Corruption is root cause of Nigeria’s problems – Muslim Journalists’ Symposium

*Purge yourselves of corruption and play your role in fighting it – Ribadu speaks

*As Tajudeen Abdulkareem speaks for Communications Minister Shittu

By Florence Israel, Abuja

“We have all agreed that corruption is the root of all our problems and it’s not just exaggeration.  It’s true. The simple thing about what we are talking about is that the resources we have will be taken by very few people and there will be no money to do something for the benefit of all of us, that’s where the problem is…The media has the massive role to play in cleansing and purging Nigeria of corruption…The media should purge itself of corruption. Do what you say. Be honest,  fair,  justice,  love for your people and love for your country…The fight starts with the media. He who is morally deformed has no right to speak on morality, honesty and probity.” Nuhu Ribadu said.

Participants, at the 12th Ramadan Annual Symposium organized by the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), have singled out corruption as the root cause of all the problems steering Nigeria in the face.

The symposium, which held at the Conference Hall of the National Mosque in Abuja on Saturday had the theme: “The Role of the Media as a Change Agent”.

Chairman of the occasion, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, spoke expressly on the issue of corruption,  the damage it had done to the nation and how the media should be equipped to play effective role in the fight against corruption.

“We have all agreed that corruption is the root of all our problems and it’s not just exaggeration.  It’s true. The simple thing about what we are talking about is that the resources we have will be taken by very few people and there will be no money to do something for the benefit of all of us, that’s where the problem is.

“Our commonwealth is taken by very few people, so we must continue to talk about it.  I’m happy that the media have taken the responsibility on their own. Journalists are extremely important. The media has the massive role to play in cleansing and purging Nigeria of corruption.

“Also, the Muslim journalists should understand that they have an important role to play, they are the face of Islam in the media and should please do what Islam says”, he advised.

The DEFENDER reports that the instruction of Islam for every Muslim journalist and non-journalist is to confirm every information before circulating it.

Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who is pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urged the media to purge itself of corruption and to do what is right.

“The media should purge itself of corruption. Do what you say. Be honest, fair, just, have the love for your people and love for your country. It requires self-restraint because while people are out to restrain you,  they want to use you. Someone must want to corrupt you. The fight starts with the media. He who is morally deformed has no right to speak on morality, honesty and probity. See your positive role in the fight against corruption as an act of worship”, he admonished.

In the same vein,  the keynote speaker at the event,  Alhaji Garba Abare,  the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who spoke on the similarities between the job of the media and that of the agency encouraged the media to set the right agenda for the society.

“The media is living up to expectations in the fight against corruption to a very large extent, but it still needs to do more.  It’s a continuous fight.  The media needs to be well equipped. They need an enabling environment. First and foremost, the media and its ownership must manifest positively in the promotion of national interest. The media must dig deep. They must be very investigative so that it reduces the chances of being tagged partisan and selfish. It must be neutral,” he said.

Other guest lecturers at the event included the EFCC Chairman, Mallam Ibrahim Magu, who was represented by the commission’s spokesperson,  Mr. Wilson,  Director-General NITDA represented by Dr. Abubakar Dahiru, Chairman, National Hajj Commission (NAHCO) represented by Mallam Abdullahi Adams, Chairman PACAC represented by Prof. Issa Sadiq and the Minister for Communications represented by Alhaji Tajudeen Abdulkareem.

All the speakers in their various speeches agreed that corruption, as the root cause of Nigeria’s problems, must be dealt with.

Other dignitaries in attendance included representatives from the Iranian Embassy, the Executive Secretary of the National Mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega and Mallam Nurudeen Abdulmaliq, who encouraged the media to expose corruption and make it unattractive, amongst other numerous guests.