Poor Accountability in Governance invites Anarchy and Disorder

The Director, Frontfoot Media Initiative, Mr. Sully Abu has described lack of respect for accountability in governance

as invitation to disorder and anarchy.

He said this recently in his welcome address at a two days training for journalist on reporting government audit report for the purpose of public accountability.

The training which is organized by Frontfoot Media Initiative holding at Emerald Hotel in Gombe state has 40 Journalists from 5 northern States of Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba participating.

While appreciating the participants Mr. Abu stress the importance of the training, noting that lack of respect for accountability is an invitation to bad governance, disorder and even anarchy.

He said the training and the choice of the topic was quite deliberate to enable them build the Journalists’ capacity to do their work effectively, because audit reporting is a rich area for investigative journalism.

Mr. Abu Urged the participants to make best use of the opportunity, as he said “A few of our presentations here would give you the needed tools and ideas and please feel free to ask any question and we expect everyone will be part of animated and rewarding discussions.”

Presenting a paper on Audit Reporting imperative for Nigeria Journalism which was prepared by Sonala Olumhense, Mr. Chido Nwakanma said it is to help hold government Ministries, Department and Agencies accountable to the public.

He gave a constitutional backing that empowers journalists to hold public officers and offices accountable in the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended.

He said section 11, chapter 2, subsection 22 of the constitution stated that, “the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of government to the people.”

Also presenting a paper on “Principles and Purpose of (public interest) Journalism, Mr. Chido Nwakanma reiterated the need for journalists to be guided by the general principles of the profession while playing the role of supporting and promoting the free exchange of ideas, watch dog and monitor, agenda sitting and creating a sense of nationhood.