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Media Group Slams Umahi Over Ban of Journalists

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By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu


Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) has described as unfortunate, the life ban slammed on two journalists by Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.


The group in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ismaila Y K said it was shocked by the development, adding that the action was out of place particularly at a time when “stakeholders the world over are closing ranks to create a common front, to execute the war against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic”.


The reporters with The Sun and Vanguard Newspapers covering Ebonyi State, Mr Chijioke Agwu and Mr Peter Okutu respectively, were recently banned for life from the state government house.


 Dave Umahi, had during a live broadcast  on the state-owned television and radio stations said he was displeased with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for failing to discipline the reporters.


The governor consequently ordered the arrest of Agwu over a report he wrote on Lassa fever outbreak in the state. Agwu was later released.


Few days later, Okutu was arrested on the orders of the Ohaukwu Local Government Area Chairman, Mr Clement Odah, over his report on the alleged military invasion of Umuogodoakpu-Ngbo community in the council area.


Umahi said he could no longer guarantee the safety of journalists in the state, pointing out that the people were angry and might begin to attack reporters.


According to the governor, “Ebonyi State is no longer a dumping ground. Only the other day, Chijioke Agwu wrote that Lassa fever was killing Ebonyi people in droves and few days back, Mr Peter Okutu of Vanguard, did his own.


Umahi continued “Okutu is fond of degrading Ebonyi State, and I don’t know why my officials have allowed him to continue to do that, because he is not from Ebonyi State. I want to ban him for life with Chijioke Agwu. I don’t want to see them anywhere in any government facility.


“We are not begging you to give us good reports, because the only person that gives good or bad report is God. We are all accountable to Him. If you think that Ebonyi State is a dumping ground, try it again.


If you think you have the pen, we have the koboko. Let’s leave the court alone. Ebonyi people are very angry with the press and let me warn that I won’t be able to control them or know when they unleash mayhem on you if you continue to write to create panic in the state.


“I want you to write it that way; that I said the press in Ebonyi is trying to create another COVID-19 that is more dangerous and that is to create panic in our people.


“The other one wrote that cholera had killed 20 people in Ohaukwu. If you try it again, I may not know when Ebonyians may react. This is important for the NUJ to know”.


OMPAN said it considered the action of the governor a call to violence against the journalists, whose only sin is reporting the true state of affairs in the state, stressing that should anything happen to the two journalists, Gov. David Umahi should be held responsible.


The group demanded the governor to “beat a quick retreat, lift the needless ban and retract his damaging statements with respect to the safety of the journalists without delay”.

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Nami, Ex-FIRS Chairman Receives Top10 Magazine ‘Man of the Year 2023’ Award

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The immediate past Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Mohammad Nami has revealed the secret behind the success story of his four-year tenure at the Revenue House.

He spoke on Sunday, while receiving his ‘Man of the Year 2023’ Award at an impressive ceremony organized by the Management of The Top10 Magazine at the Rockview Hotel in Abuja.

The Top10 Magazine Man of the Year 2023 award was given to Nami in recognition of his record-breaking feat in revenue generation by the FIRS under his Chairmanship, and for his commitment and excellent service which rendered to the nation while in office.He deployed a tax reform programme built on a four-pronged approach of stakeholder relations, customer centricity, data & technology and institutional restructuring, Nami spurred an astronomical rise in non-oil revenues in the three years following the COVID-19 pandemic.Receiving the award,

Nami revealed that his achievements as the head of the FIRS were due to his commitment and determination to give his all to the job.He therefore advised Nigerians to give their 100% whenever they have the opportunity to serve the nation in any given capacity, insisting that 80% commitment was not enough, not even 90%.In his words: “Ever since I took up the mandate of the FIRS, I made up my mind to give my all to the task before me and, ladies and gentlemen, you could bear me witness that I did just that.“For every day I was in the office, I was committed to the delivery of the mandate of the FIRS. 

I gave morning and night to the service of this nation with every piece of me. Occasionally, I hardly had quality sleep for a week; for some days, I would work for 20 hours. My family would ask for me, sometimes it will take two good weeks before we spend time together. For some of you who were surprised that why my wife was following me anywhere I was going to, that was the only opportunity I had to spend time with her.

This was the price I paid to attain the target that we achieved. It took a toll on me but I had no regret.“I took this job with a mindset to give it my all and I did just that. The result of that commitment, that dedication and that perseverance is what we are celebrating here today.

“Let me use this opportunity to share a brief word of advice to all of us.

“If you are giving any job, for you to succeed please give your all, not 80%, not 90% but 100% otherwise you will not succeed. It is on this note that I accept the award presented to me today, by the Top10 Magazine as the man of the year 2023.“I want to also use this medium to dedicate this award to my lovely wife standing here beside me, to my lovely children, to my extended family who have been pillars of support throughout this journey.

”The former chairman also commended the management and staff of the Top10 Magazine for honouring him and disclosed that from the day he was appointed to pilot the affairs of the FIRS, he decided to give his very best, which he maintained all through his stay in office.He said: “I am humbled to be here today and to be honoured as the Top10 Magazine Man of the year 2023 for what I will describe as my humble and modest efforts for the reforms we have done together at FIRS, he said.The Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Top10 Magazine, Mr. Tony Iji,

in his remark, said for the past 8 years, the team had remained focused on what they set out to achieve which, according to him, “is to celebrate excellence.”He said the selection of the former FIRS Boss was in recognition of the numerous records set by him and other accomplishments recorded by FIRS during his leadership of the Service.“For past 8 years, we have not had cause to be arrested by the law enforcement agencies.  That is to tell us how meticulous we are in the selection of our staff.

The award started since 2016 and so far, all the people we have selected we have not had any regret. “Unlike other years when there were many options, this year was only one man that was selected, and the person is Mohammad Nami. The man has accomplished so much, his record as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) shall continue to remain.

“The excellence awards are complementary to the man of the year award. Going forward I think we will continue to do what we know to do best, which is to be more meticulous in identifying more credible Nigerians to be on the platform.”Mr. Iji congratulated all award winners, their friends and family who thronged the Rockview Hotel Royale venue of the ceremony to celebrate with awardeed.The famous news platform also honoured 20 extra-ordinary Nigerians with the “Excellence Awards” for having distinguished themselves in their various fields.The awardees include:

The Diaspora Nigerian of the Year awarded to Cyprian Uzoh; State Governor of the Year awarded to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Political Mobilizer of the Year (Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo); Legislator of the Year to (Hon. Terseer Ugbor); Integrity Business Person of the Year (Alh. Dr Aliyu Wammako); Security Icon of the Year (Dr. Kabir Adamu); CEO of the Year (Adeyemi Adeniyi); Young Inspirational Business Person of the Year (Omoha John); Public Service Official of the Year (Mohammed Shehu); Humanitarian Service Icon of the Year (Chief Maduburochukwu Attah); and Young Business Leader of the Year (Aliyu Garba) .Others are Entrepreneur of the Year awarded to Hon. Urlei Ezeh; Real Estate Rising Star of the Year (Adegoke Daniel); Diaspora Nigerian Business Icon of the Year (Emmanuel Asuquo); Talent Manager of the Year (Maurice Sokari); Local Government Administrator of the Year (Willie C.); Group Leader of the Year (Elvis Abuyere); Female Real Estate (Bukola Olatujoye); CEO Bogo Beverages (Godwin Oche); and the Business Person of the Year).Besides the awards ceremony,

The Top10 Magazine for the Year 2023 was  also unveiled and launched by the awardees and other dignitaries, who pledged their support to the development and sustainability of the platform.The Top10 Magazine is a monthly publication established eight years ago as a platform to celebrate excellence and people of excellence from all human endeavours. 

The Top10 Man of the Year award was instituted same year as an annual award by the magazine to recognize and honour one outstanding personality in a given year that has recorded landmark accomplishments in the Nigerian society.This year’s recipient, Mr. Nami, a tax administration leader, set many tax collection records at FIRS when he was in charge as the agency’s Executive Chairman.

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Health

ICRC Trains 25 Journalists on First Aid Treatment in Yola

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From Yagana Ali, Yola.

The International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) has organized a three -day training for 25 journalists on effective First Aid Treatment to prospective casualties.

The workshop, which took place in Yola drew the beneficiaries from different media houses across the state.

In a presentation, Communication Field Officer of the organization, Lemdi Edmond took the participants memory lane from its cradle to limelight.

 

He pointed out that ICRC intervenes basically in crises involving armed conflicts translating to man -made or unnatural disasters.

Edmond further explained that while the International Federation of the Red Cross intervenes in the area of natural disasters, like flood and earthquake, the National Red Cross Societies handles both natural and man – made situations.

The Communication Field Officer identified seven principles of the Committee to include humanity, impartiality,Neutrality and independence among others.

On their parts, First Aid and Pre-hospital Care Field Office Yola and Abuja respectively, Charity Maxwell and Daniel Ebodor jointly exposed the participants to the meaning, relevance and significance of the First Aid.

They maintained that First Aids basically aimed to save life, prevent condition from further deteriorating and promote speedy recovery.

They identified truthfulness, sympathy, resourcefulness, tolerance and empathy among others as qualities of a good First Aider.

The duo also enumerated and extensively explained Primary Survey variables relating to First Aid as Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and chest compression.

Interestingly, the participants were vigorously engaged in practical First Aid treatment on various aspects having to do with Burns, Fainting, Fracture and bleeding among others.

Highlights of the training were questions and answers, presentation of certificate and First Aid Kits to the participants

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COVER

Newspaper Proprietors Decry Harsh Economy, Seek FG Bailout

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 By David Torough, Abuja

The Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), on Thursday, urged the Federal Government to support the print media to prevent it  from going extinct.

Members of NPAN said this in Abuja, during a Business Lunch for some of their colleagues who were recently appointed as ministers.

Four members of the association were recently appointed as ministers by President Bola Tinubu.

They include Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy; Mr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development; Alhaji Mohammed  Idris Malagi, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy.

The President of NPAN,  Malam Kabir Yusuf, said that the media deserved to be supported because it played an integral role in national development.

Yusuf commended Tinubu for finding so many members of the association worthy to be appointed as ministers.

The publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, and life patron of NPAN, Mr Sam Amuka, said that it was commendable to have four of his colleagues as ministers.

He advised the ministers to represent the association well, urging them to use their influence in government to ensure a free press.

“Let the Newspapers Breathe,” he told the Ministers as he emphasised the need for Federal government intervention to save the Newspaper industry from imminent collapse.

“The Newspapers are losing revenues everyday,” Amuka stated.

In his response, the Finance Minister, Wale Edun, assured the association that Tinubu’s economic reforms would be beneficial to all individuals and groups within the country.

Edun urged members of NPAN to support the government by being factual and objective in their reportage.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who  described himself as an NPAN ambassador in government, urged journalists to be analytical and to always resist the temptation to peddle falsehood.

“Do not join the crowd to peddle falsehood, ” he said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described himself as the luckiest information minister in history.

Malagi said that his plan was to change the face of government communication.

“Trust in the communication coming out of government will be encouraged.

“I will not tell lies; I will say it the way it is. You people should also report it the way it is, ” he said.

He said that the government would also take steps to restore the integrity of public broadcasting by equipping and empowering government-owned broadcast houses.

Also present at the business lunch was veteran journalist and former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, as well as prominent senior Nigerian journalists, proprietors, President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and that of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba( additional reports from NAN)

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