INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS, WHISTLEBLOWERS APPLAUD PPLAAF, AFRICMIL & HEDA ON A SUCCESSFUL TRAINING
By Olayiwola Ibrahim // Investigative journalists and whistleblowers are praising the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa PPLAAF, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy AFRICMIL, and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda HEDA for a successful training on financial crimes investigation techniques.
The training, held at Presken Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, was attended by representatives of media houses who were selected based on merit.
According to the Director of Investigations at PPLAAF, Mr. John Dell’ Osso, the training aimed to enhance the participants’ ability to identify mechanisms of corruption and illicit financial flows.
He emphasized the importance of faithfulness, professionalism, and safety in carrying out their duties as investigative journalists and whistleblowers.
The training also highlighted the need for a protection law to guide whistleblowers and investigative journalists in Nigeria.
Mr. Christian Locker, CEO and founder of the Museba Journalism Project, stressed that corruption can have severe impacts on citizens’ needs and economic development, making it essential to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes.
The participants were also reminded of the importance of verifying information, maintaining ethical standards, and reporting accurately.
Mr. Chido Onumah, coordinator of AFRICMIL, emphasized the need for consistent communication, prioritizing safety, and understanding the legal implications of their duties.
The Director of West African and Francophone PPLAAF, Mr Jimmy Kande while defining Whistleblowers as people who discloses an information about illegal activities, unlawful transactions, crimes against the intrest of the public by facilitating facts with a good mechanism used by people involved.
Jimmy campaigned that corruption has been part of people’s everyday life noting that it can be systematically but with different impacts.
He enjoins members of the public to abstain from corruption, money laundering, fraud and other illegal or illicit activities.
In conclusion, the selected media representatives while receiving certificate of participation in the three days training appreciated the Chairman HEDA Resources Centre, Mr Olanrewaju Suraj for his partnership towards the success of the training.
Adding that his fight for a good governance and climate change has proved a good impacts in the Country.
About Author
