From Attah Ede and Sylvia Udegbunam, Port Harcourt

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Wednesday, opened a two- day training for journalists on ethical reporting and child rights protection.

The three-day zonal capacity-building workshop, which is holding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital is funded by UNICEF and organised in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State(BCA), brought together journalists, editors, and state correspondents from print, broadcast, and digital media across Benue, Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Rivers, Cross River and Delta states to deepen their understanding of the legal and ethical frameworks guiding child-focused reporting in Nigeria.

In her keynote address titled “Why Ethical Reporting of Children Matters in Nigeria,” the Chief Field Officer, Enugu Field Office, UNICEF, Juliet Chiluwe, said journalists were “not merely observers of society” but “shapers of society.”

She said the responsibility of journalists became even greater when reporting stories involving children, stressing that a child featured in the media “is not simply a subject for a story.”

“That child is a person with dignity, rights, aspirations, and a future,” Chiluwe said.

She maintained that the training reflects UNICEF’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the media, adding that journalists play a crucial role in giving a voice to children, who often cannot speak for themselves.

She noted that ethical reporting is vital in a diverse society like Nigeria, where the media can either unite people or deepen divisions and commended Nigeria journalists for their tremendous and developmental reportage.

“The way we report on children can have a lasting impact on their lives.Ethical journalism — marked by accuracy, fairness, and balance — protects vulnerable children by preserving their identities, prioritising their best interests, and ensuring a future free from shame and harm.

“An unnecessary disclosure of identity can follow a child for years. Ethical reporting must never be treated as an option or an extra add-on to good journalism,” she said.

Chiluwe advised journalists to consider the best interests of children before publishing stories involving them and encouraged participants to use the training to sharpen their skills in covering child-related issues responsibly.

In his remark, the Director General of Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), Mr Francis Nwaubani, described the training as important and timely, stressing that children remain among the most vulnerable members of society and depend on adults and professionals to protect their rights and dignity.

Nwaubani insisted that children could be exposed to unintended harm through sensational reporting, inappropriate identification, intrusive interviews and the publication of information that could compromise their safety and privacy.

He explained that journalists and media professionals wield considerable influence through their reports, broadcasts, headlines, documentaries and digital platforms, making responsible reporting about children both a professional requirement and a moral obligation.

“The way we report a child who is a victim of violence, abuse, exploitation, conflict, displacement, poverty or other forms of vulnerability can either contribute to the child’s protection and recovery or inadvertently prevent the child from recovering and exclude them further,” he said.

The DG however enjoined journalists to consider the possible consequences of their reports before publishing or broadcasting stories involving children, stressing journalists must ask themselves whether a story would protect or endanger the child, respect the child’s dignity and privacy, and serve the child’s best interests.

Nwaubani stressed that ethical reporting did not mean avoiding difficult stories involving children, but required journalists to tell such stories accurately, sensitively and responsibly while promoting solutions and protecting children’s rights.

The workshop is expected to features paper presentations on overview of UN CRC and the Nigeria Domestication of CRA (2003) and institutionalisation of child rights, media as protector or violator: foundation of child rights, privacy, dignity and protection of identity consent and parental approval avoiding harmful stereotypes and sensationalism and ethical dilemmas: abuse, crime when to report vs when not to report etc.

The training objectives include equipping participants with knowledge of the legal and ethical frameworks governing the reporting of children in Nigeria, including the Child Rights Act and relevant international conventions.

Participants are also expected to learn to identify and mitigate risks associated with reporting on children, apply best practices in interviewing children and handling sensitive information, and report critical child rights issues, such as abuse, exploitation, education, health, and the impact of conflict, responsibly.

Some council chairmen in Lagos have urged residents to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage while celebrating the 2026 Isẹ̀ṣe Day.

They made the call in separate statements made available to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

The chairmen felicitated traditional rulers, traditionalists, chieftains and residents, describing Isẹ̀ṣe as a sacred link to Yoruba ancestry.

They said the annual celebration offered an opportunity to reconnect with cultural roots, preserve traditions and strengthen communal identity.

Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Moyosore Ogunlewe, said Isẹ̀ṣe allowed residents to reconnect with their roots and appreciate inherited cultural values.

“Today, we pause to honour Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, the sacred thread that binds us to our ancestors, our values and our identity,” he said.

Ogunlewe said Yoruba traditions were not relics of the past, but living wisdom that continued guiding community relationships and conflict resolution.

“Our traditions are not relics of the past; they are living wisdom, guiding how we treat one another,” he said.

He urged residents to embrace Yoruba culture proudly, teach it to their children and preserve it for future generations.

 “Let us continue to embrace our culture with pride, teach it to our children, and preserve it for those yet unborn,” he said.

The chairman wished residents a peaceful and memorable Isẹ̀ṣe Day celebration, urging continued appreciation of Yoruba cultural values.

Similarly, Ayodele Benson, Chairman, Imota Local Council Development Area, congratulated traditional institutions, rulers, chieftains, traditionalists and residents.

Benson said Isẹ̀ṣe Day provided an opportunity to reconnect with ancestral roots and preserve traditions that define the Yoruba people.

He commended residents for showcasing their customs, cultural expressions, creativity and artistry during the celebration.

“These traditions serve as a bridge between our past, present, and future, reminding us of the importance of preserving our heritage,” he said.

Benson also commended residents for maintaining peaceful coexistence despite religious differences, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to equal opportunities.

He urged residents to promote peace, unity, mutual respect and harmony while supporting Imota LCDA’s development and economic advancement.

 “I give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness another Isẹ̀ṣe Day,” he said.

Benson prayed that Yoruba cultural heritage would continue flourishing while bonds of unity and peaceful coexistence strengthened among residents.

“May our cultural heritage continue to flourish, and may the bonds of unity and peaceful coexistence among our people grow stronger,” he said.

He wished residents a happy Isẹ̀ṣe Day, while praying for peace, progress, prosperity and economic advancement in Imota and Nigeria.

 By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has revoked the certificate of registration of Universal Insurance Plc and appointed a receiver/provisional liquidator to oversee the winding-up of the company’s affairs.

The revocation took effect from 14th August, 2026, following the insurer’s failure to meet the prescribed Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR) applicable to its licence category within the stipulated compliance period.

In a notice dated 13th August and addressed to the chairman of the Board of Directors of Universal Insurance Plc, NAICOM stated that it took the action pursuant to the powers conferred on the commission under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025.

The commission subsequently appointed Ogbonna Chukwumerije, a partner at Pinheiro LP, as receiver/provisional liquidator of the insurance company.

Under the terms of his appointment, dated 14th August, Chukwumerije is required to immediately locate, recover, secure, and take possession of the assets of Universal Insurance Plc.

He is also mandated to compile, verify, and settle the company’s liabilities in accordance with NIIRA 2025, liaise with NAICOM regarding information available to the Commission, and submit periodic reports on the progress of the liquidation process.

NAICOM stated that the appointment was subject to the receiver executing a Deed of Appointment and complying with the terms of his engagement, as well as the relevant laws and regulations governing receivership and liquidation.

In a separate public notice dated 18 August 2026, Chukwumerije formally notified banks, financial institutions, policyholders, creditors, debtors, customers, agents, and the public of his appointment and the commencement of the receivership process.

He said the appointment followed NAICOM’s cancellation of Universal Insurance’s registration because it failed to meet the applicable minimum capital requirement.

According to the notice, the receiver is empowered under NIIRA 2025 and the terms of his appointment to assume control and management of Universal Insurance Plc.

He is also authorised to locate, recover, secure, and take possession of all company assets and to undertake the necessary measures for their preservation, protection, and realisation.

Chukwumerije further elaborated that he would compile, verify, and settle the company’s liabilities in accordance with NIIRA 2025, other relevant laws, and directives issued by NAICOM.

The receiver also warned stakeholders against dealing with the company or acting on instructions purportedly issued on its behalf without his authorisation.

Banks, financial institutions, policyholders, creditors, debtors, agents, customers, and the public were specifically instructed not to honour, process, recognise, or act upon any instruction, mandate, payment direction, withdrawal request, transfer instruction, or other communication purportedly issued on behalf of Universal Insurance Plc.

Such instructions would only be recognised if issued by him or by a person explicitly authorised in writing by him.

He directed all persons and institutions holding or dealing with the company’s assets, funds, records, policies, claims, liabilities, or other affairs to verify the authority of anyone claiming to act for Universal Insurance during the liquidation.

The receiver stated that only instructions bearing his official seal and stamp as a Legal Practitioner and Receiver/Provisional Liquidator, or those issued by persons duly authorised by him in writing, would be recognised concerning the company’s matters.

He also cautioned individuals and institutions against acting on instructions purportedly emanating from the company, its former officers, directors, employees, agents, or representatives unless he had duly authorised them.

Chukwumerije further directed anyone in possession, custody, or control of any asset, fund, document, book, record, policy, claim, or other property belonging to or relating to Universal Insurance Plc to cooperate fully with the receivership and comply with lawful requests and directives issued during the liquidation.

He stated that the notice took immediate effect and would remain in force throughout the liquidation process, subject to any further directives or notices issued by NAICOM or the receiver.

The lawyer also stated that the receivership aims to safeguard the company’s assets and ensure that valid claims are properly identified, assessed, and managed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The documents did not disclose the total value of Universal Insurance’s outstanding liabilities, the number of affected policyholders, or the value of assets to be recovered.

The development is expected to trigger a comprehensive process to identify the company’s assets and liabilities and assess the status of outstanding obligations to policyholders, creditors, and other stakeholders.

The cancellation also coincides with NAICOM’s enforcement of minimum capital requirements applicable to insurance companies under Nigeria’s current regulatory framework.

With the appointment of a receiver/provisional liquidator, the responsibility for managing Universal Insurance’s affairs and dealing with its assets and liabilities now rests with Chukwumerije, subject to NIIRA 2025 and NAICOM’s oversight.

NAICOM’s appointment letter was signed by Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.

The receiver’s public notice was dated 18 August 2026.