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Press Freedom is Fundamental to Democracy- UNESCO

Press Freedom is Fundamental to Democracy- UNESCO
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said press freedom is fundamental to institutionalization of democracy.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the United Nations House, the Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Regional Office Abuja, Mr Philippe Delange, in his speech to commemorate the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day organised by UNESCO in collaboration with UN Information Centre (UNIC), commemoration of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day organised by UNESCO in collaboration with UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Abuja, said that “without press freedom, democracy was a shadow of itself.”
The day which had the theme: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all Other Human Rights,” also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Conference Programme of Action on Human Rights.
World Press Freedom Day was established by the UN General Assembly to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.
Delange said: “Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democratic society,” adding that: “Without a debate of ideas, without verified facts, without diversity of perspectives, democracy is a shadow of itself and World Press Freedom Day was established to remind us of this.”
He said: “For the international community, it is first and foremost a question of combating the impunity that still surround crimes of which journalists are victims, with nearly nine out of ten murders of journalists going unpunished.”
Delange also said the UN had the Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, which UNESCO had been leading for ten years.
He explained that the action plan ensured that independent media can continue to exist, noting that: “With the digital revolution, the information landscape and its modes of production and distribution have been radically disrupted, jeopardizing the viability of independent professional media.”
He however decried that 30 years after the first World Press Freedom Day, a lot had happened and lots more needed to be done as well.
He said it was an opportunity to renew commitment within international organisations to defending journalists and ensuring press freedom.
On his part, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigerian, Mr Matthias Schmale said having freedom of expression and seeking information fostered intellectual growth and contribute to social and political progress.
He said: “A free press is essential, if we want truth, justice, and accountability to flourish,” while regretting that press freedom remained under threat in many parts of the world, lamenting that speech was being repressed both online and offline.
He said truth is undermined by disinformation and hate speech, while media workers face mounting threats, including women journalists living in fear of violence in many parts of the world.
He said World Press Freedom Day reminds all that freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was a prerequisite for the enjoyment of all other rights.
He said: “We all have a responsibility to support and protect those who risk their lives speaking truth to power.
“UNESCO will continue to lead UN efforts to keep media professionals safe and help them seek justice.
“I call on government, CSOs and citizens to promote and protect press freedom.
“Together, we can shape a future of rights where journalists can tell the stories that need to be told.”
Executive Secretary,National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chief Anthony Ojukwu, said the commission was aware of several bills proposed at the National Assembly for the purpose of gagging the media.
Ojukwu, who was represented by the Commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Mrs Agharese Arese, said NHRC would continue to work with other stakeholders to ensure that the right to freedom of expression and the press was exercised within the ambit of the law.
He said: “Whereas, the social and digital media has been criticised for encroaching on privacy rights and fuelled hate statements. We believe in the sufficiency of our laws for individuals affected to seek civil legal remedies.
“The NHRC is passionate about the protection of the rights of Nigerians which includes journalists.”
Deputy Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Baze University Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, said freedom was priceless while it could be denied in diverse ways.
He said freedom can be denied through regulations, intimidation, harassment, denial of rights which can be politically motivated or otherwise.
He said people could engage in peaceful protests, advocacies, dialogues to fight efforts targeted at gagging the media.
Adeniyi added that freedom of expression was an integral part of human rights and a viable democracy.
Mr John Attah, Programme Director, Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria, called on stakeholders to protect journalists while they do their jobs.
Press Freedom is Fundamental to Democracy- UNESCO
News
JAMB Registrar, ASE VC task students to make good use of time

JAMB Registrar, ASE VC task students to make good use of time
..As ASE matriculates pioneer set
By: Michael Mike
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Emeritus Is-haq Oloyede, has encouraged students to make a good use of their time, noting that the most important things in life are often limited in supply.
Oloyede gave this advice while making his remarks at the maiden matriculation of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence) in Abuja.
The JAMB Registrar noted that regardless of the students’ courses and departments, one important lesson that being students of the university should remind them of is the need to put value on what is limited because economics is about maximizing the utilisation of the limited and everyone must locate themselves within that philosophy.
Oloyede, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, further encouraged the students to make a judicious use of the opportunities available to them saying that the size of the university would allow them to be able to benefit maximally as the extremely large classes could not be applicable to them. He wished the university all the best and expressed hope that the students would justify the investments made in them.
In his Lecture, “Education: The Pathway to Success in Life”, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, African School of Economics, Prof. Michael Maduagwu, emphasized the importance of education and underscored the significance of reading widely. He noted that the advent of Information and Communication Technology has made reading and learning much accessible with unlimited learning resources available to the students.
He also charged them on ethics and character noting that stories bordering on examination malpractice, bribery, cultism and sexual harassment have often been told in some Nigerian universities but they should not apply to ASE. He advised the students and the staff to set the highest standard for the university and appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his charismatic leadership.
Earlier in his address, “Three Principles, Six Stories”, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, introduced the university as one with a difference, saying that the institution was conceived to address the critical challenges Africa. He said the university leverages partnership, technology and personnel to achieve functional education that transforms individuals and societies based on the core values of the university, which he identified as IDEAS meaning Integrity, Discipline, Excellence, Accountability and Service.
Adedimeji encouraged the students to embrace curiosity, cultivate resilience and maintain focus as three principles that would guarantee their success. He also spoke on the need for them to embrace faith, have trust, keep hope, demonstrate confidence, show love and maintain positive attitude at all times.
“Ultimately, always remember that you are part of something greater than yourself. You are part of a legacy of excellence, a tradition of innovation, and a commitment to making the world a better place,” he said.
Highlights of the occasion included the administration of the matriculation oath on the students by the Vice-Chancellor and remarks by the founder, Prof. Leonard Wantchecon, who shared his vision for the university and welcomed the students to the campus.
The students were also guided by the Director-General of Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Dr Soji Eniade; and the Registrar of the African Aviation and Aerospace University, Dr Mustapha Sheikh, represented by his Deputy Registrar, Mr Dennis Onwukwe as well as the wife of the Chairman, Dr Kate Maduagwu.
News
Unreported Attacks Fueling Violence in Plateau—Stakeholders Urge Decisive Action

Unreported Attacks Fueling Violence in Plateau—Stakeholders Urge Decisive Action
By: Zagazola Makama
Beneath the surface of Plateau State’s persistent security challenges lies a disturbing trend: the rising tide of unreported and isolated attacks, amid a silence of conspiracy, quietly fueling cycles of violence across rural communities.
The recent recovery of 58 rustled cows by Nigerian security forces in Hiktup Village, Kombun District, Mangu Local Government Area points to a much larger, largely hidden crisis that security experts say demands urgent government intervention.
According to police sources, the cows were recovered during a routine patrol on Friday evening and are currently in police custody as efforts continue to trace their rightful owners.
Zagazola Makama has previously reported how the cattle were rustled from herders in Murish village, Mangu Local Government Area after one harder was killed by a group of about 30 youths from the area. One other herder, 21-year-old Abdullahi Suleiman, remains missing. Of the rustled livestock, 11 were initially recovered.
However, response agencies remained silent, with no arrests made despite the fact that the perpetrators are known and Abdullahi Suleiman is still missing.
While this recovery represents a success for law enforcement, many similar incidents across Plateau’s vast rural landscape go unreported, either due to fear, communal distrust, or lack of access to justice. In many cases, even if perpetrators are captured, local government chairmen and traditional rulers ensure that the cases do not see the light of day.
These isolated attacks on some cattle settlements, in the name of fighting bandits, have become flashpoints for deadly reprisal attacks between farming and herding communities in Plateau State. Those who dare to speak out against it are often labeled as bandits’ apologists or terrorist sympathizers. The narrative suggests that Fulani herders are invading lands and displacing local communities.
On Monday, gunmen reportedly killed a herder named Hamza Sulaiman in the Shen community, Jos South LGA of Plateau State. The attack occurred around 12:30 p.m. while six herders were grazing. Three cattle and several sheep were also killed.
In a separate incident, 26 cattle were allegedly poisoned near the INEC office in Mangu LGA. Musa Muhammad, Secretary of MACBAN in Mangu, stated that the cattle were grazing when the poisoning occurred around 1:30 p.m. Local security personnel, including the DSS and police, visited the scene and confirmed the deaths, discovering poisoned mangoes and contaminated water.
Earlier, on April 16, about 36 cattle, reportedly belonging to one Samaila Nuhu, were poisoned at Tafi Gana Junction in Zanwar Ward of Bassa Local Government Area. The government has stated it is investigating the matter through the Ministry of Livestock Development, Veterinary Services, and Fisheries.
Security analysts are concerned that unless urgent steps are taken to address the root causes of these crimes, the state risks an escalation of violence. Each individual killed, each stolen cow, each poisoned animal represents more than just an economic loss; it triggers a cycle of revenge, widening the fault lines between communities.
The inability to swiftly prosecute culprits and ensure sincere mediation of these disputes has emboldened criminal elements, with some groups exploiting the situation to advance ethnic and religious divisions.
Stakeholders are therefore calling on the Plateau State Government and security agencies to take decisive actions against individuals and groups found to be fueling the crisis, whether through direct attacks or by inciting retaliatory violence.
They also advocate for the strengthening of community policing initiatives, the deployment of more surveillance teams in vulnerable areas, and the establishment of a comprehensive livestock identification and tracking system to against cattle rustling. Please end the Crises Now.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
Unreported Attacks Fueling Violence in Plateau—Stakeholders Urge Decisive Action
News
Inspector dies after altercation which led to attack by a fellow police family in Lagos barracks

Inspector dies after altercation which led to attack by a fellow police family in Lagos barracks
By: Zagazola Makama
An Inspector, Ibrahim Usman, has died following a physical altercation involving a fellow resident and her children at the Queen Barracks, Apapa, Lagos.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Friday at about 11:10 a.m. after a misunderstanding between W/Inspector Gambo Yusuf and the wife of the deceased, both occupants of the barracks.
In the course of the altercation, Yusuf and her children allegedly assaulted Inspector Usman, knocking him to the ground where he lost consciousness.
He was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Apapa, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
A team of detectives visited the scene of the incident and the hospital, where the body was inspected and photographed before being deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy.
Yusuf and her children have been taken into custody and are being investigated over the incident.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, has ordered a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served,”said the sources.
Inspector dies after altercation which led to attack by a fellow police family in Lagos barracks
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