The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has urged patriotic Nigerians not to hesitate in reporting wrongdoings in both public and private sectors, disclosing that it’s an extension of citizens’ right to freedom of expression.

The Coordinator of AFRICMIL, Chido Onumah, stated this in his
welcome address at a one-day town hall meeting with the theme,
‘Strengthening the Whistle Blowing Policy Implementation Through
Whistleblower Protection,’ held, at the weekend, in Calabar.

The event, which was supported by MacArthur Foundation and Cross
River Watch and Policy Alert, attracted journalists across the print and
electronic media, as well as Civil Society Organisation practitioners.

According to Onumah, who assured potential whistleblowers of
adequate protection in the face of any persecution, said the mandate to
report every wrongdoing is linked to the principles of transparency and
integrity.

He said: “One of the things we let citizens know in our public
education activity is that their right to report wrongdoing is an
extension of the freedom of expression, which is linked to the
principles of transparency and integrity.

“To that extent, AFRICMIL is encouraging our compatriots to make
disclosures on fraud, corruption, theft, mismanagement of public
resources and wrongdoing that negatively impact society. We assure them
of protection when they face retaliation for doing so.”