News
NHRC Advises Media on Reporting of Migration Issues
NHRC Advises Media on Reporting of Migration Issues
By: Michael Mike
The media has been advised to be cautious in reporting migration issues, ensuring that it is not used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes but rather promote empathy and understanding.
Speaking at a capacity building of the media on human rights based approach to migration and prevention of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in conjunction with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR)
and Protection of Migrants (PROMIS), the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu told journalists at the training that:
“Your reporting can either perpetuate harmful stereotypes or promote empathy and understanding.”
He added that: “We recognize the vital role media plays in shaping policy discourses that affect how people act. Through accurate, sensitive, and solutions-oriented storytelling, you can help dismantle the architecture of human trafficking, challenge xenophobic narratives, and advocate for the rights and dignity of migrants.”
He explained that the training is organized with the following objectives: To enhance understanding on Trafficking in Persons (TiP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SoM) and human rights-based approach to migration; To equip media agencies with the skills and knowledge to report ethically, accurately, and sensitively on issues of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
Ojukwu said: “Migration is a contentious phenomenon that is multifaceted with millions of individuals residing and working in countries outside their own. Migration is inherent right of all human beings and has been in existence for decades, human rights is cross cutting in all migratory movements primarily because human rights are universal, and everyone on the move is entitled to the protection of their rights as guaranteed by National Regional and international laws.
“Migration is complex and often divisive, and negative attitudes towards migrants, coupled with exclusionary practices, have escalated in recent years. With hundreds of thousands of people embarking on unsafe routes each year in search of better opportunities, the need for an in-depth understanding of migration and its connection to human rights has never been greater.”
He further explained that: “The Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) is a conceptual framework aimed at promoting and protecting human rights based on international standards. It puts human rights and corresponding state obligations in policy, empowering migrants in vulnerable situations to participate in decision-making processes and hold duty-bearers accountable. A HRBA to migration prioritizes treating migrants as human beings, underscored by principles of non-discrimination, empowerment, participation, inclusion, and accountability.”
He said: “Media, as a key influencer of public opinion and awareness, plays a crucial role in framing narratives and policy discourses that affect public actions, thoughts, policymaker priorities, and migrant decisions. The media disseminates information while highlighting the challenges, aspirations, and vulnerabilities of migrants, fostering a deeper understanding of migration drivers. This influences public perception and the design of programmes and initiatives by policymakers. Media voices are essential in shaping opinions and exposing human rights violations impacting migrants.
“To understand and report on discriminatory practices and the unequal power distribution underlying trafficking and smuggling of migrants, which maintain impunity for perpetrators and deny justice to victims, it is essential to build media capacity on HRBA to migration. This enables understanding of how human rights violations arise throughout the trafficking cycle and how states’ obligations under international human rights law are engaged.”
On her part, the Senior Human Rights Adviser, Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu said: “Studies show Nigerian media outlets representation of migrants and migrant issues have been patchy.
“Among other challenges, the frequency of newspaper coverage of migrants is often low and that when they are reported, migrants are not quoted or interviewed. Journalists often rely heavily on government sources. There is also little attention given to why migrants were migrating in the first place.”
She lamented that often migrants are described in reports as “returnees”, “evacuees”, “stranded Nigerians abroad”, or “illegal migrants” without contextualisation, adding that: “Migrants are portrayed as vulnerable or stranded individuals in need of rescue or intervention.”
She told the journalists that: “Throughout the two days, you will hear about migration terminology, gender-sensitive reporting, ethical photojournalism, and reporting vulnerable sources of information, all forming the basis of human-rights based approach. OHCHR and the UN system as a whole have resources that can assist you in taking this workshop forward and broaden coverage and news content related to migration.”
NHRC Advises Media on Reporting of Migration Issues
Govt Namadi Awards Special Scholarship to 801 PWDs, Destitute Children
By: Aminu B Dutse
No fewer than 801 People Leaving With Disabilities (PWD), PWDs and other destitute children students studying in various tertiary institutions across the country got special scholarship in addition to general scholarships from Jigawa State governor Malam Umar Namadi.
Speaking while launching the programme, governor Malam Umar Namadi at Banquet Hall at government house, said the programme is under the “Danmodi Students Care” initiative where the beneficiaries drown from 27 local government areas of the state.
Malam Umar Namadi explained that the initiative complements the state’s annual local and foreign scholarship program, which benefits over 36,000 of students from the state.
He revealed that in 2024, his administration reviewed and increased the annual scholarship allowance by 150%, ensuring it covers at least 50% of undergraduates’ registration fees.
Governor Namadi emphasized his administration’s commitment to investing in human capital development, particularly in education and empowerment, which are fundamental to achieving sustainable growth and development.
According to him “Education is a key pillar in our 12-Point Agenda, and we will continue to invest in our students, who are the future assets of our dear state, he said.
At the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Student Affairs and President of “*Danmodi Students Care”, Comrade Salisu Muhammad Seeker, explained that the special scholarship targets students studying Medicine, Health Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, and selected Arts and Social Science courses.
“Additionally, students under the ‘Women for Health’ program” , selected from rural areas, are among the beneficiaries,”* he said.. “The scholarship will support them from admission until graduation, subject to annual academic performance reviews based on the program’s criteria.” Comrade Salisu stated.
He noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Umar Namadi’s agenda to ensure access to education for every child in the state, regardless of their parents’ socioeconomic status.
Comrade Salisu further stated that, For the 2024/2025 academic session, Danmodi Student’s Care assisted over 1,000 students to gained admission into various universities and tertiary institutions, with 400 of them qualifying for this scholarship.
He revealed that “Danmodi Students Care” is an initiative designed to support rural and underprivileged students in securing tertiary education admission while providing comprehensive welfare and academic support to enhance their performance.
Govt Namadi Awards Special Scholarship to 801 PWDs, Destitute Children
Police Conduct Raids Across Abuja, Arrest 62 Suspects for Criminal Activities
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 62 suspects during a series of coordinated raids on black spots and uncompleted buildings across various areas in Abuja.
Police sources confirmed that the raids took place on the night of April 17 at around 11:40 p.m. Police operatives from multiple divisions, including Kubwa, Nyanya, Kabusa, Lokogoma, Utako, Gwarinpa, and Bwari, participated in the operation targeting criminal hotspots in their areas of responsibility.
The police recovered a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as illicit drugs, from the locations raided.
“The arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing screening and interrogation at their respective divisional offices. Those found to be involved in criminal activities will be charged to court,” the sources stated.
Police Conduct Raids Across Abuja, Arrest 62 Suspects for Criminal Activities
Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force, in a coordinated operation with its Nigerien counterpart, on Friday launched a series of precision airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts along the Nigeria–Niger border in the Lake Chad region.
The joint operation, which reportedly lasted for over four hours, was based on actionable intelligence gathered by Nigerien air surveillance units. The intelligence guided Nigerian fighter jets to specific locations believed to be used by terrorists for cross-border attacks.
According to initial field reports, the targeted area, described as a strategic terrorist enclave, was suspected of housing a mix of fighters, women, and children. The location had been under sustained observation for its alleged role in coordinating operations across the tri-border region of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad.
Following the bombardment, over 50 individuals were reportedly seen fleeing towards Fefewa, a remote village within the Lake Chad basin. Some of the escapees, according to unverified accounts, may have been attempting to regroup with a larger armed faction said to be fortified in nearby forested zones.
Although the casualty figures remain unclear, sources monitoring the operation, including Phantom Eye Hub, confirmed that investigations are underway to ascertain the impact and full extent of the strikes.
The joint air campaign underscores the increasing regional collaboration between Nigeria and Niger in countering insurgency threats.
Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region
2027: Despite ‘fake news’ and ‘misinformation, Tinubu and Shettima are not deterred by the antics of the coalition.
Govt Namadi Awards Special Scholarship to 801 PWDs, Destitute Children
RE: MISCHIEVOUS REPORT ON ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA BY VICE PRESIDENT KASHIM SHETTIMA, GCON
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics8 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
