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Speak Truth To Power, Prof Omotola Tells Journalists
Journalists have been tasked to speak truth to power and hold political office holders accountable to the citizenry to entrench genuine development in Nigeria.Journalists have been
tasked to speak truth to power and hold political office holders accountable to the citizenry to entrench genuine development in Nigeria.
Former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Shola Omotola gave this charge to Press men during his paper presentation at a retreat held by the Senate Press Corps at Al – Vari. Hotel, Keffi , Nasarawa State, last Saturday.
In line with this, most of the public office holders who graced the event pledged to make available any information needed by journalists covering the National Assembly at any time as entrenched in the provisions of Freedom of Information Act .In line with this, most of the public office holders who graced the event pledged to make available any information needed by journalists covering the National Assembly at any time as entrenched in the provisions of Freedom of Information Act .
President of the Senate , Senator Godswill Akpabio , represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal were among dignitaries at the occasion.President of the Senate , Senator Godswill Akpabio , represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal were among dignitaries at the occasion.
Prof Omotola in his paper presentation on “Developmental Impact of the Executive on Nigeria’s Democracy, 1999-2024 “ , said successive elected governments at the federal level since May 1999, have by policy formulation and execution, tried to effect development across the sectors but failed in the area of poverty alleviation, let alone , eradication .Prof Omotola in his paper presentation on DevelopmentalImpactoftheExecutiveonNigeria’sDemocracy,1999-2024 , said successive elected governments at the federal level since May 1999, have by policy formulation and execution, tried to effect development across the sectors but failed in the area of poverty alleviation, let alone , eradication .
The failure to effectively tackle poverty among Nigerians by successive governments, according to him, has made development, as a vital component of democracy, to be substantially missing in Nigeria over the years .The failure to effectively tackle poverty among Nigerians by successive governments, according to him, has made development, as a vital component of democracy, to be substantially missing in Nigeria over the years .
The theme of the retreat, Democracy and Development: How far, So far, for Nigeria?”, is, therefore, very apt, timely and cogent. The theme of the retreat, Democracy and Development: How far, So far, for Nigeria?,is,therefore,veryapt,timelyandcogent.
“Democracy and development are inextricably interconnected and must flow together, the very reason why journalists in Nigeria , need to speak truth to power in making it so , in Nigeria .Democracyanddevelopmentareinextricablyinterconnectedandmustflowtogether,theveryreasonwhyjournalistsinNigeria,needtospeaktruthtopowerinmakingitso,inNigeria.
“ Development is basically about the people reaching an acceptable standard of living, having the basic things on which they need to live decently – housing, shelter, clothing, food -nutritionally balanced diet, potable water, clean environment.Developmentisbasicallyaboutthepeoplereachinganacceptablestandardofliving,havingthebasicthingsonwhichtheyneedtolivedecently-housing,shelter,clothing,food-nutritionallybalanceddiet,potablewater,cleanenvironment.
“ All hindrances to these in Nigeria from corruption to bad policies, need to be exposed from time to time by journalists who are the watchdogs of the society”, he said .AllhindrancestotheseinNigeriafromcorruptiontobadpolicies,needtobeexposedfromtimetotimebyjournalistswhoarethewatchdogsofthesociety, he said .
He also urged journalists to ensure credible reportage and shun being roped into biased reports or analysis coming through brown envelopes and gifts He also urged journalists to ensure credible reportage and shun being roped into biased reports or analysis coming through brown envelopes and gifts
He however added that for Nigeria to have sustained the practice of Democracy for more than 24 years and remaining as an entity , show that development would surely follow .He however added that for Nigeria to have sustained the practice of Democracy for more than 24 years and remaining as an entity , show that development would surely follow .
In his remarks at the retreat , the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , representedby , Senator Yemi Adaramodu , said the Senate under his leadership , would not deny any journalist , access to information for ventilation to the larger society as provided for, by the FOI Act .In his remarks at the retreat , the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , representedby , Senator Yemi Adaramodu , said the Senate under his leadership , would not deny any journalist , access to information for ventilation to the larger society as provided for, by the FOI Act .
Also the Clerk to the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambawal , represented by Secretary , Research and Information , Mr Ali Umar , said since Democracy provides a more favourable environment for development, management of the National Assembly , will continue to provide conducive working environment for journalists for very balanced and objective reportage .Also the Clerk to the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambawal , represented by Secretary , Research and Information , Mr Ali Umar , said since Democracy provides a more favourable environment for development, management of the National Assembly , will continue to provide conducive working environment for journalists for very balanced and objective reportage .
However the Chairman , Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Senator Ahmed Aliyu who represents the host state said for development to flow with Democracy in Nigeria , Nigerians need to move away from sentimental reasoning and conducts, by in actual fact , being brother’s keeper . However the Chairman , Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Senator Ahmed Aliyu who represents the host state said for development to flow with Democracy in Nigeria , Nigerians need to move away from sentimental reasoning and conducts, by in actual fact , being brother’s keeper .
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.