PRIMORG Unveils Project Report dissemination on Exposing Corruption in Nigeria 

… Applauds Media for maximum cooperation

Oru Leonard 

The Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG), on Thursday presented a report titled: “Tackling Corruption On Air and On Social Media: The Challenge of Corruption and Integrity Deficit in Nigeria 2021 – 2024”

The three-year project sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, which was initiated to address issues of accountability and transparency at the national and sub-national levels.

In his welcome address, Augustine Agbonsuremi, PRIMORG’s executive director shared salient points in the report noting that the organisation tracked constituency projects in the form of radio town hall meetings in Abuja, Nasarawa, and Kogi.

He said, “In implementing this project, PRIMORG built bridges of collaborations and partnerships across the media, CSOs, anti-corruption agencies, and government departments.

“PRIMORG produced 123 live radio programmes and syndicated 369 episodes and another 492 repeat broadcasts in five radio stations in the north central region.”

Agbonsuremi disclosed that one of the investigative projects amplified by the organisation was TheCable’s report that exposed the poor working conditions of factory workers in Lagos.

The first part investigated the condition of Matthew Eworo, a 29-year-old worker whose hand was stuck in the base of an active mixer while on a night shift at Monaplex Plastic Industries in Lagos on August 31.

The story exposed the company’s failure to provide protective and safety measures to its workers.

Agbonsuremi also said the project also ensured that visibility was granted to stories that highlighted issues affecting vulnerable populations such as women and children, and persons living with disabilities

Speaking Kole Shettima, Director of the MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria, said the foundation’s push for public accountability in the country aims to improve the living standards of the general populace.

Shettima stressed that Accountability Journalism needs to be supported because some of these reports can take several months and a number of collaborations. We know that media organisations on their own may not have such resources.

“That is why we think that giving them additional resources to do what they actually do is one way to make sure that our country is much better”, he added.

Also speaking, Director Public Enlightenment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Demola Bakare, commended PRIMORG for remaining focused and dedicated in its accountability drive towards ensuring a better society.

Professor Magdalene Igbolo, a lecturer with the University of Abuja in a keynote address condemned with an illustration, the abuse of office/position by individuals and organisations in the country and emphasised that the constitution of any nation should be the guiding principle in the day-to-day activities.

She listed money laundering, bribery, nepotism among others as factors mitigating against anti-corruption fight in Nigeria, “The whole anti-corruption crusade lacks sincerity, commitment… all we do is just to do because others are doing.

“Since early 2000s when EFCC and ICPC were established, no real progress has been made. It’s all about having agencies in existence, no country experiences meaningful development with such approach.

“That is why organisations like PRIMORG and similar organisations are trying to play the advocacy role, create awareness using the radio, television and other platforms and they need all the support”, Prof Igbolo said.

PRIMORG is a non-governmental/non-profit organization supported by the MacArthur Foundation to implement the project: ‘Strengthening Anti-Corruption and Accountability by Amplifying Corruption Related Investigative Reports on the Radio and Through Social Media.’
It’s been a successful three-year active citizen mobilization and engagement in exposing corruption and sharing stories of accountability and integrity through the radio and social media in collaboration with several organizations and stakeholders.