, a former president, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), thanked God for life and emphasised the importance of responsible land use and management.

He criticised unregulated development, which he said is driven by instinct rather than planning, and poses risks to present and future generations.

Atebije explained that his foundation aims to correct irregularities in planning through sustained advocacy and awareness efforts.

“People think instinctive development helps them, but it doesn’t. We must manage land wisely for present and future generations,” he said.

He expressed concern over the non-enforcement of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992, amended in 2004.

Atebije urged policymakers and the public to take land issues seriously and support professional planning education and enforcement.

Mr Akintoye Adeoye, president, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), said Atebije’s contributions have greatly benefited the real estate and town planning ecosystem in Nigeria.

He noted that real estate shapes lives and economies, and advocacy is vital to achieving a fair, sustainable, and well-regulated housing sector.

“At REDAN, we believe collaboration and innovation are key. The Nathaniel Atebije Foundation will help shape reforms and inform policy,” Adeoye said.

Dr Ogbonna Chima, NITP President, commended Atebije for extending his mentorship through the foundation to promote sustainable development.

He said the foundation would inspire future planners and policymakers, acting as a beacon for sustainable and structured growth.

Dr John Abu, Chairman of the occasion, stressed the need to involve town planners to avoid urban chaos and future disasters.

“We hope the foundation gains the support of leaders and highlights the importance of structured regional and urban planning,” he said.

Mr Festus Adebayo, Planning Committee Chair, said stakeholders were honouring Atebije for his outstanding contributions to town planning in Nigeria.

He encouraged other Nigerians to emulate Atebije and actively support national development for the betterment of the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

General News

Firm seeks tourism development through innovations in food production

116 total views today

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

A Business Development Manager, Mr Demilola Olaniyi, says Nigeria’s tourism industry could be developed through innovations in food and beverage production and provide more jobs.

Olaniyi, Business Development Manager, Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd., a leader in sales and specialised training in the production of ice cream, said this at a training and exhibition organised by Gelato & Coffee University.

The event held on Thursday in Lagos.

Olaniyi called for collaboration with both the public and private sectors in developing Nigeria’s tourism potential.

He said the company desired to boost Nigeria’s tourism potential through its training outfit, Gelato and Coffee University.

He also urged collaboration with schools and non-profit organisations to further strengthen the university’s impact and position Nigeria more as a culinary tourism destination.

“We work with the government, but it would be nice if we could do more with them.

“We would like to partner with the Bank of Industry. This is something that we can add to our tourism portfolio and bring awareness,” he said.

He said the company was committed to driving tourism and empowering entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry.

Olaniyi said the company was recently certified as the 13th Carpigiani Gelato University in the world.

“I see this as a very good thing for Lagos State and Nigeria, essentially because this can be added to our tourism portfolio here, and it can bring a lot of traction to our states and country,” he said.

He said the training outfit was established by Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd. to fill a gap in the hospitality sector by providing hands-on training in coffee and gelato production for beginners and professionals.

“We realised that there is a gap in the market. A lot of people want to enter the food and beverage industry, but they don’t know how to go about it.

“Being a barista, gelato chef, you can train yourself on that and grow yourself in that market.

“The food and beverage industry is really big in Nigeria, and the world is at your feet if you can grab it,” Olaniyi said.

He said the university offerred structured training programmes ranging from three days to two weeks and covering basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

Olaniyi said the courses were affordable compared to similar ones in Europe or the U.S.

“This campus is not only for people in Nigeria but for all of Africa, even the Middle East,” he said.

According to Olaniyi, Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd. is a supplier of equipment and raw materials for gelato, tea and coffee production.

He noted that the company pioneered office coffee vending in Nigeria.

“We provide the hot beverage machine, the consumables, and also the technical support that goes with it.

“This is something that we see growing, and there is a lot of potential in the market,” he said.

A customer of Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd., Mrs Olivia Okeke, who operates Milk and Honey by Livvy’s Twist, a café in Lagos, praised the company’s after-sales support and product quality.

“They have excellent support. We purchased the first unit last year, and it has been wonderful. I purchased another one last week,” Okeke said.

She also commended the firm’s reliability.

Also, a student of the Gelato & Coffee University, Mr Osagie Anthony, said the training opportunities were enormous.

“I have learnt about the origin of gelato, how to balance ingredients and how to create recipes from scratch.

“We also covered the business side and the latest technology,” Anthony said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

General News

Nigerian Union in South Africa inaugurates executives

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Inauguration
The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) is to inaugurate its Presidential and National Executives on Saturday.

A statement issued by the apex body of Nigerians in South Africa said the forum is themed: “Uniting Nigerians in South Africa.”

It said the theme aligned with NUSA’s core objectives of promoting unity among Nigerians living in South Africa.

The body said the objectives also included supporting growth in trade and commerce as well as fostering stronger relationships between Nigerians and South Africans.

It added that the forum would feature the official launch of The Migrant Magazine.

” The launch of The Migrant Magazine further demonstrates our commitment to informing, connecting, and empowering the Nigerian community in South Africa,” it said.

The statement also said the occasion billed for Sandton, Johannesburg, “represents a pivotal moment in NUSA’s journey to strengthen the bonds within the Nigerian community.”

The forum , it added, would amplify the voices of Nigerian migrants in South Africa.

Established in 2008, NUSA is a not-for-profit association dedicated to representing the interests of Nigerians in South Africa.

The organisation operates across all nine provinces and focuses on building a thriving community that promotes and supports its members’ strengths positively.

The new leadership is expected to continue NUSA’s tradition of providing legal support,advocacy, educational opportunities, and cultural promotion for Nigerians living in South Africa.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail abdulaziz

General News

Ministry inaugurates anti-corruption unit for transparency, accountability 

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Ministry inaugurates anti-corruption unit for transparency, accountability

 

 

 

By Vivian Emoni

 

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to strengthen and enhance accountability and integrity within the public service.

 

At the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, Amb. Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said that the initiative demonstrated the ministry’s commitment to achieving good governance.

 

Rimi said that the initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda, prioritising ethical governance for national development.

 

“The ministry takes a significant step toward a corruption-free environment with the ACTU inauguration. It reaffirms its dedication to ethical standards and good governance.

 

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) provides strategic guidance in combating corruption.

 

“The establishment of the ACTU is a cornerstone of the Federal Government’s unwavering stance against corruption,” he said.

 

Also speaking, Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman of the ICPC, commended the ministry for its proactive step in inaugurating the ACTU.

 

Aliyu emphasised ACTU’s critical role in upholding ethical standards.

 

According to him, the unit will promote discipline and integrity across the ministry, and also uphold principles of ethical conduct and professionalism in service delivery.

 

“This move is expected to enhance the ministry’s institutional reforms and contribute to a corruption-free environment,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Kadiri Abdulrahman

General News

Tinubu committed to Southeast infrastructure development—APC Chieftain

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By Jessica Dogo

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Abia, Chief Sam Onuigbo, says President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to the infrastructure development of the South-Eastern part of the country.

Onuigbo, a former member of the House of Representatives, said this in Abuja on Thursday while addressing newsmen.

He represents South East in the North East Development Commission Governing Board.

Onuigbo said Tinubu, through his Renewed Hope Agenda, had reflected the commitment through the ongoing rehabilitation of Umuahia Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road.

“Tinubu has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to delivering infrastructure progress and the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot-Ekpene Road is no exception.

“The government’s record speaks for itself, no misinformation can eclipse the tangible strides made daily on this project.

“To insinuate that the project has been abandoned is not only disingenuous but portrays a troubling disregard for verifiable facts.

He said that it was, therefore, unfortunate to claim that the project had been abandoned as being insinuated in some quarters.

According to him, to argue that the APC-led Federal Government was no longer committed to the complete rehabilitation of the road was unfortunate.

“The claims are erroneous, and deliberately crafted to stoke public disaffection and misrepresent the actual state of affairs regarding the road.

“It represents nothing but a disservice to the Federal Government’s efforts,’’ Onuigbo said.

He said he led other stakeholders from the area to convince the Federal Government to intervene in rehabilitating the road.

“We were successful in getting the then Minister of Works, Babatunde Fahola  to award the road contracts. However, funding has always been a problem.

“We were successful in getting the then minister to award the road contracts. However, funding has always been a problem.

“Then we went back and appealed to him, and he was able to move the road to NNPC funding on Road Tax Credit Scheme.

“For the government to approve the sum of N14.37 billion on Feb. 3, 2025, for the same road, means that the road has not been abandoned or neglected,” he told newsmen.

He described the road to be a major economic project for the nation because it links oil-producing states of Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Abia States.

He said it also leads to the commercial city of Aba and Export Processing Zone in Calabar.

“The people of that zone have indeed suffered for lack of good road. I think that is why they are working hard to make sure that the road is fixed.

“Like I said, you can use that road also to go to Cameroon. So it is a major economic point for the nation and I believe that the government realises its importance,’’ Onuigbo said.

He recalled that the road had suffered neglect for years until the APC-led Federal Government intervened in 2016. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

General News

FG lauds retiring Akajemeli for selfless service, transformation of SERVICOM

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By Fidelia Okosodo/Okon Okon

The Federal Government has commended the retired SERVICOM National Coordinator, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, describing her as committed and innovative public servant whose work significantly transformed service delivery in Nigeria.

Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), gave the commendation at the valedictory service of Akajemeli on Thursday in Abuja.

Akume, who was represented by Dr Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in OSGF, said that Akajemeli was one of the best officials who had played vital roles in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said that Akajemeli had accepted a responsibility that many would avoid due to the absence of financial incentives, choosing instead to focus on impactful service.

“This is indeed a wonderful and memorable event as we celebrate a woman of excellence; someone I consider a sister, whose passion and commitment to public service are exceptional.

“She boldly took on the challenge, transformed the system and made the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) office an enviable place that people now lobby to work in.

“Your work reflects the very essence of this administration’s goals. You have driven processes that have helped to attain key mandates of this government,” he said.

Also, Sen. Allwell Onyesoh Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character/Inter-Governmental Affairs, congratulated Akajemeli for attaining such a milestone and significant achievements in her service.

Represented by Mr Tope Adeniji, Onyesoh said that her years of service had been marked by exceptional dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the SERVICOM goals.

“The committee recognises and appreciates Akajemeli’s contributions as the national coordinator of SERVICOM, and notes that she had consistently exceeded expectations and made a meaningful impact on national service,” he said.

Dr Joe Abah, former Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, described Akajemeli as a colleague and a real sister.

According to Abah, Akajemeli played a pivotal role in the establishment and institutionalisation of SERVICOM, adding that their collaboration continued through various reforms that significantly improved service delivery in key public institutions.

Mrs Henrietta Okokon, Public Awareness Manager and a staff of SERVICOM, described Akajemeli as a mentor, a trailblazer and crusader for excellence.

“It has been a rare privilege to work closely with her over the past five years,” she said.

In her response, Akajemeli expressed gratitude to Tinubu, Akume and other past SGFs, Permanent Secretaries, nodal officers and other stakeholders for their support during her tenure.

She said that the support she received from the presidency and key actors in the public service had greatly enhanced the achievements of SERVICOM in promoting service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“I am deeply grateful to President Bola Tinubu for sustaining the vision of SERVICOM, and to the SGF for the unwavering institutional backing we enjoyed,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outgoing SERVICOM boss acted as coordinator from 2015 to 2017 before she was officially appointed as the National Coordinator for two terms of eight years.

The highlights of the event included the launch of a book, ‘Photo Speaks: A Life of Passionate Service to Nation’ written by Akajemeli. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

General News

PPDC canvasses digital procurement processes, unveils strategic framework

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By Jacinta Nwachukwu

An NGO, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), has called for digitalisation of procurement processes to enhance accountability and transparency in procurement governance.

The PPDC Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Lucy Abagi, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, at the presentation of the PPDC 2024-2028 Strategy Document, titled: `Leveraging Citizen Power for Sustainable Future’.

Abagi said that civil society organisations (CSOs) should not be the primary drivers of procurement processes, saying that government ownership was crucial.

She said that the government should provide regular updates on the use of taxpayers’ money and procurement processes.

According to her, the PPDC has been supporting government’s transparency for the past 22 years.

Abagi said that the NGO’s project, Transparency for Citizen Engagement, was aimed at leveraging citizens’ power for a sustainable future.

She further stated that the project was being implemented in three states: Kaduna, Ekiti and Adamawa to enhance accountability and transparency in the states’ procurement processes.

The chief executive officer said for more transparency in governance, there was the need for state procurement audits, contracting processes and annual reporting on government policies and practices.

“Procurement portals have been developed for the three states, with Kaduna and Ekiti using them efficiently.

“The portals provide detailed information on contractors, contract awards, jurisdictions and timelines.

“The portals also allow citizens to track contractor selection criteria and project monitoring criteria,’’ she said.

Abagi, however, said that observations showed gaps in procurement processes in spite of some progress, with abandoned and poorly executed projects.

She, therefore, called for transparency and accountability in government procurement to prevent project duplication and ensure contractor accountability.

The chief executive officer also urged the government to lead in procurement processes, open government partnerships and open contracting and funding to build capacity for managing procurement portals.

Also speaking, the Advocacy Officer, West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, Mr Austin Aigbe, said that corruption was the greatest challenge to the Nigerian state, with procurement being a significant loophole.

Aigbe underscored the importance of citizens’ participation in holding the government accountable for procurement fraud.

He said that eradicating procurement fraud would result in significant savings for the country.

The advocacy officer particularly cited the example of vehicle procurement where funds were repeatedly allocated but not used, leading to repeated expenditures.

According to him, procurement fraud ultimately leads to suffering by members of the public, as funds intended for public projects are diverted.

Aigbe, therefore, called on Nigerians to actively follow the procurement process and hold the government accountable through the PPDC strategy and online portals. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

General News

Enact whistleblowing law, CSOs task executive, legislature

129 total views today

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on the executive and the legislative arms of government to push for the enactment of a whistleblowing law, to strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.

The CSOs – African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) and Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at a one-day capacity development workshop on public interest disclosure and accountability.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised in partnership with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Dr Chido Onumah, Coordinator, AFRICMIL, said the call for a whistleblowing law had become expedient considering the increasing level of corruption in the society, especially in the public service.

“Our goal is to support the government to produce citizens who embrace whistleblowing as a permanent transformative culture and use it to expose corrupt practices and other illegalities that are harmful to public interest,” he said.

Onumah said that they were already working with different partners in the six geo-political zones of the country to ensure that the goal of enacting a whistleblowing law was achieved.

“We are now working with MDAs to get them up to speed with the whistleblowing policy of the Nigerian government that was introduced in December 2016.

“So much happened between when that policy was introduced and today; we don’t have a whistleblower law and a lot of whistleblowers face retaliation when they make public interest disclosures in their MDAs.

“So we are here to have a robust conversation with the MDAs and get them acquainted with what the policy is all about, and what it requires to push the campaign for a whistleblower legislation.

“If we have a law, civil servants who report irregularities and corruption in the public service will be protected, and this is a conversation on the future of whistleblowing in the country,” Onumah said.

According to Onumah, the biggest incentive to people speaking out (whistleblowing), is the law.

“We did a survey five years ago, to know why the zeal people have in speaking up dropped, after huge disclosures, when whistleblowing was introduced, we discovered that the more people reported, the more they faced retaliation in their offices.

“So, people felt that self interest was the most important thing; they won’t want to report wrongdoing and then get punished for that.

“I think that the way to go is to have a whistleblower law in the country, so that people are protected and confident to speak up, so that they don’t get sacked when they see something and say something.

“If you don’t provide security for whistleblowers, nobody will stick out their neck to report anything,” he added.

He regretted that out of about 500 MDAs in the country, only about 20 have whistleblowing policies.

Mr Abdul Mahmud, President, Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), urged MDAs to set up a whistleblowing desk, for workers to make disclosures.

He called for stiffer punishments of anyone who retaliated against any worker who made disclosures against any corrupt individual.

“We have seen people who see things and publish them online, and they become victims of cyber-stalking.

“We are dealing with massive public thievery of our resources, and it is good that we reform the institutional framework of the state, but if we do not reform ourselves, there is little or no result that we can achieve,” Mahmud said.

Earlier, Mr Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General, BPSR, said that the call for a legislation for a whistleblowing law underscored their commitment to entrenching transparency, accountability and good governance within the public sector.

Arabi said that the workshop was convened pursuant to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011, a landmark legislation that empowered citizens, promoted openness in governance and ensured access to public information.

“BPSR has over the years played a pivotal role in promoting transparency and accountability within the public sector.

“However, we recognise that in spite of the progress made, challenges persists in the full realisation of the FOI Act.

“Public interest disclosure is a crucial element in the fight against corruption and maladministration. It empowers public servants and citizens alike to expose unethical practices and mismanagement without fear of reprisals.

“As such, fostering a safe and enabling environment for whistleblowers, backed by appropriate legal framework, is imperative,” Arabi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

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