…as PRIMORG Narrates Challenge of Corruption, Integrity Deficit
By Charles Ebi
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN, has called on Civil Social organizations (CSOs) in the Country to embrace and utilize social media platforms to raise awareness and educate citizens in the fight against corruption and to promote integrity.
The ICPC Chairman made this appeal during a goodwill message delivered at a one-day project dissemination meeting focused on the “Tackling Corruption On Air and on Social Media” organized by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) held in Abuja.
Dr. Aliyu who was represented by the Acting Director of the PE&E department, Mr. Demola Bakare, fsi, highlighted ICPC’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and private sector, to foster a transparent and accountable environment.
According to the ICPC boss addressing the challenge of corruption confronting the nation requires a comprehensive approach involving all relevant parties without exception.
He commended PRIMORG’s enthusiasm for using social media and technology to ensure public resources are utilized effectively and efficiently stressing that “In an era where information spreads rapidly through social media, we must harness these tools to raise awareness, educate citizens, and foster a culture of accountability,”.
The Chairman extended his heartfelt congratulations to PRIMORG for their remarkable achievements over the years and urged everyone to consider how they can enhance their support and implement these insights within their capacities.
PRIMORG’s Executive Director, Mr. Augustin Okhiria, expressed gratitude to the media houses for their support, which has enabled PRIMORG to perform its duties effectively.
Mr. Okhiria also thanked relevant stakeholders for their ongoing support and called for continued collaboration in the future.
It is worth noting that the problem of corruption and the dearth of integrity in Nigerian society are undoubtedly some of the major hindrances to national development since independence.
Regrettably, corruption runs through every level of the Nigerian government. From considerable contract fraud at the top through petty bribery, money laundering schemes, embezzlement, and ghost workers’ syndrome.
It is, however, estimated that corruption within the state apparatus costs the country billions of dollars annually.
Worried by the debilitating effect of fraud and the fast diminishing public integrity quotient, the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, a non-governmental organization based in Nigeria, was founded to mobilize citizens’ participation in good governance, promote uncommon integrity by public and private individuals and hold leaders to account.
With support from the MacArthur Foundation, PRIMORG, in the last three years (2021 – 2024), ran a project titled “Strengthening Anti-Corruption And Accountability By Amplifying Corruption-Related Investigative Reports On Radio And Through Social Media.”
The project was implemented around Nigeria’s North-Central Zone and executed through anti-corruption radio programs: Public Conscience on Radio (PCR) and Radio Town Hall Meeting (RTHM), where issues of corruption reported by the media houses are raised and the authorities called to action.
The team produced 123 live radio programmes and syndicated 369 episodes and another 492 repeat broadcasts by five radio stations in Abuja, FCT; Keffi, Nasarawa State; Ilorin, Kwara State; and Jos, Plateau State.
PRIMORG tracked constituency Projects and held community meetings in the form of Radio Town Hall Meetings in FCT-Abuja, Lokoja in Kogi State, and Keffi in Nasarawa State.
Nigerians could also voice their opinions through our Vox pop series “Voices Against Corruption.” In the period under review, the PRIMORG Team took a wide range of issues to the streets of Nigeria to feel the pulse of citizens on governance, corruption, and national development.
The project’s impact is evident in the improved participation of citizens in democratic processes, exchange of insights, and reactions from the government and anti-graft agencies.
We provided insights and knowledge to rural and underserved communities through our constituency project tracking. This exercise not only provided the team with the opportunity to track and evaluate the implementation of constituency projects but also sensitized beneficiaries on the need to get involved during the needs assessment and implementation of projects in their constituencies, as well as to ensure that the projects are sustained and protected from vandalism.
In ensuring an all-inclusive approach, over sixty episodes of vox pops were produced, and in so doing, we gathered perspectives of Nigerians on topical development issues, ensuring a diverse range of voices were heard.
Despite the challenges in the polity, PRIMORG successfully engaged and sensitized over 10 million Nigerians through our radio and social media engagements, constituency project tracking, and on-the-street engagements.
