The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has emphasized the importance of a strong partnership with the media in tackling corruption, particularly money laundering.

The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, made this call during a workshop held in Sokoto, Nigeria.

The workshop, titled “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes,” was specifically organized for journalists in the northwest region of the country.

Representing Bawa at the event, the Sokoto Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Mr Aliyu Yunusa, conveyed the message that the media has a crucial role to play in combating corruption.

Bawa emphasized the need for the media to engage in active monitoring and reporting on budget performance, including issues such as project failures, contract abandonment, delays, and subpar delivery.

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He suggested that budget tracking could be an effective tool for this purpose, as governments, institutions, and elected politicians announce their budgets annually.

Bawa also reminded the workshop participants of their responsibility as journalists to expose wrongdoing in society. He called upon the media to dedicate their time, energy, and professional skills to uncovering fraudulent activities in both the public and private sectors.

The workshop itself was part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to foster collaboration, understanding, and a positive relationship with media practitioners.