Groups advocates protection for whistleblowers

By Diana Omueza

Yhe African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has emphasised the need to protect informants to maintain a functional whistleblowing system in Nigeria.

Dr Chido Onumah, AFRICMIL Coordinator, made this call at the National Conference on Whistleblowing, Corruption, and Human Rights on Thursday in Abuja.

The conference, themed “Amplifying Whistleblowing to Reduce Corruption and Protect Human Rights,” was organised in collaboration with Amnesty International Nigeria.

Onumah stressed that a legal framework was crucial to empower informants to report wrongdoing without fear of victimisation.

He noted that whistleblowers have the right and duty to report corruption, as enshrined in Article 33 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

He, however, said that instead of recognition, they face reprisals, including dismissal, threats, and physical violence.

“AFRICMIL has been working to promote media and information literacy, democracy, and good governance in Nigeria since 2011.

“The organisation has received grants to support reforms and institutionalise whistleblower policies in Nigeria and West Africa.

Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, emphasised the importance of protecting whistleblowers, stating that their efforts to expose corruption and misconduct should not be undermined.

Represented by Mr Kabiru Aliyu, a senior officer of the commission, Ojukwu highlighted the need for a protective law to empower citizens to participate in public affairs, decision-making, and demand government accountability.

He commended whistleblowers who have exposed corruption and advocated for increased awareness campaigns to shift societal attitudes and negative perceptions on whistleblowing.

Keynote speaker Mr Maxwell Kadiri stressed the importance of companies having whistleblowing policies and disclosing them to employees, stakeholders, contractors, and the general public.

Mr Emmanuel Shall, Project Manager of the Project to Protect Whistle-blowers in Africa, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding whistleblowers across the continent and supporting Nigerian organisations in combating corruption.

Mrs Barbara Magaji, Programme Manager of Amnesty International, underscored the need to incorporate all aspects of human rights into the framework for protecting whistleblowers, citing the direct impact of corruption on human rights. (NAN)