The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has challenged media professionals across Nigeria to leverage their platforms to expose corrupt and fraudulent practices in all sectors of society.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement posted on its social media handles on Monday, said Olukoyede made the appeal at the 12th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) in Warri.
He emphasised the crucial role of the media in the fight against corruption and financial crimes.
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His remarks were delivered by Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Williams Oseghale, who heads the Public Affairs unit of the Benin Zonal Directorate.
Under the conference theme, “Corruption, Governance and Media in Nigeria,” Olukoyede commended the association for prioritising the critical issues of corruption, good governance, and the media.
He drew parallels between the present-day role of journalists and the historical contributions of media pioneers like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Anthony Enahoro, who used their platforms to fight colonialism and social injustice.
Similarly, he noted the media’s pivotal role in the struggle against military rule that led to the country’s democratic transition.
Olukoyede called on contemporary media practitioners to uphold this legacy, urging them to embrace investigative journalism to expose the activities of fraudsters and individuals who embezzle public funds.
He stated that the media fulfils its constitutional mandate as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm” by holding the government accountable to the people.
The EFCC chairman further asserted that defeating corruption and enthroning good governance is achievable if citizens, both individually and collectively, embrace accountability, transparency, and due process.
He encouraged media professionals to support the EFCC by disseminating accurate information and educating the public on the detrimental effects of corruption.
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In his own address, ACSPN President Professor Rotimi Olatunji highlighted the conference theme’s significance, noting that corruption erodes good governance, economic development, social justice, and public trust.
He acknowledged the challenges hindering the media’s effectiveness but expressed optimism that the conference would foster critical discussions and advance communication scholarship in Nigeria and globally.
