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Whistleblowing: Make Public What Recovered Looted Funds Are Used For, CSOs Tell FG

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2022

Editor

Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and officials in the Ministries, Departments and Government Agencies, MDAs, have urged the Federal Government and other policy makers to ensure that all recoveries of looted funds and what they were used for are made public by publishing them on whistleblower portal/website.

The CSOs and other professionals who formed the participants at the Zonal Conference on Whistleblower Policy in Nigeria for the South-South Zone held at Ibom Hall Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital urged the Federal government to go beyond giving financial rewards to whistle blowers and offer them instant job placements, certificate of commendation as well as national honours.

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the three day conference with the theme”Implementation of the Whistle Blower Policy in Nigeria:Issues, Challenges, and Way Forward.”

The participants called for adequate protection for whistle blowers in the country,and urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the whistle blower bill into law.

The communique reads in part, “The policy makers should ensure that the use to which recovered looted funds are put be made public; should incorporate other incentives for the Whistle Blower beyond the financial rewards, such as National Honours, Letter of commendations and automatic jobs; that the Whistle Blower Policy should be reformed, redesigned and reframed to make it more effective;

“That the National Assembly should as a matter of urgency expedite action on the passage of the Whistle Blower Bill into law; that adequate protection should be provided for the Whistle Blowers and Witnesses in other to encourage more disclosures by the public. Special Courts should be established to handle corruption cases; and that the Whistle Blowing Policy should be extended to the organized private sector, banks, aviation and railway industries.”

The participant also recommended “that regular education and enlightenment of the general public on the Whistle Blower Policy should be replicated and intensified at the state and local government levels through both traditional and conventional information dissemination channels such as social media, prints, news media, jingles, road shows, village meetings or squares, market visits etc.

They, however, recommended that States should consider the creation of a Whistle Blowing Units in the respective states to handle Whistle Blowing issues and that the prosecution of corrupt individuals be concluded in time and made public”.

The participants, however, commended the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for organizing the Zonal Conference which they described as apt and timely.

They also commended the Akwa State Government in particular and the South-South States in general for their support in making the Conference a huge success.

News

We’ve Earmarked N1bn Naira Monthly To Feed Edo People – Obaseki

Published

41 mins ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says his administration has earmarked nothing less than N1bn Naira monthly to feed vulnerable Christians in the state in the next three months.

This is as he said a similar programme has been mapped out for people in the Muslim faith in the state.

Obaseki disclosed this during the official flag-off of phase one of Edo State Food Support Programme also known as Christian Feeding Programme in Benin City.

The Governor, who said he was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day in the state, said he had to call Christian leaders in the state on how best to address the alarming situation.

Obaseki said in order not to make it look political, he decided not to involve political office holders, but Christian leaders in reaching out to vulnerable Christians in the state.

The Governor who added that the state government already had data of the vulnerable in the state database, said the means of reaching out to them maximally was the issue, hence using churches to reach out to them.

He said: “I was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day. So, I thought to myself how do we solve this problem. This is not politics I told myself.

“I then called the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some of the blockheads to a meeting and explained to them what I intended to do. So, that’s how we put our heads together to come up with this programme.”

Obaseki added: “I told them this is the amount of money I will be giving you every month. I’ll give you a billionaire monthly for three months first. At least, Let us try this for the first three months.”

The governor said the programme was not just to feed the vulnerable, but also together more data about people in the state on how the government can create employment for them and how the government can render help where necessary.

Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of the Organising Committee who also doubles as the Chairman, CAN,
Apostle Irekpono Omoike, while thanking the governor for the initiative, said 10kg of 60,000 bags of rice have been purchased for onward distribution to the three senatorial districts in the state.

According to him, 27,000 bags of the 10kg would be distributed to the seven local government areas in Edo South, 15 bags to Edo Central and 18 bags to Edo North.

Further giving the breakdown, Omoike said 3, 000 bags would be distributed to each local government across the 18 local government areas, summing upto 54,000 bags, while the remaining 6,000 bags would be distributed to churches not captured under CAN.

News

Ex-Delta Gov, Ibori Mourns Passing Of Former Minister, Gbagi

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has mourned the passing of former Minister of State for Education Chief Kenneth Gbagi.

Ibori, in his Facebook timeline wrote: “Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi. Abovwolovwolo. Atighoyowa. So long, May your soul rest in peace.”

Gbagi was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State.

The renowned criminologist, industrialist and senior lawyer died Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at the age of 62.

News

BREAKING: Former Minister Gbagi Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State, Olorogun Barr Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, is dead.

Gbagi, a former minister of Education and an industrialist died at the age of 62.

The Renowned Criminologist and senior lawyer died on Saturday, May 4th 2024.

A statement signed by his eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi on behalf of the Gbagi family, said: “It is with profound sadness but gratitude to God, that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother, Olorogun (Barr.) Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, FNIM, OON; Former Minister of Education, who departed this life on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62.

“We take comfort in the fond memories of his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the lives of countless individuals and communities.

“We kindly request your thoughts and prayers for our family during this challenging time of loss.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace”, the statement added.
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