Committed to building capacities of journalists particularly in the effective reporting of economic and financial crimes in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has organised a training programme for Kaduna based journalists.
The training which was held at their Kaduna zonal office with no fewer than 30 journalists drawn from the print and electronic medium was on effective reporting of economic and financial crimes.
Acting executive chairman of the commission, Abdulkarim Chukkol, described the media as an important stakeholder in the anti- corruption fight which has always been a bulwark, stressing that the training was also an opportunity to reinforce collective strength through collaboration to achieve socially beneficial objectives.
Represented by the Kaduna acting zonal commander, ACEI Aisha Abubakar, Chukkol said for them in the EFCC, the traditional roles of the media to inform, educate and entertain are dear to them, roles he said had become the defining yardstick of measuring the quality of governance, effectiveness of public policies and the relevance of institutions to society.
“Against the background, I can be permitted to refer to the media as the “social bishop” of the society through its crusading, oversight and agenda-setting works.
“All over the world, the watchdog role of the media has been helpful for transparent and accountable governance. The analytical lens of the media has been helpful in reducing, if not eliminating, impunity from the society.
“In the particular instance of the EFCC, the media has proven to be a valuable stakeholder and partner in the delicate task of improving public accountability across all tiers of government and the private sector.
“There is no denying the fact that through your diligent reporting, the world is kept abreast of the commission’s impressive records of convictions, asset forfeitures and other tangible proofs of accomplishments.
“It is in appreciation of this complementary role of the media that the commission commenced a workshop on economic and financial crimes reporting for journalists in 2022.
“The train of the workshop has been moving across the zonal commands of the commission and I am glad our colleagues in Kaduna are now having their own share of the training today. It is my hope that we will all make the most of this engagement,” he stated.
He said the effects of economic and financial crimes on individuals, institutions and nations cannot be overemphasised, adding that the rising cases of internet- related crimes in the Kaduna environment was worrisome.
“I charge the media to beam more searchlights on this menace by providing the public with requisite information to escape the antics of these criminals. Youths also need to be sensitised on the implications of indulging in internet crimes. We are often stressing the point that unemployment and economic challenges should not be excuses for any form of criminality. Besides, the internet offers great prospects of legitimate earnings for those who are resourceful,” he added.
Nasiru Salele, Esq. Head, Legal and Prosecution Department, EFCC Kaduna Command took the participants on challenges of prosecuting economic and financial crimes in Nigeria, while Nurudeen Bello spoke on Cyber crime, current trends, perculiarities and challenges if enforcement in Nigeria, among others.
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