Metro
Media Seeks Press Council Collaboration to Enhance Professionalism, Checkmate Quackery
Newsmen from the Southwest geo-political zone have called for collaboration with the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) to enhance professionalism and checkmate quackery in the industry.
This is contained in a communiqué at the end of a two-day workshop on the Role of the “Media in Combating Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Nigeria’’ on Thursday in Ibadan.
The communiqué is jointly signed by Mr Francis Nwosu, the Executive Secretary of NPC and Mr Ademola Babalola, NUJ Chairman, Oyo Council.
The workshop was organised by the NPC in collaboration with Forte and Hanz Limited.
“The media has a major role to play in combating terrorism; hence, it must engage in ethical behaviour and act with the aim of benefitting and not harming the society.
“The media should set high standard and shun offensive contents that could trigger crime, violence and civic disorder or harm minority group.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) should partner the NPC to work out modalities for the professionalisation of journalism towards checking the activities of quacks.
“The NUJ should prevail on employers of journalists to pay salaries as and when due, so as to prevent journalists from temptations and compromise,’’ the communiqué said
It recommended that in reporting terrorism, journalists should ensure information they obtained was from trusted sources, adding that such information should be fact checked.
The communiqué urged the NPC to work with stakeholders in the media industry, security agencies and international support groups to produce a handbook on reporting terrorism and violent crisis.
“Media houses must stop giving unnecessary publicity to the activities of terrorists that would further enhance the enactment of fear the terrorists seek and may also encourage other individuals or group to engage in such conducts.
“Every media organisation should have a guide or style book that would serve as a guide for its employees towards ensuring that they operate in line with best practices.
“Regular trainings on coverage and reportage of terrorism should be organised for journalists to enhance their capacity. Also, Journalists should be accorded the absolute freedom and protection in the course of doing their job.
“NPC should prevail on media houses to always place professionalism above commercial or financial interest,’’ it said.
The communiqué stressed that newsrooms of media houses should be equipped with necessary working tools and facilities needed for fact checked
It added that orientation programmes for new intakes or staff should be reintroduced by the NUJ in partnership with management of media houses.
“Media houses should always ensure periodic profiling of employees to ascertain those who have deviated to become extremists or sympathises of terrorists.’’ (NAN)
Metro
Wike Approves Deployment of FCTA’s Pioneer Perm. Secs
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the deployment of the 10 pioneer Permanent Secretaries of the FCT Administration.
The FCT Head of Service, Dr Udo Atang, announced the deployment in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Atang said that Dr Adams Babagana was deployed to Health Services and Environment, while Wanki Ibrahim was deployed to Treasury and Budget.
He also said that Asmau Muhktar was deployed to the Social Development Secretariat, while Dogo Bodinga was deployed to Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat.
The head of service added that Olusa Olusegun was deployed to the Area Councils Services, Adetoyi Kolawole to Women Affairs, while Grace Adayilo Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.
Also deployed were Olubunmi Olowookere to Legal Services Secretariat; Ibe Chukwuemeka to Education Secretariat; and Okonkwo Nonubari to Transportation Secretariat.
“The posting takes immediate effect. Thus, the affected officers should handover to their immediate subordinates in their current Secretariats, Departments and Agencies,” Atang said.
Wike had on March 18, inaugurated the permanent secretaries in line with the provisions of the FCT Civil Service Commission Law, 2018, which commenced operation. (NAN)
Metro
FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration
The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. Tunji-Ojo urged Christians and all Nigerians to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man. The minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promoted values of love, forgiveness and compassion which were essential for social cohesion and harmony.He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they were capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development of Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.Tunji-Ojo further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.This, he said, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.He wished Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.The minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu’s administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.Metro
Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.
Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.
He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.
“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.
“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.
The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.
Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.
The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.
He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.
He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.
According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.
“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.
“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.
“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.
“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)