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  • Gbajabiamila urges journalists on professionalism, objectivity

    Gbajabiamila urges journalists on professionalism, objectivity

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged journalists to always uphold professionalism and objectivity in their reportage.

    Gbajabiamila, who spoke while unveiling the maiden calendar of the House of Reps Press Corps on Tuesday at the National Assembly, said he believed journalists have a lot to offer in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

    “Each time I have the opportunity to talk to you, I always tell you, we should work and continue to hold our feet to the fire and that’s your job. You must do that but do it with a little bit of responsibility after investigation.

    “Let the Press Corps of the House of Representatives be different from any other Press Corps you can imagine. Different not just in the sense that you carry out your journalistic responsibility objectively and professionally; you have been doing that so far, but we need to cross that Rubicon with a little bit more and we will get to the promised land.”

    He said the 9th National Assembly came at an unprecedented time and has been through a long tough road with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “So, the 9th is saddled with a lot of responsibilities like no other Assembly has ever been saddled with. But I’m glad that with your support and cooperation, we are trying our best to meet these responsibilities and these challenges as best as we can.

    “There are still going to be challenges ahead and by God’s grace, we will meet them. We will continue with our symbiotic relationship and I hope that by the time we are done, this 9th Assembly and this 9th House Press Corps will be remembered for good.”

    He commended the leadership of the press corps for coming up with the maiden calendar, saying it is a landmark achievement.

    In a remark, the chairman of the House Committee on Welfare and Services, Rep. Wale Raji, said the Legislature recognized the importance of the press in covering its activities.

    He said the work of building a nation is a partnership among all stakeholders, journalists inclusive, urging them to ensure that they promote democratic tenets in their reportage.

    The chairperson of the press corps, Mrs Grace Ike, thanked the Speaker for unveiling the calendar, which she said was to document some major activities of the 9th House.

  • Taraba Council boss threatened to deal with Journalists over investigations

    Taraba Council boss threatened to deal with Journalists over investigations

    By our Correspondent
    The Council Chairman of Kurmi Local Government in Taraba Mr. John Joseph Amamzalla has on Sunday in Jalingo threatened to deal with any reporter who investigates him over his alleged involvement with the EFCC and his local council.
    Investigation revealed that the council boss who was dragged before a Taraba High Court presided over Justice F. Agya over a six count charge since
    July 2020 over allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and forgery.
    The offences run contrary to Sections 96, 315 and 366 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 315 of the same law.
    Mr. John Joseph Amamzalla who is the third defendant and also former Director of finance of the local government, was alleged to have stolen from the coffers of Sardauna Local Government Area, a total of  N104, 200, 000 being funds  meant for capital projects in the local government area.
    Investigation revealed that the council boss is presently facing trial with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC.
    The angry Council boss bore his mind in a text message sent to our correspondent saying any Journalist who is following the case in EFCC on the acquisition of diversion of monthly generated revenue and deforestation of Kurmi forest, acquiring of landed properties with a pen name for his personal use will be deal with accordingly.
    He said “I am prepared to face any reporter on my way after all i am a full time politician I don’t have any file in the office that i will look for promotion,
    “I have little resources in my hand to face any body that wants to make himself an enemy to the progress we are making in our beloved country home kurmi” the chairman said.
    Investigation revealed that over N15 million has been remitted monthly to the council chairman on in the name of revenue generation in kurmi local government.
    A group of revenue collectors in Baissa, the headquarters of Kurmi LGA, told Journalists that the revenue generated comes from Timber and other natural resources as over twenty trailers were loaded weekly from different part of council with various items to different parts of the country.
    They said, despite the huge revenue generation in the area, the council has nothing to show in terms of development projects.
    Recently, the Kurmi Movement for Sensitization and Environmental Protection, KMSEP, has questioned the leadership of Kurmi Local Government council on the massive destruction of her forest on daily basis in the name of revenue generation.
    Chairman of the Kurmi Movement for Sensitization and Environmental Protection, Barr Danladi Gambo Tukura made this known in a letter signed and issued to stakeholders, DPO, DSS, Chief Magistrate, Kurmi traditional Council, Chairman Kurmi Local Government council, saying the massive exploitation and destruction of forestry and other resources saying, enough is enough.
  • Journalists are criminal reckless – Sheik Ahmad Gumi

    Journalists are criminal reckless – Sheik Ahmad Gumi

    The International Press Centre has dismissed the recent comment of Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, that journalists are criminals as reckless.

    Its Executive Director Lanre Arogundade said Gumi was setting a bad precedent with the comment.

    He spoke on Arise TV The Morning Show monitored by The Nation on Monday.

    The Nation had reported that Gumi described journalists as “criminals” for their consistent reporting of the activities of bandits and describing the outlaws as criminals.

     

    He had said: “You are emphasising on criminality, I don’t know. Even the Press (journalists) are criminals too because they are putting oil into fire. These people are listening to you, don’t address them as criminals if you want them to succumb,” Sheikh Gumi said.

     

    But Arogundade, while responding on why journalists have suddenly become the target of other people’s frustration, said: “Journalists are on the spot… first and foremost, there is a failure of leadership and my feeling is that, attempt is being made to blackmail the media to make it look like the media is ab initio the creator of the crisis or series of crises we have in the country.

    “We might raise questions about our reporting but to make it look as if the media sat somewhere and created all these would be something that is totally out of place.

    “This media bashing must stop…The media didn’t create these crises. Instead of solving these problems, all we have are statements from elected leaders of the country that are capable of further inflaming…

    “One needs to totally condemn the statement of Sheikh Gumi saying journalists are criminals. I think he needs to re-substantiate this; he needs to be taken to chart over this reckless statement… It is a dangerous precedent, and a bad one and we demand a retraction.”

    “On the other hand, it is also unimaginable that someone would wake up and say we should stop referring to bandits as ‘criminals’… This is an attempt to change the narrative.”

    Arogundade admonished the media to raise its head above the line by ensuring professional and ethical reporting, understanding the concerns of conflict management and resolution and most importantly holding the leadership to account.

  • Over 600 Journalists across the world died of COVID-19 – NGO

    Over 600 Journalists across the world died of COVID-19 – NGO

    A press freedom organisation has said over 600 journalists have died of COVID-19 since last year March 1.

    The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), which tracks the death of journalists around the world said it was not possible to differentiate journalists who had become infected whilst working, and their list also includes retired journalists.

    The Geneva-based group said it believes journalists “should have priority access to immunisation upon request.

    “Because of their profession, journalists who go into the field to testify are particularly exposed to the virus. Some of them, specially freelancers and photographers, can’t just work from home,” PEC secretary-general Blaise Lempen said in a statement.

    The PEC tally is based on information from local media, national associations of journalists and regional PEC correspondents.

    It said the actual number would be higher than 602 as the cause of journalists’ deaths is sometimes not specified, their deaths are not announced or there is no reliable local information

  • Peace Keeping Centre urges journalists to be professional, patriotic in reporting conflicts

    Peace Keeping Centre urges journalists to be professional, patriotic in reporting conflicts

    The Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, has urged journalists to be professional and patriotic in reporting ongoing military operations in the country.

    The Commandant of the Centre, Maj.-Gen James Ataguba, made the call when executive members of Kaduna State chapter of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel, paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday in Jaji, Kaduna State.

    Ataguba said the media has the power to make or mar the society, as such should not abuse their powers through stories capable of inciting unrest in the society.

    “Journalists must learn to be responsible in writing their stories.

    “As the executives of the chapel, you are saddled with the responsibility of checkmating other members of the chapel on inaccurate and fairness in their story; reporters found wanting should be sanctioned by the chapel.

    According to him, the media is critical to any society, as it is the voice of the voiceless.

    “If one voice misleads, the nation falls; stories from the north east, sometimes when reported make one wonders if the reporter is a Nigerian.

    “If your reports tend to inflame issues, then there is no sign of responsibility in it.

    “Implore your professionalism as much as possible and moderate the activities of the larger press, be socially responsible in stories in order to de-escalate situations.

    “Always seek clarification before sending stories which I believe will sell more, if properly clarified,’’ Ataguba advised.

    He pledged to support the training of members of the chapel on conflict reporting.

    “In the business of training on peacemaking, building capacity in leadership and collaboration on defence, we would support you,’’ the commandant said.

    Earlier, Chairman of the Chapel, Hajia Asma’u Halilu, disclosed that the chapel had a plan to hold two major programmes for members within the year.

    “We want to train our members on conflict reporting; we also intend to go to Southern Kaduna on tour to cover the reconciliation process, we are seeking for your technical support,’’ she said.

    She commended the Nigerian Army on their tireless efforts towards protecting the lives of citizens.

    Halilu thanked the commandant for giving them audience and promised to lead the chapel to a point worthy of emulation.

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  • Petrol Hike: Nigeria Police arrest Protesters and journalists in Lagos

    Some protesters have been arrested after taking to the streets of Lagos to speak against the increased fuel price. 

    Fuel price hike: Protesters and journalists arrested in Lagos (video)

    The protesters who held up placards which expressed how they felt towards the increased fuel price, began their march from the Nigeria Labour Congress House in Yaba, Lagos. They were however rounded off by police men at Ojuelegba.

    Among the 18 protesters arrested by the policemen are Galaxy TV’s Daniel Tanimu, Sahara reporters, Premium Times and Punch news correspondents. Some policemen were spotted in the viral video trying to stop them from filming the confrontation. 

    They were subsequently taken to the Area C police station before being transferred to Police Headquarters in Ikeja Lagos.