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2023: N/East stakeholders task journalists to shun junk journalism

Published

3 years ago

November 1, 2022

2023: N/East stakeholders task journalists to shun junk journalism

Stakeholders in the media industry in North-East have cautioned journalists against sensitional reportage to facilitate credible and peaceful 2023 general elections.

The stakeholders including media practitioners, politicians, unionists, and activists spoke while responding to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on political thuggery in Bauchi, Damatruru, Dutse, Gombe and Yola.

They described media as critical towards ensuring violence-free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Mr Saidu Malala, Chairman, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Gombe State, said media had a critical agenda-setting role towards promoting peace and harmony in the country.

He said the support of journalists through peace-oriented news would help create a peaceful political atmosphere that contributes to the integrity and credibility of elections.

“Journalists have a duty to report issues that will not fuel violence in the country, even though we have a responsibility to inform the public in a professional manner.

“There are reports that may trigger violence if not handled properly in line with professional ethics, we must be guided in this regard.

“We need peace not just for election but for our everyday activities, and as critical stakeholders, we owe the society reportage that will promote peace and unity,” he said.

While urging journalists to be objective, Malala advised them to be security conscious so as not to become victims of violence or thuggery during electioneering campaigns.

“You must assess the security situation of any event before you embark on any journey to cover events.

“Don’t put yourself in a position where you will be vulnerable in view of the increase in thuggery in Gombe State,” he said.

Also; Mr Rajab Muhammad, the Council Chairman in Yobe, tasked media organisations to shun airing programmes capable of disrupting peace ahead of the 2023 elections.

He noted that such inciting programmes were against the ethics of the profession, and stressed the need for media practitioners to be objective as enshrined in the NUJ constitution.

“Reporters and sub-editors should aim at objectivity while dealing with political stories. They should not allow their personal bias or ideas to creep into a story.

“They should not take sides but try to present divergent views to achieve balance in their reportage,” he said.

Muhammad also urged politicians to avoid desperation in politics, adding that do-or-die politics is inimical to the entrenchment of democratic governance.

In his contribution, Shettima Ja’afar, Director of, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Borno, attributed thuggery to desperation exhibited by some politicians.

He said it was good for the media to sanction airing incitiful and vulgar language by politicians during their campaigns.

This, he said, was necessary towards ensuring a hitch-free election, adding that, “the media as major stakeholder should not be promoting contents that will jeopardize the process.

“Reporting hate speech by the media will create tension and violence if not handled with caution”.

According to him, the Agency in collaboration with other stakeholders will creat a forum for collective action towards violent-free election.

The NOA official blamed spate of thuggery in the country to misuse of social media by some self-seeking elements.

“The conventional media are trying, and regulated to some extend unlike the social media. It is being used to spin news, spread falsehoods and hate speech capable of breeding violence”.

He enjoined the youth to shun misuse of social media and participate actively in the process to ensure peaceful election.

He further advised politicians and political parties to prioritise consultative engagement to promote internal democracy and encourage growth of democratic culture.

In the same vein; Mr Ishaka Dedan, the NUJ Chairman in Adamawa, said the Council had sensitised media executives and journalists on the dangers associated with sensational reportage.

He said the Council had adopted effective mechanism to ensure that media organisations and journalists run their services in line with professional ethics and guidelines governing their operations.

Similarly; Dr Abdullahi Mohammed, a lecturer, Department of Mass Communications, Adamawa State Polytechnic, stressed the need for the journalists to be apolitical, neutral and objective in their reportage.

“Media houses should base their content on credible sources and not to report something that might constitute threat to corpotrate existence of the nation.

“When it comes to announcement of election results, they shouldn’t preempt the electoral umpire,” he said.

Moreso; Mr Sabo Mohammmed, a Bauchi-based political analyst, identified fake news as a bane to effective journalism.

He said the role of the media in agenda setting calls for caution and application of professional in discharging its constitutional mandate.

“Journalists need to be meticulous in sifting stories that are true and those that are false, used in achieving certain ends,” he said.

For his part, David Ayodele, a veteran journalist, said the media plays significant role in ensuring fair, objective, balance and proper investigation of news materials.

“You have a responsibility to be credible, professional and you must be residual of standard by setting a professional code for others to follow, especially during electioneering campaigns,” he said.

This, he said, is necessary for the sustenance of the country’s nascent democracy and political stability, adding that the media must be used positively for societal good rather than destructive purposes.

While urging journalists to be fair and objective in reporting election processes, Ayodele also tasked them to show more decorum and professionalism in reporting security and humanitarian issues.

News

VP Shettima’s Agricultural Assessment Visit To Ethiopia

Published

4 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima’s Agricultural Assessment Visit To Ethiopia

By: Our Reporter

An agricultural economist by training whose love for agricultural transformation and development has never been hidden, as demonstrated recently when he visited the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan for an on-the-spot assessment of the Institute’s crops and resource potentials, Vice President Kashim Shettima today embarked on an assessment of the popular Adama Industrial Zone near Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

Farms visited by the Vice President for the on-the-spot assessment included the Adama Dairy Farms, Luke Avocado Nursery site, Shera Dibandiba Mojo Family Integrated Farm, Biyyo Poultry Farm, and the Bishoftu Pea Farm.

While speaking on areas of agricultural collaboration between both countries, the Vice President ordered specialised coffee beans seeds for massive production in Nigeria while also directing the immediate training of selected Nigerian agricultural extension farmers on the production of specialized avocado seedlings for the Nigerian market.

VP Shettima also sought an exchange of mechanisation technologies between both countries, stressing that the potential of both Nigeria’s and Ethiopia’s agricultural sectors was capable of capturing world markets, especially when fully harnessed and exploited.

VP Shettima’s Agricultural Assessment Visit To Ethiopia

News

Leboku-in-Abuja 2025 Festival Celebrates New Year Festival to Bolster Nigeria’s Rich Cultural Heritage

Published

4 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Leboku-in-Abuja 2025 Festival Celebrates New Year Festival to Bolster Nigeria’s Rich Cultural Heritage

By: Michael Mike

One of the nation’s most celebrated events, the New Year Festival would berth in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the Kedei Seh Umor-Otutu, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy stage the Lenoku-in-Abuja 2025.

It promises to bolster Nigeria’s cultural heritage and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Yakurr people in Cross River, the South-South and South-East in the nation and the world at large.

Addressing a pre-festival press conference in Abuja, President of Kedei Seh Umor-Otutu, a community-based association, Queency Patrick said the forthcoming festival with the theme: “A celebration of heritage, unity and harvest,” is one of the kind.

She explained that Lenoku-in-Abuja 2025 is an internationally acclaimed New Yam festival that is celebrated on August 30 in Abuja, under auspices of Kedei Seh Umor-Otutu, an association of Ugep people living in the FCT.

Patrick said: “Leboku-in-Abuja-2025 aligns with national goals of cultural preservation, inter-ethnic harmony and in promoting Nigeria as a cultural destination.

“The Federal Capital Territory provides the ideal backdrop to unite heritage and modernity, welcoming all who believe in peace, identity and pride of origin.

“For us, it is not just a cultural event, it is a call to national unity, peace and cultural tourism development.

“It is also an opportunity for us to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Yakurr people in Cross River, the South-South and South-East in the nation and the world at large.”

She further explained that: “The event fosters appreciation of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic-root and culture. Leboku-in-Abuja is more than a festival, it is a stage for celebrating our cultural identity, building bridges through tradition and encouraging investment in the creative economy and tourism sector.”

According to her, Mr Obi Asika, DirectorGeneral/CEO of the National Council for Arts and Culture, had in a letter which formally endorsed the association’s collaboration with government described Leboku-in-Abuja, as annual New Yam Festival celebrated in Abuja by Yakurr people of Cross River.

Patrick further quoted him by saying the Leboku festival, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Yakurr people of Cross River, has long been a symbol of unity, celebration, and agricultural prosperity.

Asika, in the letter noted that: “Bringing this renowned festival to Abuja will provide a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, tourism development, and deeper appreciation of our diverse traditions.

“It aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and NCAC’s mandate to promote arts and culture, as essential drivers or Nigeria’s creative economy,” Asika added.

Patrick revealed the event would provide platform for public lecture, economic empowerment, traditional food festival, cultural and arts exhibition, sports, agriculture, trade and tourism development.

The event scheduled to hold at the Bolton White event centre, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja is centered on promoting unity and peace with the toga: “One Yam, One People.”

Leboku-in-Abuja 2025 Festival Celebrates New Year Festival to Bolster Nigeria’s Rich Cultural Heritage

News

Crisis brews in Gombe SDP as Yakubu emerges acting chairman

Published

7 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Crisis brews in Gombe SDP as Yakubu emerges acting chairman

The Gombe State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed a new chairman, Aaron Yakubu to serve in acting capacity following the suspension of its state chairman, Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo, over allegations of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and misuse of party resources.

His suspension was announced at a news conference held in Gombe on Saturday by the party’s Welfare Secretary, Usman Yahaya, on behalf of concerned members of the state executive.

Reading the statement, Yahaya said there were countless complaints against the now suspended chairman, whom he said had side-lined party stakeholders and running the party like his personal property.

“Since Comrade Modibbo assumed office, the party has experienced no meaningful progress. Instead, the leadership claims he has used his position to witch-hunt loyal stakeholders and frustrated committed party members for his personal gain.”

He accused Modibbo of systematically “caging” the party’s executive members and aspirants, depriving over 90% of both returning and newly acting executive members of access to official SDP membership cards.

He further alleged that the selection of party candidates has been done without due process or consultation, with names being announced solely via national platforms involving prominent figures like Malam Nasir El-Rufai, thereby side-lining the state executive.
Yahaya also accused the suspended chairman of allegedly using his personal residence as the de facto party office.

This, the executives say, violates proper procedures and comes despite funds being made available to renovate the official state party office and rent offices across the local government areas.

“As it stands, the SDP in Gombe State does not have a functional or recognised operational office,”

In the light of the above weighty and numerous allegations against Modibbo, the Welfare Secretary said that the Gombe State chapter of the party has taken decisive action by suspending Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo as chairman with immediate effect.

“In this regard, we hereby announce that the current State Secretary of the party, Mr. Aaron Yakubu, will now serve as the Acting State Chairman of the SDP in Gombe.

“Similarly, Ambassador Lukman Adamu Elkanem, previously serving as the Acting Assistant Public Relations Officer, has now been appointed as the Acting State Secretary of the party.”

Yahaya, on behalf of the state chapter of the SDP, appealed for intervention from the national body of the party to look into the allegations against the former chairman and to restore discipline, accountability, and credible leadership to the Gombe chapter of the party.

Speaking shortly in an interview, Yakubu said he would work to build inclusiveness in the party and ensure all party members were carried along in line with the constitution of the party.

He stated that out of the 13 working committee members of the party, nine were present and in support of the suspension of Modibbo.