The Whistler (newspaper)

The Whistler

The Whistler logo
Type	Media publication
Format	Daily Newspaper
Publisher	James Ume
Editor	Ifeanyi Onuba
Deputy editor	Tayo Olu
Managing editor	Tajudeen Suleiman
General manager	Young Ozogwu
News editor	Isuma Mark
Founded	2014;11 years ago (2014)
Language	English
Headquarters	Abuja, Nigeria
Website	www.thewhistler.ng

The Whistler is a Nigerian newspaper that belongs to the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP). ^[1]

History

The Whistler was established in 2014 by The Whistler Communications Limited. ^[2] Headquartered in Abuja, it publishes news, investigative reporting, and analysis across politics, business, and social issues. ^[3]

Coverage

In May 2024, The Whistler reported that former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu allegedly misappropriated N10 billion for a non-existent airport project, paid to Ferotex Construction Company, based on a forensic audit by KPMG Advisory Services commissioned by Governor Alex Otti, prompting calls for EFCC investigations. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

In February 2024, its journalist Kasarachi Aniagolu was arrested by the Nigerian Police Force while covering a raid on bureau de change operators in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, and was released after eight hours in detention, prompting The Whistler to demand a police investigation and apology for press freedom violations. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

The incident was condemned by the Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom as a violation of press freedom. ^[10]

Initiatives

In 2020, The Whistler Communications Limited partnered with Derasoft Consulting to organise a six-week online bootcamp, #CodeCamp for Youths. ^{[11] [12]}

Awards and recognition

The founder and publisher of The Whistler received the Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Awards (GFIIA) from the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre and the God’s Mission Ambassadors Award from the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Ketu Parish, Lagos, in 2023. ^[13]

In 2023, The Whistler hosted its annual awards event in Abuja, presenting the Transparency and Innovation Award to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.), accepted by former Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari from Abia State Governor Alex Otti. ^[14]

References

1. "GOCOP MEMBER'S ORGANISATION". 8 May 2024.
2. Simon, Justina (13 December 2023). "Abia Governor Hails THE WHISTLER For Reliable Journalism". The Whistler Newspapers.
3. "The Whistler".
4. "WHISTLER Exposes Ex-Abia Governor's N10bn Misappropriation for Non-existent Airport Project". West Africa Weekly. 6 May 2024.
5. "How Former Abia Governor Allegedly Misappropriates N10bn for Non-existent Airport Project". Reliable Source NG. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
6. "How Forensic Audit Report Indicted Ex-Governor Ikpeazu, Ferotex". Puo Reports. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
7. "Police arrest The Whistler journalist covering EFCC raid of Abuja BDC operators". TheCable. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
8. "Police release The Whistler journalist after 8 hours in detention". TheCable. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
9. "Police arrest journalist covering EFCC raid of Abuja BDC operators". Akelicious. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
10. "CWPPF Condemns Unlawful Arrest, Assault and Detention of Journalist Kasarachi Aniagolu While on Duty". CJID. 2024.
11. "The Whistler, Derasoft Consult Partner to Empower Youths with Digital Skills". 23 July 2020.
12. "Derasoft Consulting, The Whistler holds 6-week immersive digital skills training for youths". 22 July 2020.
13. "The Whistler publisher, James Ume, bags double awards, unveils N300m scholarship".
14. "NNPC Ltd. Wins The Whistler's Transparency, Innovation Award". Business Hilights. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.