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Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of Madam Rose Akuogbe Alenkhe, mother of the Chairman of Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Festus Alenkhe.
Obaseki, in a statement, described the late matriarch as a kind, meek, compassionate and loving woman, noting that she will be remembered as a peaceful mother, who loved her family and community.
The governor said: “I am saddened by the news of the passing of Madam Rose Akuogbe Alenkhe, mother of the Chairman of Edo State chapter of NUJ, Festus Alenkhe, who passed at the age of 76.
“Madam Rose Akuogbe Alenkhe was a kind, meek, compassionate and loving woman, who lived an exemplary life.
She espoused strong family values and impacted positively on everyone who came in contact with her.
“I commiserate with the Chairman of Edo State chapter of NUJ, Alenkhe, and the entire Alenkhe family, friends and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
”
My administration will fix more internal, external roads, says gov
It was a moment of joy for residents as Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun yesterday commissioned the 2.
35km Arepo-Journalists Estate Road, with a promise to continue doing projects capable of making life more meaningful to people and residents of the state.
For years, the road had been in a deplorable state, with failed sections and numerous potholes; making mobility unbearable for residents and visitors.
However, yesterday hope came the way of motorists, especially through the reduction of vehicle maintenance cost, while easing the burden experienced by road users.
Consequently, the reconstruction of the road in Obafemi Owode Local Council by Prince Dapo Abiodun administration after years of neglect is poised to bring about a rebound in social and economic activities in the area.
Apart from further opening up the area to greater development through creation of access to the hinterland, the facility is to engender a rise and improvement in the living standard of residents and indigenes alike.
It will also enable easy access to schools, medical facilities, police posts and other essential social vices by residents as well as uplift scenery of the area.
Commissioning the project, the governor, who described the road project as a remarkable one and his administration’s commitment to the provision of good governance in the state, noted that the completion is a demonstration of his administration’s appreciation for the support given by the people of Arepo Community.
While noting that genuine development should be people-oriented, Abiodun disclosed that the road leads to no fewer than 42 communities in Obafemi-Owode Local Council.
He recalled that he had promised during electioneering in 2019 to fix the road if he was elected governor, expressing his delight that Arepo Road, which had been in a bad state for years, had finally been constructed.
The governor said interlocking stones are used because of swampy nature of the terrain, as well as other road infrastructure such as walkway, street lights and drainage, to make it durable and bring out its aesthetics.
He said: “We are determined to raise the bar in road construction in a few years to come.
Our administration has constructed most roads in Ogun Central, we will continue to look after the welfare of our people.
We are determined to be fair and participatory; we will not develop a section of the state at the expense of others.
“I want to assure you that we will complete all uncompleted projects embarked upon by our predecessor in office, which have direct positive socio-economic well-being for our people, and we will continue to make life better for the people.
” Abiodun, however, called on the residents of the community to take ownership of the road, urging the youth not to be allowed to be used by unscrupulous politicians before and during the conduct of the 2023 general election.
Earlier, the Olu of Arepo, Oba Solomon Atanda Oyebi, thanked the governor for fulfilling his electoral promises by fixing the road, which according to him had brought untold hardship on residents.
On her part, former Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Mrs. Funke Fadugba, commended Governor Abiodun for ensuring the construction and completion of the road.
MEANWHILE, the governor has assured residents of a modern primary healthcare centre to be completed in the next four months.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya
Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, special adviser on strategy and information management to Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state, has said the state is restructuring its entire information management system to improve efficiency.
The special adviser made the statement during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the Nigerian News Agency , Mr. Buki Ponle, at the agency's headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
He further said that as part of the restructuring, the state would implement its comprehensive communication strategy across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in December.
“Much has been accomplished, but very little has been said about our achievements. Therefore, this is an opportunity to review our information management system.
"We want everyone involved in our information system to be more proactive, while at the same time becoming more efficient in reactive and preventive communication," he said.
According to him, the state recently launched HE Direct – His Excellence Direct, an interactive platform where the people of Gombe communicate directly with their governor as part of the reform process.
He also said that the welfare of media professionals in the state had also been considered an important part of the restructuring to improve professionalism.
“We have launched a media cooperative and multipurpose partnership to serve the interests of media professionals in the state.
“The initiative involves correspondents, the NUJ and other stakeholders, and we hope it will be a model that other states can replicate,” he said.
Also as part of the efforts, the special adviser said he had introduced the Gombe New Media Internship Initiative so that young people can positively use social media.
He said that in the age of fake news and hate speech spread mainly through social media, it is important to know who and what is being done in the name of Gombe State on social media platforms.
“The interns in the sector will be taken to promote our activities and regulate the content generated.
“We will also provide capacity building programs for interns to improve their ability to generate content for our communication,” he said.
While soliciting the support of to achieve its stated goals, Shuaibu-Gara Gombe ensured the continued sharing of information and maximum cooperation from the state.
In response, MD praised the state government for prioritizing the welfare of journalists working in the state.
“When the welfare of any citizen is taken seriously, when they have food, clothing and housing, a large part of the problems are solved.
“It is highly commendable that the state has identified the well-being of media professionals as a challenge and is willing to address it,” he said.
Noting that 70 percent of media content in Nigeria emanates from , Mr. Ponle pledged the agency's support to Gombe as it repositions its information management system.
edited
Source Credit: NAN
Mrs Bushra Yusuf-Badmus, Principal Correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria has been elected as the Treasurer of the Kwara Correspondents’ Chapel.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) conducted election into three positions of Chairman, Financial Secretary and Treasurer.
Yusuf-Badmus won the office of treasurer by getting 23 votes out of 38 votes against Kehinde Akinpelu who scored 15 votes.
She thanked members of the union for their support and believe in her capacity, promising to exercise transparency and accountability throughout her tenure in the position.
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Kwara Council, Mr Ahmed Lateef, urged members to respect and involve the council in their activities.
Lateef reminded them it is one of the council’s mandate to oversee the affairs of all the chapels under it, especially when it has to do with the members.
He advised them not to allow their disagreement lead to destruction of the chapel, enjoining the newly elected executives to work hard and make the members proud.
Alhaji AbdulHakeem Garba, the newly elected Chairman of the chapel, expressed gratitude over the support of the members afetr polling 29 votes out of 38, to defeat his opponent, Olufemi Akobi, who got nine votes.
“I won’t hold grudges against people who voted against me and assure all members of my commitment and pledge to be transparent and carry everybody along in all the activities of the chapel,” he said.
NAN reports that Hajiya Sikirat Shehu also emerged as the Financial Secretary with 26 votes against Lukman Oyedeji that had 12 votes.
Other positions including Vice-Chairman, Mr Biola Azeez; Kayode Azeez – Secretary; Oguniyi Taiye – Assistant Secretary; and Mosunmola Ayobami as the Auditor, were declared unopposed.
The Chairman of Kwara NUJ inaugurated the officials, while the Chairman of Electoral Committee, Mr Kehinde Omolosho, presented the certificates of return into office.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A cleric, Rev. (Dr) Joseph Afolayan, has called on Nigerians to live an impactful live that add values to other people’s existence.
Afolayan of ECWA Church, Mushin, Lagos, made the call at the final outing and thanksgiving service for the late High Chief Olaniyi Ajide Adebayo, the sixth Eesa of Omu-Aran, at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Omu-Aran in Kwara.
Adebayo, a former acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria , died on Nov. 4, 2021 during a brief illness.
“Some people came to this world and impacted negatively on people.
God is not happy to those people.
“But, some people impacted positively on the welfare and wellbeing of others and God is pleased with them, that is the category Chief Jide Adebayo belonged to.
“Let us make sure we maximise our living to do the right thing so that people can give positive testimonies on our deeds,” Afolayan said.
He described the late Adebayo as a pillar of the church, whose selfless contributions to its growth, progress and development could not be over- emphasised and forgotten.
He, however, commended Adebayo’s family and the people of Omu-Aran community for their dedication and commitment toward upscaling the legacies he left behind.
“Late Adebayo is a pillar, who devoted his entire life to the service of God and humanity.
“He did his best for the church, while alive and more importantly seeing to the welfare and wellbeing of the choir members was his priority as their patron.
“We pray that God will repose his soul, be with his family and give the community the fortitude to bear his irreparable loss,” he added.
In her remarks, Mrs Omobola Akanfe, daughter of the late Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of the family, assured the gathering of the family’s commitment toward upscaling the legacies left behind by the deceased.
Akanfe said that Adebayo’s family would not only be committed to uplifting the church morally and financially, but would continue to support the church choir and the annual service of songs championed by her father, as the Choir Patron while alive.
She thanked the church members and officials and more importantly, the Olomu-In-Council and members of Omu-Aran Traditional Council for their support to the family.
Also, Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria , in his tributes entitled: “When Goodbye is Not Good”, said: “For almost 40 years, we looked inseparable!
”
According to him, we shared moments of joy and sadness as part of our sojourn in life, but overall, we were happy!
“Death is never considerate, otherwise, it wasn’t Jide’s turn.
He was too young to have died; it was too sudden to have lost such a good man among his friends and his Omu-Aran Community.
“The consolation, however, is that true friends are never really gone as their memories endure in our hearts
“It will remain evergreen the life we shared together in a professional career, as well as the great moments we created in Lagos, Abuja, Omu-Aran and Osogbo.
“My relationship with you was particularly about brotherhood and family ties.
I can attest that my life was also blessed through our friendship.
“May you find blessings in the next life, dear friend, and if we shall meet again, I’ll be your brother and friend afresh
without hesitation.
”
Also, a tribute by NAN management stated: “As we celebrate the life and times of High Chief Olaniyi Ajide Adebayo, we cannot but reflect on those virtues that stood him out as a journalist par excellence.
“An outstanding administrator, as well as community leader of great distinction.
In the over three decades he spent as a member of staff of the News Agency of Nigeria , he brought to bear on his job uncommon diligence, immense organisational skills and infectious passion for target delivery.
“Rising steadily on the career ladder as Reporter, State Correspondent, Editor, Executive Director (Marketi and finally Acting Managing Director of NAN, the late Eesa was highly respected for his calm and steady leadership as well as depth of experience.
“In his professional life, he was awarded the highly coveted Fellow, Nigeria Guild of Editors (FNGE).
“As a labour activist, he was a former Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, as well as Chairman of Niger State Council.
”
It said that in 1999, Adebayo, as the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture in Kwara, also initiated daring policies aimed at strengthening the information machinery in his home state in spite of the short stint.
“To many of his colleagues in the workplace and those whose paths have crossed with his, the late Adebayo could be particularly protective, lively and relentlessly loyal to a cause he believes in.
“This was the quintessential Adebayo and it was no surprise that laurels and high office trailed his career path.
“The reverred title of Eesa (second in command to the Olomu) conferred on him marked a fitting tribute to a man of his people, breathing his last, serving the good people of Omu-Aran.
“For the management and members of staff of NAN, the L
late Adebayo is not gone from our midst.
A beautiful soul is never forgotten.
His memories would continue to linger on in our hearts,” it stated.
In a tribute by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), signed by its President,
Mustapha Isah and Secretary,
Iyobosa Uwugiaren respectively, extolled the virtues of the late Adebayo.
According to NGE, one year after the demise of our dear esteem Fellow, Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE), Chief Jide Adebayo, the deep pain created by the loss still lingers in our heart.
“Chief Adebayo, who until his death was the Eesa of Omu-Aran, that is, second in command to the traditional ruler of the community, contributed immensely not only to the development of the community, but also to Journalism nationally and Internationally.
“He was a peacemaker and as a good umpire, he had a high sense of resolution of disputes,
Most of his friends described him as an epitome of a good leader, a honest and God-fearing fellow.
Chief Adebayo’s death signified the fall of an Elephant in the forest.
“He was a community leader par excellence who we greatly missed.
His generosity knew no bound as nobody went to him with a problem without finding solution.
“He was brilliant and could be described as an encyclopaedia who knew something about all subjects.
He was always armed with details of every discussion, even at a short notice.
“He was the generalissimo of journalism who worked for three and a half decades with the News Agency of Nigeria after working briefly with the Herald Newspaper.
“Chief Adebayo rose through the ranks from Sports Editor to attain the position of Executive Director, Marketing and the Acting Managing Director of NAN.
”
Isah and Uwugiaren said that
a glimpse into Adebayo’s biography would throw more light on the giant strides he made while alive.
“Chief Adebayo was a former Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture in Kwara State in 1999.
He was a one-time Secretary General, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council (1981-1983) and Chairman NUJ, Niger State (1985-1987).
“Chief Jide Adebayo served the people of his community meritoriously.
His immense contributions to the growth of his last port of call, NAN, was remarkable.
“The story of Journalism in Nigeria wouldn’t be completed without a mention of Chief Adebayo.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors will miss you dearly,” they said in the tributes.
”
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it’s working assiduously to ensure freedom and justice for detained journalists.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Chairman, Lagos State NUJ, made the pledge on the sidelines of the seventh Safety and Security Watch Symposium on Wednesday in Lagos.
The symposium was held in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
The day initiated by the United Nations General Assembly is celebrated annually on Nov. 2 to draw attention to crimes against media persons and how criminals often get away with such offenses.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Protecting Media to Protect Democracy.
”
Ajayi decried the government’s inability to unravel or convict perpetrators of past killings of journalists, stressing that it was time for the government to take drastic measures to end impunity against journalists.
He noted that three journalists are currently in jail in Lagos, adding that the union had intensified efforts through engagement with relevant stakeholders to ensure their quick release.
Ajayi stressed that the union would no longer tolerate any form of violence against its members.
He added that continuous awareness against vices, killings and attacks against journalists had been intensified.
The NUJ leader noted that journalists are the conscience of the society, monitor government’s actions and were critical to the sustenance of democracy.
Besides, panelists at the symposium called for training and retraining of journalists to grow their capacity and equip them with knowledge of physical safety measures as well as trauma management.
They also called for adequate renumeration for all categories of journalists and prompt payment of salaries by media owners to safeguard practitioners from engaging in unwholesome activities for survival.
The panelists called on the public and all tiers of government to respect the media as people who were doing hazardous job to perform their constitutional responsibility.
The event was also used to unveil, Media Centre For Promotion Of Safety Awareness, whose mission is to meet industry and society needs in issues of occupational health, safety and security.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A security expert, retired Group Capt. Usman Sadiq, has appealed to all levels of government to condemn attacks and violence against journalists and media workers, as outlined by the United Nations.
Sadiq, Director, Security Services, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), made the appeal during the 7th Safety and Security Watch Symposium on Wednesday in Lagos.
The symposium, held in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, was themed, ‘Digital Challenges to the Safety of Women Journalists in Nigeria.
’
The day, initiated by the United Nations General Assembly, is celebrated annually on Nov. 2 to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity against journalists and media workers globally.
Sadiq said that legal instruments to domesticate the UN resolution on safety of journalists and the issue of impunity should be domesticated in Nigeria.
He noted that while all journalists are faced with increasing digital threats and challenges, the dangers and constraints affecting women journalists are peculiar and daunting.
This, according to him, is due to their high vulnerability to online harassment and other forms of attack.
“In accordance with the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline, the safety and security of journalists has three principal components: physical, digital, and psychosocial – all of which must be fulfilled for safety to be guaranteed,” he said.
He noted that a general threat trend against journalism in most nations was characterised by killings, attacks, execution, torture, enforced disappearance, violence or intimidation against any individual exercising his right to freedom of expression, as well as attacks on media outlets.
According to him, perpetrators who harass, threaten and attack media actors include public officials, political leaders and their supporters, and demonstrators.
He also listed religious groups, groups, criminal organisations and trolls, intelligence agencies, among others.
Sadiq appealed to the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) and other media advocacy organisations to continue to raise awareness to the evolving threats that journalists face in a digitised work environment.
He advised the union to provide regular training for journalists and others on best practices in digital security and create a learning culture of strong information security to reduce risks.
Sadiq stressed that journalists merit adequate protection and should be free to provide opportunities for the expression of opinions and information.
“They should not have to work in fear of giving voice to the voiceless,” he said.
Also, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Lagos Police Command, advised journalists to always have a means of identification while on duty.
He said this was to differentiate them from miscreants and protect them from attack.
Hundeyin, represented by DSP Stephen Kuti, said the police command had a cordial and robust relationship with the media and appreciated their doggedness to duty.
Similarly, Dr Chinyere Amaechi, Publisher, Safety and Security Watch, said the role of the Nigerian press in its return to democracy and sustaining it demands collective efforts to ensure the safety of journalists.
Amaechi, Convener of the symposium,
said that findings in the last 10 years of the celebration showed an increase in online crimes against female journalists, hence the focus of its theme.
Amaechi was represented by Nwanma Ogidi, Publisher, Waka About Africa.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for an end to intimidation and impunity against journalists in the country.
In a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Secretary of the union, Malam Shuaibu Leman, said the union joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise the safety and security of journalists.
“They should ensure that attacks against journalists are properly investigated and culprits made to account for their crimes.
“The safety and security of journalists must be tackled squarely ahead of the 2023 election when journalists that cover elections are routinely exposed to attacks, intimidation and harassment by political actors and agents of the state.
“We have observed over the years the way and manner journalists suffer various acts of reprisals for critical reporting in the country.
“Many journalists face physical assaults; their equipment destroyed in the process, while the female journalists are sexually harassed,” Leman said.
The NUJ secretary said that journalists should be accorded unfettered freedom to perform their professional responsibilities at all times to promote accountability and openness in governance.
“We call on government authorities to remove all forms of bureaucratic red tapes that deny journalists access to certain areas, and conditions that do not promote freedom of the media and rule of law.
“Not doing so will make them engage in self-censorship in order to avoid harassment by government and its agents,” Leman said.
He called for caution and tolerance towards media professionals and equipment as the nation moves closer to 2023 general elections.
The NUJ scribe said that the union would continue to guide against unethical acts that hinder the democratic process by journalists.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Abia State Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Friday Onuche, says the media and security agencies are strategic partners in national security and development.
Onuche said this on Tuesday, when the new officials and some members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia Council, visited him in his office.
“Journalists are critical stakeholders to DSS and other security agencies,” he said.
He said that the organisation under his watch would collaborate with the chapel for the cross-fertilisation of ideas.
“My office will be open for you at all times, so feel free to interface with us.
“We are not spirits to know everything happening in society.
So, there is the need for us to collaborate with the chapel to get vital information,” the DSS boss said.
He said that the agency had the responsibility of ensuring national security for development but required the support of the media in its intelligence gathering efforts.
“There is a nexus between national development and national security.
“There will not be national development without national security and vice versa,” he said.
He, however, admonished journalists to always verify their facts before going to press to avoid causing national crisis with their reportage.
Onuche further urged the media to shun the peddling of fake news, capable of plunging the country into chaos.
Earlier in a remark, the Chairman of the chapel, Chief Obinna Ibe, solicited the support of the agency in redefining journalism practice in the state.
Ibe said that the agency could assist NUJ to check the nefarious activities of quacks in the profession.
According to him, these quacks are the ones giving the profession a negative image.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
APC candidate for Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has pledged to deepen human capital development and tackle communal crises in the zone, if elected in 2023.
Nwebonyi, a former Commissioner for Capital City Development in the state, gave the pledge at a media parley, organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi chapter, onTuesday in Abakaliki.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the media parley was organised for candidates of various political parties in the state, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Nwebonyi decried what he called the incessant attacks and communal crises within the senatorial district, noting that land and boundary disputes were part of the challenges facing the zone.
The senatorial candidate pointed out that he would not see his senatorial victory as his retirement benefits, if elected.
“I will partner with the state government to provide and promote constituency projects for the people of the senatorial district.
“My people have been facing lots of challenges, ranging from communal crises to land and boundary disputes.
“First, I’m going to tackle the issue of communal crises, create jobs and boost youth empowerment and infrastructure in the zone.
So, I am not going to the senate as my retirement benefit if I’m elected.
“I will make sure that national assembly members in the senatorial district and the National Boundary Commission (NBC) work together to find solutions to the crises in the senatorial district.
“I’m, therefore, soliciting for the votes of my people to enable me represent them as their next senator in the national assembly,” he said.
Continuing, Nwebonyi said: “Ebonyi North senatorial district is currently facing lots of challenges, including boundary disputes that have claimed many lives.
“You can see it from the axis of Ohaukwu and Agila people where no fewer than 100 people were killed a few months ago.
Chairman of the correspondents’ chapel, Mr Sampson Nwafor, commended the candidate for his plans for his people and promised media support to ensure his victory during the general elections.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
