The Congress of University Academics (CONUA), University of Abuja Chapter, has dissociated itself from the ongoing strike by the university branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The Chairman, CONUA, University of Abuja Chapter, Prof. Abdul Buba, said this when the group paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah in Abuja on Friday.
Buba said the university system could not be grounded because it had no Governing Council, a decision that informed the industrial action.
“We believe in stable academic calendar and that’s why we believe that there are other ways of handling labour issues rather than strike actions.
“CONUA addresses issues and not personalities. We also respect opinions of our members and not a predetermined objective of the leadership.
”We address issues without sentiments and meet with the right stakeholders in the pursue of our objectives.
“We are conscious of the negative effects of strikes, and we believe in deploying relevant strategies that will yield positive results in modern age of innovation,” he said.
He added that CONUA would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to pursue legitimate welfare for its members without dabbling with issues not of the concern to its members.
“The ongoing strike in place in the university, CONUA is not part of it because we believe in academic and service delivery.
“All these five points for the strike are baseless.
“Let me start with the issue of advertorial for the position of vice chancellor, initially if it were that the council is in place everything about employment both the employees and the principal officers start and end with the university governing council.
“But in the absence of the university governing council, the law has no provision for the vice chancellor to appoint any successor so it is the responsibility of the government to do that. So, there is no way the VC can be accused.
“This is because even the advertorial, if you watch and other advertorial that were placed by other universities, it was mentioning the ministry representing the government so this is baseless,” he said.
Also, the CONUA Secretary, Prof. Issa Abdulraheem, urged the union to focus on the welfare of its members which was the sole role of establishing a union.
“The union is established to cater for the welfare of its members, all the issues raised by the other union are baseless and have nothing to do with the staff welfare.
“And so we believe that we have ways of handling issues with stakeholders without sentiments of personalising issues. All the points raised by the other unions are not in the interest of its members,”he said.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, appreciated CONUA for its stance in not joining the strike, hoping that academic programme by ASUU would commence soon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the University of Abuja ASUU branch had embarked on a total and indefinite strike on May 2 over alleged university’s refusal to conduct elections for the office of the Dean’s of faculties and Provost College of Health Sciences.
The Union also accused the university of carrying out promotion of some staffers without following due process.
Other reasons for the strike, according to the Union include, “Advertorial of the vacancy of the post of the Vice Chancellor without following due process, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, has expressed commitment to strengthening existing relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
Montgomery made the commitment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, in commemoration of his first anniversary in Nigeria.
He said the UK had stepped up its engagement with Nigeria and recorded a significant increase in areas of trade and security, in 2023.
According to the envoy, it is obvious that both countries have a very strong set of people-to – people links with a huge Nigerian heritage that works and lives in the UK, just like there is a huge British population with dual nationality in Nigeria.
He said that his first year in office was partly driven by the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu and the need for the UK to get to know the new government in Nigeria.
He added that one of the highlights of his first year was when he hosted the former foreign secretary of the UK, James Cleverly, who visited President Bola Tinubu in early August 2023.
Montgomery said that Cleverly met with business leaders and partners across government, adding that after the meeting with Tinubu, both countries agreed to work in three areas.
The British Envoy listed the areas as security, trade and investment, and “reasonable cooperation”.
“Both countries will need to step up their security independence, and they should strongly enhance the trade and investment between them,” he said.
He called on African countries to unite and ensure that democracy thrives on the continent.
“They should have a reasonable cooperation because the Nigerian President was the chairman of ECOWAS when a difficult development occurred in the region, like the coup in Niger.
“There was a discussion on these regional issues and how the UK can support,” he said.
He commended members of staff of the British High Commission for their professionalism and efficiency.
“I am pleased to say that I have fantastic teams at the British High Commission.
” They work on security and defense, enhanced trade and investment, and they also work on migration, visa and home affairs.
“We have a large development cooperation programmes and technical assistance in key areas, and we need to talk about regional and global foreign policy issues with the Government of Nigeria.
“So, my team has been working on these areas, and I think that was the second big highlight of my first year, and in February, we signed a couple of new detailed agreements.
“In February, we had a big UK security and defence delegation, military security foreign policy, counterterrorism delegates, and they were hosted by the Nigerian National Security Adviser.
The Nigerian national security adviser convened all the leadership from Nigeria Security Defense architecture, and we held several days of tours in Abuja.
“And at the end of that, we signed a new security and defence partnership, through which we can collaborate in areas like defense and counterterrorism.
“Other areas are cyber security, countering violent extremism, serious organised crime, policing, and also upholding human rights.
“We now have a detailed work plan of operation and security defence,” he said.
He said that in February, Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, visited Nigeria and had been working with her counterpart at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
“We have agreed on a range of sectors which we are now working on such as agriculture, the creative industries, legal and financial services, education partnerships and to increase mutual trade and investment between the UK and Nigeria.
“And my third highlight is the ability to get around this amazing country and I have managed to visit some states like Sokoto, Taraba, Borno , Rivers and Enugu.
“I also visit Lagos regularly, and I have been to a number of states in between.
“Getting across this country has been a huge highlight and I will like to use this opportunity to thank some people for their warm hospitality.
“I thank the governors, traditional leaders, the business people and civil society across the country.” (NAN)
A financial expert, Mr Gbemi Adelekan, has advised Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to ensure a solid repayment history to enhance their credit scores and improve their access to funding.
Adelekan, also the Chief Executive Officer of KwikPay Credit, gave the advice on Saturday in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
KwikPay Credit is a financial services provider and licensed lender by Trafalgar Associates, approved by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Adelekan said that in Nigeria, accessing credit facilities was crucial for individuals and enterprises to meet various financial needs and increase circulation of disposable income and engender business sustainability.
He emphasised that a strong repayment history would enhance access to higher levels of funding that would enable expansion of small businesses into larger enterprises and increase their performances.
“A short-term loan with a solid repayment history can significantly enhance your credit score in a short period.
“This improvement in your creditworthiness opens up greater opportunities to secure larger loan amounts in future applications,” he said.
Adelekan said that short and quick loans had helped many small businesses to navigate murky economic terrains, particularly those operating under the informal bracket.
“An ice block maker, that hair dresser on the street, the welder whose machine needs to work and other artisans may be unable to go to big banks or development finance institutions to ask for small loans.
“They may not have the requisite paperwork. Accessing small and quick loans online has saved many of these businesses from collapse.
“Fortunately, the money lending sector is fully regulated by the FCCPC, and the rights of borrowers are very much protected,” he said.
He said that non-repayment of loans had adverse effects.
“Owing money for a long time and watching the interest accrue on such a facility can have a psychological effect,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Millennium Natures Path International (Milnapath), an alternative medicine company says it is using herbal medicine to provide solutions to the problems of ill-health and poverty in Nigeria and beyond.
Dr Naomi Bassey, Milnapath’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), stated this during the company’s one-year anniversary and car awards in Abuja on Saturday.
The anniversary had the theme, “Celebrating One Year of Impact Beyond Borders.”
Bassey explained that Milnapath, an indigenous company, specialised in the production and marketing of highly organic and potent herbal products.
“We are poised to provide solutions to the twin problems of ill-health and poverty that have become the bane of socio-economic development in Nigeria and Africa.
“Climatic and environmental changes have given rise to strange ailments that science and technology are yet to provide solutions to. This is where alternative medicine comes in.
“The increasing rate of avoidable deaths in the society caused by poor medical facilities and treatment, as well as wrong diagnosis amongst other factors, got me thinking of ways of arresting the trend,” she said.
The CEO said that the search for solutions in alternative medicine took her to the College of Natural Medicine, Ibadan, for a Professional Doctorate degree in natural medicine.
She said that after her studies and extensive research in herbal medicine, Milnapath was born on April 29, 2023, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.
Bassey said that the company was certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
“My drive is to see how we can use the natural things given to us by God – the grasses in the bushes, the roots, bark of trees and some spices to bless humanity and to treat protracted and degenerating ailments.
“God has blessed us with nature, and nature is 100 per cent able to reverse those protracted ailments.
“Milnapath has, therefore, come to help us know that it is possible to treat all stubborn ailments with the natural things in the bush,” she said.
Bassey added that Milnapath was producing a line of effective products for various challenging health conditions, using a direct selling approach.
She said that the products were 100 per cent plant-based with no chemicals and therefore, no negative side effects.
Different brands of vehicles given out as awards to the best performing distributors and partners of Millennium Natures Path International, during the company’s one year anniversary in Abuja.
On job creation and poverty reduction, Bassey said that the company currently had about 23,000 distributors and partners in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, Cameroon, U.S.A, UK and Canada.
She added that the partners earn a lot of money from marketing and distributing the products, “which is transforming their lives”.
According to her, through the products, the company is empowering global health and prosperity through direct sales, an innovative multi-level marketing approach.
The CEO noted that the direct selling marketing approach offered accessible products and fair partner rewards, through an exceptional compensation plan, thereby creating employment and addressing poverty.
Bassey said: “this is ensuring that the products are not just available at the doorsteps of our people, but also that our partners and distributors are adequately compensated for their contributions and efforts.
“It’s a referral business. You buy, we pay you. You bring people to buy, we pay you.
“Milnapath is committed to not only improving peoples’ wellbeing but also uplifting communities by tackling poverty.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Bassey Ayambem, described the contribution of Milnapath to the field of medicine as phenomenal, by combining science with nature.
“Today, the company is promoting healthcare and financially empowering people with money in their pockets” Ayambem said.
During the event, 10 distributors and partners of the company were rewarded with cars for their contributions to the company’s growth.
One of the car awardees, Dr Patience Uche, a medical doctor at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, said she had earned about N60 million from marketing Milnapath products in just a year.
Uche, who went home with three cars, added that she equally used the products to treat her patients. (NAN)
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it has partnered the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and Lagos State Government to implement standardisation in hotel services across the state.
Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso-Okeke, Director-General, SON, said this during a standardisation conference organised by the agency for tourism and related services industry, on Friday in Lagos.
The conference had the theme: “Implementing International Best Practices in Hospitality Businesses”.
Chukwunonso-Okeke said that standardisation was important to strengthening quality in tourism businesses in Nigeria.
Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso-Okeke, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mrs Oloruntoyin Atekoja, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria and Mr Folarin Coker, Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), during a standardisation conference organised by SON in Lagos, on Friday.
He said that in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, it had become necessary to redefine the direction to ensure Nigerian tourism businesses are acceptable to all markets, locally and internationally.
“Today, SON is collaborating with private sector umbrella body, FTAN and Lagos state government authorities, to implement existing international and national standards.
“These are: NIS ISO 22483:2021- hotels service requirements and NIS 489:2020- hotels and serviced accommodation management system and rating, requirements and guidance for use.
“These are built into a certification scheme, to carry out certification of hospitality establishments within Nigeria.
“SON certification will ensure international best practices in the different tourism business operations.
“In hospitality establishments, it will steer up the zeal for hospitality businesses to adequately train their staff and ensure consistence in their service delivery,” he said.
Chukwunonso-Okeke noted that SON’s certification would add value to the hospitality establishments.
He said it would also assist them to compete globally, improve reputation, increase confidence of employers and employees as well as earning power.
He said tourism being one of the largest employer of labour in Nigeria and capable of gainfully engaging the youth, could also increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to him, most countries in Europe and Africa who survive on tourism businesses have come into Nigeria as investors to put in huge funds in building hospitality establishments.
He said most of these nations have gone as far as acquiring leading international brands in the hospitality sector to make their businesses preferred, to that of their competitors.
“It is important to mention that some investors come to Nigeria because they are aware that Nigerian tourism market is open and has less competition in the aspect of quality.
“Nigeria has what any country needs to boost its economy in tourism. We have unique tourist sites, rich culture and population.
“Nigerian tourism experts participate actively in national, regional and international tourism standardisation activities.
“Their contributions in the development of ISO Standards for accommodation, restaurants and adventure tourism, is still appreciated by the international standards community,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, underscored the importance of standardisation in the tourism industry.
Benson-Awoyinka, represented by Mrs Oloruntoyin Atekoja, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said standardisation plays a pivotal role in ensuring quality, consistency and competitiveness within the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Benson-Awoyinka explained that standardisation remains the cornerstone upon which the tourism industry can thrive on a global stage.
“Embracing international best practices not only elevates our offerings but also strengthens our position as a premier destination for travellers seeking unforgettable experiences.
“While we acknowledge the challenges in meeting international standards, we also recognise the immense opportunities that standardisation brings for growth, innovation and sustainable development within our industry.
“Let me reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Lagos state government in supporting initiatives that promote standardisation and excellence in tourism and hospitality related services.
“It is in line with this standardisation that the ministry is currently digitising its hotel licensing processes and other regulatory activities.
“As we all know that true progress can only be achieved through collaborative efforts.
“I, therefore, encourage all stakeholders, government agencies, industry players, academia, and international bodies to work hand-in-hand toward implementing international best practices and setting new benchmarks of success,” she said.
Also, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President of FTAN, said standardisation in the tourism industry was long overdue as he advised tourism practitioners to embrace collaborations. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
The House of Representatives said on Friday that it would review the laws and practices restricting press freedom and the ability of the media to carry out its constitutional role in the country.
Rep. Akin Rotimi, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said this while delivering a keynote address to mark the 2024 World Press Freedom Day.
The 2024 World Press Freedom Day was organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Nigeria in conjunction with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
Rotimi said the legislature would prepare the ground for journalists to operate without any hindrance provided they adhere to the tenets of their profession.
“We will enhance good governance practices, transparency and
accountability through media chats, public hearings, town hall meetings, etc., amongst other scheduled legislative actions in Agenda 6,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3, is a day of reflection among media professionals and stakeholders on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
Rotimi said that the 10th House of Representatives led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, had resolved to work with the media to ensure a successful running of the present government.
He said that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) conferred on the press a critical role as contained in Section 22 regarding obligations of the mass media.
“The role states that the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.
“Amongst many other challenges in the course of the discharge of this constitutional mandate, the press faces a disproportionate exposure to harm in the face of the widespread insecurity challenges in the country.
“There are also issues around the dearth of funding but I call on all stakeholders to continue with concerted efforts to address these challenges.
“There is no gainsaying that there are many miles to cover as far as media freedoms in our country is concerned but we have greatly improved from the days of military intervention in our polity (particularly, 1983 – 1998),” Rotimi added.
He urged the media to encourage introspection and self-regulation, and also look at the self-defeating ways that the press delegitimises their own struggle by not upholding ethics, and address them.
Mr Lukas Laible, Deputy Resident Representative, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Nigeria, said the press had become the enabler of Nigerian democracy.
“May 3 of every year is an important day for journalists as freedom of speech is the beacon of the practice.
“Without freedom of speech there won’t be freedom of press, and without freedom of the press, no society can be free.
“Journalists don’t just cover events, they are the people’s transmitter and they show capability in handling issues. They hold political leaders accountable and that is what makes democracy viable.
“Holding political leaders accountable enhances good governance. If the press fails to hold the government accountable, it will deviate from the people,” Laible said.
According to him, the press is so much trusted by the people and as such must make the people know the value of a free world.
Mrs Franca Aiyetan, Secretary, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who spoke during a panel session, urged journalists to always do their job in a way that would not consume the people.
Aiyetan, while speaking on the theme “Navigating the Intersection of Media Regulations, Press Freedom Advocacy and Ethical Journalism in the Face of Environmental Crises”, noted that NBC was established to have a formidable Nigerian media.
She said that NBC was not established as an attack dog for the government and as such would want the press to always work with it.
“If a detail about a truth will set two tribes against each other, then, there is something wrong with that truth.”
Mrs Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director, Journalism Programme, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), said during the panel session that over 1,000 attacks have been meted out to journalists in the country.
Ajibola regretted that there had been no accountability for some of the journalists that have been killed in the cause of duty.
“Journalists safety should be sacrosanct. We should declare this as national emergency.
“There should be a policy that does not just obligate that journalists should do their job objectively, we also need a law that protects them.
“So, for this our democracy to work, we should make it a business to protect journalists.”
Another panelist, Mrs Mojirayo Ogunlana, the Executive Director, Digicivic Initiative, said journalists needed laws that should protect them while discharging their job.
“Threats to the lives of journalists should be declared as a state of emergency,” Ogunlana added.
She urged media practitioners to self-regulate themselves to prevent the government from exploiting any vacuum that could give it the opportunity to pounce on them. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, says terrorism is a global challenge that requires holistic and oneness of purpose.
Olotu said this at the International Cultural Fiesta of the College’s Course 32, on Saturday in Abuja.
NDC currently plays hosts to foreign participants, comprising senior military officers from 19 countries, undergoing their higher defence management and strategic studies in the college’s course 32.
Olotu said the participants had demonstrated high level unity in their activities which presupposed that they were ready to face challenges holistically, with oneness of spirit and purpose.
“Here you cannot see any difference among the people and that is the same way that we should approach the fight against global terrorism.
“This is because terrorism does not affect just one person or one people or one nation, it affects the entire globe.
“Whatever is happening anywhere directly affects us here. Whatever is happening in Russia affects us here. Whatever is happening in Syria, generally affects us here.
“Likewise, all the challenges that we have in Nigeria also affect, not just our immediate neighbours, but also our other strategic partners within and outside the continents.
“For this reason, we are sending a strong message today that united we must stand and face our common challenges,” he said.
The commandant urged the participants to use the occasion not just to wine and dine, but to build upon the bonds that they must have established across borders.
He said the event was a routine part of the NDC’s academic programme which culminates in the country briefs by the international participants, where the history and culture of their peoples were highlighted.
According to him, the briefs by the international participants also highlight government policies on the economy, security and development in their respective countries.
“More so, the participants display the culture, artefacts, maps and culinary specialities of their countries during this event.
“This tradition is to foster and deepen the existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and all the countries here represented by our dear international participants.
“This is in addition to the need to strengthen the bond, friendship and comradeship amongst participants,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
In a world characterized by rapid change and uncertainty, the pursuit of sustainable organizational success has become more than just a lofty aspiration—it has become a strategic imperative.
Recognizing this reality, leaders from across industries converged in Lagos for the TEXEM, UK Executive Development Programme titled “Strategies for Sustainable Organisational Success,” led by the esteemed Prof. John Peters.
Peters is a former prisoner of War and Chair of the Association of MBAs that accredits London Business School and Harvard.
Dr Alim Abubakre, Founder of TEXEM also delivered part of the executive development programme.
The two-day programme, organised by TEXEM, UK held on April 24 and 25, was meticulously crafted to equip executives with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to navigate turbulent times and thrive amidst uncertainty.
From building a solid foundation for success to fostering innovation and resilience, the agenda was designed to address the key challenges facing organizations in today’s dynamic business landscape.
Day One commenced with a focus on laying the groundwork for sustainable success.
During this TEXEM programme, participants delved into the importance of sustainable success in today’s business environment and explored the transformative power of pressure as a catalyst for innovation.
Through engaging discussions and real-world case studies, they gained valuable insights into leading through crisis and leveraging challenges as opportunities for organisational excellence.
As the day unfolded, the programme fostered opportunities for networking, informal discussions, and collaborative problem-solving—a testament to the interactive and participatory nature of the learning experience.
From panel sessions to strategic games, participants were challenged to think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.
Day Two built upon the foundation laid on the first day, focusing on building a winning culture, innovation, resilience, and risk management.
Participants explored the role of culture and innovation in driving sustainable success and learned to harness the power of organizational culture for strategic advantage.
Through immersive activities and group discussions, they developed a deeper understanding of resilience and risk management, equipping them to navigate uncertainty with confidence and poise.
The programme culminated in the presentation of certificates—a symbolic gesture marking the participants’ commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
As they reflected on their journey over the past two days, it was evident that they had not only gained new skills and insights but had also forged meaningful connections with fellow executives.
This ultimately fostered a sense of camaraderie and collaboration that would extend beyond the confines of the programme.
The Executive Development Programme “Strategies for Sustainable Organisational Success” served as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for leaders committed to driving positive change and achieving enduring success.
As participants returned to their respective organizations, they did so armed with a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of sustainable strategic leadership, and a shared commitment to building a brighter future for their organizations and communities alike.
In the words of TEXEM’s founder, Abubakre, “True success is not measured by what we achieve individually but by the lasting impact we create collectively.
“Together, let us chart a course towards sustainable success—one that empowers, inspires, and transforms lives for generations to come”.
In his own comment, Peters said “in the turbulent seas of today’s business landscape, sustainable success is not merely a goal but a necessity.
“Through strategic innovation, decisive problem-solving and competent leadership, TEXEM, UK has been able to inspire participants to navigate the waves of uncertainty, transforming crisis into opportunity, and charting a course towards enduring success”.
Testimonials from the participants lauded the rich and thought-provoking content of the programme, among whom is Nafisa Ibrahim, Manager, Internal Audit, NNPC Pension Fund Limited.
“It’s been two days of very impactful learning for me. I must say that as an ardent believer in personal and professional development, I have attended a lot of trainings and courses.
“But TEXEM stands out. They deliver this course excellently. One thing that stands out for me is the fact that they assembled very interesting, exceptional and sufficient activities into all of the learnings.
“And with this, I know that it will be very hard for us to forget. It’s all about impact and implementation,” Ibrahim said.
Muhammed Gwadabe, President of, the Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigerian, another participant in the programme also spoke.
“I’ve learned a lot. I’ve seen where tradition is being converted to modernity… I’ve learned how to keep sustainability.
“I have learned teamwork. I have learned different strategy tools from Marshmallow, from OODA, observation of my opponents, orienting my business, making decisions and acting fast.
“I’ve also learned the importance of balancing culture with my organizational objective,” Gwadabe said.
As the sun sets on another successful TEXEM, UK programme, it is time Nigerian leaders look forward to the continued journey of growth, resilience, and transformation that lies ahead. (NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The Federal Government has assured journalists of protection of their rights and support in their mission to protect the environment as the World celebrates the Press Freedom Day (WPFD).
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in Abuja on Friday at a news conference to mark the event.
The conference with the theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in Face of the Environment Crisis” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako and The UNESCO Country Representative, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo featured at the briefing.
Also present was the Special Assistant to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
“This crisis poses a threat not only to our planet but to the very future of humanity.
“Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and others are harsh realities that demand immediate and decisive action.
“It is our conviction that Press freedom (PF) is not just a fundamental human right; it is also essential for environmental sustainability.
“Without a free and independent press, we cannot hope to address the complex environmental challenges we face”, he said.
According to Idris, in the face of this crisis, newsmen were guardians of truth and champions of accountability.
“They illuminate environmental injustices, expose wrongdoing, and amplify the voices of those most affected by environmental degradation.
“The 2024 theme resonates deeply with our ministry’s vision and President Bola Tinubu’s priority areas, which prioritise restoring trust, reorienting national values, and creating an enabling environment for the media.
“We also acknowledge the challenges that journalists face in carrying out their vital work.
“As environmental defenders, journalists often confront threats, harassment, and violence for their courageous efforts to expose the environment.
“I wish to reassure you of our continued commitment to tirelessly promote the tenets of PF as well as supporting journalists in their mission to protect our planet,” Idris said.
He urged stakeholders to redouble their efforts to build a future where journalism would thrive, PF upheld, and planet earth safeguarded for generations to come.
He further reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of journalists and ensuring their safety and security.
He said that the federal government has provided the most unfettered access to journalists and the enabling environment that had continued to encourage the Nigeria media to grow in leaps and bounds in recent years.
In the same vein, Salako said environmental crises were so intense and gargantuan that they were at the core of most of the challenges faced by humanity.
“Ignorance, lack of awareness and appropriate knowledge about the climate crisis is still rampant in our society.
“I call upon you, our dear friends in the media for more support in our drive for environmental advocacy and citizenship, so that all creatures on earth thrive in harmony with the planet.
“The press and journalists constitute the framework for informing, educating, stimulating discussion, mobilising and setting the agenda for the public who are the employers of the government.
“Therefore, we must remain persistent in our advocacy, awareness creation, sensitisation and educating the public,” Salako said.
Onanuga on his part said it was regrettable that newsmen in the country did not focus enough energy on reporting the environment and urged them to start aggressive reports on the environment and climate change to save it.
Meanwhile, Diallo commended Idris, Salako, Onanuga and the Nigerian media, adding that the WPFD was a reminder for all governments and stakeholders to respect their commitments to press freedom.
“It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of PF and professional ethics.
“It is a day which celebrates the fundamental principles of PF to evaluate it around the world to defend the media from attacks.
“It is also a day to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of their profession,” Diallo said. (NAN)
By Mark Longyen & Tosin Kolade, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
When travel content creator Pelumi Nubi embarked on her 68-day solo journey from London to Lagos a few months ago, little did anyone anticipate the beauty, excitement, and challenges that would unfold.
She embarked on a journey from London through France, Spain, and Morocco before venturing into the West Sahara Desert.
From there, she continued her expedition through Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin, and on the other end arrived in Lagos, Nigeria on April 7.
Pelumi made history as the first black woman to complete a solo drive from the United Kingdom to Nigeria, garnering accolades and recognition worldwide for her remarkable achievement.
Fans greeted her arrival with cheers, having closely followed her journey online.
In recognition of her extraordinary feat, the Lagos State government bestowed upon her a new car, a house, and an ambassadorship for state tourism.
While the journey progressed, the solo trip revealed the beauty, culture, and traditions of all the countries she visited.
However, a major highlight was the difficulty and delay in moving past the West African borders as a British-Nigerian citizen with the required travel documents.
Different passport checks, attitudes of border security officers, and seemingly deliberate delays, were shown on her social media page, Instagram, with millions of viewers.
According to Pelumi, she hopes to use her platform to create an awareness campaign for improving freedom of movement for people in the African region.
Pelumi is not alone in the narrative about the frustrating and agonising road-travelling experiences on the borders of member states by ECOWAS citizens.
Doris Brown, Deputy Secretary-General, Lions Club District 40382, comprising Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Togo, who experienced the same, urged Customs and Immigration officers to treat ECOWAS citizens, who cross the sub-regional borders by road with dignity and respect.
Like Pelumi, she said that 29 of the club’s members, while traveling to Togo by road from Liberia through Ivory Coast, and Ghana for their district convention, were subjected to agonizing hours of delays due to relentless searches at checkpoints.
According to her, by the ECOWAS protocols, people should travel freely without taking a visa from member states, as ECOWAS Heads of State have signed the protocols, so people should not be treated “inhumanly as if we came from space.”
“ECOWAS needs to have a second look at the relationship between its member states, especially with the ordinary citizen who embark on a journey by road.
“Each member state needs to ensure security, but as ECOWAS citizens, they should be accorded some respect and dignity.
“These were not part of the dreams of the founding fathers of ECOWAS for the ECOWAS citizens and Africa as a whole. If we cannot be respected at our borders and ensure free movement, what is the reason for having ECOWAS?” Brown queried.
Critics say that in spite of the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the ECOWAS protocol on the free movement of persons and goods, challenges persist regarding the free movement of people and goods in the West African sub-region.
The free trade agreement, brokered by the African Union (AU) and signed in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21, 2018, aims to establish a single market for goods and services in Africa, promote the free movement of people, and drive economic growth and development across the continent.
With 54 signatories, the AfCFTA is the largest free trade area by member states after the World Trade Organisation, encompassing over 1.3 billion people and vast geographic regions.
It envisions provisions for visa-free travel, residency rights, and the absence of movement barriers, enhancing economic integration and regional cooperation.
While policymakers see labour movement as crucial to the success of the continental free trade agreement, not all African countries fully support the idea.
Additionally, alongside the AfCFTA agreement and the Kigali Declaration, 30 African nations signed the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, aiming to establish a visa-free zone within AfCFTA countries.
The ECOWAS protocol on the free movement of goods and people promotes regional integration and economic progress among its member states.
The Protocol on Free Movement, Right to Residency, and Establishment, mandates member-states to allow ECOWAS citizens with valid documents the right of entry into their territories under the provisions of the protocols.
Dr Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission
ECOWAS member states are also required to adopt measures to ensure that ECOWAS citizens enjoy to the full the rights granted in the Protocol.
Dr Matthew Ogali, a researcher from the Department of Political and Administrative Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, highlighted one of the objectives of ECOWAS as promoting trade and commerce among member countries.
He identified various institutional and non-institutional barriers hindering the free movement of people and goods, such as excessive customs checks and entry restrictions.
According to him, after forty-nine years of existence, ECOWAS has primarily thrived in the informal trade sector, characterised by small-time entrepreneurs conducting business across borders with minimal adherence to established trade policies.
Ogali noted that this informal trade environment has also fostered criminal activities like smuggling and cross-border armed banditry, resulting in significant losses of goods and, at times, lives.
“Despite its resilience over the past forty-nine years, ECOWAS has struggled to translate many of the documents produced by its intellectual community, often seen as scholarly discourse, into practical policy implementations.
“This gap between academic insights and policymaking poses challenges for addressing the region’s problems effectively.
Prof. Charles Ukeje of the Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, while commenting on Pelumi’s experience at the borders of ECOWAS countries, said her challenges may have been unrelated to any deficiencies in the ECOWAS protocol on the free movement of its citizens.
He said: “One would not know whether she was carrying a British passport or a Nigerian/ECOWAS passport during the trip, which would have guaranteed her free movement, or otherwise, within the subregion in line with the ECOWAS protocol.
“Also, we need to know whether the passport she carried had expired or was invalid at the time she was traveling, which may have necessitated scrutiny by security officials at the borders.”
Corroborating Prof. Ukeje’s view, ECOWAS Director, Free Movement of Persons and Immigation, Albert Siaw-Boateng, said that the delay experienced by Pelumi at the points of entry or exit could not be attributed to any weaknesses in the implementation of the protocol.
He said that due to the prevailing security challenges in the region, triggered by terrorism and violent extremism, ECOWAS’ security architecture necessitated thorough checks on travelers by security officials without impeding the free movement of community citizens within the region.
According to him, the protocol also gives room for National Laws to take precedence, hence, there are inconsistencies in the implementation of the protocol by individual member states.
“It is also to be noted that even though all member states have signed up to the Free Movement Protocol, it gives room for National Laws to take precedence.
“In this regard, there are inconsistencies in the implementation of the protocol by Member States.
“So, any delay at the point of entry or exit cannot be attributed to weaknesses in the implementation of the protocol,” he said.
Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, speaking on the Free Movement Protocol recently, noted that: “Free Trade moves with Free Movement of persons and goods.”
Touray said that ECOWAS had been implementing joint border posts, which brought together border officials of two neighboring countries to carry out joint operations, to ease cross-border crossing, which sometimes took cognizance of respective member states’ laws.
“We have built a joint border between Nigeria and Benin at the Seme-Krake border, and between Togo and Ghana at the Noepe-Akanu border. These border posts are now operational.
“There is another border post that has been made operational between Nigeria and Cameroon at the Ekok-Mfun area. This was financed by the African Development Bank,” he said.
The creation of the ECOWAS protocol on the free movement of persons and goods on May 29, 1979, to facilitate a borderless ECOWAS, is a cardinal scheme of the bloc’s integration programme, aimed at moving from an ECOWAS of states to ECOWAS of people.
The Protocol adopts the removal of roadblocks and security checkpoints on intra-ECOWAS international highways, the introduction of a single ECOWAS passport, and a Schengen-type visa for the community’s citizens, among others.
Experts say this has fostered regional integration and development by boosting citizens’ mobility, which has yielded multi-sectoral benefits and contributed to key developments in the ECOWAS subregion.
They emphasise that effective policy implementation and addressing institutional barriers will fully realise the benefits of regional integration in West Africa. (NANFeatures)
If used please credit the writers and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
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