Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa and Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, at the weekend, led other dignitaries who spoke at the 2-day Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) Workshop on investigative and Solutions Journalism held in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Street Reporters Newspaper reports that at the event, Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa cautioned journalists against media trial to avoid jeopardizing anti-corruption efforts of the agency.

Abdulrasheed Bawa made the call while speaking during the 2-Day Workshop on Investigative and Solutions Journalism in the Digital Age organised as a refresher course by the NGIJ for its members nationwide.

Represented by Deputy Head of Lagos Zonal Office, Emeka Okonjo, Bawa also called for a revival of investigative practices among journalists with a view to unraveling deep layered corruption cases and strenthening collaborations towards sustaining the ongoing anti-graft efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

Bawa therefore expressed the agency’s readiness to partner the NGIJ in area of sensitisation and reportage of ongoing trial, noting that investigative journalists have a great role to play in the war against corruption in the country.

The EFCC chairman also clarified that the call for declaration of assets by bankers is an age long law which the agency will implement to strengthen anti graft efforts in the country.

According to the EFCC Chairman, “the law is not a new law and EFCC will ensure every banker complies before the deadline, as “this will help monitor insider related funds, property trends and prevent money laundering.”

On Friday, award winning investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo shared his experience with NGIJ members drawn from Lagos, Abuja, Kwara, Ogun and Oyo states.

Fisayo Soyombo revealed that his passion for social change, justice and equity in the society spurred him to embrace investigative journalism despite the hazard.

On Saturday, other facilitators at the event including HEDA Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, Financial Analyst and Communicator, Dapo Daramola and Barrister Ayo Odukale of Ayo Odukale Chambers delved into media laws, FOI Act, Whsitleblowing policy and other relevant laws guiding and related to media practice in Nigeria.

Mass communication scholars, Emmanuel Osideko and Oba Adeoye of Journalism in Nigeria also anchored various sessions with the participants on wide range of areas including solutions journalism, modern media techniques for multiplatforms, media branding and digital media entrepreneurship.

In his remark, NGIJ President, Ayoyemi Mojoyinola said the workshop was designed to further enhance efficiency for members and refresh their skills and competencies towards achieving guild’s mission of promoting good governance, accountability and transparency in the country through promotion and practice of investigative journalism with excellence.

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, President TeamNigeria4Change, Bestman Nze-Jumbo, UBA Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Tunde Nasir Ramon, Polaris Bank Corporate Affairs Head, Rasheed Bolarinwa and other dignitaries also highlighted the roles of the media and gave goodwill messages during the maiden Workshop of NGIJ.

Speaking on insecurity in the country, the Kogi State Governor, Chief Edward Onoja noted that Governor Yahaya Bello administration has prioritised security and does not give criminal elements a field day to operate.

He said, “it is not that these criminals and kidnappers are not around, but we don’t let them have a field day. And because of that, when business is not thriving, you’ll relocate.

He added that “In Kogi State, even though we face this insecurity, government, the security agencies and the people in the community, especially hunters and the vigilantes, help a great deal in helping that business is not profitable for these criminals.”

StreetReporters.ng

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