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Group urges Tinubu to sign whistleblower protection bill into law
Group urges Tinubu to sign whistleblower protection bill into law
The Coordinator of the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy, Dr Chido Onumah, has called on President Bola Tinubu to quicken the passage of the whistleblower protection bill and ensure it is signed into law.
Onumah said passage of the bill will ensure the protection of whistleblowers which is crucial to the success of whistleblowing policy implementation and the fight against corruption.
He stated these in Awka, on Friday, during a one-day review meeting and step-down training on strengthening the capacity of community-based organisations on whistleblowing and whistleblower protection.
The event, themed, ‘Sharing impact by community-based organisations on the promotion of whistleblowing policy in Anambra State’, was aimed at interacting with critical stakeholders on the framework of the whistleblowing policy and strengthening the capacity of CBOs towards the policy.
Onumah, represented at the event by the Senior Programme Officer of the organisation, Ugwu Nkechi, said the group had made progress by ensuring the approval of the bill by the Federal Executive Council last December, stressing that it was already working with partners to ensure the enactment of the law as quickly as possible.
He said the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari did not pass the whistleblowing protection draft bill into law before the expiration of the tenure.
He said, “As you all are aware, protection of whistleblowers is crucial to the success of whistleblowing policy implementation. Unfortunately, there is no law yet to back the policy.
“But we are no longer where we were when we came here for the town hall meeting and the step-down training. We have made progress by ensuring the bill was approved by the Federal Executive Council last December.
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“We are already working with partners to ensure the enactment of the law as quickly as possible.”
The State Resident, Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Independent Corruption Practices Commission, Mr Godwin Oche, said the Commission had deployed the whistleblowing tool in recovering various sums of money and properties, including vehicles.
Oche regretted that the commission had faced challenges in terms of false information which led to the prosecution of the whistle-blower.
He affirmed that the commission had also offered protection to some of the whistle-blowers that have come under attack from the people and agencies indicted.
“Fighting corruption in a developing nation like Nigeria remains a work in progress. The ubiquitous litanies of woes of corruption on our moral, socio-economic, and national development are very alarming.
“It, therefore, requires joint efforts of state and non-state actors to reduce corruption in Nigeria to the barest minimum and birth a country of our dream,” he added.
On his part, the Chairman of the Anambra Civil Society Network, Prince Chris Azor, noted that corruption simply means “misappropriation of our commonwealth”, pointing out that it remains the right of citizens to hold their leaders, accountable at all times.
“We are proud to note that Community Based Organizations have been monitoring projects at their localities and these steps have been yielding dividends,” he noted.
Group urges Tinubu to sign whistleblower protection bill into law
Headlines
FRSC warns truck drivers against speeding, reckless driving
Mr Joshua Ibitomi, the Area Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),
Ibeju-Lekki, Epe Division, Lagos State, has warned truck drivers against speeding and reckless driving.
He gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeju-Lekki on Tuesday.
The FRSC official, who blamed speeding on the ghastly vehicle accident that occurred at Aiyetoro market in Epe
which claimed several lives and left some injured, said that with careful driving, such accident could be avoided.
He added that “the accident was as a result of speeding, reckless driving and loading of truck beyond its capacity.
“All these are factors responsible for accident when drivers are not conscious of the driving rules.
“Vehicle can develop technical fault at any time, therefore, speed limit and caution need to be applied while driving.”
He said FRSC had been sensitising drivers on the need to install speed limit device and be road conscious while driving, in line with the mandate to instill decent use of road.
Ibitomi also advised passers-by and the public to be safety conscious while walking on roadsides to avoid falling victim of accidents.
He attributed major road crashes on roads to speed limit violation, urging drivers to respect the sanctity of human life by obeying traffic rules.
He added that the FRSC had evolved measures to ensure accident-free yuletide and new year festivities in 2024
Headlines
Trump Victory Sparks Celebration in Florida, Disappointment for Harris Supporters
Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.
At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”
“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.
“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.
In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.
As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.
“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.
Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”
While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.
“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.
The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.
Headlines
Tinubu Congratulates Trump on Historic Re-Election, Eyes Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Ties
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.
The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.
Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.
Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”
The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.
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