AFRICMIL Sensitizes Kwara Community On Importance Of Whistleblowing
By Adedayo Said
The African Centre for media and information literacy (AFRICMIL) with the support of the John D and Catherine MacArthur Foundation has today commenced a step down training for community based organisations at the mini town hall at ojoku in Ilorin South Local Government Kwara State .
In his Welcome Address ,the Coordinator of African Center for Media and Information Literacy, Mr Chido Onumah ably represented by the program manager Kolawole Ogunbiyi declared that the theme of the day is community based organisations as a change agents in promoting whistleblowing .
He stated that combating corruption through early detection and exposure of mismanagement, bribery, fraud, theft of public funds and other illicit acts is an effective strategy in the fight against corruption wheras whistleblowing has proven to be the most direct method of exposing corrupt acts.
According to the Coordinator AFRICMIL the stepdown training will ensure the community based organization to have an ensuring presence in the communities ,while forming a formidable collaborator in disavowing the negative culture of silence and embracing the more rewarding attitude of speaking out in the face of anything that could potentially harm or endanger their environments.
He added that corruption thrives in multiple forms in the communities ,but most visibly in the misappropriation of funds and abandonment of projects that could bring development and meaningful turn around to the lives of the people .
Also speaking at the training ,the State Coordinator for national human rights Commission Kwara Chapter ,Barrister Jumoke Olaoye noted with high importance that the effect of silence on individual in the society cannot be underemphasized ,the community are encouraged to whistleblow any form of corruption especially as it affects human rights
Barrister Olaoye said it is worthy to note that corruption erodes human rights which typically leads to non accountability while the right to life can be taken away if silence is maintained ,She maintained that discrimination due to race culture should be totally exempted in the society ,she mentioned that the essence of the program is to sensitize the community to report any wrong doing to the appropriate quarters without any fear of stigmatization.
Further speaking ,the Cheif Executive Officer for Global World for Women and Children,Mrs Christie Abayomi Oluwole who are partnering with AFRICMIL disclosed vividly that when there are constituents projects anywhere,transparency a d objectivity should be imbibed to ensure ideal living like access to portable water,improved school facilities.
Mrs Oluwole attested that the essence of the program is also to assess or identify gaps that can affect the wellbeing of the people in community so as to ensure total wellbeing.
Responding from the community ,the Chairman Ojoku descendants progressive forum ,Mr Yusuf Olagunju made a plea to the government to enhance their roads from ojoku to Afon ,ensure better health equipments and facilities and provision of electricity supply.
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