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WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY: Media under attack in Nigeria; our democracy in danger says Guild of Editors

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has said the inalienable right to access and disseminate information through an independent press is under attack, and called for protection of the media.

The professional group of all the editors in Nigeria also said while the threat to media freedom in Nigeria is real, the impact on the state of democracy in the country will be very dangerous, if not checked.

NGE made the points in a statement by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Monday, to mark the World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3.

According to the editors, “Today is a day to remind governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.

“It is also a day of reflection among journalists and other media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.

“We need to remind governments at all levels in Nigeria that a free and independent media that can keep the people informed and hold leaders accountable, is essential for a strong and sustainable democracy, including free and fair elections.

“Without it, Nigerians cannot make informed decisions about how they are governed; and address human rights abuses, corruption and abuse of power.”

The Guild said its members are concerned that elected leaders in Nigeria, who should be press freedom’s dependable protectors, have made several overt attempts to silence the media voices through propose legislations  – that clearly seek to criminalise journalism practice in the country.

Attacks on journalists

The editors added that apart from the regular attacks on journalists carrying out their legitimate editorial assignments by overzealous security agents, the current attempts to criminalise journalism practice in the country through obnoxious proposed laws, the suffocating economic environment and harsh political/economic policies of the federal government, have in the past few years, made it almost impossible for the media sector to carry out its constitutional responsibility for the benefit of the citizens.

“There is urgent need to protect the media; because the impact of the suffocating economic and political environment being created by the government will be very dangerous to our democracy.

“A threat to the media is a threat to our democracy.

“Governments at all levels must take the lead in making sure that their actions do not inspire violations of press freedom.

“A democratic society like Nigeria should know that it has a crucial role to play in maintaining media freedom and facilitating access to public information.

“Government should regularly take strong and immediate action against any violations of media freedom — this should include speaking out against violence against journalists and authorities’ failure/refusal to identify and prosecute attackers,” the Guild added.

The NGE also called on the federal government to make newsprints, broadcast equipment and all other consumables in the media sector tax free, in order to save the media from total collapse.

While saluting journalists, pro-media rights groups and others who have remained resolute in the defence of press freedom and independent press in the country, the NGE said that its ongoing Town Hall Meeting and Capacity Training Programme for editors in the six geo-political zones – being sponsored by the US Embassy in Nigeria — have also provided a huge opportunity to remind its members about the ethical values of journalism practice and the need to strictly adhere to those values.

-VANGUARD

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BREAKING: Scores killed as angry soldiers raze houses in Bayelsa over Okuama massacre

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Troops of the Nigerian Army have stormed Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, razing houses and allegedly killing about 11 people.

The action is sequel to last week’s killing of 16 soldiers and officers at Okuama Community in Delta State.

Soldiers in five gunboats reportedly invaded the community, razing houses suspected to be the hideout of a militant leader said to be involved in the killing of the military men who were on a rescue mission in Delta.

DAILY POST reports that an Army Commander, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers of 181 Amphibious Battalion in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta were killed in Okuama community.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had ordered an immediate investigation and arrest of the culprits.

Days after the order, it was gathered that some residents of Okuama community fled to neighboring Ughelli for fear of reprisal by soldiers.

The soldiers had during the weekend burnt several houses in Okuama, before storming neighboring communities in Bayelsa in pursuit of those involved in the killing.

According to Daily Trust, a source said immediately the troops stormed the Bayelsa community, they opened fire on some residents relaxing at the jetty before proceeding to set ablaze three buildings suspected to be the hideout of the said militant leader.

He said the community had been able to recover 11 corpses from the attack, while still searching for others as at the time of filing this report.

“The military invasion has affected the people gravely. Lives have been lost, properties have been destroyed. Even after the attack, I am sure that life in the community will never be the same.

“This weekend was scheduled for the burial of one of my late uncles. We had paid for food, drinks, music, speedboat and canopies. And now because of this, the burial can no longer hold.

“In fact some of the people we paid money to are saying that if the date changes, we would have to pay extra money. Is that not a huge loss on its own? So we would have to start looking for more money, that is if there will ever be peace in the community.

“I am appealing to the Federal and State Government to as a matter of urgency intervene in this matter. We do not have a hand in whatever transpired in Delta State. The international community should come to our aid,” the source said.

When contacted via telephone call, the spokesman for Operation Delta Safe, OPDS headquarters, Major Adenegan Ojo, hung up the call after hearing it was a journalist who called.

He, however, did not answer subsequent phone calls.

CREDIT: DAILY POST

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BREAKING: No hiding place – Nigerian Army warns Okuama community

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The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to the Okuama community in Delta State, cautioning them to brace themselves for legal consequences.

This warning comes in response to the killing of soldiers who were engaged in a “peaceful and mediatory mission” following a communal clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities.

In a statement released by Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the Army criticized the community for resorting to propaganda instead of cooperating in identifying the perpetrators.

The statement highlighted the “despicable” nature of the soldiers’ murder, emphasizing that they were dedicated to maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta Region. The Army condemned the armed youth gang of Okuama Community for gruesomely killing the troops and desecrating their remains.

Despite the community’s attempts to propagate falsehoods and divert attention from the incident, the Army affirmed that the murder was a coordinated attack against legitimate forces.

The Army dismissed the criminals’ propaganda as an attempt to justify their actions and urged them to surrender to security agencies. It emphasized that there would be no reprisal from the troops but reiterated their commitment to identifying and apprehending the perpetrators.

Furthermore, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Toareed Lagbaja, expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and directed exhaustive efforts to bring the culprits to justice. Troops are determined to apprehend the criminals, leaving no room for escape.

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CBN Governor Cardoso reportedly sacks CBN directors employed by Emefiele 

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Reportedly, Yemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is contemplating the dismissal or retirement of eight directors who were employed during the tenure of the former governor, Godwin Emefiele. These directors, who were initially reassigned to the FSS 2020 division of the bank, are now receiving early retirement notices, with some having already been served as of Friday, March 15, 2024. However, the specific terms of their departure remain ambiguous, prompting questions about the underlying motives.

The decision has sparked concern among CBN personnel, with fears emerging that it might foreshadow additional layoffs during the current management’s tenure. A source remarked, “We don’t know whether they were given early retirement or their appointments were terminated outright.” Another source suggested that the primary reason for the dismissal of these officials was their close association with the previous CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

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