By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick

Practicing journalists in the country have been called upon to lead the campaign in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

The Executive Director and Project Team Leader of Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre, (WAMAC), Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris made the call on Friday in Abuja at a three day project review meeting and training workshop on investigative journalism for anti corruption and accountability using local languages.

Idris described corruption as a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigeria society, adding that, workshops is aimed at reviewing the success recorded in the fight against corruption and it’s impacts in the society.

Throwing more light on the negative impacts of corruption, the WAMAC Executive Director argued that, there are different categories of corruption which includes collecting bribes, diversions and manipulations, failures to complete projects, moral corruption among others.

According to him, Nigeria is surrounded with mis-governance at various level, adding that, the nations democracy is under threat as leaders who are occupying various positions are there to enrich themselves without considering the plight of the masses.

He reiterated the need for journalist not to relent in the fight against corruption as stipulated in section 22 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which allows journalist to hold public office holder accountable.

Idris explained that the plight of the masses should always be a key priority for any government in power, just as he laments that many Nigerians have lot their lives due to bad governance.

” We are really worried with the way corruption is growing on daily basis here Nigeria. If we fail to kill corruption now, it will kill all of us one day. When corruption continues to strive in the country, it will bring about retarded democracy and under development.

“It is time for journalists to rise up to the occasion and lead this campaign. We can no longer continue with this menace which is killing our nations development. When we sustain this fight against corruption, we should be rest assured that Nigeria as a nation will grow to the point of our dream” he added.

Grace 95.5FM news Lokoja, Kogi State reports that, participants were drawn from Kogi, Lagos, Ekiti, Rivers, Adamawa, Borno, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Kwara, Enugu, and Niger State.

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  Corruption, Nigerian Journalists, Wadata Media and Advocacy Center, Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris