ICIR closes out OCRP with over 500 investigative stories

The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has announced the conclusion of its landmark Open Contract Reporting Project (OCRP) with a close-out ceremony on December 12, 2024, at the Pearl Hotel, Jabi, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by ICIR executive director Dayi Aiyetan, on Thursday.

The statement said the OCRP, launched in 2017 and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, was targeted at strengthening the capacity of Nigerian journalists to report critically on budgetary and procurement processes, promoting transparency and accountability across all levels of government.

SolaceBase reports that The ICIR, is an independent non-profit organisation, dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria through investigative journalism.

Read Also:Amid conflicts, killings by bandits, Niger spends N1.2 bn on celebration, special days

‘’The Open Contracting Project trained more than 300 journalists from newsrooms across the country, leading to the publication of over 500 investigative reports, many of which made impacts and earned prestigious awards,’’ the statement said.

Read Also:SolaceBase report wins international award for investigative journalism

‘’Through incisive investigations, The ICIR has exposed irregularities in contract awards, procurement fraud, and mismanagement of public funds. These stories have prompted reforms, including heightened public scrutiny of government expenditures and improved adherence to procurement laws.’’

‘’This pursuit of accountability has also helped influence policies and strengthened advocacy for transparency.’’

Read Also:SolaceBase report wins Africa Media Award

According to the statement, the close-out event will feature a keynote address by the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, titled “Combating Corruption in Nigeria: The Imperative of Starting with Procurement Fraud.”

Read Also:PHOTOS: Abandoned community PHC in Jigawa wears new look after SOLACEBASE report

A panel discussion moderated by governance expert Joe Abah will follow, with notable panellists including Hamza Lawal, chief executive officer (CEO) of Connected Development (CODE), Lucy Abagi, CEO of Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Gabriel Okeowo, country director of BUDGIT, Victoria Bamas, Editor of ICIR, and development journalist Khadija Bawas.