By Deborah Coker
Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, former Federal Commissioner of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has tasked journalists on fact-finding particularly concerning the alleged missing N34 trillion from the federation revenue.
Agbonayinma who said that Nigerians deserved to know the truth concerning the alleged missing fund, gave the charge on Saturday in Abuja, after his investiture as Patron, Association of Edo Journalists in Abuja (AEJA).
Reports linked to the World Bank had indicated that while total federation revenue reached N84 trillion over three years (2023 to 2025), 41 per cent (N34.53trn) was deducted before reaching the Federation Account.
However, the Federal Ministry of Finance has denied that the funds were “missing” or “stolen,” arguing that the deductions were legitimate “first-line charges,” statutory transfers, and security expenditures.
Reacting to the development, the CCB former federal commissioner, while celebrating the power of journalism to catalyse national redemption, said that they should go beyond reporting what people especially the government wants them to report, to investigating and fact-finding.
According to him, journalists are the children of government, and are closer to the people than policymakers.
“You pull the true stories to citizens; investigative journalism is therefore key, because it is a service to humanity.”
Agbonayinma who was one time the lawmaker representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency also said that Nigeria was at a crossroad, lamenting the nation’s unfulfilled potential 66 years post-independence.
“We are crawling, not walking. Our enemies are ourselves,” he said.
He also decried corruption as a “total cancer” in the country, saying that the nation’s existential problems stemmed not from external forces but from “corruption upon corruption” within its own institutions.
He called for unity across political divides, stressing that redemption required patriotic action, not foreign intervention.
“If we wait for Americans or British to save us, we are jokers. Nigerians abroad thrive; why not at home?” he queried.
He therefore urged citizens to rise up constitutionally to rebuild the country to a “Nigeria of our dreams”.
He commended the leadership and members of the AEJA for the honour and pledge to work with the association for better reportage and country.
(NAN)