From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

No fewer than 2,000 applicants are jostling for 350 approved employment at the Federal University, LokojaThe Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi who disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Thursday, said that the approved employment by the federal government is for 2024 allocation.

He disclosed that the employment opportunity of 350 personnel are divided into academic and none-academic positions of which recruitment interview is ongoingProfessor Akinwumi told newsmen that the process started two years ago before the final permission granted the institution to employ. According to him, the approved allocation for academic staff includes 45 Professors, 14 Readers or Associate Professors, and 60 Senior Lecturers as well as few other Graduate Assistants.The VC disclosed that the federal government also granted permission for the university to employ 89 none-academic personnel as well as one Chief Health Officer and eight Medical PersonnelHe promised level play ground for all applicants taking part in the ongoing recruitment interview.”We have given room for open door in the conduct of the interview and working strictly with the guidelines and rules laid down by the federal government” Professor Akinwumi said.The VC further told newsmen that the university currently have 12 Faculties and established new courses such as Medicine, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Law, Agriculture, and Engineering Programmes among others.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it is working towards the passage of a Media Enhancement Bill to improve welfare packages for journalists across the country.

NUJ President, Alhassan Yahaya disclosed this on Wednesday during a media interactive forum organised by the Kano State Council of the union in collaboration with the State Ministry for Information and Internal Affairs in Kano.

The high-level media interactive dialogue was aimed at strengthening ethical standards and redefining public media narratives in the state.

Yahaya said the proposed legislation, already attracting sponsorship support from members of the House of Representatives, would address poor remuneration in the profession and enhance working conditions.

“We blow other people’s trumpets but not ours. It is time we stood firm and worked collectively to ensure the bill is passed,” he said.

Yahaya also advocated the introduction of health insurance for journalists, noting that less than one per cent currently have coverage.

“With a premium of N15,000 under the state health insurance scheme, journalists can access comprehensive healthcare from primary to tertiary levels, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and promoting universal health coverage,” he added.

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, said the state had embarked on wide-ranging reforms to strengthen media capacity, enhance transparency, and promote healthy communication between government and the citizens.

“These efforts, alongside stakeholder engagement and domestication of the Freedom of Information Act, have improved public information management and deepen civic participation,” Abdullahi-Waiya said.

He said the ministry had revived in-house publications, rehabilitated its library, and fostered cordial relations with media executives, political commentators and civil society groups.

NUJ Kano Chairman, Suleman Dederi, welcomed the A participants and emphasised the importance of engaging veteran journalists to improve professionalism in the state’s media space.

A former NUJ National President, Malam Sani Zoro, cautioned against the dangers of misinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence, citing past examples of fabricated stories that went viral.

He urged the union to study global best practices, strengthen the International Institute of Journalism, and organise forums to address pressing professional and societal issues.

Stakeholders at the dialogue commended the Kano State Government for being widely acknowledged as the most media-friendly in Nigeria.

They cited significant investments in journalism-related infrastructure, human capital development, and clearance of pension arrears for retired journalists.

They recommended that similar dialogues be held quarterly, veteran journalists should mentor younger colleagues via online platforms, and continuous capacity-building programmes should be prioritised to enhance professionalism.

The event brought together veteran journalists, academics, and media practitioners to share experiences and review developments within the profession in Kano State and Nigeria at large.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday, August 14, for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga stated that the President will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan.

According to the statement, in Japan, President Tinubu will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in the City of Yokohama from August 20 to 22.

With the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD9 will focus on Africa’s economic transformation and improvements in the business environment and institutions through private investment and innovation.

It will also promote a resilient and sustainable African society for human security, peace, and stability.

In addition to attending plenary sessions on themes linked to the conference, the Nigerian President will hold bilateral meetings and meet the chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria.

Initiated in 1993 by the Japanese government and co-hosted by the United Nations, UNDP, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank, TICAD is a triennial conference held alternately in Japan and Africa. The last one took place in August 2022 in Tunisia.

The forum fosters high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners.

At the end of the TICAD9, President Tinubu will leave for Brasilia, the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on a two-day state visit from Sunday, August 24, to Monday, August 25.

This follows an invitation by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

While in Brazil, President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with his host and attend a business forum with Brazilian investors.

His delegation—comprising key ministers and senior officials — will explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation and sign agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Brazilian government.