Connect with us

News

2023 Election: Nigerian Govt Told To Respect Media Freedom

Published

on

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID, has advised the Nigerian government to respect and uphold media freedom so that journalists can work freely without molestation before, during and after the 2023 elections.

The centre added that government should ensure journalists are not assaulted or intimidated while covering the elections as was the case in the previous elections.

Head of Political Affairs at the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, Andy Web made the call during his remarks at a media symposium tagged “Elections 2023: Security, Media and Safety,” over the weekend.

The High Commissioner while noting that some Nigerian government officials resort to authoritarian tendencies in the resolution of media-state conflicts, assured of the Canadian government’s willingness to support media freedom in Nigeria at all times.

READ ALSO: 2023: ‘Element’ Against Tinubu In The Presidency Revealed

Advertisement

He said: “We call on government to respect media freedom so that journalists can work freely without being molested.

“The symposium is to commemorate the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists and is a response to the continued threats to the safety of journalists, and fears of what could emerge in the wake of the 2023 elections in the country.”

The keynote speaker, Prof Umaru Pate, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, noted that elections in Nigeria are highly competitive and tense, regretting that journalists are always the worst hit.

He recalled that in the 2019 elections, some journalists were assaulted and detained, with 20 websites blocked amid intimidations, without any attempt to bring the perpetrators to justice.

This will make media organisations to have self-censorship which weakens investigative journalism,” he noted.

The Vice-Chancellor regretted that most journalists are on the watchlist of security operatives during elections adding that hostile regulations, the use of DSS operatives to threaten journalists and digital surveillance should stop.

Advertisement

In her remarks, CJID Deputy Director, Busola Ajibola called for the review and repeal of all oppressive laws against journalists even as she said that journalists’ violation registers should be kept.

READ ALSO: 2023 Polls: How Division In APC Threatens Tinubu’s Victory

Election periods are typically notorious for attacks on journalists and for stifling the media ecosystem in the hope of constraining the spaces of democratic accountability, human freedom and citizen’s liberties. The 2023 elections are already showing promises to that effect,” she said.

The high point of the symposium was the signing of the pact by relevant stakeholders to protect journalists ahead of and during the elections.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Comments

News

Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

Published

on

By

The Federal Government has declared Friday, 29th March and Monday, 1st April 2024 as public holidays to mark the 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said the Minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

READ ALSO: NAF Destroys Several Illegal Refining Sites, Berges In Rivers

“He calls on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

Advertisement

“He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

“This, he said, is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all”, the statement added.

Continue Reading

News

PHOTOS: Tinubu, Governors Pay Last Respects At burial Of 17 Slain Soldiers

Published

on

By

The remains of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers, 13 soldiers, slain by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30 p.m., were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.

In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are also present.

READ ALSO: Labour Party Reserves 2027 Presidential Ticket For Peter Obi

Advertisement

Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) also attended the ceremony.

President Bola Tinubu joined the solemn assembly at exactly 04:10p.m.

Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel, as well as those of other military officers, are also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.

Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.

VANGUARD

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Abure Re-elected Labour Party National Chairman; NLC Kicks

Published

on

By

The embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Julius Abure has been re-elected for a second term by a unanimous affirmation of delegates despite the protests by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the party’s national convention that held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Other serving officers of the party were also returned.

READ ALSO: Why Bobrisky Was Awarded Best Dressed Female – Nigerian Actress

Recall that the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organize a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, a factional chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, Mr Peter Okoye has boasted that the Nnewi national convention will not stand.

Describing the convention as a sham, Okoye said: “This is not a convention. We are on top of the matter. It’s purely illegal.

“There was no ward congress, no local government congress, no state congress, and now who and who are the elected the delegates that are electing the National Working Committee, NWC, members?

“The NLC was not there, TUC was not there, the owners of the party and members of the NEC and BOT members were not there too. So, who is holding the convention?”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending