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Journalists Advised to Embrace Act of Inclusive Storytelling
Journalists Advised to Embrace Act of Inclusive Storytelling
By: Michael Mike
Journalists have been asked to embrace the act of inclusive storytelling in their trade as it remains a powerful tool that inspires individuals and communities to make positive decisions towards a better future.
The Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI), Dr. Adaora Sydney – Jack gave the advice at the Gender the Agenda Project Story Circle Exhibition and Award Presentation in Abuja.
Sydney -Jack, also explained that the power of Inclusive storytelling plays a vital role in driving social and political progress.
She said: “In today’s media landscape, where attention spans are short, and information overload is a constant challenge, the power of storytelling in journalism had never been more crucial. By harnessing the motive and transformative potential of storytelling, tourists can cut through the noise, capture audiences’ attention and drive meaningful engagement with important issues. Whether it’s through long-form features, traditional media, talk shows, multimedia presentations, journalists have a vast array of tools at their disposal to craft narratives that inform, inspire, investigate and ignite.”
She added that effective journalism must be balanced and factual, explaining that: “It is essential to recognise that effective inclusive storytelling in journalism requires a dedicated balance between facts and narrative techniques. While the core facts must remain accurate and verifiable, journalists can use storytelling devices to engage their audience and create a memorable impact. This blend of factual accuracy and storytelling prowess is what distinguishes great journalism from mere reporting”.
She also said that the power of Inclusive storytelling in journalism lies in the ability to spur action, while disclosing that: “The Story Circle Exhibition is not just an exhibition of stories of journalists but a barring of their efforts, the challenges, the resilience,the determination in seeking the truth and demanding accountability on issues as they concern our target demography who are women and persons with disabilities within the FCT. It is also a consideration of what can happen when you dare the odds and redefine opportunities in an environment where the journalist is seen as an opponent rather than the path finder.”
Also speaking, the Director MacArthur Foundation, Mr. Kole Shettima,said his organisation takes priority in work around accountabilities, strengthening the criminal justice system in the society , and bringing about behavioural change, to support Civil Society Organisation (CSO).
He said: “We support the work around investigative journalism because we believe that accountability journalism is critical and important for the progress and development of our country. We believe that duty bearers must be held accountable and we do that through the reality that our journalists are going through what other journalists are going through around the globe. We believe that supporting journalists to do independent work is important towards editorial independence. In all the work we do, we approach it towards gender and social inclusion perspectives. In doing this work around gender social inclusion , we pay attention to gender, disability. PWD.”
On her part, the Executive Director, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Motunrayo Alaka, who was represented by Kimberly Chukwu, said: “The MacArthur Foundation, strive to build an ecosystem where transparency, accountability and good governance thrive at all levels of government—especially at the state and local levels.
“Together, we have cultivated a space where investigative journalism is not only about uncovering the truth but also about ensuring that the voices of the marginalised are central to the narratives we construct. Gender-lensed reporting is not just an optional approach; it is essential for nuanced and comprehensive understanding of current issues. When we include the perspectives of women in our stories, we move closer to the truth, recognising that the experiences of half of our population are integral to the fabric of our society.”
A cash of N100,000 was given to each of the two winners of the competition, Laraba Murey and Momso Damien
The story circle exhibition was organised by Gender Strategy Advancement International supported by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism investigative and MacArthur Foundation.
Journalists Advised to Embrace Act of Inclusive Storytelling
NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It
By: Michael Mike
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO) of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Yemisi Asagbra debunked some allegations level against the agency by some non governmental organisations (NGOs) concerning negligence and compromise.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Asagbra said: “The negative statements circulating are misleading and lack credible scientific backing. The agency asks these organisations to present verifiable scientific evidence for their claims and we relies on sound scientific research and internationally recognized protocols to make informed decisions. It is part of the Cartagena Protocol with over 180 parties, our mandate is to protect the health of Nigerians and the environment. It will not compromise on this as it is an agency of integrity.
She added that: “The agency is transparent and accountable in its operations. It invites review of its processes and rigorous evaluations of GMO products. We are confident in our procedures that it’s meet global standards and it is a leader in effective regulation in Africa”.
On the source of the allegations, she said “over the years they have been advocating to have their presence in the board where all these products coming will be thoroughly Investigated, but it hasn’t been given. Most times we rely on the information given by Nigeria Custom Service to furnish them with needed information, which most time is not always easy if they have other things doing.
The Head planning, research and statistics National Biosafety Management Agency Mrs. Bello Scholastica said the agency is concerned with safety to our health and safety to our environment.
She further reiterated that what NBMA stands for is to establish first regulation from identification of the gene of interest, “of what you are interested in, from then till commercialization, and even after commercialization, they still follow suit to make sure that the approvals they gave hasn’t caused any harm, or those that were given approval to that they stay put to what they were asked to do”.
She further explained that the agency has put in effort to promote environmental conservation and biosafety in Nigeria.
NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It
House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill
By: Michael Mike
The House of Representatives has revealed that it is interested in the passage of the Human Rights Defenders Bill into law, saying that the bill has already passed the first reading and will soon be subjected to second reading.
The House also promised to take the necessary steps to ensure an improvement in the 2025 budget of the NHRC, pointing out that the N5 billion approved for it in the 2024 budget is inadequate considering the myriad of human rights violations in the country.
The Chairman House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Abiola Makinde made this disclosure during the oversight visit of Committee to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The Chairman, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Hon. Mudashiru Lukeman assured the NHRC that the Committee would continue to advance the course of human rights in Nigeria by ensuring that the House of Representatives passes critical bills on human rights issues as well as makes adequate budgetary provisions to ease the work of the Commission.
Makinde also stated that in a bid to improve some aspects of Civil and Political Rights, the House of Representatives had ensured the establishment of human rights desks in all police formations and Headquarters across the 36 States of the Federation.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu who received the lawmakers with his management staff told the Human Rights Committee that the Commission relies heavily on them for the enactment of human rights friendly laws and enhanced budgetary provisions to discharge it broad mandate of promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in the country.
He used the opportunity to commend the legislators for their role in the amendment of the NHRC Act 2010 as well as the support of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in the payment of compensation to victims of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
He equally informed the legislators who were on oversight visit about the recent report released by the Commission following the findings of the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter-Insurgency Operations in the North East Nigeria , which he noted has saved the country from possible invitation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He noted that the aforementioned wide spread allegations of human rights infractions against some government institutions could result in the ICC extending invitations to some of the leaders to respond to the allegations, but the Commission has done the needful in compliance with the international principles of omplementarity.
He thanked the Committee for promising to improve the budgetary allocation of the Commission in the 2025 fiscal year.
House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill
FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa
By: Michael Mike
The arrest of Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa in Finland has been confirmed by the federal government.
A statement on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested by Finnish authorities on Thursday.
According to the statement, Ekpa was
charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
The Finnish District Court of
Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
The Finnish authorities alleged that Mr. Ekpa used social media platforms to spread
separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused
significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria. Finnish investigators had also linked
him to incidents of violence in Nigeria, which were believed to had been fueled by his
online activities.
The statement said “the arrest of Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic
pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities,
which were linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria. The request
for action featured during high level engagements between countries.”
The Ministry stated that the arrest of Ekpa, is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralizing the influence of transnational actors and “their impact on our national security.”
The Ministry promised to continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses.
FG Confirms Arrest of Simon Ekpa
NBMA Debunks Allegations of Negligence, Compromise Against It
Nigerian lawyers Ask to Collaborate with Chinese Colleagues in Law Relating to Investment and Dispute Resolution
House of Reps Assures on Passage of Human Rights Defenders Bill
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