ICPC Rallies Media as Strategic Partners to Expose Corruption

ICPC Rallies Media as strategic partners to Expose Corruption

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has issued a clarion call to Nigerian journalists, urging them to embrace their role as frontline partners in the fight against corruption.

He said the above during the Seplat Energy Journalists Development Workshop on “The Fight Against Corruption and Relevant Legal Frameworks,” held at The Sojourner Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.

The ICPC Chairman, represented by Mr Alexander Chukwurah, fsi, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) Lagos, described journalists as “first responders” in exposing corruption, stating that without an informed and ethical press, anti-corruption efforts would be significantly weakened.

Mr Chukwurah said, “Corruption thrives in silence, secrecy, and ignorance. Your voices have the power to shatter that silence,” emphasizing that the media is not just a watchdog but an indispensable partner in the fight against corruption.

The RACC commended Seplat Energy for its commitment to corporate social responsibility by supporting the professional development of journalists in such a strategic area.

Highlighting the Commission’s commitment to transparency and collaboration, the ICPC Chairman revealed that initiatives such as the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative and media parleys were designed to enhance civic engagement and public accountability.

He noted that “journalists are not distant observers but strategic allies,” adding that the Commission will continue to engage the media through capacity-building programs and ongoing cooperation.

Mr Chukwurah acknowledged journalists’ significant risks and challenges, from safety concerns and limited access to information to legal hurdles and financial constraints. He encouraged using digital tools like artificial intelligence and the Freedom of Information Act as critical resources in investigative journalism.

The RACC concluded by affirming that Nigeria is making steady progress in the fight against corruption, citing growing public awareness, increased inter-agency collaboration, and the strategic role of the media as catalysts for change.

“We are winning this war. But to win decisively, we must continue to work together and make sure there is no safe space for corruption.”

Journalists from various media houses were in attendance.