Politics
Lagos Speaker Urges NUJ To Sanction Perpetrators Of Fake News
The Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has advised the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, to sanction perpetrators of fake news.
Obasa gave the advice when the executive members of the state Council of NUJ paid him a courtesy call recently.
The Speaker stressed the need for a lasting solution to the problem of fake news dissemination in the country.
“I want to suggest sanctions against perpetrators of fake news to serve as a deterrent to others.
“This is because journalists have a role to play in sustaining the achievements of the founders of the great profession,” he said.
Obasa urged the union to come up with a structure that would surmount the challenges of fake news.
The Speaker noted that some social media platforms were being wrongly used to peddle fake news.
Obasa assured the journalists that the Assembly would partner NUJ on training and other areas to improve professionalism.
He pledged legislative processes that would enhance Journalism profession.
The Chairman of NUJ Lagos Council, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, gave an assurance of looking into the issues raised wholistically, with a view to finding lasting solutions to the peddling of fake news.
Ajayi noted that the leadership of the union was making efforts to restore sanity to the profession.
He also appealed that the legislature should move for an extension of retirement age of journalists to 65 years in line with what was obtainable in academic circle.
Ajayi commended the Speaker for the oversight functions of the Assembly and for quick passage of the Lagos State Appropriation Bill.
He lauded the giant strides of the Speaker in presiding over an Assembly that catered for the interests of more than 20 million residents of the state.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
-
Business4 hours agoNCDMB, Jake Riley Empower 250 Youths On Vocational Skills
-
Oil & Energy5 hours agoNNPCL Unveils Gas Master Plan 2026 …….Targets 10bcf/day production
-
News6 hours agoGovs Move To Prioritise Sugar For Industrial Growth
-
Politics3 hours agoPFN Rejects Call For INEC Chairman’s Removal Over Genocide Comments
-
Sports5 hours agoEkitike Stars As Liverpool Upstage Newcastle
-
Niger Delta4 hours agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
News6 hours agoLand ownership disputes are civil matters, not police cases – FCID
-
Environment4 hours agoNigeria, UAE to waive tariffs on some products