by Azeez Adeniyi

Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said on Friday said he would ensure that whistleblowers are fully protected.

Onyeama stated this in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen.

He said while speaking on Ntia Thompson, who was sacked by the Ministry over whistleblowing.

Onyeama said the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had directed him to look into the matter.

He said Thompson would be reinstated if actually his appointment was wrongfully terminated.

Thompson, an assistant director with the Directorate for Technical Cooperation in Africa, was sacked for allegedly exposing a fraud in his office.

He had raised an alarm that $229,000 and N800, 000 had been diverted by key officials in DTCA, an agency under Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The minister said he would do everything possible to protect whistleblowers.

“I want to tell Nigerians that whistleblower protection is what we subscribed to wholeheartedly and completely in the ministry and it is government’s position and directive.

“I personally assure you that throughout my tenure, I will do everything possible to protect whistleblower in the ministry.

“Because the agenda of the government is a clear one that will embrace whistleblower,” he said

He assured that Thompson will be reinstated and damages will be paid.

“I can give you a guarantee that damages would be paid and the person would be reinstated.

“And, the measure would be taken on this; as far as this ministry is concern justice would be done,” he pledged.