Itis Difficult to Define Journalist in Nigeria-University Lecturer

The journalism profession in Nigeria is under intense siege within and outside the circle of practitioners.Standards have been eroded and it is now an allcomers affair. Dr.Francis Amenaghwon who holds a Ph.D in communication, is a former staff member of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria(FRCN). Dr. Amenaghwon is presently a lecturer in the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. He opines that sanity ought to be restored in the profession. Excerpt: For me,it is increasingly becoming difficult to define who a journalist is in Nigeria. In these days of citizen journalism,I-Reporter,online radio,online radio and television channels.The minimum standards of practice ought to be restored. Every profession has its own minimum requirements. When we have a meticulous registration of members,the problem will have been half solved. This is the way forward. Let's set minimum standards for media organizations and institutions correcting the worrisome situation.

Baale Ologuneru Ibadan Nigeria confers Oyo NUJ Chairman with Chietaincy Title

The chairman of the Oyo state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Alhaji Ismail Ademola Babalola will be conferred with a chieftaincy title on Saturday 18 February, 2023 by the, Baale of Ologuneru, Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria. According to the invitation to guests, the NUJ chairman will be conferred with the title,Agbaakin Baale of Ologuneru while his wife, Monsurat Ajoke will be conferred with the title Yeye Agbaakin Iyalosde of Ologuneru.The event which comes up at the Baale's palace in Ologuneru will be followed with the reception for invited guests at an event center in the conmmunity. Alhaji Babalola was returned unopposed for a second term of three years by journalists in the state. In another development, concerned journalists in the state have continued to express reservations over the practice of the profession in the state and the infiltration of the profession by criminal elements, stressing that a lot has to be done for the profession to return to the front seat. They appealed to the NUJ executive to cafrry out a major reform in the union as a step towards ensuring that the worried public have confidence in professionals.

The Role of Media Towards Changing Negative Narrative Associated with Persons with Disabilities by Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

The language used in the media in relation to people with disabilities, may be an indication of whether social change has or would occur. For example, media stories about graduates or students wit disabilities often focus on the sacrifices of family and caregivers, instead of the students and the challenges there faced getting an education. It is disheartening, therefore, that persons with disabilities are seldom covered in the media and when they are presented, they are typically damaging stereotyped and not properly epitomized. It is not uncommon to see persons with disabilities treated as objects of pity, charity or medical treatment that have overcome a tragic and disabling condition or conversely, presented as champions who have accomplished great feats, to inspire the non-disabled. The Editors, producers and programmers are influenced by their own thoughts of disability and what they trust will attract listeners. Equity and Equality challenges indeed! The media, therefor re expected to: * Map out and circulate information to the masses-educate, entertain, act a platform for public service announcements. However, the influence that the media holds over the society has not always been used for the benefit of society, particularly in relation to disability, where the media has continued to add to the discrimination of disabled people. *Be a dynamic tool in creating awareness, refuting stigma and misinformation. It should be an authoritative force to change societal misconceptions and present persons with disabilities as individuals that are part of human diversity. * In addition, to media coverage of issue of people with disabilities, access of people with disabilities to the media is equally an issue of concern. For example, most television programs do not have sign language interpretation. The implication of this is that people with disabilities rarely watch non-signed television programs. The Way out Though there have been some steps forward in removing social barriers to accessing the media, and fighting against unethical coverage of hidden impairments in the media over the last few years, there still remains a lot to be done. The following should be addressed: a) Focus on the Barriers Disability is sometimes covered as if it is remarkable that someone with a disability has been able to do the regular things like get education or job, or get married. This reinforces stereotypes that these things are not typical for someone with disabilities to do. Hence, viewpoint need to be integral to the story of the person and not disability. b)Increase the percentage of people with Disabilities in Media Employment The under-representation of people with disabilities within the media workforce has seeming consequences on the control of the PWD community to influence how they are portrayed within the media and society. Increasing the percentage of people with disabilities in employment within the media industry would be a huge step towards removing stereotypes and empowering disabled people in the general community. c)The digital revolution has opened new possibilities for Persons with Disabilities, we, therefore, need to ensure that access for them includes technological access. Assistive technologies could be explored in this regard. d) Explore Opportunities International commemoration and other public events can offer outstanding opportunities to create awareness and conduct outreach to promote and highlight the concern of persons with disabilities. e)Partnerships It is vital to include persons with disabilities and their organizations in preparing for any media and communications strategy or event. A with all social change which needs drivers, and until there are more constructive representations of persons with disabilities living regular lives comparable to 'everyone else', there will continue to be incorrect, inappropriate portrayals. It is sacrosanct for the media to play effective roles in influencing public opinion about Disability. You can and should.

Put the Right People in the Right Places-NUJ TO FG

The Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) has called on the Federal Government to appoint the right people to the right places to ensure equality, justice and fairness. This call was made by the Chairman of the Oyo state council of their union, Comrade Ademola Babalola on Wednesday at the Star Development Initiative Media discussion with Journalists in Oyo state in commemoration of the International Day for People with Disabilities in Ibadan. ''Churches and Mosques must be accessible to persons living with disabilities, the NUJ is accessible to people living with disabilities. We should put round pegs in round holes. We in the NUJ are calling on the Federal Government to put the right people in the right places.'' Comrade Babalola was represented by the Vice chairman of the union, Comrade Seye Ojo. In her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the initiative, Mrs. Grace Alezander disclosed that persons living without disabilities ought not to be pitied but treated fairly, adding, ''everybody matters, everybody counts. We want more. Anybody that says that you are limited does not see, they don't know how limitless your talents are. ''For us to achieve a healthy economy, everybody must be at the table. Disability does not make us lesser human beings, we are all human beings. We are all created differently, we must appreciate and understand every person with a disability.'' In his remarks, the Dean of the Faulty of Education, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oulfemi Fakolade stressed that inclusion was all about attitude, saying, ''without inclusion we cannot do what is expected of us as individuals. If every attitude is right, we can preach inclusion, but without inclusion there would be problems.''

Corruption : Nigeria’s Laws Are For All And Sundry

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde has declared that Nigeria does not need its loan to give good health to the sickly economy.

Rather, Lagarde recommended belt tightening measures to restore vibrancy and life to the economy. Lagarde also urges the Federal Government to be flexible in its foreign exchange policy.
Indeed, the debt relief granted Nigeria by the Paris club during the tenure of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, could be said to be the biggest debt write off for sub-Saharan Africa. $18 billion of debt written off. The Paris club agreed to write off Nigeria’s debt without an IMF economic programme.
Of course, the country would not forget in a hurry, the harrowing experiences it had with the implementation of an IMF programme in the past, this is just as an idea of a national consensus for intensive reforms required to transform the ailing economy could not be woven around an IMF programme. The National Economic Development Strategy(NEEDS) served that purpose. Presently, what is the country’s debt burden, nobody is asking this all important question.
Be that as it may, economic experts have expressed reservations over the Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s economic policies, prominent among which are the introduction of the Treasury Single Account(TSA) and foreign exchange policies.
Indeed, financial experts are already expressing misgivings about the constitution of the present administration’s economic team.
Since the inception of the present administration, not much has been heard of the Progressive Governors Forum(PGF). The forum was vocal during the period before the 2015 general elections.
According to the PGF, its ”goal is to mobilize all APC state governments to facilitate accelerated human development through undertaking policies and programmes to improve quality of life of citizens, eradicate poverty and create jobs in the country. Has the forum been able to achieve its goal ?, the people are in the best position to answer this all important question. Of note is that the President Buhari led administration is giving the issue of corruption adequate attention, although the citizenry continue to meditate on the cost of this attention.
However, in a chat with a select group of journalists in Abuja, in 2015, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had said, ”I am aware that the President knows that he has only 4 years minus two months. So it is not four years anymore. And if he wants to probe Nigeria, where does he stop ? 16 years ? 50 years ? Where do you stop, when you want to do that kind of probe ?”.
Indeed, history has shown that probes come at great cost. In his maiden media chat, President Buhari absolved his Ministers of corruption allegations.
Curiously, in a two page advertorial in the Guardian of Tuesday, 4 August, 2015, a group, Integrity group, had stated that one of the President’s Ministers and former Governor of Rivers state, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi was involved in the fraudulent sale of state Power Projects and Conversion of Proceeds amounting to N6,480,000,000.00, unlawful payment and fraudulent conversion of N4,633,440,000.00 by Clinoriv Specialist Hospitals and Leisure Limited and unlawful payment of Messrs Collect(Nig) Limited with public funds to the tune of One billion five hundred and five million, eight hundred and ninety-eight Naira, Seventy-two Kobo.
Without doubt, Nigerians have taken great interest in the $2.1 billion arms deal, even as the general belief is that the laws of the land are for everybody. Perhaps.

2016 : Nigerians Are Eager To Safeguard Their Constitutional Rights

During the reign of President Milosevic of Old Yugoslavia, independent journalists were labelled traitors and foreign spies. Several; journalists were killed, put in jail or convicted in the law court.
That particular period of Old Yugoslavia’s history, a clique ruled the country. Milosevic ensured that Serbs became the biggest pariah of the international community. The President also ensured that Serbs were guilty of everything, even as 23 per cent of Serbs were sent packing from their homes. Monthly salaries did not exceed $3.
Indeed, the Judicial system was not independent and not strong enough to ensure justice for the citizenry. This resulted in Milosevic’s trial for war crimes outside his country. Sadly, the international community did not have confidence in the local courts.
Situations like this abound in several countries around the world, still grappling with the hydra like problems of dwindling economic fortunes and corruption. In this countries, the unemployment rate is abnormally high, while the citizens adopt crime as a means to an end.
At the commencement of the Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration in Osun state, Nigeria in May 2003, infrastructure, Education, Water supply and the Health sectors among others were in bad shape.
Osun state been a worker driven economy, the previous administration has impoverished citizens of the state, with its decision to sack a larger number of civil and public servants. Those still lucky to still be in service were earning pittance, occasioned by deductions, initiated by the administration. Today, the state is back to where it was before May, 2003.
Curiously, vocabularies synonymous with capitalism such as Public Private Partnership ad Consultant have taken root in several states of Nigeria.
Of note is the fact that Nigeria’s President, General Muhammadu Buhari(rtd) had written a letter dated 18th April, 2003, to then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
President, Buhari had stated in his letter ”I decided to join partisan politics and seek elective office solely out of my concern for the condition of the country. Here, I need to go into issues such as the collapse of public undertakings, like NEPA, Our university system, health services, roads and transportation and security of life and property. All these inspite of the stupendously high oil revenues that have accrued to the nation since you became President. In my relatively short period of political activism, one of my constant advice to the Nigerian public has always been that they should safeguard their constitutional rights. Without doubt, Nigerians are already acting out President Buhari’s advice by safeguarding their constitutional rights, in a country with a Judicial system similar to that of Old Yugoslavia.

Looting : An Impediment to Development

The Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), through its secretary, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, had in August, 2015, called on the state Government to ensure  the prosecution of any public or civil servant found wanting ; in its quest to rid the state civil and public service of corrupt practices.

According to Rev. Ibrahim, prosecuting corrupt officials is necessary to rid the state of those who enriched themselves at the expense of the government and people of Kaduna state.
”I believe that there are people that may not be working in this state and are still collecting money from the government coffers. Just like we have been hearing that one person is collecting the salaries of 10, 15 or 20 and above. People that are not working with the government but they are collecting salaries from the Kaduna state government, or people that are ghost workers but they collect money. We have heard cases whereby somebody died for a long time and then someone else is collecting the money and the families are not getting the money”.
”I plead with the government, whosoever is party to it, the government should bring the person to book, irrespective of his religion, his family background and who that person is”, the CAN secretary had stated.
Interestingly, this represents the situation of things in the three tiers of government in Nigeria. ”Cosmetic ”wars” and ”fights” are the order of the day, closely trailed by sponsored  roadshows and rallies, to distract attention from issues of ”urgent  national attention”.
Of note, is that fact that about $460 million was allegedly looted by the former military ruler, late General Sani Abacha, and was with held in foreign accounts, while part of it was released to the country.
In 2000, Mohammed Abacha and Abubakar were charged to court for allegedly acquiring N21, 705,000 billion and $315,649.500 million all totalling about N50 billion state funds, between 1995 and 1998.
The Federal Government and the Abacha family had to enter into a deal before the family returned to the government, the sum of N1.2 billion out of an estimated $1.5 billion allegedly looted by the late Head of State. Mohammed, the scion of the Abacha family in early 2005,  prayed an Abuja high court to uphold that no civil or criminal proceedings be commenced against him, in respect of stolen funds which he had forfeited  to the state.  He said that under the forfeiture of assets Decree No. 53 of 1999, his family had returned 625, 263187,19,75,305,886.93 pounds sterling, N100,000,000 and N250,000,000 to the government and therefore entitled to the provisions of the said decree.
Curiosly, Justice Amina Adamu Augie stated that the property ordered forfeited was acquired corruptly and illegally, which means that they were supposedly forfeited as proceeds of crime, the forfeited property became vested in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, free from all encumbrances, according to Decree No. 53 of 1999.
In 2005, a news magazine reported that ”the regime of Abdulsalam Abubakar also allegedly pillaged the nation’s treasury during his 11 months rule as the Head of state. He allegedly siphoned several  billions in both local and foreign currencies, including $40 million that was contributed by multi national companies.
For the late Sani Abacha’s self succession bid, members of the military high command were to be given $500,000 as parting gift, but Abubakar was said to have given out $50,000. The eight year military dictatorship of Ibrahim Babangida, saw the nation losing over $24 million oil windfall, which has remained unaccounted for. The regime also took Nigeria through several ”laboratory powered” political programmes, which ended up as ‘experiments”, but with billions of Naira down the drain. Nigeria’s brief Democratic experience between 1979 and 1983 under President Sheu Shagari also took the country through a cycle of huge financial losses, in fraudulent rice importation and unexpected ”white elephant” projects.  During former President Oulsegun Obasanjo’s tenure, , form 1999 to 20007, the government’s anti-corruption war, sought several political office holders and appointees, as many of them were forced to return millions of Naira acquired through corrupt enrichment.
In the present time, the current travail  of the nation and unending economic hardship may tarry for as long as the nation’s resources, which have been looted remains between players in the immediate past and present administrations.

Between The Court Rooms And The People

The percentage of Judges and Magisterates in Nigeria,who have the tendency to sacrifice their integrity and career on the altar of filthy lucre are increasing by the day.
Most Nigerians, have a tale or the other to tell of their experiences in the courtrooms, good or bad, with the latter case occupying the majority position.
Interim injunctions, rulings and delivered judgements from the court rooms in the country have always attracted comments,questions and debates among the people, who still view the Judiciary,as the last resort and only hope of the common man.
However,the common man still finds it difficult to come to terms with the fact that the financial position of an individual determines what he comes out with from the court room.
In 2004, Justice Stanley Nnaji of the Enugu state Judiciary was suspended from office by the National Judicial Council(NJC), for ordering the then  Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, to remove the then Anambra state Governor, Chris Ngige from office.
Also in the same year in Enugu state, Justice Anthony Onovo,ofthe Nsukka  Judicial Division,was asked by the then Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman NJC to give reasons for delivering a controversial judgement.
Justice  Onovo’s judgement had led to the demolition of a six bedroom bungalow,Nursery and Primary school and a poultry farm at No. 29 John Nwod close, Government Reservation Area,Enugu. The property belonged to a couple-Obed Chukwunedum and Linda Menakaya.
Following a petition written by to the Chief Justice by Menakaya,which alleged perversion of justice between Menakaya and one Dr.Harry Ezim-a United States of America based legal practitioner, the Chief Justice in a letter dated May 24, 2004,with reference No. NJC/873/1/185, requested Justice Onovo to respond ”urgently” to the petition.
Before this time Justice Onovo was transferred in 2002 from the Enugu Judicial Division toNsukka Judicial Division,but for undisclosed reasons, he continued to adjudicate on some cases, he was in charge in Enugu, before his transfer to Nsukka.
Of worry, is the fact that similar instances abound in several court rooms in the country,today.
Interestingly,the then state Chief Judge, never authorized Justice Onovo to conclude pending cases in his court before his transfer. This exposed his hidden interests in those cases.
The case between Dr. Ezim and Menakaya is one of such cases.
On 3, July, 2001, Dr. Ezim had instituted a suit in the state high court,against the 78year old retired Chief Agricultural Officer,in the old Anambra state, in a bid to claim ownership of No. 29 John Nwodo close.
In the suit No. E/18301,2001, Dr. Ezim prayed the court to declare that, he legitimatley acquired the property from the siblings of a deceased, Gabriel Okiyi, a close friend of Menakaya.
Indeed, court rooms are increasingly becoming waiting rooms of injustice.
But Menakaya through his counsel,Chief Anthony Mogboh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN) countered Dr. Ezim’s claim. Chief Mogboh stated that his client bought the land from late Okiyi, when he was Director in the Ministry of Agriculture in the defunct East Central state and thereafter, proceeded to build a six bedroom bungalow, a poultry farm and a Nursery and Primary school. He maintained that his client,had lived there since 1981.
Surprisingly, on 19 March,2004, Justice Onovo delivered judgement against Menakaya. In his judgement,Justice Onovo declared Menakaya a tresspasser on the land,while also ruling that Dr. Ezim was the rightful owner of the disputed property.
Less than an hour after  the judgement was  delivered, Dr. Ezim mobilised 15 thugs,three anti riot policemen and 14 policemen from the Police Area Command, Enugu and one Ugwu, the then Chief Bailiff of the Enugu state High court to eject Menakaya and his family.
On Monday,March 22, armed with a ”warrant of possession”,which Dr. Ezim claimed originated from Justice Onovo, and a caterpillar,the entire buildings were demolished.
Menakaya’s case is just one out of several thousands that have gone unnoticed. Indeed,it is very odd for some questionable legal practitioners to relocate their chambers to beer parlours,in residential  areas.
Their motives are  reflected in a beer parlour operator’s  words: “We always have our LLB, BL, beer parlour here for us,this is his chambers”.
Of interest,is the desperate attempts by individuals,who have  acquired illegitimate wealth to invest same in landed properties in major cities in the country, of course,this can only be possible with the seal of the court rooms,and the footsteps of  the law enforcement agents.
Are these attempts having the consent of the authorities that be ? Hopefully not !

Unemployment and The Crises of Governance : The Nigerian Story

Even though a sizable number of ”pressmen” as government officials always say, are on the payroll of the ruling party in Nigeria today, that does not distract professionally resolute Journalists from outlining the chamelionic nature of governance.
Failure is a recurrent feature, when the people’s voices are ignored and the imposition of the desires of a few occupys the front page.
Politicians have over the years groomed army of youths to promote their interests. Majority of these youths do not necessarily possess the basic qualification-Senior Secondary School Certificate(SSCE) to make any meaningful impact in life.
To fill the vacuum, politicians console these category of youths with limitless supply of outlawed substances and alcohol, so long as the youths do their bidding.
The unemployment rate in Nigeria is at an all time high, with unemployable graduates constituting  a significant number of the unemployed.
Of worry is the fact that most Primary, Secondary and tertiary institutions of learning are ill equipped and have on their pay rolls, poorly motivated manpower to impart the required knowledge.  State Governments now employ graduates to positions originally meant for unskilled labour, as political patronage and nepotism determines who gets what.
Professionalism no longer  exists in the civil service of most states, as workers continue to redefine their positions to reflect the survival of the fittest ideology currently in vogue.
It is on record and it is already a reference point that the All Progressives Congress(APC), the ruling party had its first progressive governance lecture series on 24 February, 2014, in Ibadan, Nigeria.
At the lecture series, Ayo Teriba, Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, delivered a lecture titled ”NIGERIA’s HIGH GROWTH-HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT PARADOX”.
Treiba had said, ”As Nigeria’s growth surged in the past one and a half decades, unemployment rate has increased three fold. Elected officials have been unable to translate growth to increased employment, largely because they have left the task of fiscal and monetary policy management growth, constrained domestic demand and worsened the employment rate.  To make democratic governance a tool for delivering economic tangible and enduring economic benefits in the future, Nigeria needs to make monthly employment data available before the end of each month, fix rail transportation, rethink fiscal policy, refocus monetary policy and ensure that elected officials accept responsibility for policy formulation and coordination”.
However,  the future is here and it is doubtful if Teriba’s recommendation are being followed.
Interestingly, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo state and Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum has lamented ”the current unemployment situation in Nigeria is unacceptable and is a danger to the social, economic and political stability of Nigeria. It also impacts negatively on our ambitions as a country, afterall, how can Nigeria, with over 20 million youths who have no jobs and millions of others wasting away claim that we want to be a major  power in the comity of  nations ?
That claim would be laughable if not tragic-tragic because we come across as refusing to empower the youths on whose shoulders will rest the task of taking Nigeria to the next level. We can no longer remain insensitive to issues around unemployment and crises of governance in Nigeria”.
Will the Presidnet Muhammadu Buhari led administration reverse the current trend of economic and other sectoral challenges ? Nigerians are already taking note and stock of the activities of the present administration for future reference.

In Nigeria The People Still Expect the Desired Change

The socio-economic fortunes of Nigeria continues the downward slide, despite the present administration’s repeated assurances that it would take steps to plug all visible and invisible leakages.
Truly, the bail out initiative of the Federal Government has gone a long way in enabling state governments to clear the backlog of salary arrears owed workers, however, governance has become epileptic in most states, as the states grapple with paucity of funds.
In the private sector, companies are having a field day exploiting helpless workers, who have no alternative, but to cope with their employers’ slave labour tendencies.
Some states have abolished free education, as infrastructure in schools deteriorate daily, with children increasingly developing dislike for education.
Interestingly, concerned Nigerians are already promoting devaluation of the Naira, as a way to accommodate the economic reality of the present times.
The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has ceaselessly lamented the ”unfair treatment of Nigerian workers” and the unrealistic minimum wage that has made workers ”to live in penury and suffer untold hardships”.
”On average virtually all aspect of Nigeria’s infrastructure are in deplorable condition. The country is characterized by bad road networks, constant power outage, lack of security, inadequate water supply, unacceptable health facilities and declining education system, failing communication networks and unstable economic growth”, the NLC noted.
Nigerians drift from one day to the other, unsure of what lies ahead.
For the Democratic Socialist Movement, President Muhammadu Buhari ”was voted to power, because he is seen not to be corrupt like other pro-capitalist politicians and that he would fight corruption.
”The overwhelming mass of the people have the mistaken belief, that corruption is the sole reason for Nigeria’s lack of infrastructure or development, with its attendant backwardness. The reality is that, we are where we are, because the capitalist system engenders massive exploitation, lack of transparency, secrecy in management of funds and monstrous bureaucracy and these are what makes corruption to thrive. But fundamentally, the lack of Democracy in the management of public funds sustains corruption, as a tiny clique of privileged capitalist politicians and bureaucrats loot big, leaving many in constant state of want, misery and poverty”, the Movement stated.
Indeed, gloomy faces of the people, abandoned projects and elusive government officials characterize a sizable number of states in the Federal Republic, as officials express impotent hopes of better days ahead.