Education
ICRC Charges Journalists On Conflict Reporting
Nigerian journalists have been charged to intensify efforts at ensuring adequate coverage of under-reported armed conflicts and deadly violence in communities so as to reduce tension and promote peace, security and sustainable development in the country.
They have also been told that it was only through professional investigative journalism that potential triggers of armed conflicts and violence in communities can be forestalled and mitigated by the proactive response of security agencies, voluntary humanitarian organisations and governments.
The Abuja Communications Coordinator, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Aleksandra Matijevic Mosimann, stated these in her remarks at the opening session of a two-day training event for select journalists, at Ritz Continental Hotel, Abuja, last week.
The training opportunity, organised in partnership with the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS)s, brought together ….. print, radio and television journalists drawn from across the North, South and the Middle Belt of the country, and focused on, “Humanitarian Reporting: How International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Protect Journalists.”
Mosimann explained that the strategic annual workshop was designed to build the capacity of journalists in the area of ‘humanitarian reporting’, while creating a platform for national media discourse on issues faced by professionals in reporting armed conflicts and violence.
She emphasised the importance of the event to help increase awareness of international humanitarian law, deepen understanding of activities of ICRC and NRCS to the promotion of peace, unity and development, as well as share expertise on how the provision of First Aid could enhance chances of survival of victims of violent conflicts, including insurgencies, cult-related violence, herdsmen-farmers’ skirmishes and communal disturbances.
According to her, “The ICRC is working on ensuring that stakeholders in the media industry understand the weight of responsibility that comes with reporting on humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts and other situations of violence as well as understanding the protection that they are entitled to under the IHL.”
Speaking as a resource person, the Communications Assistant, ICRC, Sylbil Sagay, said the aim of international humanitarian law was to prevent suffering during armed conflicts, adding that ICRC had the responsibility to provide desperately needed voluntary legal expertise to support the efforts of the Nigerian authorities to ratify and implement IHL treaties.
The National Head of Communications, NRSC, Nwakpa Okorie Nwakpa, explained that the society’s volunteers provide First Aid, evacuate casualties and collect dead bodies from scenes of conflicts, and hand same over to the authorities, while ensuring that relevant information was recorded to help families track missing relatives and loved ones.
He highlighted the vital role volunteers of the Red Cross play in focusing efforts at providing access to difficult-to-reach areas where both Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other victims of armed conflicts and violence facing severe food shortages, and providing reliefs to those who urgently need them.
“The Red Cross also meets with the elders of negatively impacted communities seeking their support in identifying those affected to enable them effectively distribute food and essential household items to IDPs, returnees and residents,” Nwakpa added.
He challenged journalists to focus more attention on coverage of unreported cases and victims of armed conflicts, cult-related violence, insurgency, militancy and other hot spots of death and human cruelty and annihilation, and the challenges they face so as to provide first responders and governments with necessary information that could aid responsible handling of the problems.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Education
‘Our Target Is To Go Beyond Academic Accomplishments’

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
Education
Niger Delta Students Suspend Protest Against NDDC In PH

The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Education
Administrator Inspects School

As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
PDP Chieftain Faults A’Ibom Gov’s Defection To APC
-
Politics5 days ago
Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome
-
Editorial5 days ago
Benue Killings: Beyond Tinubu’s Visit
-
Business5 days ago
Nigeria’s Rural Poverty Hits 75% – World Bank
-
Sports5 days ago
CWC: Bad Blood As Inter Edge River Plate To Advance
-
Business5 days ago
NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement
-
Niger Delta5 days ago
ISOPLOT Has No Legitimacy to Speak for Isoko, INYA Warns
-
Politics5 days ago
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement