General News
Media Practitioners Warn Against Dangers of Disinformation
Dr Henry Nzekwu, the founder of Bridge Radio in Delta, has called for “peace journalism” that balances hope with honest, ethical reporting, warning against the dangers of disinformation and the temptation to create false narratives.
Nzekwu gave the advice in Abuja during the fourth edition of the ComWEEK Public Lecture organised by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) for media practitionals, clergies and other dignitaries.
The National Communications Week Public Lecture wss combined with a posthumous award ceremony for the late Chief Raymond Dokpesi, a trailblazer in the Nigerian media theme “Media with Gentleness: A Path to Being Narrators of Hope in a Distressed Nation,”
Nzekwu , who was a Strategy and Public Communication Advisor in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation described Nigerians as courageous, determined people filled with pride and a conduit spirit.
Inspite of the bleak realities, Nzekwu said, the resilience and optimism of Nigerians, noting their capacity to thrive abroad and their enduring hope for better governance and positive change.
He urged the Church to lead in communicating hope, starting from within, while also addressing internal challenges and doctrinal inconsistencies.
Nzekwu added that communicating hope must not come at the expense of truth, and the nation’s journey from distress to hope depends on courage, accountability, and a renewed commitment to justice and peace.
“Nigerians thrive and excel outside our borders. Nigerians remain optimistic that better governance, accountability, positive change, and development are possible,” he said.
While assessing Nigeria’s current state, he said, “Nigeria remains a nation in distress”.
“Prayer for Nigeria in Distress” to highlight the country’s enduring crises worsening insecurity, deepening poverty, unemployment, and a persistent infrastructure deficit.”
He questioned the role of the media in such an environment, challenging whether “gentleness” in reporting means ignoring uncomfortable truths or avoiding criticism of those in power.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigerians (CBCN) Episcopal Chairman for Social Communications, Most Rev. David Ajang emphasised the Church’s commitment to empowering recipients of media through education and pastoral outreach.
Ajang who is also the Bishop of Lafia Diocese highlighted the urgent need to address media polarisation, digital disinformation, and cyberbullying challenges that threaten Nigeria’s social fabric.
While reflecting on the growth of ComWEEK, he said this began four years ago as an extension of the global World Communication Day initiated by Pope Paul VI in 1967.
He sais this has blossomed into a week-long national media literacy campaign, now recognised by the Vatican and other African bishops’ conferences.
The Bishop paid tribute to the visionaries behind ComWEEK, notably National Communications Director Fr. Michael Umoh and his team, for their dedication to fostering media literacy and ethical communication across Nigeria’s dioceses and parishes.
“Inspired by Pope Francis’ message for this year’s World Communications Day, we gather to explore how media can become a gentle force for hope.
“Let us be narrators of hope in a distressed nation, choosing words and stories that heal, unite, and uplift.
“The lecture, serving as a platform for dialogue among media experts, church leaders, and the public, aims to inspire a more constructive and compassionate approach to communication in Nigeria,” he said.
Bishop Ajang prayed that the programme would renew the nation’s media landscape and glorify God through truth and gentleness.
“In a world often divided by harsh rhetoric and misinformation, we call on all communicators to be gentle narrators of hope lighting a path toward healing and unity for Nigeria and beyond.
Also speaking, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina,.Most Rev. Gerald Musa, has called for a return to virtue ethics, agenda-setting with integrity, and the principles of peace journalism.
“Virtue ethics simply say, be a good person first, the rest will follow. Our communication style should stem from our goodness,” he urged.
He encouraged media practitioners to tell the truth with integrity, expose injustice without destroying trust, and hold power accountable without resorting to hatred.
“Gentleness, communication does not mean avoiding the truth; rather, it means telling the truth with responsibility and a commitment to peace.
“May we as media practitioners truly embody the cause of justice and share with gentleness the hope that is in our hearts, leaving the audience inspired to become ambassadors of gentleness in their words and work.(NAN)
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and sunshine from Monday until Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, envisaged moderate dust haze over parts of Kebbi and Kano States of the northern region on Monday.
It predicted horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km over the region with the rest of the northern States to be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For central region, moderate dust haze with horizontal visibility of 2km to 5km is anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger states, while the rest of the states in the region should be under sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
”For southern region, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the region with prospects of afternoon/evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States,” it said.
According to NiMet, a slight dust haze is anticipated over parts of Kano and Kebbi States of the northern region on Tuesday, while the remaining states in the region are expected to have sunny and hazy skies throughout the forecast period.
The agency envisaged sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period with chances of isolated thundery activity over parts of plateau state during the afternoon and evening hours.
It anticipated sunny skies with patches of cloud over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
NiMet forecasts sunny and hazy skies over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Wednesday.
The agency predicted sunny and hazy skies over the central region throughout the forecast period.
According to NiMet, sunny skies with a few patches of cloud are anticipated over the southern region with prospects of afternoon or evening thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
”Dust particles are in suspension; the public should take necessary precaution; People with asthmatic health conditions and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition.
”Driving under the rain should be with caution. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations,” it said
The agency urged residents to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet, and visit its website on www.nimet.gov.ng.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day.
It also announced Thursday, January 1, 2026, as a public holiday for the New Year celebration.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr.
Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.According to the statement, the minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security, and national development.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations and wished them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has recorded a major breakthrough in its quest to transform the state into a maritime hub with the official presentation of the Hydrographic, Geotechnical, geophysical Report and New Navigational Chart for the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport project.
Out, who spoke at a formal ceremony held in the State Executive Council Chamber in Calabar, described the event as a “historic milestone” that not only affirms Nigeria’s maritime boundaries but also sets the stage for an economic revolution across the Gulf of Guinea.
“This is truly a historic day, not just for Cross River State but for the entire country,” Governor Otu said. “What we have achieved today replaces charts dating back to 1903 and settles long-standing debates about Cross River’s status as a littoral state. This chart clearly affirms our coastal status.”
Otu emphasized that the updated maritime chart now aligns with S-100 international standards, positioning Cross River for deepwater commerce and international shipping operations.
“When we connect this with the ongoing coastal highway, we’re looking at a completely different city,” he said. “The economic potential is enormous.”
Otu acknowledged the foundational work of former NDDC Chairman Professor Eyo Etim Nyong, describing the seaport project as a dream revived and revitalized.
“We picked up this dream where the former governor, Professor Ben Ayade left off. Public funds had been committed, and we could not allow it to die. Today is another giant step toward its full realization,” he said.
With the technical phase complete and the report formally presented, Governor Otu disclosed that the project now awaits a final seal of approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“Once we get that FEC seal, work starts almost immediately,” he assured. “Cross River is ready, and this project is not just for us, it is for Nigeria and for West Africa.”
The presentation was led by Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, Hydrographer of the Federation and CEO of the National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria, alongside senior naval officers including the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Rear Admiral Anyo Olokunle.
Rear Admiral Olugbode described the report as the culmination of an intensive multi-year effort, beginning with a formal flag-off on December 21, 2024, and followed by rigorous data acquisition starting January 6, 2025. The survey, he said, covered hydrographic, geophysical, and geotechnical dimensions, all aimed at ensuring safety, precision, and international compliance.
“This is more than just a technical report. It is the bedrock for constructing and operating the Bakassi Deep Seaport,” he said. “It provides essential data for engineering design, dredging, breakwater construction, and navigation safety.”
He added that the data would boost investor confidence, enable effective ocean governance, and contribute to global initiatives such as Seabed 2030, a project that aims to map the entire seafloor of the world by 2030.
Olugbode also praised the Cross River State Government for its unwavering support.
“Your Excellency, your administration’s commitment and facilitation of logistics created an enabling environment for the success of this complex operation,” he noted.
The Bakassi Deep Seaport is expected to catalyze investments in shipping, logistics, trade and tourism, while creating jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy.
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