By Kayode Abdulazeez
The residents of the Ilorin community in Kwara state have been tasked to always speak up against misconduct in the society.
The call was made by the University scholar Dr Oluwabunmi Niyi Gafar during a public advocacy program organised by African Centre for media and information literacy (AFRICMIL).
The advocacy campaign which was held at Pake, had in attendance people drawn from various communities in Kwara central with a senior lecturer from the department of Jurisprudence and international law, Faculty of law University of Ilorin ,Dr Oluwabunmi Niyi Gafar as resource person.
According to the Coordinator of the AFRICMIL Dr Chido Onumah who was represented by the program manager Mr Kolawole Ogunbiyi stated that the project was brought together to enlighten the community about how to whistleblow any form of wrongdoing.
He further emphasized that the nongovernmental organization is charged with the vital blow for transparency to ensure the total well-being of all the citizenry.
On her part, the state coordinator of, the National Human rights Commission, Barrister Jumoke Olaoye emphasized the need to build a strong network for people to become outstanding watchdogs of their community.
Olaoye also said that all forms of wrongdoings such as gender violence should be reported to the national human rights Commission while the identity of the reporters will be kept anonymous.
Addressing the participants at the event Dr Oluwabunmi Niyi Gafar, a resource person stated that whistleblowing is important because it helps to develop society and ensures that what needs to be done by the leaders or people in position of authority is done accordingly.
Charged participants and other members of the society to “soro soke” said is the only way to reduce corruption in the society.
“It is high time to sanitize our community and society by voting for the right person and speaking up when corruption becomes the order of the day”
Also speaking at the program the Cheif Executive Officer, CEO of Global World for Women and Children, Mrs Christie Abayomi Oluwole talked on the need for all community members to take adequate care of their families.
Oluwole also charged citizens to whisthe blow all forms of corruption, discrimination and harassment in workplaces, breaches of the law and crimes, human rights violations, bribery, maladministration or mismanagement, insider trading and misuse of data with facts and evidence to ensure proper reportage and solutions to all wrongdoings.
Speaking on behalf of the participants from the host community, Alhaja Tinuke from Gegele lauded the advocacy campaign and further solicited for the provision of essentials of life such as water, light, empowerment and employment.
