News

Election: IPC Partners NAWOJ, EU On Capacity Building For Female Journalists

Published

3 years ago

November 21, 2022

By Ijeoma Umeh

Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre, IPC, has said that for the media to serve as catalysts of credible elections, certain deliberate actions must be taken.

Mr Arogundade said this while addressing female journalists drawn from both print and electronic media from the South-South, South-East, and South West during a workshop organised by the IPC in partnership with NAWOJ with the European Union Support for Media under the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGNll) Project held in Port Harcourt Rivers state.

He stated that the workshop was designed to further enhance the skills of the participants on professional, impactful, inclusive and public interest reporting of the electoral processes and the 2023 elections.

He further noted that strengthening the media for fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of electoral processes will consolidate democracy.

He, therefore, tasked female journalists to make use of the skills acquired in the two days training to combat fake news, provide civic and voter education and inspire other forms of engagement with the media that encourage the people, particularly the underrepresented groups like women, youths, and persons with disabilities to vote and be voted for.

He further urged participants to at the end of the workshop interrogate issues such as the next step after the training.

The IPC boss stated, “The investment of the EU-SDG Nll and the efforts of the IPC in putting together this workshop would only be deemed productive if in the aftermath we are able to identify the impact of your work on the Electoral processes and the 2023 elections in visible and significant ways.”

In her remarks, Comrade Ladi Bala, President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) appreciated the efforts of IPC in building the capacity of female Journalists and the EU for bringing effective development partnerships to Nigeria.

She noted that the media is an integral part of society and with strategic roles to play in the Electoral process and hoped that the training will help expose Journalists to the dynamics of the Electoral process as well as strengthen their skills in churning out balanced and objective reports during the elections.

The NAWOJ President stated, “The long walk of commitment and the concerted efforts we all made together have yielded results. Let us put our minds to this training and join all other well meaning people as agents of change in promoting good governance, to see a paradigm shift in the Electoral process and Governance in Nigeria. “
Facilitators at the training, included Mrs Moji Makanjuola, CEO, International Society of Media in Public Health, David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor, Africa Check and Taiwo Obe, Founder, Journalism Clinic.

They took participants through an intensive training on Fact-Checking, how to fact check political claims, and various media and online tools to be deployed in accurate fact checking, Electoral Processes and the 2023 Elections, according priority on women and other underrepresented, Reporting in the Public Interest , Conflict Sensitivity and Safety in Election Reporting, and Conceptual Clarifications in Electoral Processes, among others.

The Project is targeted at building the capacity of 140 female journalists across the nation on election reporting, and participants will be required to pitch stories around the elections and get editorial mentorship and assistance while doing so.

News

Tenebe Threatens To Suspend Edo Commissioner Who Fails To Wear Asiwaju’s Cap

Published

11 hours ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

Chairman of the All progressives Congress in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, has said that any Commissioner sent out of the State Executive Council meeting for not wearing Tinubu’s signature cap would be suspended from the party.

Recall that Governor Monday Okpebholo had, during the Inauguration of the last batch of Commissioners, to wear the cap whenever they attend Exco meeting.

Tenebe in a television interview and monitored by our reporter said it was an act of indiscipline and insubordination for any Commissioner not to obey Okpebholo’s directive.

He said any impediment for Edo APC not to achieve 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu in 2027 would not be tolerated.

He said, “If you refuse to wear the cap as the governor has directed, we will suspend you. That is indiscipline and insubordination.

“We are doing it because we have made a promise that 3.5 million votes are guaranteed. Everybody has keyed into realising the 3.5 million votes.

“If, as a member of the APC, you got an appointment, you are supposed to be loyal to the President.

“We are expressing our loyalty to the President by wearing the cap. Those complaining are not members of the APC. We, in Edo, have made it clear. No Asiwaju cap, no Exco.”

News

Police Alert Public On Anonymous Bomb Threats In Edo

Published

11 hours ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has alerted corporate organisations and members of the public to a wave of anonymous bomb threats being used by unidentified fraudsters to extort money.

The warning was contained in a public advisory issued on Monday by the Assistant Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem.

She said the command is investigating what it described as clear attempts to extort through fear and intimidation.

“The Edo State Police Command has observed a disturbing crime trend involving anonymous callers threatening individuals, business owners, and corporate organisations in Edo State, claiming that explosive devices have been planted within their premises.

“The callers then demand money, threatening to detonate the alleged explosives if their demands are not met. These acts are clear attempts at extortion through fear and intimidation, and the Command is actively investigating reported cases,” Ikoedem said.

In light of the development, the command urged members of the public to remain calm.

She added, “Do not panic or give in to any financial demands from such callers. The Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit is fully capable of detecting and neutralising explosives.

“Report all such calls or messages immediately to the nearest police station or to the Command’s Control Room via 08077773721 or 08037646272.

“Avoid spreading unverified information or causing unnecessary panic.

“Stay vigilant and report any suspicious persons, objects, or movements in your surroundings.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered the deployment of specialised units, including the EOD team, Intelligence Bureau, and Tactical Squads, to respond swiftly to any reported threats and safeguard the public.

The Command also confirmed it is working closely with telecommunication providers and other security agencies to trace and apprehend the perpetrators.

News

Edo State Government Pays Last Respect To Late NSCDC Commandant

Published

12 hours ago

October 27, 2025

Editor

The Deputy Governor of Edo State on Monday led the state’s government delegation to pay last respect to the late Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Edo StaSte Command, Agun Joseph

The delegation comprised of all the security heads in the state, associates, politicians, as well other security.

The event which took place in Festival Hall in Benin, the deputy governor of the state described the late commandant as a man who impacted positively in the lives of the people.

Idahosa said Joseph will surely be missed, not only by his colleagues, but hundreds of others who came in contact with him.

“Joseph was a man of man of exemplary leadership, a team player, and a thorough bred officer who shared intelligence with sister agencies during his service years.

“As a state and people, we appreciate the commandant for being an astute officer who displayed quality leadership, exemplified courage, fairness, and justice in matters of security and governance.”

“Through his leadership at the NSCDC in the state, he exemplified courage, integrity, and professionalism of the highest order.

“He was a man guided by fairness, justice, and a deep sense of responsibility and excellence, always adhering to global best practices in matters of security and governance.

“Today, we gather with heavy hearts to pay our last respects to a remarkable officer, a dedicated public servant, a loving husband, and a devoted father.

“A man whose life was dedicated to serving our dear state and nation with distinction and honour,” he stated.

On behalf of the Edo State Government, Idahosa extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues.

Addressing the daughter, and brother of the deceased who were physically present at the valedictory session, Idahosa said, “We share in your grief and pray that God grants you the strength to bear this painful loss.”

“Though Commandant Agun has departed this world, His legacy endures — in the countless lives he touched, in the officers he trained, and in the peace and stability he worked so hard to uphold.

“As we bid him farewell, let us honour his memory by rededicating ourselves to the ideals he stood for — integrity, diligence, and selfless service to humanity,” he stated.

Heads of security agencies present at the event were that from the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Immigration, Nigerian Correctional Service, NDLEA, and the FRSC.

It would recalled that until his death, Agun, 57, was the commandant of the state command of the NSCDC.