By Nafeesah Vandi
Elected and appointed Political office holders in Adamawa State have been reminded to their campaign promises made when they were canvassing for votes from electorates.
This was part of conclusions drawn during Transparency and Accountability Project TAP, Two workshop organize by a Non-Governmental Organization, Centre for Women Adolescent Empowerment, in Yola, with the support from the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC and the Macarthur Foundation.
The Founder and Chairperson of the Centre, Madam Asmau Joda said the aim of organizing the workshop is to train participants to professionally remind politicians on promises made to the electorate, stressing that the legislative and Royal Fathers of the twenty-one local government Areas selected for the project are also involved.
The NGO founder counselled Adamawa people not to collect any form of inducement in the name of campaign during electioneering period so as to send a message to politicians to focus on service delivery when in office.
She added that another purpose for the workshop is for Mantees and journalists to know and work with each other for gathering of adequate information from people at the grass roots.
Madam Asmau Joda stressed that it is important for journalist to be fair while discharging their duties pointing out that much is expected from them.
Contributing a resource person Mrs Eugenia Abu, a former staff of the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA Abuja explained that it is important for journalists to understand their role and work for consolidation of democracy in Nigeria by sharing knowledge.
She added that strengthening the anti-corruption will help the media and empower the people generally.
Mrs Eugenia called on journalists to undertake research and share the knowledge they generate to anti-corruption organizations on what they do and strengthen need of the people.
The Resource Person added that the mass media constitute the mouth piece and watch dog of the society as well as the breach between government and the people.
She therefor advised journalists to be conscious of their safety and be professional in their conducts.
Another Resources person, Mr Muktar Halilu Modibbo stated that the training is in line with “Follow the Money” model to enable journalists know how to question politicians on issues related to public funds.
He added that journalists should know the process on how to hold government accountable using practical strategies of follow the money model to regarding government spending to mitigate corruption, fight poverty, as well as have a participatory transparency, and accountable system of governance in Adamawa.
Speaking on behalf of the mentees of the Centre, Mr Safwan Mohammed observed that governance is a collective responsibility and can only be achieved when journalists and others work hand in hand to spread correct information that can discourage corruption related tendencies.