COVER
Eminent Nigerians Extol DAILY ASSET Award/Lecture
.Sen Gyang, Marwa, Ibn Moh’d Speak
By Orkula Shaagee, Ubong Ukpong & Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The cream of the society, drawn by the 5th Annual Award/Lecture of Asset Newspapers Limited, publishers of DAILY ASSET were unsparing with encomiums for the newspaper on the recognition and honour done to them.
While some of the awardees saw the honour bestowed on them as a clarion call to do more, others stated that it felt good to be recognized and honoured as a champion.
New Nigeria Will Emerge in 2023- Senator Gyang
In his acceptance speech, Senator Istifanus Gyang of Plateau State, who bagged Legislator of the Year Award, expressed hope in the emergence of a new Nigeria by 2023 and admonished Nigerians to keep faith, and not resign to the current hardship and insecurity bedeviling the country.
According to him, “In spite of the corruption index of the country, insecurity, there is still hope for our nation. That people are identified for honours, there is hope for our nation. We as Nigerians must not lose hope in this nation.”
He prayed that the forces that want to destroy the nation through terrorism be conquered by the nation’s military.
Expressing his hope in a new Nigeria by 2023, he said, “God will bring those who will bring peace to our nation. Nigeria will survive the current insecurity, current hardship, because by 2023, a new Nigeria will emerge.”
Gyang was appreciative of the honour, and stated that it spoke to the fact that there were still good people in the country.
The legislator commended DAILY ASSET Newspapers Editorial Board and management for identifying him for the well-deserved honour.
He said it was a call to duty and would spur him to work harder and better in his endeavours.
The lawmaker was accompanied to the event by eminent Plateau sons and daughters, including Hon Dachung Musa Baggos of the Representatives; Hon Timothy Golu, of the 8th House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly among others.
On his part, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig General Buba Marwa, said that the award of “Public Servant of the Year” bestowed on him will encourage the management and staff of the anti-narcotic agency to do more work in the fight against illicit drugs in Nigeria.
He expressed happiness that the hard work the agency is doing in the fight against illicit drugs is recognized by Nigerians and a credible media house.
The NDLEA boss who was represented at the occasion by Chidi Ndukwu, Assistant Commandant, NDLEA, revealed that the agency would intensify its campaign against illicit drugs in Nigeria.
On receiving the award, Ndukwu said “I am very excited about this award. It is good to reward good work. His excellency, Buba Marwa, would have been here if not for his duties.
“For some of us in NDLEA we are so happy that our work is being recognized. And it is a push to do more. And we are hoping in the coming year we will record more success. It will encourage us to do more work. We were not part of the selection for his Excellency to have gotten this award”.
He used the occasion to advise Nigerians against the use of illicit drugs and substances, “I want to encourage Nigerians to stay off drugs. Drugs are enablers of all forms of crimes like insurgency, kidnapping, robbery, radicalism, extremism, they are all products of drug abuse.
“We are doing a lot of enlightenment and by the end of the year many more people will be aware of the dangers of illicit drugs”.
Publisher DAILY ASSET, Dr Cletus Akwaya, while introducing the NDLEA boss, observed that Marwa has been called to duty at several times: as a former Military Governor of Lagos and Borno states; a former High Commissioner to South Africa and as Chairman NDLEA by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Akwaya further noted that “In less than one year of his appointment, 1,639 drug traffickers and barons have been convicted while the agency seized over N100 billion worth of drugs.
The moment of learning and enlightenment came from Mallam Ibn Mohammed, Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA), and Guest Speaker at the occasion.
He cautioned media owners in the country, particularly television stations to ensure proper management of their media outlets to make sure that only fact-based information is passed on to the public.
Speaking on the topic: “The 2023 Elections, National Peace and Security: The Role of Television Stations”, the foremost journalist said that the professional ideals of democratic reportage are best served when television gives the viewer, all the sides of a story for him/her to make an informed decision.
Describing television as the most critical ingredient of democratic governance, Mohammed said there was need for the media to be factual in their reportage, as the public always depends on them, especially in times of conflict of interest.
He also stated that lack of information can also at any stage of a conflict, make people desperate, restless and easy to manipulate.
“Suffice it to say that the menace of fake news has made and it is still making Nigeria particularly the vulnerable to identity-based hate speech which has brought about suspicion and hatred amongst the various groups.
In many instances, this has led to intolerance and violent clashes in communities at the slightest provocation.
“These developments cannot be under estimated, because the public now has greater sources of information more than ever before, and the media/Television need to be properly managed to ensure that only fact based information is passed on to the public.
“The professional ideals of democratic reportage are best served when television gives the viewer, all the sides of a story for him/her to make an informed decision.
This is why Television as a Broadcast aspect of Media in the society must regularly perform the wholesome tenets of the profession. Television is unquestionable in its singular sight and sound ability to reach the two most critical senses of communication.
This attribute then impose the responsibility on Television to diligently and professionally disseminate information for societal well-being.
It might therefore be safe to say that Television is the most critical ingredient of democratic governance.
Whenever the people desire information, especially where there is conflict of interests, they depend on the Television or the media generally.
In any culture, effective and democratic media are essential part and indispensable for societies trying to make a transition towards peace and democracy.
Harry S. Truman once said “you can never get all the facts from just one medium, and unless you have all the facts, you cannot make proper judgments about what is going on’’
This statement reflects the need for free access to unbiased information.
When people are denied political participation and free expression, societal conflict is imminent. Lack of information can also at any stage of a conflict, make people desperate, restless and easy to manipulate.
Television can be misused for propaganda purposes, to incite hatred and spread rumours and therefore artificially creating tension and causing disharmony amongst people.
However, if democracy is to work properly, the society needs access to news and information; analysis of the status quo, debate, practical information and exchange as well as entertainment, all of which can be provided through television.
“Television can not only help to dispense information but also counter hate-speech and create an environment of balanced opinions, and information equilibrium.
For the media/television it can be problematic to find a balance between preventing harm caused by speech and protecting individual expression; however being able to find this balance is important especially for peace and security.
“The media no doubt play an indispensable role in the proper functioning of a democracy, apart from the traditional roles of educating voters on how to exercise their democratic rights; reporting election campaigns; providing a platform for the political parties and candidates to communicate their message to the electorate; reporting results and monitoring vote counting and several other responsibilities expected of a news medium.
The media helps in strengthening democracy by effectively exercising its “watchdog” role in enabling full public participation in elections and stir discussions on the successes and failures of candidates, governments, and electoral management bodies,” Mohammed said.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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