Month: August 2023

Search for Common Ground (SFCG), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) says it is working on plans to develop a curriculum for journalists on promoting freedom of religion and belief in Nigeria.

Mr Ogabiela Daniel, the Project Manager, SFCG, said this at a three-day workshop for development of curriculum on common ground journalism in relation to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Abuja.

Daniel said the project being supported by the Netherlands Embassy would equip journalists with improved capacities to produce conflict sensitive reporting on inter faith and FoRB related issues.

He said that the curriculum being developed with media practitioners would establish effective Early warning/Early Response and Referral (EWER) mechanisms for addressing FoRB violations in Nigeria.

“The curriculum is going to reduce the insensitive reporting that we are experiencing at the moment,I am very confident of this because of all the inputs the high level media and executives here have done.

“This consciousness will now stay in the sector where everybody will be doing their reporting sensitively bearing in mind that inasmuch as freedom of religion is everybody’s rights, but they will do it responsibly,” he said.

Daniel said the curriculum would help to enhance public understanding of interfaith conflict and have greater access to neutral and conflict-sensitive information related to inter-faith harmony and cohesion.

Interim Country Director, SFCG, Fatima Madaki said that the organisation’s move to develop FoRB curriculum was against the backdrop of the fact that journalists wielded immense influence over public opinion and societal perceptions.

Madaki said it was a responsibility that carried not only the duty to inform but also the profound responsibility to do ethically and sensitively.

She said that the workshops focused on conflict-sensitive reporting within the framework of FoRB acknowledged the complexities that arise when covering issues that could be deeply personal and intertwined with cultural, social and political dynamics.

“We recognise that these issues are not just news stories; they are narratives that shape identities, values and relationships.

“The intersection between FoRB and journalism ca e fraught with challenges; how do we report on matters of faith and belief with sensitivity and respect for the diverse perspectives that exist?

“How can we ensure that our reporting contributes to peaceful coexistence rather than inadvertently fueling division?

“As we engage in these discussions, let us remember that our collective commitment to ethical journalism is a catalyst for positive change,’’she said

Madaki said that understanding the principles of common ground journalism would bridge divides, dispel misinformation and contribute to a world where freedom of religion or belief was celebrated as a cornerstone of diversity and harmony.

Mr Temisan Etietsola, the National Media Specialist, SFCG,said the organisation decided to develop the curriculum against the backdrop of the numerous religious crisis.

“We found out that when the issues of religious conflicts happens in Nigeria, journalists tend to shy away from reporting it, but we are not proactive enough to report these issues on religious freedom of religious belief.

“So we decided to develop this curriculum, in conjunction with other journalists at the top level who know what they and their colleagues want.

“We then use it to train them on how to report conflict sensitive issues around FoRB and we also feel the need for journalists that are coming up even right from the school to know how to report conflicts around FoRB issues,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta have lauded the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for bringing relative and sustainable peace for oil and gas activities to thrive in the region.

The stakeholders, who unanimously commended the programme, said the situation had positively impacted the overall wellbeing of the national economy.

Their resolve formed part of the communiqué issued on Thursday at the end of a meeting of leaders of the Niger Delta region with Phases 1, 2 and 3 of PAP beneficiaries in Abuja, which took place on Aug. 21.

The resolutions were jointly adopted by Elder statesman and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark; PAP Interim Administrator, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd); representatives of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Ijaw National Congress (INC).

Ex-agitators and other prominent stakeholders of the Niger Delta region were also part of the resolution.

They reaffirmed that the programme, which was instituted by late ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2009, had played a major role in bringing peace, security and stability to the Niger Delta, which at the time was challenged by an upsurge of militant activities.

The meeting provided a platform for the stakeholders to critically review the workings of the PAP since its inception with participants, especially the representatives of the beneficiaries also sharing their thoughts on various existing challenges and the way forward.

While commending the PAP Interim Administrator on the new initiatives to deepen socio-economic impact through the establishment of the PAP Cooperative Scheme, they enjoined all beneficiaries to “wholly embrace it”.

They noted that the PAP had carried out various training and reintegration initiatives and urged that the Programme be sustained with “greater vigour and funding”.

The stakeholders also affirmed that the PAP Interim Administrator had demonstrated high administrative capacity and competence since assuming office in October 2022.

They urged youths of the Niger Delta to sustainably embrace peace and work with the government to ensure effective implementation of the PAP initiatives aimed at addressing the socio-economic and developmental challenges of the region.

They called on the federal government to accord special attention to the programme, which according to them, had remained a major booster to the critical oil and gas industry, from which the country earned most of its revenue.

Calls were also made for the Amnesty Programme to “be inclusive, to cover all properly accredited delegates, and improve conditions for its implementation, as regards welfare of beneficiaries” in line with the economic realities of the country.

They further appealed to Ndiomu to establish Liaison Offices in the Niger Delta states to ensure effective implementation of PAP initiatives.

They also called for the establishment of a “single window liaison” at the PAP headquarters “for the purpose of resolving issues brought before the PAP Management”.

On the criticisms of the PAP leadership, the beneficiaries (Delegates of phases 1, 2 and 3) at the meeting, apologised and pleaded for clemency, blaming the situation on misinformation.

Representatives of Beneficiaries at the meeting were, Owoupele Eneoriekumoh, Omiundougha Richard, John Esuku, Ibena Salvation, Inko Bright, Tam Odogwu, Aso Tambo, Delta Dede, and Olotu Wanemi.

Leaders of ethnic nationalities who jointly signed the communiqué included, Dr Godknows Igali, Secretary of Board of Trustees (BOT), PANDEF; Dr Alfred Mulade, National Secretary, PANDEF and Dr Ken Robinson, National Publicity Secretary, PANDEF.

Others were Dr Prince Anyanate Kio, Leader, National Representative Council (NRC) of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide; Ebi Wodu, National Secretary, INC, Worldwide; Ms Annkio Briggs, Critical Stakeholder; Chief Kennedy Odiowei, National Financial Secretary, INC, and others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Afro Asian Community Development (AACD) in Nigeria has extolled the victory recorded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface of the Moon on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that with this development, India has become the first country to reach the unexplored larger south pole of the Moon.

Also, India has become the fourth country to master the technology of soft-landing on the lunar surface after the United States of America, China and the erstwhile Soviet Union.

The unmanned Chandrayaan-3, which means “Mooncraft” in Sanskrit, touched down at 6:04 pm India time (1234 GMT).

Mr Sanjay Srivastava, President, (AACD) in a statement on Thursday said it was indeed a new dawn for Indians as said by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Srivastava is also the Head of People of Indian Origin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PIOCCI) India-Nigeria Business Forum.

He said the gradual landing of the spacecraft was witnessed on the social media and ISRO’s channel by countless Indians and well wishers of India around the world.

Srivastava said that the event was also broadcast in various locations across Nigeria, including the CGI office, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and numerous schools.

“We extend our congratulations to all Indians for this achievement, and we are confident that India’s significant progress on the moon will hold great potential for the betterment of humanity in the future.

“India is committed to providing efficient, precise, and cost-effective assistance to all its allied nations in their space endeavors.

“We are also embarking on missions to explore the Sun and other planets in the near future,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has expressed support for the establishment of Anti Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), describing it as a laudable initiative of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The commendation was given in Abuja on Thursday by Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director of NAN while welcoming the new ACTU Desk Officer for the agency, Mrs Victoria Giwa who came to present her letter of introduction.

Ponle, who was represented by his Special Assistant (Special Duties), Mr Muftau Ojo, said NAN had been in support of such initiative of the ICPC and will continue to do so.

“We are solidly in support of such initiative that promotes transparency and openness. And we will continue to support the ACTU chapter here in NAN to achieve ICPC’s aspirations,” he said.

Ponle expressed NAN’s readiness to continue supporting ICPC through trainings organized yearly to build capacities of ACTU members in the agency.

The managing director assured the desk officer that the management of the agency would assist her in making her work easier especially if she needed clarifications on issues of mutual interest and collaboration.

Ponle asked the desk officer to freely approach the Management directly or through NAN’s ACTU members anytime the need arose.

In her response, Giwa said there were over 500 ACTUs in Ministries, Departments and Agencies all over the country.

She said that ACTUs were established not to witch-hunt anybody in government organizations but to assist management in ensuring transparency in policies and programmes.

“The ACTU cannot do without the support of management and we appreciate you for your assurance in this area. We earnestly look forward to more support from you,” the desk officer added.

Dr Razak Owolabi, Chairman of NAN ACTU and another member of the unit, Mrs Rachael Kopkung were also present at the occasion.

Giwa later presented her letter of introduction to the managing director, through the special assistant.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has, ordered the arrest of the owner of the two-storey building that collapsed on Wednesday night at Lagos Street, Garki Village, Abuja.

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FCT FEMA) said in a statement that two victims have died, while 37 others were evacuated and taken to the hospital.

Wike, who gave the order when he visited the scene of the incident on Thursday, also asked the Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Mr Adesola Olusade, to pay the medical bills of those hospitalised.

The minister also urged the Department of Development Control, FCTA, to urgently resettle the residents of the community.

He urged stakeholders to work with government officials for the interest of everyone.

“This is what we are talking about; people just built houses without due diligence to minimum standards.

“This is why cities are planned – forestall this kind of incidents.

“I sympathise with those who lost their lives while the medical bills of those in the hospitals will be paid immediately,” he said.

Earlier, the Director, Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, had explained that the area was unplanned and houses an indigenous community.

Galadima said that the two-storey building was multipurpose and was for both residential and commercial use.

The permanent secretary commended security agencies and some contractors who came out in their numbers to render support in evacuating the rubbles and search for more victims.

Also, the Director-General, FCT FEMA, Dr Idriss Abass, said that relevant agencies had been on ground since the occurrence of the incident, to rescue the victims.

Abass said that efforts were still ongoing “to ensure that no one is left under the rubbles”.

Meanwhile, some of the victims, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that they lost their investments and properties to the incident, and called for government support.

One of them, Ms Glory Perekeme, who operates a restaurant and a bar at the building, said she lost about N5 million as she could not take anything from her restaurant.

“I closed for business around 10:00 p.m. and was on my way home when I received a call that the building had collapsed and my investment gone.

“I am still in shock; and I don’t even know where to start from.

“I really need assistance. Government should come to our aid so we can start all over again,” she said.

Another victim, Mrs Ann Anyi, who owned a laundry and sells shoes, said that she lost everything to the incident.

“I have been crying since I got the news of the incident in the midnight.

“I am just hoping that when the rescue operation is over, I will be able to salvage something from the rubbles,” she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria