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Experts Task Journalists On Proactive Reportage On Sexual,Gender Based Violence

Published

3 years ago

July 31, 2021

Our Reporter, Bauchi

A communication expert from Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Sharon Omotosho has tasked journalists and community radio managers to always think ahead and be proactive in developing editorial content that will counter the menace of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in their respective communities.

Professor Omotosho said this at the just concluded two days capacity building for community media on balanced gender based violence reportage in marginalised communities, organized by UNESCO, in collaboration with Japan Government, held at the command guest house Bauchi between 29th – 30th July, 2021.

She said with the proliferation of pornography on the internet, culprits of SGBV are bound to try what they watch on unsuspecting victims, stressing that journalists should see how they could counter such things in their respective radio stations and other mediums.

“Contents should be develop to counter Sexual and Gender Based Violence targeted at vulnerable groups.

“Journalists also have the responsibility of sharing information, lobbying and campaigning against SGBV in their respective communities. You should also report what benefits the community”, said Omotosho.

While taking participants on the topic titled ‘citizen journalism and early warning systems’, a resource person, Zubairu Jide Atta implored journalists to always carry out research before going to press.

Atta, who is also a joint consultant in developing the training manual, said research has been made much easier with the advent of the internet, pointing out that journalists will always be ahead of sexual predators when they engage in research with a view to enriching their content on SGBV issues.

A cross section of participants at the two days training in Bauchi.

“With research, you will be able to foresee early warning signs and bring it to the attention of the general public and constituted authorities to act upon.

“Also, with the global trend of citizen journalism , you can equally use your social media handles to share your verified stories and give it a wider reach”, said Atta.

Earlier in her remarks, communication and information officer, UNESCO Regional office Abuja, Mrs Yachat Nuhu , said the training was basically meant for community media in Bauchi State and it was aimed at building capacity to create awareness by the media on how to curtail SGBV amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in communities.

Yachat said it is hoped that journalists trained on SGBV reportage will be abreast on how to use their platform in educating and advocating for the rights of women and girls on prevention of SGBV.

Participants were taken through topics that cantered around the role of community media in marginalised communities, media portrays of gender in communities, recognizing and curbing violent extremism and hate speech in community media among other topics.

The training, which attracted participants mostly from all the 10 community radio station managers in Bauchi state, was highly participatory, with action plans been developed by all the participants, to be implemented when they get back to their respective community stations.

Other participants include journalists from television stations, print and online media.

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Man, 38 Escapes Assassination Attempt In Benin

Published

9 months ago

July 22, 2023

Editor

Innocent Omoruyi

By Omokha Andrew

A 38-year-old activist, Innocent Omoruyi, narrowly escaped assassination in the early hours of Wednesday, July 19, 2023 as his residence at Obe Community,Sapele Road in Benin city was attacked by yet to be identified gun men.

The attack which eye witnesses say was viciously executed on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 bore the markings of a dreaded cult group terrorizing Benin City, the state capital.

The Obe, Sapale Road incident, it was learnt, happened soon after Omoruyi left the house to attend to matters of interest some few metres away from his home.

The assailants were said to have shot sporadically in their frustration as residents scampered for safety.

However, Omoruyi escaped unharmed.

One of the eye witnesses who craved anonymity said: “The felons apparently went for the kill, weilding guns and other dangerous weapons. “We are shocked that they didn’t see Innocent Omoruyi who was just some few metres away from home when they arrived”.

“How that happened, only God knows and it was obvious that it wasn’t his time to die yet and just before that not long ago his business place on Lagos Street, Benin City was burnt down in the middle of the night by unknown arsonists.

“This sequence of events is not ordinary. We know it’s politically motivated due to the role he played in the last general elections. He has been advised to go into hiding at the moment for his personal safety”, he concluded.

When contacted, the police Public Relations Officer Chidi Nwabuzor said he was yet to get any information as regards the latest incident. He promised to feed our correspondent with relevant details as soon as they become handy.

Our information source however revealed that the matter has already been incidented at the Love World Police station on Sapele Road, Benin city.

Business

Nigeria To Earn Over $4bn Revenue As FEC Okays Concession Of Abuja, Kano Airports

Published

12 months ago

May 18, 2023

Editor

Nigeria will earn over $4 billion in nominal revenue as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday okayed the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, to the Corporacion American Airport Consortium, a Luxembourg-based company.

James Odaudu, the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the Council also approved that the Federal Ministry of Aviation would be renamed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.

The statement noted that the company would make combined upfront payments of $8.5 million for the concession of NAIA and MAKIA.

He added that the development would spur evidential growth within the Nigerian aviation industry.

“In alignment with the Aviation Roadmap, approved by Mr President on 18th October 2016, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace is delighted to inform all stakeholders, both local and international, and the media, that the concession of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano has been approved by the Federal Executive Council,” the statement said.

In December 2022 and January 2023, Corporacion American Airport Consortium was announced as the preferred bidder for the airport’s concession after scaling through a series of evaluations of technical and financial bids.

Nominal revenues mean income not adjusted for inflation and decreasing purchasing power.

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Russia Expelled From Council Of Europe Amid War With Ukraine

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2022

Editor

The Council of Europe says it has expelled Russia with immediate effect after 26 years of membership because of the Ukraine war.

The Committee of Ministers took the decision in a special session, the rights body announced in the French city of Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Earlier, Russia had already declared its withdrawal from the Council of Europe after it had taken steps to exclude it.

On Tuesday evening, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voted unanimously in favour of Russia’s exclusion.

Russia joined the Council of Europe on Feb. 28, 1996.

Together with the formal notification of the withdrawal, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe also received information from the Russian Federation on Tuesday about its intention to denounce the European Convention on Human Rights.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the leaders of the Council of Europe once again condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

They expressed their solidarity with the Russian people, who continue to belong to the European family and share its values.

The body said it would continue to stand by Ukraine in the fight against the aggressor.

The Council of Europe monitors the observance of human rights in its 46 member states and is not part of the European Union.

The body reacted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago by suspending Russia’s membership, this decision was considered historic.