MacArthur Foundation has commended Signature TV, producers of CorruptionTori, for effectively using local Nigerian languages in amplifying the anti-corruption war in Nigeria.
Dr. Kole Shettima, Director Africa Office of the MacArthur foundation said this at the unveiling of Season 2 of CorruptionTori in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said Corruption Tori was a pilot project and he was excited that after two years, the programme has proved that Nigerians are willing and ready to buy into the anti-corruption war, if the message is in the language they understand.
Kole Shettima the Director, Africa Office of MacArthur Foundation speaking on the partnership between the Foundation and SignatureTV, said it was born out of the need to fill a vacuum and find a more effective way of communicating the anti-corruption message to Nigerians.
The program he said was very unique as it brings the negative impact of corruption to people at the grassroots in languages they understand.
Earlier while speaking on Season 1 of CorruptionTori which ended in 2020, VinMartin Ilo the CEO of Signature Communications LTD, said their mandate was to use local Nigerian languages of Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba to enlighten and educate Nigerians at the grassroots and amplify anti-corruption voices, activities and actions in Nigeria.
He however noted the difficulty in accessing information and public office holder’s refusal to take action on reports brought to their attention as part of the challenges faced by journalist in Nigeria today.
He thanked the MacArthur Foundation for giving Signature TV the opportunity to deepen their work in the area of anti corruption and contribute to national growth and renewal.
Mr. Ilo also announced the introduction of a Corruption Tori Essay Competition among university students, secondary schools and pupils in primary schools across Nigeria, as well as the establishment of Corruption Tori School Ambassador’s Programme in secondary and primary schools across the country
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission ICPC, Bolaji Owasanoye who was represented by Mr Hassan Salihu applauded SignatureTV for the CorruptionTori programme saying it has made the job of the ICPC easier in terms of the investigative nature of the programme.
He stressed the need for collaboration among individuals and organizations fighting corruption in the country, as according to him Corruption will continue to fight back if there was no combined effort to fight the monster.
Owasanoye said the ICPC was willing and ready to Partner with Signature TV and called on the leadership of the organization not to relent in its anti-corruption initiatives.
Festus Keyamo a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Minister of State for Labour and Employment who spoke in Pidgin English described the CorruptionTori program as impactful as it reaches grassroots in languages they understand. He blamed years of unabated corruption for the infrastructural deficit and underdevelopment in the country, urging Nigerians to stand up against corruption.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Season 2 theme and #hashtags
The event was graced by journalists, members of Civil society organisations, various and fans of Corruption Tori.
Corruption Tori Season 2 kicks off on 4th of July, 2021 at 14:45 hrs WAT on the Network Service of Africa Independent Television (AIT), NTA Partner Stations, www.signaturetv.org and www.corruptiontori.org.
