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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The Kogi State Government has vowed to clamp down on all the cartels behind the use of under aged girls for prostitution and sex slavery in Lokoja Local Government Area of the State.

A recent investigation conducted by
Wadata Media and Advocacy Center, Abuja, revealed that some girls were trafficked from the northern part of the country such as
Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto, Bauchi, and other neighbouring countries like Chad, Niger republic into Kasuwan-ruwa, a suburb of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital for prostitution.

It was reliably gathered that, in Kasuwan-ruwa, during the day, traders converge to sell yam, but at night it is otherwise.

More worrisome is that, the man who was alleged to be behind the trafficking of this girls identified as small lusher( not real name) gets the lion share from the girls after selling their bodies to customers who patronize them at night.

Further findings revealed that that the girls are either convinced to relocate to Lokoja with the hopes that they will get jobs as promised by their master (Small Lusher) but later end up becoming a prostitute and sex slave.

While residents of the community have continued to point fingers at some security agencies for aiding and abating this illegal business which according to them has exposed the girl child to insecurities, psychological trauma, diseases after sleeping with men, it was also learnt that some of this girls get pregnant on regular basis and late gave birth, while those who could not carry the baby are compel to do abortion.

Looking at the lucrative nature of his illicit business, the suspect according to Wadata Media investigation decided to open another branch of his business at
Saban zango less than one kilometer to kabba junction, within Okene-Lokoja-Abuja high way.

Reacting to the discoveries, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Hon Hajiya ( Mrs) Fatima Kabir Buba said all the perpetuators of this crime will be brought to book.

She describe the crime as heinous, adding that the government is not aware that such cartel is operating in the state which is against the provision of the child right act.

While explaining further that the act is appalling, Hajia Buba noted that the Kogi State Government under Alhaji Yahaya Bello will not condole any act of human trafficking or sexual exploitations in the state.

” This government under Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has leaved no stone unturned to protect the girl child and women in the state. We won’t allow any disgruntled element to come here and sabotage the effort of his excellency.

“This is to total wickedness. How will someone who has conscience carry out such a heinous crime like this? With this illicit business, this girls will be denied the right to education, they would be expose to all manners of dangers and diseases.

” Am assuring the general public that this matter will not be swept under the carpet and will be investigated to a logical conclusion. Whoever that is behind this, no matter how highly placed in the society, must face the full wrath of the law. Kogi State is not a safe haven for criminals, teenage prostitutions, or sex slavery of any kind” She averred.

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