The Nigerian Government has been called upon to provide more funding to the country’s external media outfit, Voice of Nigeria, VON, for better operations and to boost its capacity to meet global challenges.
The Director General VON Mr Osita Okechukwu made the plea during the Inauguration of new leadership of the Corporation’s Anti-corruption and Transparency unit ACTU in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
Mr Okechukwu also appealed for the provision of more equipment and training of staff to enable VON broadcast seamlessly.
The VON DG while appealing to Federal Government to increase its budget allocation said: “The organization has achieved tremendous success with the establishment of the Anti-corruption and Transparency unit ACTU which ensures that there is prudence in the management of public funds and accountability.”
Also, the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission ICPC Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, urged the new leadership of the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit ACTU to drive the operations of VON with a high level of commitment and integrity.
Represented by Mr Adebayo Obaniyi, the ICPC Boss charged them not to betray the trust and confidence reposed in them by avoiding any questionable activity in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Owasanoye encouraged VON Anti-corruption leadership to “incorporate unit members into various committees as Observers, encourage a whistleblowing policy and consistency to goals and conduct to enhance the rating, reputation and efficiency of this great Organization.”
The ICPC Boss re-affirmed the commission’s commitment to working with Voice of Nigeria for the overall good of public service.
The Chairperson of Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit ACTU Voice of Nigeria, Mrs Rafatu Salami who is serving the second three-year term promised to do more in ensuring a corrupt-free VON.
She said: “We will make more effort, we know what we didn’t do right in the first tenure, we will have to do a system study and review.”
