Kaduna: EFCC Seeks Collaboration With Media … Says, Journalists Key In Fighting Corruption
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, North-West, Nigeria
The new leadership of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Kaduna was at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat (NUJ) Kaduna on Monday, 24th, August, 2020 together with his team for a familirazation visit.
According to the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) EFCC Kaduna Zonal head, Sanusi Abdullahi, the visit was meant to further cement the existing relationship between the Commission and the Media.
The media he said is important in ensuring the commission’s success.
He appreciated the efforts of Kaduna journalists for covering their activities while urging that they continue to support the commission in their course in fighting corruption.
“We need to cement our relationship so that we can forge ahead and NUJ is our first place we are visiting and that is to show the importance we attach to the union.
“We came to formally introduce my self and new leadership of EFCC.
We are here to make ourselves familiar with the new leadership of the house so that you can know us, we know you.
“We can do some many things in EFCC but not without the press. Journalists are very important.
“We sincerely appreciate your efforts, your kind support and we look forward for more support so that we can move the commission forward in fighting corruptions and crimes.
Responding, the Council Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Adamu Yusuf assured the commission of maximum support.
Nigeria Union of Journalists Kaduna and EFCC are partners in progress he said and that the Union has representatives from various media organizations who will give the comission maximum support. Many he said have shown interest in covering EFCC activities and NUJ is working towards creating a platform to that effect.
“I want to assure you that NUJ Kaduna will give you maximum support. We are partners in progress and we will continue to give you that support.
Lamenting on the issue of corruption, Comrade Adamu said corruption is not limited to the offices of political holders alone. He called on the EFCC to look into media organizations because many are guilty of corruption as most of them do not pay their staff.
“Most of the owners of media organizations who employ our members are not paying them. Most of them are given ID cards to serve as meal ticket. We are pleading that EFCC help in looking towards that direction for it will help a lot. Doing that will give our profession a face lift.” He added.
Still speaking, he called on the commission to look into 2 cases of fraud that are before the commission which were brought to the notice of the media. Both cases are still pending at the commission.
The first being a case of a footballer whose account of over one million naira was emptied and that which involves a group of youth from Zamfara state who were duped the sum of N500,000 in the name of securing jobs for them.
In his speech, Adamu commended the Head of communication, EFCC, Hajiya Zainab whom he said have been able to facilitate a robust relationship with the press.
Contributing, the EFCC legal adviser, Deborah Adamu-Ette in her appeal called on journalists to assist in covering legal proceedings in the court saying, the EFCC having theirs not withstanding, she maintained that NUJ will give the commission a wider coverage.
