NEWS
LG Elections: Kwara NUJ Calls for Respect, Protection of Journalists, Observers
The Kwara Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for maximum protection for journalists and observers assigned for the coverage of the state’s local government elections on Saturday.The Council’s Chairman, Abdullateef Ahmed, in a statement on Friday in Ilorin by the Council Secretary, Olayinka Alaya, emphasised the need for safety for the journalists and observers.
He said this was necessary in view of the critical role journalists play in ensuring transparent and fair polls. ”The Council urges security personnel deployed for the elections to ensure that journalists across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the state carry out their duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.”The NUJ also cautions that any form of harassment or intimidation of journalists while performing their constitutionally-guaranteed duties will not be tolerated.“As the watchdog of the society, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm must be accorded their due rights and respect before, during and after the electoral process.“Any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy itself,” Alaya quoted the Council Chairman as saying.The Kwara Council of NUJ also stressed the need for security agencies to ensure watertight security throughout the period allotted for the electoral process.”We urge security personnel to be proactive in addressing potential threats that may compromise the integrity of the elections or put media professionals at risk,” Ahmed said.He also called on the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) to maintain an unbiased position throughout the entire process.Ahmed appealed to the electoral umpire to ensure timely distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials to polling units.The Council Chairman also encouraged eligible voters across the state to exercise their voting rights responsibly, urging them to remain calm and law-abiding during the process.“This exercise is an opportunity for the people of Kwara to shape the future of their LGAs.“It is fundamental that eligible voters come out and utilise their franchise and do so without any fear,” he advised.(NAN)
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, played some of the ”Radio Biafra”’ broadcast and videos made by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in open court to establish the allegation of terrorism preferred against him.The broadcast and video documents, which were marked as exhibits, were tendered through the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), identified as BBB, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
BBB, who testified behind screen provided by the court, said Kanu admitted making the broadcast and the videos while being led in evidence by FG’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. One of the radio broadcast made by Kanu on Biafra Radio on Oct. 20, 2020 during #ENDSARS Protest was played in the open court.In the live broadcast, Kanu was heard calling on the youth to attack the police officers and soldiers anywhere they were found.The IPOB leader, in the broadcast, called on the protesters to ambush the security personnel, snatched their guns and killed them.(NAN)
The Israeli military said it had killed a Hamas commander in southern Lebanon in a drone attack on Wednesday.
“The IDF struck an area in Sidon and eliminated the terrorist Khalid Ahmad Ahmad, who served as the head of operations in Hamas’ Western Brigade in Lebanon,’’ the military said.
It added that the targeted Hamas operative had smuggled weapons and carried out terrorist attacks against Israel.
Hamas had confirmed the attack, saying it was mourning Ahmad, who it described as a lead engineer.
It said he was killed while on his way to perform the dawn prayer in the coastal city of Sidon, 40 kilometres south of the capital Beirut.
Since late November, a fragile ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Hezbollah, the Hamas-allied militia in Lebanon, but both sides accuse each other of violations.
In spite of the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to continue attacking militia targets in Lebanon. (dpa/NAN)
Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) says the Federal Government ban on foreign goods is a testament of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to re-engineering Nigeria’s economy.Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, President ILDC said this in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.
Report says that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently banned the procurement of foreign goods or services by Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)The NAN also reports that the initiative tagged “Nigeria First Policy,” is aimed at strengthening the country’s economy by prioritising locally manufactured goods and services. Nnam noted that the policy was key to rescuing Nigeria’s shrinking economy from collapsing.He also said that the policy would stimulate the micro and macro industries in the country and improve the economy.He expressed optimism that the policy would not only boost the national economy but promote local content.He lauded the policy and described President Tinubu as a leader with overwhelming love for Nigeria and her progress.”This is a win- win policy for our local industrialists like Dangote, Innoson and even the upcoming ones.”This policy will guarantee patronage for their products at least from MDAs and as such increase the countries Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”I salute Tinubu’s transformational courage, because he has shown capacity in leadership unlike his predecessors.”Tinubu is the only President that practically wants Nigeria to produce what she uses and use what she produces.“Now that government agencies are directed to only patronise our local manufacturers, there will be job creation and financial security,” he said.The ILDC President reaffirmed the commitment of his CSO to supporting people oriented policies of President Tinubu for sustainable development. (NAN)
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