The MacArthur Foundation has presented 156 episodes of anti-corruption radio drama series tagged Shugabanci, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
A statement by the Spokesperson of the Commission, Wilson Uwujaren and made available to ASHENEWS on Thursday, said the series, which were produced by Moving Image Limited and funded by the Foundation, were presented on Friday, October 23 2020, at a brief ceremony in the agency’s headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking through a zoom link, Kole Shettima director, MacArthur Foundation Africa, noted that government and civil societies needed to work together to win the war against corruption.
He stated that the anti-corruption radio sensitisation programme became necessary to change people’s attitude, allowing them to own the fight against corruption.
He emphasized that Foundation offered to fund the radio drama series based on its belief that it would play a vital role in instigating behavioural change among the people at the grassroots.
Managing director, Moving Image Limited, Abdulkarim Muhammad disclosed that the drama series which is in sync with the organizations vision to mobilize the grassroot population to embrace the fight against corruption, was made possible through a $450,000 grant from Mac Arthur Foundation. He explained that the 156 episodes so far produced will be aired over a period of three years through any radio station of the Commission’s choice.
According to Muhammad, the programme will bring government’s efforts at rooting out corruption in the country nearer home to grassroots listeners. “By the time people see the damage corruption does, they will key into the anti-corruption fight. In fighting corruption, you keep pushing,” he said.
In his response, the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mohammed Umar Abba expressed gratitude to Mac Arthur Foundation for choosing the Commission as its core partner, noting that the radio drama initiative fits into the Commission’s corruption prevention mandate.
“We in the EFCC prioritise corruption prevention, and this led to the creation of Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit in the Public Affairs Directorate of the Commission to drive and sustain the rigorous education and sensitization programme of the public on the ills of corruption and economic and financial crimes in the country.”
Abba further disclosed that the EFCC has strategic programmes directed at different population segments in the society, of which drama is one of them.
Drama, he said “mirrors life, teaches life, motivates audience, changes attitudes and remains longer in the memories of both the listeners and viewers alike. This is why we consider your kind gesture today as a great contribution to the anti-corruption drive of the EFCC.”
