Media a powerful panacea for Anti- Corruption campaigns in Jigawa – PCACC boss

From Mika’il Tsoho

The Chairman, Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Barrister Salisu Abdu has observed that media has critical role to play for the success of the commission anti-corruption campaigns.

This was contained in a statement signed by the head of education and public relations department Yusuf Sulaiman and made it available to news men.

The Chairman made the observation when he paid a courtesy visit to the management of Radio Jigawa, Freedom Radio and Horizon FM in Dutse.

Barrister Salisu Abdu disclosed that the visit to all radio stations operating in Jigawa State was to explore areas of collaborations as critical stakeholders for the commission’s fight against corruption.

According to the chairman, their media stations will serve as vehicle through which the commission can reach out to many people of the state for enlightenment campaigns on the implication and consequences of engaging in corrupt practices, this, he said was part the commission’s strategy of prevention corruption before it occur.

In his word “one of the strategy of the commission was engaging in rigorous public enlightenment and education on the dangers of corruption as way of prevention of the menace in the society”

” The critical areas may be education and awareness through your various medium, to educate people on dangers of corruption, its implication and consequences and that is one area that we will want relate you”

“I believe if our activities are carried along to members of the public by the media, it would be easier for us to do our Job” Chairman emphasized.

The Chairman who was accompanied by the management of the commission gave a brief background on the commission history of the commission which to him was established by Public Complaint and Anti- Corruption Law no. 1, 2022 and Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi inaugurated the commission in February, 2024 with mandate of fighting corruption and financial crime in Jigawa State.

He further said, it was part of the commission’s duties also to initiate investigations and prosecute any corrupt related offences, as well as receive complaints on civil cases from individuals or group and mediates in accordance of the law.

He, however stressed that this huge responsibility cannot be achieved without the support media through which people would sensitized agency’s existence and how they can approach the commission with their complaints free -of -charge on any matter that they are aggrieved.

The Chairman, therefore seek support of various media organisations especially radio stations in achieving the objectives of a corrupt-free state.

He further stated that the commission is open to suggestions that would help its discharging onerous responsibility.

The chairman also use the opportunity to assured the general public who wish divulge information of corrupt practices in any government agency of confidentiality.

In their separate remarks, the managing Director of Radio Jigawa Alh Yusuf Adamu Babura, Station Manager Freedom Radio, Station Manager of Freedom.Radio Alh Ali Aminu Falaki, and Acting Managing Director Horizon FM, Alh. Isa Uzairu Madobi assured the Chairman of their support.

They said the ready to support the commission in achieving its mandate of fighting corruption in Jigawa State.

“One critical aspect that made any government to succeed is by ensuring accountability and transparency in its activities and PCACC is veritable tool of ensuring any government official play by rule”.

They maintained that all hand must be on deck in ensuring a corrupt- free society promising of free airtime for the commission to publicize its activities.