News
US Govt Hails Nigerian Media’s Contribution To Democracy
The United State Consul-General in Lagos, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins, yesterday said that the Nigerian media deserved kudos for a job well done in its coverage of the 2015 general elections in the country.
Hawkins spoke at a 2015 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, which assessed the news media’s performance covering the 2015 elections.
“By providing to the Nigerian electorate timely, factual, analytical, and objective information to help them understand the issues and where the candidates stand, the news media lived-up to a universal professional standard and contributed immensely to a healthy and functioning democracy in Nigeria.
“You and your peers deserve kudos for a job well done,’’ the Consul-General said.
Hawkins said that a free press was essential to a healthy democracy, noting that the news media must remain focused and engaged.
“The news media can be a powerful force for change. It can effectively fulfil the roles of watchdog, gatekeeper and agenda-setter.
“It can improve governance by raising citizens’ awareness of social issues, enabling citizens to hold their governments to account, curbing corruption, and creating a civic forum for debate.
“ I challenge you to continue to play an effective role in amplifying important issues that affect citizens,’’ he said.
Hawkins thanked the media for its role in strengthening democracy in the country and said the U.S. mission in the country would continue to support journalists in the area of training.
According to him, the U.S. mission, in the run-up to the elections, supported more than 28 election outreach events initiated by the Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate-General in Lagos for journalists across the country.
“To support the news media to play its central role in enhancing democracy, the U.S. Government supports capacity building and defends the freedom of the press all over the world,’’ he said.
Hawkins said that he was glad that the training programmes helped the journalists as reflected in their output.
The envoy, who said he would be leaving the country in July, said the Nigerian media had left a deep impression on his mind.
He described the elections as an exciting milestone and urged the media not to relent in its role of being a watchdog and in agenda setting.
The consul-general, however, regretted that some journalists were attacked while performing their duties and said there was no place for violence in democracy.
“All of us need to stand together to condemn such attacks and intimidation against journalists,’’ he said.
On the whole, he described the 2015 elections in Nigeria as “a remarkable experience’’, saying he was deeply honoured to be in the country when the elections took place.
“We were thrilled, not only with the work of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but also with the Nigerian voters. I believe Nigeria did well in the elections,’’ he said.
According to him, the example set by Nigeria in the elections is so important for the entire region.
A team of panelists, which included President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Femi Adesina, and Head, Department of Mass Communication, UNILAG, Dr Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, who also spoke at the event.
Head, Digital Strategy, Premium Times, Mr Emmanuel Ogala, Founding Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Prof. Emovwo Biakolo, and Director, International Press Centre, Mr Lanre Arogundade were also among the speakers.
Others were: Mr Chamberlain Usoh, Producer and Host, Channels Television and Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye.
Ogala and Usoh gave their experiences in the coverage of the elections from the on-line and broadcast perspectives.
Biakolo, who appraised adherence to factual, balanced and fair reporting and commentaries in the election coverage, urged the media to do more of investigative reports.
He said that while patting the media on the back, there was a need for more insightful reports.
On her part, Ogwezzy-Ndisika said it was regrettable that some media carried some offensive adverts, which went without vetting by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria.
She said that the media faltered in this area on ethical grounds and should have refrained from publishing such offensive works.
Adesina spoke on the influence of media owners on fair and balanced reporting and commentaries in the election coverage and regretted that some owners sometimes determined the boundaries.
Akinfeleye said that editors should educate the politicians and publishers on the need to be balanced and not to betray public trust.
National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Gbolahan Gbadamosi, who was also present, said the body would continue to work with journalists, to deepen the nation’s democracy.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi