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Nigeria Ready To Host UNESCO Media, Information Literacy Institute – Minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says Nigeria is ready to host UNESCO Category two International Media Information and Literacy Institute to advance the frontiers of press freedom and democracy.
Idris stated this when a delegation of UNESCO Feasibility Team paid him a visit at the Ministry in Abuja, yesterday.
The Tide source reports that the team is in Nigeria to assess the National Open University of Nigeria’s (NOUN) facilities for the establishment of UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
Idris said the Federal Government had decided to make sure that every requirement that UNESCO had put in place for the final approval of the Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Center was put in place in Nigeria.
“Since Nigeria was given the provisional hosting right, we have been working very hard.
“We, sometime last year, reached out to the NOUN, made them to understand the relevance of this, not just to Nigeria, but also to Africa and to the world.
“The International Media and Information Literacy Institute is not just designed
for the people of Nigeria but actually for the people of the world.
“And this is an opportunity for our country to show, not just our expertise and professionalism, but also our commitment to media and information literacy globally.
“President Bola Tinubu has graciously,
not just only approved what the ministry in collaboration with the NOUN is doing, but also ensured that whatever support is required would be provided.
“As it is today, we have the right funding for the take off of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute category 2 in Nigeria. We have the resources in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education, NOUN and other stakeholders to ensure that this happens.
“Nigeria is ever ready to join the global community. We are ready to advance the frontiers of democracy through these collaborations and engagements, and we are also ready to play by the rules on the international scene to ensure Nigeria takes its rightful place and contributes to global progress and development,” Idris said.
The Minister appreciated NOUN for its commitment to ensuring that the centre becomes a reality, reiterating that Nigeria is
ready to go ahead and host the International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
According to him, the institute is the first of its kind , not just in the African continent, but the world, Andrew Nigeria is ready.
“We had support from seven Nations and about 20 countries have already indicated interest to support us. And we know that at the next sitting, we would be given the final hosting right of the institute in Abuja.”
On his part, the Project Manager, who is also the leader of the delegation, Mr Nelson Papi Kolliesuah, said his experience in the last 24 hours in the assessment process had been positive.
Kolliesuah, who was also accompanied by the Development and Partnership Officer, Mr Abubakar Sani Abdullahi, and other staff of NOUN, said his team was in Morocco last year for a similar initiative, to conduct a feasibility study.
“UNESCO did receive a proposal from the National Open University of Nigeria
to a destination to designate the International Media and Literacy Institute as a category two institute.
“That proposal was received and reviewed by UNESCO. We were designated to have an in-person feasibility study. So, the sole purpose of our visit is to ensure that what has been reflected in the proposal is actually the reality on ground.
“Our three-day mission here in Abuja is solely focused on visiting the university infrastructure, particularly the International Media and Literacy Institute, to see the available infrastructure if they meet the requirement needed to be designated as category two.
“We are also to interact with the staff there to know if they do have the capacity. We will also look at the aspect of governance as well.
“This is because, we want to ensure that any institution that is licensed as a category two institute has a well-structured governance that is fully effective to lead them towards the delivery of those objectives that were mentioned within the proposal,” Kolliesuah said.
He further explained that the delegation’s coming to the ministry was to interact with one or two staff members to know if their position on the institute aligned with national priority.
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.