By Akpan David, Calabar
BudgIT Foundation with supports from Oxfam Nigeria, has raised the alarm at the level of corruption in the extractive sub-sector of the economy.
They have, as a result, called on journalists to utilise data and infographics to tell stories of corruption in the country.
At a training workshop held in Calabar for journalists, they urged journalists to be committed to enhancing conversations within the civic space on the issue.
The one-day Investigative Journalism workshop was on “the Need to Follow Up Corrupt – Rooted Procurement Related Cases and Develop Content for Writing Their Stories.”
The Senior Media and head, Communication Design, Mr. Kehinde Agbaje explained that the objective of the workshop was to “promote citizens’ participation in contracting data disclosure vis-a-vis improving transparency in public procurement processes.”
According to him, due to the importance attached to the issue in the sub-sector,
Agbaje explained that BudgIT was expanding its training to about 5,000 journalists in Nigeria.
“Over the next five years, we intend to train 5,000 journalists. They need to understand what their roles are in regards to nation building and not allow themselves to be swayed by the smooth talks of politicians.
“Journalists should know that we would not have a Nigeria if they do not hold public office holders to account. Whenever a government is transparent, they build trust with citizens.”
On their parts, the journalists canvassed supports and freedom to enable them report the extractive industry.
They called for provision of adequate safety measures to enhance reportage of investigative stories without fear or favor.
The participants expressed happiness at the training and knowledge of the infographics, agreeing that it is the best forms of visualization when reporting qualitative data.
According to them, “training and retraining of journalists on Investigation and content writing should be organized regularly to update us on the modern trends”.
Media practitioners further agreed that the amount allocated for maintenance of refineries should be channeled towards the construction of new refineries to further advance the nations socio-economic prospect.
