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ICRC Tasks Journalists On International Humanitarian Law
International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has tasked journalists to always report humanitarian issues emanating from conflicts objectively in line with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to enjoy protection.
The Communication Field Officer of ICRC, Jos sub-delegation, Patience Nanklin-Yawus, made the call during presentations at a two-day training organised for journalists from 10 states of the federation yesterday in Jos, Plateau.
She said journalists should always maintain neutrality, impartiality and independence while reporting humanitarian issues as they would be covered by IHL.
Nanklin-Yawus explained that the IHL as contained in the Geneva Convention stipulated that civilians which journalists are part of, as well as civilians should not be attacked during conflicts.
She said the rules of engagement also protects women, children and healthcare workers among others who are not part of the conflicts.
Nanklin-Yawus explained that the moment a journalist, through his report or action shows to be taking sides, such a journalist loses his or her protection under the IHL.
She said a journalist reporting conflicts who hitherto enjoys protection under IHL becomes vulnerable and loses his protection immediately it is discover that he is no longer neutral, impartial and independent.
Nanklin-Yawus noted that journalist’s number one priority in humanitarian reporting is to ensure that victims gets assistance irrespective of the victims ethnic, religion or political affiliation.
She advised media professional to rise above all sentiments, even if they were affected by conflicts to de-escalate the already bad security situations.
In a statement signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, to commemorate the anniversary, HYPREP described the anniversary as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s environmental restoration efforts, noting that the project has made remarkable progress in implementing the recommendations of the landmark UNEP report released on August 4, 2011.
The UNEP report had revealed extensive oil pollution across Ogoniland, severe environmental degradation, and serious public health risks resulting from decades of petroleum operations. It also recommended an initial $1 billion fund to commence the cleanup of the affected communities.
According to HYPREP, the Federal Government formally launched the Ogoni clean-up in 2016, while the Project Coordination Office was established in 2017 to drive the implementation of UNEP’s recommendations.
Zabbey said the current administration has continued to prioritise the project under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Providing an update on the cleanup, the Project Coordinator disclosed that 30 of the 65 contaminated sites identified by UNEP have been fully remediated, while work is ongoing at several medium- and high-risk locations. It also stated that more than 1.5 million mangrove seedlings have been planted as part of what it described as the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, with over 1,000 hectares of shoreline already rehabilitated.
Zabbey further revealed that 49 Ogoni communities have been connected to potable water schemes through multiple water projects and booster stations aimed at providing safe drinking water across the region.
In the health sector, he said the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite and the 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan are nearing completion, adding that several existing health facilities have been upgraded with modern medical equipment, while five ambulances have been donated to improve emergency healthcare services. The Project Coordinator also disclosed that a three-year human health biomonitoring study is being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
On economic empowerment, Zabbey stated that the Project has created more than 8,000 direct jobs and trained thousands of Ogoni youths and women in various vocational and technical skills, including software development, cybersecurity, aviation, commercial diving, seafaring, mechatronics, and creative arts. The project also reported awarding scholarships to more than 1,000 students, providing grants to small businesses, and supporting persons living with special needs through skills acquisition programmes.
The statement further highlighted ongoing legacy projects, including the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which it said is about 96 per cent complete. HYPREP also welcomed the recent designation of the Ogoni Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance and pledged to continue promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the ecosystem.
Marking the anniversary, Zabbey said the progress achieved over the past 15 years demonstrates the collective commitment of government, development partners, stakeholders, and local communities to restoring Ogoniland. He called for renewed collaboration to sustain the cleanup effort, promote environmental sustainability, and support the long-term development of the region. 3