Nation
ActionAid Urges Journalists To Report Security Issues Accurately
ActionAid has called on journalists to report security issues accurately to avoid spurring hatred that can result to violence around the country.
Director, Organisational Effectiveness, ActionAid, Funmilayo Oyefusi made the call at a two-day Media Masterclass on Policy Engagement for Preventing Violent Extremism during and post-COVID-19 in Kogi and Nasarawa states, in Akwanga.
The event was organised by ActionAid Nigeria with the support from Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (CCERF) to train journalists on reporting issues in the crisis period.
Oyefusi also urged journalists to utilise the opportunity of the training to equip themselves for better reportage, especially as it relate to violent extremism.
She further called on media practitioners to hold duty bearers or leaders at all levels accountable in ensuring they curbed violence extremism.
She said the training was orgnised to hold the duty bearers accountable in the implementation of budget as a way of preventing violence extremism in the society.
According to her, ActionAid is collaborating with the media to project various intervention programmes being carried out by the organisation.
A facilitator, Dr Terfa Abraham, a Research Fellow and Economist at National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), urged the media to be accurate in their reporting to promote peace.
Abraham, who spoke on “An Assessment of Public Spending in the Prevention of Violent Extremism in Kogi and Nasarawa states’’, charged journalists to bring to the front burner issues capable of helping the leaders to do more on developmental projects.
“Our reporting must be inclusive, natural and event based. Reporting on budget specific issues that will douse the effect of violent extremism should always be our focus.
“It is observed that despite years of direct spending in security sector, the number of insecurity and violent extremism cases have remained high.
“There is therefore the need to take a look at grounds upon which violent extremism is grown and enlighten the government on ways to help curb the problems associated with violent extremism.”
Abraham also urged the media to always engage with the government on providing developmental projects in the country that would prevent spike in violent extremism by the youths.
The Dean, School of Information and Communication Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna Prof. Nicholas Iwokwagh, said the media must serve their audiences with the right message capable of solidifying the country.
Iwokwagh spoke on “Media Organising and Policy Engagement Strategies to Prevent Violent Extremism’’.
He said the media served as an agenda for the society because the media was capable of bringing about the change the society desired for transformation.
He said the media had the ability to prevent violence extremism through partnership with government to influence policy priorities.
Iwokwagh charged the media to stimulate engagement with the political class and the citizens to design an agenda for preventing violence extremism.
The Project Coordinator on System and Structures Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE II), Mr Anicetus Atakpu , appealed to journalists to desist from fueling crisis through their write-ups.
“Journalists have a big role in ensuring that conflicts are not fueled. This is because violence is fueled by ideology.
“As journalists, we need to guide our space when it comes to violent extremism. We must ensure that conflicts do not reflect in our stories.
“Our role as journalists will either mar or make conflict situations but we must do away with reporting single story but ensure our reports are balanced to manage conflicts in the country,” he said.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor