NEWS
NUJ to Partner with NIPR to Checkmate Quackery, Promote Professionalism
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to partner with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to checkmate quacks and promote professionalism in the media industry of the country.
The NUJ National President, Mr Chris Isiguzo made this known when a delegation from NIPR led by its president, Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo visited the NUJ National Secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja.
Isiguzo said that the NUJ and NIPR were worthy partners in Project Nigeria, adding that they had reasoned and visited places to ensure that they built Nigeria.
According to him, there is no any professional group that has not got its fair share of quacks, adding that NUJ has taken the matter very seriously.
He said it was regrettable that people who do not have anything to do with the media were appointed into media-related positions and organisations.
The NUJ President said the union had established mechanisms for checking quackery in the profession in the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.
“This is because there are people who tend to bring shame and bad names to the professionals.”
Isizuzo reiterated that the union was doing a whole lot, adding that with NIPR joining in the struggle, something better would be achieved.
“We have started taking steps to address these anomalies as the case may be; the NUJ, Nigerian Guild of Editors and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria have really formed a very strong partnership.
“Now we are bringing Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on board; I think the NIPR should equally join us so that it would be a collective effort, and all of us speaking in one language.
“So I assure you that in our next engagement, NIPR will be equally and adequately represented, so that we can operate together.
“However, before long, we are going to come up with a framework on media practice, even though we have laws, most times we don’t understand what is in those books.
“For NUJ, we are still thinking that we can come up with something that can work for us, where we would be able to regulate ourselves to a very large extend.
“We are also working on the Journalism Enhancement Bill, which if passed into law would enable us check the activities of quacks and social media operators who spread fake news,’’ Isiguzo said
On development journalism, he said that had been his mantra since he became the president of NUJ.
“I have always stressed the need for us to practice the journalism that builds and not the one that pulls down.
“This because, no matter what we do, there is only one country that we can call our own, which is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We cannot continue to pander to the wings and caprices of political actors, whose mission and interest most times is not nationalistic but individual and that has been our pain,’’ he said,
Isiguzo explained further that with perception managers and information managers coming together to set the right agenda, Nigeria’s future remains bright.
He emphasized that journalists should begin to assert their authority in agenda setting, stressing that when they set the right agenda, “the country flies with it and verse versa”.
“So this is not the time to apportion blames; as journalists and perception managers, we should come together and build our country because the integrity of this nation is very important.
“We must begin to discuss Nigeria, not on religious lines but competence and capacity and the one that has the magic wand to turn around the country for good.
“We may not be excited about where we are today, but we are better than the United States at this level, because, when they were where we are today, their condition was worse than us,’’ Isisguzo said.
Speaking earlier, Sirajo said NIPR executives were at the National Secretariat of the NUJ on a fraternal visit and to underscore the fact that the two professions – journalism and public relations needed come together.
According to him the togetherness becomes necessary, especially at this point in the history of the country when things need to improve tremendously.
“For a long while the NIPR has been on a single minded mission to ensure that professionalism takes root in the media and public relations sectors.
“If you look at our general setting, most people who parade themselves as perception managers, media gurus, etc, but when you look deep, you will discover that they are quacks.
“We are here to see how we can partner with NUJ to see how we can weed out quacks in these two professions and also enhance adherence to the code of ethics and professionalism.
“I want to appreciate the NUJ on tackling quackery, but however, we need to do more and give our profession the golden place they deserved,’’ Sirajo said.
Newsmen report that present at the occasion were Shuaibu Liman, National Secretary of NUJ, the FCT Council Chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, and his Secretary Ochiaka Ugwu, Nasarawa State Council Chairman and his Secretary Salihu Mohammed Alkali and Sunday John respectively and some other NUJ officials.
The Nigeria Police Force says individuals who have attained the age of criminal responsibility must be answerable for their actions, regardless of biological age.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja said the provision was very clear under the Nigerian law.
He said the provision was in line with global practices, where accountability was upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses.
Adejobi said the clarification followed public opinion over the arraignment of 76 alleged minors over terrorism, arson and treasonable felony by the Nigeria Police.
According to him, in managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the Nigeria Police has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.
He said the suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, with a remand order issued by the court.
“Throughout this process, the police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.
“An unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint on Oct. 1, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of all individuals, including young persons,” he said.
According to him, as seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences.
He said the Nigeria Police was aware of public interest in the case and assured that its officers would maintain professionalism throughout the legal process.
Adejobi enjoined the public to view the case without undue bias, adding that the force remains focused on a transparent pursuit of justice.
He said the force would remain committed to aligning with best practices, upholding both the rule of law and respect for human dignity. (NAN)
Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, on Saturday awarded 91 students of the institution First Class (Honours) at its 16th Convocation Ceremonies.
The convocation ceremonies are for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Ojediran said that a total of 969 students graduated in the academic session.
He said that they comprised the 91 students who made First Class grade, 505 who secured Second Class (Upper Division), 313 with Second Class (Lower Division) and 60 graduating with Third Class.
The vice-chancellor said that 220 students were graduating in the post-graduate category.
Mr Sally Farouk from the university’s Department of Architecture emerged the overall best student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.
94, according to Ojediran.He said that the institution set out to proffer best solutions from collective knowledge, shared experiences and resources, recognising that education was a lifelong activity.
The vice-chancellor lauded the staff of the university for cooperation and dedication to giving the students quality education.
“You have joined hands with the management of the institution to work on this fertile ground,” he said.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that university was the first private university of technology in Nigeria, noting that it was established in 2005.
Nnaji said that the institution had made remarkable achievements in teaching and research as part of its vision to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.
“Let me also congratulate the graduating students who have distinguished themselves through their hard work and discipline and are being rewarded today.” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for contributions to education development in the country.
Dankwambo also congratulated a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, and the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr Temitope Shonubi, for honorary doctoral degree given them by the university.
Report says that Okebukola and Shonubi were conferred with the degree for their outstanding pedigrees and services to humanity. (NAN)
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that suspects arrested during the #Endbadgovernance protest in August 2024 were not remanded in any of its adult custodial centres in Abuja.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Abubakar Umar confirmed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
our correspondent gathered that the suspects arrested for treason during the #Endbadgovernance protest that held in August 2024, were on Friday, arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
Umar said that there were misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
According to the NCoS spokesman, the said report has no iota of truth.
”The service operates under the best correctional and global practices.
“To set records straight, the NCoS Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults.
“The Act also mandates the service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.
“The service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of them were remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.
“The service assures the public that NCoS will continue to emphasise professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.
“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to disregard the said report because it is not the true position of things,”he said.(NAN)
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