News From Nigeria
Tributes have continued to be showered on Lt Col George Otonbara Ikoli as those who knew him lamented his demise.
Ernest Sisei Ikoli Foundation is not an exception.
The Foundation in a statement in Lagos described Otonbara Ikoli as a valiant officer and gentleman.
‘’In solemn remembrance of the Nigerian Army C130 Hercules plane crash that occurred 32 years ago, we gather to pay tribute to a brave Nigerian Army Officer and noble gentleman’’
The statement signed by renowned lawyer, Antony George-Ikoli recalled the tragic afternoon of September 26, 1992, at Ejigbo, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria that Lt Col George Otonbara Ikoli , a scion of the esteemed Ernest Ikoli Dynasty lost his life along with 158 of his comrades when he led them on what was supposed to be a routine training exercise.
It emphasized Colonel Ikoli’s bravery, sacrifices, leadership qualities and strong human connections.
‘’Lt Col Ikoli’s bravery and sacrifices as well as his parting words on that fateful morning ‘’come what may, I will not abandon my men’’ remain etched in our hearts as an enduring symbol of courage and representative of the patriotic cloth from which he was cut’’
It also underscored happier memories during the days of Lt Col George Otonbara Ikoli’s life on earth.
‘’His memory remains evergreen as we cling steadfastly to recollections of happier times and ponder fleetingly on the good times that may have been. In our hearts and minds, he will remain a hero, soldier and gentleman for all eternity’’
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
On July 8, 2024, the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) received a petition from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, against the Daily Trust Newspapers alleging that its front-page publication on the Samoa Agreement on July 4, 2024, titled, “LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal” was false and misleading and threatened national security. The report alleged that the Federal Government had endorsed a European Union (EU) partnership agreement (referred to as the “Samoa Agreement”) with member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), despite some conditional clauses that compel benefiting nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community for recognition.
The NMCC served a copy of the petition on the Daily Trust and invited her to respond. The NMCC, in line with its practice, then referred the complaint to a complaints’ committee to examine the complaint, and the defence entered by the newspaper, and report back to the main Commission.
The complaints’ committee, as provided in its practice, adopted a Documents-Only review procedure to reach its determination and accordingly, invited the Complainant and the Respondent to provide all relevant documents. The Complainant submitted three documents, while the Respondent handed in thirteen documents.
Analysis
The key document is the Samoa Agreement, identical copies were submitted by both parties. We sought to establish if the contents of the Agreement supported the conclusions reached by the Daily Trust newspaper or the phrases used in its reporting. We examined all the other reports submitted by the Daily Trust and weighed the allegations in the complaint, and the defence entered against the professional scale of standards provided in the 2022 Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists to reach our findings and recommendations.
After an exhaustive review of the complaint and the defence, the complaints’ committee submitted its report which, after careful review and scrutiny, was adopted by the Commission. The conclusions and recommendations reached are as follows:
The NMCC directed that the Daily Trust should do the following:
The NMCC also found that the Federal Government’s handling of its public communication around the Samoa Agreement fell short of the standard that should be expected in a democratic society. It admonished the government to always demonstrate greater openness, transparency and accountability in future by adequately informing the public about such important matters, especially where they have previously generated widespread interest. Had this been done on this occasion, the attendant conjectures and speculations about the content of the Samoa Agreement could have been avoided.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 PROCEDURE ADOPTED
3.0 STATEMENT OF COMPLAINT
4.0 DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY THE COMPLAINANT
5.0 STATEMENT OF DEFENCE
6.0 DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY THE RESPONDENT
7.0 REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS PRESENTED AND ANY EVIDENCE LED IN SUPPORT
7.1 The Official Position of The Respondent
8.0 ANALYSIS OF THE POSITION OF THE RESPONDENT
9.0 OUR FINDINGS
10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
On July 8, 2004, the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) received a formal complaint from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation against the Daily Trust newspaper, published by Media Trust Ltd, in which it alleged that the newspaper published an article on July 4, 2024 “containing false and misleading information that severely threatens national security.”
The Ministry asserted that because of the alleged false report, “individuals and government officials have been subjected to hate speech, threats, intimidation, and cyberbullying across social media.”
It, therefore, requested the NMCC to intervene in the matter and, among other things:
The NMCC acknowledged receipt of the letter from the Ministry The petition was passed to the management of the Daily Trust newspapers. They were requested to respond to the issues contained therein within a stipulated deadline.
Thereafter, the NMCC constituted a five-member complaints’ committee to consider the petition, review the statements of complaint and defence, and report to the Commission its findings. The committee was also directed to make appropriate recommendations on the measures to be taken in line with the mandate of the Commission, which is to resolve complaints speedily and fairly, with the view to maintaining high standards of journalism practice and journalistic ethics; and defending the freedom of the press and the rights of the people to know.
2.0 PROCEDURE ADOPTED
The committee, in line with its mandate and established practice, adopted a Documents-Only review procedure to address the issues at stake and reach its determination. This is a process where the allegations are determined without an oral hearing. The focus is on reviewing written documents submitted by the parties. In this case, there was no oral pleading or testimony. The committee weighed the allegations against Daily Trust, its defence against the professional scale of standards contained in the 2022 Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists to reach its conclusion and make its recommendations. The report was carefully reviewed and adopted by the Commission.
3.0 STATEMENT OF COMPLAINT
In the complaint dated July 8, 2024, and signed by Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, on behalf of the Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Ministry alleged that on July 4, 2024, the newspaper published a front-page news item titled “LGBT: Nigeria Signs $150 Billion Samoa Deal,” in which it reported that the Federal Government had endorsed a European Union (EU) partnership agreement (referred to as the “Samoa Agreement”) with member-states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), despite some conditional clauses that compel benefiting nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community for recognition.
The Ministry described the report as “false and misleading” and said that because of the alleged false report, “individuals and government officials have been subjected to hate speech, threats, intimidation, and cyberbullying across social media.”
It, therefore, asked the NMCC to intervene in the matter and, among other things:
The NMCC sent a formal acknowledgment letter dated July 10, 2024, and signed by its Interim Secretary, Mr. Feyi Smith, to the Ministry, informing it that the complaint was receiving due attention, and that the outcome would be duly communicated to the Ministry at the end of the exercise.
The Commission also wrote to the Management of the Daily Trust newspaper on July 12, 2024, informing it of the complaint against the newspaper. It provided the newspaper with a copy of the Ministry’s complaint and asked for its formal response within 14 working days, in accordance with the NMCC’s established procedure.
4.0 DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY THE COMPLAINANT
5.0 STATEMENT OF DEFENCE BY THE RESPONDENT
The Daily Trust responded to the NMCC by a letter dated July 18, 2024, co-signed by Maryam Aminu Bello, Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, and Ahmed Ibrahim Shekarau, the Group Chief Executive Officer with numerous annexures, being copies of various stories and reports that the newspaper had published on the issue. The newspaper asserted that the allegations against it were “unfounded” and that the major strand of its story was that the Nigerian Government had signed the Samoa Agreement, which is an incontrovertible fact. It also stressed that at the time of the publication of its story on July 4, 2024, the version of the Samoa Agreement signed by the Federal Government was not available for review by the public. (Emphases ours)
6.0 DOCUMENTS SUPPLIED BY THE RESPONDENT
· Reps make U-turn, Daily Trust, page 6, July 11, 2024
7.0 REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS PRESENTED
On August 21, 2024, the NMCC wrote another letter to the Daily Trust, requesting it to supply the Commission with a copy of the Samoa Agreement, which formed the basis of its report of July 4, 2024. The newspaper responded and provided the requested document under cover of a letter dated August 23, 2024.
The NMCC wrote a similar letter on August 21, 2024, to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation requesting a copy of the Samoa Agreement signed by the Federal Government and any other relevant document. On September 6, the Ministry sent a 403-page copy of the Samoa Agreement, titled, “Partnership Agreement Between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States of the other part” dated Brussels, 19 July 2023, as the document that guided the signed Agreement.
The Commission took these steps to ensure that it had all the relevant information and materials to enable it determine the facts of the matter and establish the accuracy or otherwise of the details contained in the publication complained about.
In the interest of a speedy resolution of the matter, the NMCC proceeded to conduct a thorough review of the relevant documents made available to it as well as various reports on the issue by the Daily Trust.
The objective of our examination and the review process has been to ascertain if any violation of journalistic standards occurred, particularly with respect to the Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists of 2022.
The first test we addressed was, WHAT REALLY DID THE SAMOA AGREEMENT SAY?
This question is germane to establishing if such an Agreement exists. Without a doubt, both the Complainant and the Respondent agree that there is such a document. What is contentious is the content. Whereas the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation says the Agreement did not have anything related to LGBTQ, the Daily Trust anchored its original report of July 4, 2024, on its claims that the signed Agreement contains such references.
Both parties also submitted the same 403-page document, referenced in 4.0 (3) and 6.0 (12).
Nowhere in that report of July 4, 2024, did the Daily Trust, however, directly quote any verified section of any version of the Samoa Agreement that substantiates the claim conveyed in its headline that the Nigerian Government had signed a $150 billion deal that is anchored on a conditional support/recognition for a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and Queer lifestyle.
Instead, it quotes an opinion article written by Mr. Sonnie Ekwowusi on July 3, 2024, which alleges that the agreement requires support by parties to it for LGBTQ. The relevant portion of the article states as follows: “The Samoa Agreement, named after the Pacific Island, where it was signed on November 15, 2023, is a celebration of perversity. Certain Articles of the Agreement especially Articles 2.5 and 29.5 legalise LGBT, transgenderism, abortion, teen sexual abuse, and perversity in African countries. The signing of the Agreement by Nigeria constitutes a threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria and Africa. It further debases our democracy.” (Emphases ours)
Since Mr. Ekwowusi’s opinion article cites Articles 2.5 and 29.5 of the said Samoa Agreement, the least that the Daily Trust should have done was to read those sections and determine whether it was a valid conclusion to draw. It did not. Rather, it gave further vent to Ekwowusi’s criticisms of the Agreement: “I can wager that neither Minister Atiku Bagudu nor the Nigerian officials or diplomats who signed the Samoa Agreement on our behalf, understand the import of the agreement to Nigeria’s sovereignty, let alone the destructive impact of the Agreement in Nigeria. This explains why many African bodies including the AfBA have condemned the Agreement and respectfully urged African countries not to sign it. Not infrequently, Nigerian officials in Geneva, New York, and other places sign international agreements or treaties over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with little or no knowledge of their contents.”
Article 2.5 of the Agreement states that “The parties shall systematically promote a gender perspective and ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed across all policies.” What does a “gender perspective” mean? What does it mean to mainstream “gender equality across all policies”? The Daily Trust did not address these questions that could have made the report more robust. However, we find nothing in the Agreement to directly suggest that this includes support for, or acceptance of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexual and Transgender and Queer individuals as forming part of a gender perspective.
Article 29.5 says, “The Parties shall support universal access to sexual and reproductive health commodities and healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes”. Again, beyond citing Mr. Ekwuwosi’s reference to the section, without an accompanying quote, the Daily Trust’s reporting did not shed light on the matter. Instead, the rest of the report appeared to continue to build-up public opinion against the Agreement.
Samples:
“The word LGBTQ++ that Nigerians have been contesting is now part of our law because Nigeria has decided to sign it. So, Nigerians should be very bitter with what is going on. They should challenge their legislators and policy makers to explain why they chose to commit to this dangerous agreement.”—Richard Kakeeto, Family Watch International, Africa Region. This claim that the word LGBTQ++ is now part of our law is clearly false as it is not borne out by anything contained in the Samoa Agreement.
“Our stand is very clear. Whoever signed on behalf of Nigerians needs to apologise. All he (Tinubu) needs to do is to apologise on Nigeria’s behalf very nicely and tell them that the truth is we have not signed. We are withdrawing from the ACP-EU Treaty. That is all we ask the President to do. That is all we will accept. Anything less than that will not be accepted.”—Mrs. Omoye Olaye, Media Coordinator, World Council for Health (WCH) International and Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH).
The Daily Trust maintained its editorial interest in the story the following day, July 5, 2024. In “Samoa agreement signed in Nigeria’s interest”, the Daily Trust in the 27-paragraph report, devoted four to the Information minister’s statement clarifying the import of the agreement. After publishing the minister’s clarification, the Daily Trust then proceeded to advance clear sentiments which tended to give a divisive religious colouration to the development by saying:
“The federal government has said the signing of the Samoa agreement was done in the country’s interest. The agreement reportedly has some clauses that compel underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community for recognition, as a condition for getting financial and other support from advanced societies. Named after the Pacific Island Samoa, where it was signed, the agreement is gradually gaining traction, despite opposition by many countries that cherish Islamic and Christianity values, in addition to the sensitivity of their cultures.”
The Daily Trust additionally accommodated in its report the following statements, which were taken from social media and reproduced without any editing:
‘@AbdullahiAmiga: “I don’t know what a Samoa deal is but hearing LGBT in a country governed by “Muslim-Muslim” is dishonourable, disgraceful and shameful.”
It also went on to include this:
‘Writing from Abuja, Mallam Abdulkarim Muhammad Abdullahi, said: “To hell with the American Pentagon-funded conspiratorial CIA-FBI treacherous anti-muslim monetised homosexual cult project! We as true believers in Islam, Allah’s ordained and divine faith, cannot be compromised because we are worshippers of Allah Ubangji. This is the end of the road for the implementation of the controversial Satanic American Pentagon-instigated Samoa Deal. To hell with America and those who believe in promoting their LGBTQ experimental lifestyles fan zone therapy here in Nigeria.”
Once again relying uncritically on social media content in its reporting, Daily Trust also published the following:
‘On X, formerly Twitter, Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar, writing via @jrnaib2, said: “To my fellow Muslims, those who were deceived to vote for the Muslim-Muslim Ticket thinking that Tinubu & Shettima will emulate Islamic style of leadership, look at where we’re today! We will now sit back; fingers crossed and watch whether the clerics that promoted Muslim-Muslim Ticket will come out and condemn Tinubu or not. Elections have consequences!”
7.1 The Official Position of the Respondent
After stirring public interest in the Samoa story through its various reports, the Daily Trust on July 8, 2024, published its reaction to the attendant comments on its reports on the issue in the preceding four days. In “Report on Samoa Agreement: Our position”, which goes for a signed editorial, Maryam Aminu Bello, company secretary and legal adviser, said: “We have also acknowledged lapses in our reporting on this particular matter, pointed out to us by professional colleagues, and we will review and take appropriate measures. As our editors understood it, the Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria has expanded the definition of gender rights, from the traditional male-female, to a new norm, captured by the term LGBTQ (Lesbian; Bi-sexual, Gay, Queer). That is the crux of the matter. If the agreement does not aim at promoting such new orientation, widely accepted in Western countries, then we are wrong in our interpretation. We will readily apologise both to the government and to the public for crying wolf. We expect that those qualified, by training and experience, to make such a judgement, will weigh into the matter and we will as usual, publish all sides in the discussion, including that of the government. We wish to add that in this story, as in others over the last 26 years, the Daily Trust tried to be guided by public interest. It is also important for us to clarify some of the insinuations.” (Emphases ours)
8.0 ANALYSIS OF THE POSITION OF THE RESPONDENT
The import of what the Daily Trust published as highlighted above is that it acknowledges that its reporting was not thorough. It also pledged to “review and take appropriate measures.” It tried to justify its position that “the Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria has expanded the definition of gender rights from the traditional male-female to a new norm captured by the term LGBTQ”.
The Daily Trust submitted as follows: “If the agreement does not aim at promoting such new orientation, widely accepted in Western countries, then we are wrong in our interpretation. We will readily apologise both to the government and to the public for crying wolf.” (Emphases ours)
In other words, even after four days of consistent reporting on the matter, the Daily Trust could not confidently say that the Agreement was unambiguous in its call for support for an LGBTQ lifestyle.
Article 2.0 of the 2022 Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists, which deals with Accuracy and Fairness, has robust provisions which are germane to addressing the issues contained in the coverage of this matter. The relevant provisions state as follows:
“2.1 The public has a right to know and receive reliable information. Factual, accurate, balanced, fair, and responsible reporting is the ultimate objective of good journalism and the basis of earning public trust and confidence.
2.2 The haste to publish the news first must be matched by the need to get it right. The charge of Fake News is one that a journalist should not crave. A journalist should, therefore, refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information. Where such information has been inadvertently published, prompt equitable prominence should be given to the correction made.
2.3 Every effort must be made to publish the different sides to a story and have it reported in a context that is fair and meaningful. It does not relieve the journalist of the duty to report as truthfully as possible.
2.4 Journalists who copy accusations, or allegations against someone made in a different medium, or who retrieve these allegations from articles or recordings from the archive, must handle such information carefully. They cannot assume that the statements published previously have taken on the character of undisputed fact just because they were not contested.
2.5 Follow-up efforts on developing stories is important to give the public well-rounded picture of developments, which may not always end as they promised at the beginning.
2.6 Retouching a picture by an electronic method or formulating a picture caption should not be done in such a way as to mislead the reader. The journalist should always state, close to the picture, whether it has been altered by montage or retouching. This also applies to such material when it is filed.
2.7 A journalist must hold the right of reply as a cardinal rule of practice by allowing people in the news opportunity to respond promptly to the issues raised.
2.8 In the course of duty, a journalist should strive to separate facts from conjecture and comment,” (Emphases ours)
9.0 OUR FINDINGS
Contrary to Daily Trust newspaper’s reporting, the NMCC finds that the 403-page Samoa Agreement does not in fact contain any clause that compels underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) community for recognition, as a condition for getting financial and other supports from advanced nations. Indeed, there is no reference whatsoever in the Agreement to the issue of LGBTQ.
The issue was apparently referenced in an earlier version of the Agreement, going by a Briefing document on the Agreement prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) for the members and staff of the European Parliament as background material at the end of 2023, where it was noted that sexual and reproductive health and rights and migration were among the issues on which it was most difficult for the negotiators of the document to reach an agreement and that “some ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) States were reluctant to see the foundation agreement mention sexual orientation and gender identity (LGBTI rights) – an issue on which there are also differences among EU Member States.”
The Briefing document also acknowledged that several newspapers had reported that “prior to the signing of the agreement in Samoa, several African and Caribbean CSOs called on their governments not to sign the agreement, fearing that it might lead to modifying domestic laws, in particular to endorse LGBTI rights”. It added that as a matter of compromise, the text was modified such that the parties would only “commit to the implementation of existing international agreements – notably the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action on sexual and reproductive health and rights, the Beijing Platform on gender equality and their follow-up.”
The Briefing document explicitly acknowledged that this “wording however falls short of the EU negotiators’ ambitions.” Accordingly, there was no reference at all to LGBTI rights in the final Agreement that Nigeria signed, much less its being made a condition for support to underdeveloped or developing countries.
It was, therefore, inaccurate and wrong for the Daily Trust to state in its reporting that the agreement contained clauses compelling underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by LGBTQ community, especially also in the light of the fact that it noted in the same news report of July 4, 2024 that when the newspaper contacted Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, media assistant to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, it was clearly told that “nowhere in the documents (Agreement) were LGBTQ or same sex marriage mentioned even remotely”. Given this rebuttal of the thrust of the news story, since the Daily Trust had apparently decided to go ahead with its reporting as borne out by its publication, and had evidence to the contrary, the newspaper should have said so in its report and cited the relevant portion or portions of the Samoa Agreement to back up this assertion.
Whilst the Daily Trust may be commended for its healthy interest in a story of national and global importance as provided for in Article 2.5 and 2.7 of the Code of Ethics, the same cannot be said for its performance with respect to the other provisions of the relevant portions of the Code, namely Article: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.8.
Accordingly, we find that the article complained about was not factual, accurate, balanced, and fair, and therefore, violated Article 2.1 of the Revised Code of Ethics, 2022.
The Daily Trust report of July 4, 2024, also flouted Article 2.2. The plea that it was unsure of the version of the Samoa Agreement signed by the federal government cannot avail it, as the Daily Trust did not advance any argument that it sought for a copy of the signed Samoa Agreement from the Complainant, and it was denied, nor did its reporting indicate that it independently sourced it before its publication of July 4, 2024. The Daily Trust also did not present to the NMCC any version of the Samoa Agreement that supported the assertions contained in its July 4, 2024 story on the issue. On the contrary, the copy of the Samoa Agreement submitted to the NMCC by the Daily Trust is the same version of the Agreement submitted by the Federal Government, which contained no reference whatsoever to the issue of LGBTQ. In this regard, the article was hasty, inaccurate, and misleading, contrary to the due diligence that Article 2.2 prescribes. Even after being informed of the inaccuracy and misleading nature of the report, the Daily Trust failed to promptly publish a correction.
We find that the Daily Trust violated Article 2.3 of the Revised Code of Ethics, 2022 as it did not discharge its duty to report as accurately as possible.
To the extent that the Daily Trust did not make any appreciable effort to establish the relevant facts in its reporting and seemed to substitute the opinions of its sources for the facts, we find that it breached Article 2.8 of the Revised Code of Ethics, 2022.
Overall, the reporting offered by the Daily Trust fell short of the standards expected in the journalism profession as contained in the 2022 Revised Code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists. We also find that its reporting on such a subject with significant sensitivity in Nigeria was below its acclaimed professional standard. It should not have taken more than two months for the Daily Trust to determine that its action was blameworthy and take remedial steps in accordance with the requirements of the 2022 Revised Code of Conduct for Nigerian Journalists.
To the Complainant, we have come to the conclusion that this controversy could have been avoided if the government had been more forthcoming on the Samoa Agreement by proactively announcing to the Nigerian people that the Federal Government had signed the Agreement as well as explaining the essentials, implications and benefits of the Agreement to the country and to the Nigerian people shortly after it signed the document.
Transparency and accountability are crucial aspects of the democratic process, including for the purpose of earning and enjoying public trust. It would certainly have helped to inform the public about the Agreement much earlier with copies of it made publicly available for those who are interested in more details to access and read. Such an approach would have helped in avoiding the attendant conjectures and speculations, which become inevitable when the people feel that they have been denied the right to know.
In this digital age, the lesson here should be that proactivity in information dissemination across all offices of the government and all tiers of government on matters of public interest is a non-negotiable element of democratic governance. The government and all its institutions have an obligation to abolish the prevailing culture of secrecy in governance, as it gives the impression that government holds its citizens in contempt. Instead, the government should take deliberate steps to create a knowledge society and bring about the emergence of an informed and active citizenry.
10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
In the light of the above, the NMCC directs that the Daily Trust newspaper takes appropriate remedial action and, in particular, do the following:
The NMCC commends the Complainant and the Respondent for submitting themselves to the co-regulatory mechanism offered by the National Media Complaints Commission. The Commission remains committed to providing the public with an independent forum for resolving complaints about the media, resolving all complaints speedily and fairly, with a view to maintaining high standards of journalism practice and journalistic ethics, and defending the freedom of the press and the rights of the people to know.
Eluem Emeka Izeze, FNGE
Chairman, NMCC
Feyi Smith
Interim Secretary, NMCC
STATEMENT DELIVERED ON BEHALF OF PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR KASHIM SHETTIMA, GCON VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA DURING THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 79TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEW YORK
24TH – 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Mr. President,
As you assume the leadership of this august Assembly, our world is confronted by profound moral questions that will require more than the habitual remarks from this elevated podium to resolve. There are questions about the ultimate purpose of our Organisation, the United Nations itself, and how it can remain relevant and resilient.
Mr. President,
Mr President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
Mr. President,
I thank you.
Austin Taye Pedro, a senior public servant, researcher, member of cultural and community associations in Nigeria, must count himself lucky to have escaped assassination,
The son of a Second Republic politician and chieftain of defunct Action Group (AG), Chief Alfred Ayoola Pedro, Taye Pedro has a dream to be a lawmaker in Osun State. So he is following his dream by joining forces with members of cultural, political and community groups to campaign for good governance in the state.
His father, the Ile-Ife high chief in his days provided a safe haven for political refugees in his community. The Arubidi of Ile-Ife family compound became home for AG supporters sent out of various compounds and other Yoruba towns due to political victimization.
Chief Pedro, popularly called Baba Peddy of Arubidi by his numerous admirers was a ‘freedom fighter. He worked for the emancipation, and political liberation of the people through education.
But the young Pedro is sad that his vision of representing Ife East State Constituency may not be going smoothly. He is even disgusted by the actions of thugs loyal to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State.
Pedro cries from the heart about his ordeal.
‘’On Tuesday, August 15, 2024 at about 8:30 pm, political thugs carrying planks, cutlasses and knives attacked me at Mile 12 , Lagos’’.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain survived another assassination attempt on May 16, 2023
‘’At about 8:00pm, political thugs numbering about four wielding sophisticated weapons attacked him at the entrance of his 5 Pedro Street Arubidi Ile-ife Osun State. He was rushed to hospital for treatment’
He said it was God who saved him.
The Osun State House of Assembly candidate has more pathetic stories to tell.
‘On July 17, 2023, the attacks persisted. We were attacked in our 82, Aina Road Agiliti Mile 12 Lagos flat by five political thugs with knives and cutlasses’’.
On 15th June 2021, my wife was attacked by four men with sticks and axes. My wife was attacked again on 10th January 2017 by three political thugs with sticks and cutlasses. I got a call on my cell phone that I needed to rush back home from the office.
Pedro says he is now in perpetual fear of another attack.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, on Wednesday received the full backing of leading activists, civil society groups, lawyers, journalists and political leaders from all parts of Edo State.
‘Asue Ighodalo is the best man for the job. We’re looking forward to his election’’ the professionals said.
They also described the APC governorship candidate as dull, cold and colourless.
‘Asue Ighodalo is serious minded, purposeful, people oriented and a leader that understands what governance is all about’’
At a meeting to share perspectives and strategies on how to ensure the victory of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, the professionals vowed to ensure the defeat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the September 21 governorship election.
‘’Asue Ighodalo’s election is certain. The road ahead is so smooth”
Edo State Professional spokesman and member of PDP Legacy Group, Mr. Humphrey Obanor, in a statement in Benin, said the professionals extolled the current governor of Edo State, Gowin Obaseki for building strong communities, generating growth and creating opportunities for the good people of Edo State.
‘Senator Monday Okpebholo is not travelling well in public opinion polls, largely due to incompetence. He lacks a clear policy plan. His political appeal remains limited’’
The professionals praised Obaseki for fulfilling electoral pledges made, building roads, expanding business development and empowering the people.
‘’ The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is very committed to the future of Edo State. Asue Ighodalo will make Edo State great’’.
They vowed to resist all attempts to drag Edo State backward by enemies of progress.
‘’Greed and envy have set in to becloud the sense of reasoning of some individuals in Edo State. Most people see the APC candidate and his running mate as not possessing the leadership character required to lead Edo State in this new age’’
The professionals scolded Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for assaulting the sensibility of the populace with mundane rhetoric.
They highlighted economic growth in rural communities, the welfare of workers in the state, investments in electricity, clean water and better health care.
They also emphasized a better educated, healthier and more prosperous Edo State.
‘’Nothing is more critical to our state’s future than urging the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to continue in Edo State’’
Asue Ighodalo is expected to cruise to victory in the September 21 governorship election.
‘’We care about results. Asue Ighodalo’s standing in the polls is, in fact, formidable’’
Thousands will gather in Sapele on Friday to bid farewell to Wilson Santa Ebireri.
The extraordinary man, husband, father and grandfather died at the age of 71 and funeral activities will begin Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Wetland Event Centre, Sapele.
‘’We are ready. The stage is set for the final journey of Wilson Santa Ebireri’’
A statement in Sapele by Henry Ebireri said the decision to lay to rest Wilson Ebireri on Friday, September 20, 2024, was arrived at following family consultations.
‘’The body of Wilson Ebireri will be taken from Obule Hospital on a slow, one-hour journey to his Ikomi Road home on Friday’’
The gifted teacher, banker and businessman will be laid to rest at Marford Close.
‘’Wilson Santa Ebireri will be lowered into the grave at 12 noon’’.
His widow, seven children, grandchildren and siblings are expected to pay their last respects to him
‘’Wilson Santa Ebireri’s kindness, incredible energy and sense of humour will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of associating with him. However, he will be remembered for his love, leadership and passion for knowledge which saw him read over fifty thousand books’’ the statement added.
Top political leaders in Edo State on Sunday slammed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for spreading unfounded rumour, refusing to sign the peace agreement and envisaging election violence.
They also urged PDP and Labour Party members in the state to shun violence in the September 21 governorship election.
At a meeting to review strategies for the September 21 governorship election, the leaders expressed belief in Okpebholo’s capacity to restore trust in government and open new business and investment.
‘’ ’There is a strong hunger for change right now in Edo State. There is no question about APC’s expected victory as the party has very strong connection to the grassroots in the state’’
The notable leaders spoke with deep sincerity on the APC candidate’s approach, skill at persuasion and ethos.
They hailed Okpebholo for making a positive difference in the lives of the people of Esanland.
‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo is the candidate that is strong on the economy, security, infrastructure and welfare programmes’’.
Dr. Amos Obasuyi, spokesman of the Edo Rescue Mission 2024, in a statement in Igueben pronounced the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as ‘’ the right man for the governorship job’’.
‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo will run an economy driven by the private sector, improve the business environment, empower the people and ensure good governance and unity in the state’’
The influential people in Edo politics listed infrastructure, healthcare, security and, education, agriculture, industrialization, minimum wage and good jobs for all as areas of interest to the APC governorship candidate.
‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo will attract foreign investments, lower certain taxes to encourage industrialization and get rid of useless regulations that discourage economic development. He will push for more investments in roads, bridges and infrastructure’’
The statement emphasized Okpebholo’s exceptional creativity, liveliness and positive leadership traits.
’’Senator Monday Okpebholo will increase public education funding and expand state’s literacy programmes’’
The statement also highlighted economic growth, a strong focus on modern education for our children, meaningful infrastructural development that properly integrates our state from end to end, qualitative, consistent and accessible healthcare and expansion in private sector led industry that takes our youth of the streets.
They praised Okpebholo for having the type of empathy and direction Edo State needs
‘’Edo North people are looking up to Okpebholo. The Esan hope is in Okpebholo. The Benin people want Okpebholo to be the next governor of Edo State’’
They said Okpebholo has the record to govern Edo State and that the people of the state were ready to take their destiny in their hands through Okpebholo in the September 21 polls.
‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo has ideas and understands the current challenges’’
The Edo Unity Forum (EUF) on Friday showered encomiums on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, describing him as a great asset to the state.
‘’Out of those jostling for the Edo State governor’s seat, it is doubtful if any of them is more focused, committed and level-headed like the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo’’
The group in a statement in Auchi said that APC will convincingly coast home to victory in the September 21 governorship election.
‘’The PDP is suffering from factional divisions, problematic shallowness and lack of meaningful engagement with ordinary citizens. The party has lost its direction. The APC is solid in Edo State. The party’s candidate has heavyweights and traditional institution on his side and will coast to electoral victory’’
Signed by EUF National Chairman, Deacon Solomon Izevbigie, the group made up of business bigwigs, political leaders, senior civil servants, academics and members of civil society from Edo State denounced the PDP government for the breakdown of infrastructure in the state.
‘’We want honest, transparent and accountable leadership in Edo State. We want a governor we can trust. We want a governor with energy, vision for the rapid development of the state and dynamism to tackle challenges. Senator Monday Okpebholo wants to drive Edo State in the direction of economic growth, rehabilitate moribund industries and alleviate the suffering of the people’’
The statement underscored Opebholo’s deep love for Edo State, his excellent dedication to duty and sincerity of purpose.
‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo is an embodiment of sincerity, a lover of the downtrodden and a very compassionate gentleman’’
On the expectations of Edo people at home and abroad, the group said Okpebholo would pursue appropriate policies, create jobs, fight corruption, uphold the virtues of human rights, improve manpower development and our health care delivery system, guarantee equal opportunities and rekindle in the citizenry a faith in their fatherland’’.
The statement also emphasized Okpebholo’s pedigree in politics, administration and management of resources.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo will devote attention to the welfare of senior citizens, comply with the Beijing Manifesto and give consideration to the spread of development projects”, the group said
A group, the Edo Unity Forum (EUF), on Friday showered encomiums on the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, describing him as a great asset to Edo State.
‘’Out of those jostling for the Edo State governor’s seat, it is doubtful if any of them is more focused, committed and level headed like the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo’’
The group in a statement in Auchi said that APC will convincingly coast home to victory in the September 21 governorship election.
‘’The All Progressives Congress (APC) is solid in Edo State. The party’s candidate has heavyweights and traditional institution on his side and will coast to electoral victory’’
Signed by EUF National Chairman, Deacon Solomon Izevbigie, the group made up of business bigwigs, political leaders, senior civil servants, academics and members of civil society from Edo State denounced the PDP government for the breakdown of infrastructure in the state.
‘’We want honest, transparent and accountable leadership in Edo State. We want a governor we can trust. We want a governor with energy, vision for the rapid development of the state and dynamism to tackle challenges. Senator Monday Okpebholo wants to drive Edo State in the direction of economic growth, rehabilitate moribund industries and alleviate the suffering of the people’’
The statement underscored Opebholo’s deep love for Edo State, his excellent dedication to duty and sincerity of purpose.
‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo is an embodiment of sincerity, a lover of the downtrodden and a very compassionate gentleman’’
On the expectations of Edo people at home and abroad, the group said Okpebholo would pursue appropriate policies, create jobs, fight corruption, uphold the virtues of human rights, improve manpower development and our health care delivery system, guarantee equal opportunities and rekindle in the citizenry a faith in their fatherland’’.
The statement also emphasized Opebholo’s pedigree in politics, administration and management of resources.
“Senator Monday Okkpebholo will devote attention to the welfare of senior citizens, comply with the Beijing Manifesto and give consideration to the spread of development projects” , the group said.
A praise night for the late Wilson Ebireri, a Niger Delta businessman, is set to take place on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Wetland Event Centre in Sapele.
The family released details about Wilson Ebireri’s funeral arrangements Friday morning.
‘’The Night of Tribute will take place on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Wetland Event Centre. A funeral mass will begin from 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024.’’
Wilson Ebireri, warmly known as Santa, died on July 12, 2024, and will be laid to rest at Marford Close, Sapele on Friday, September 20, 2024.
Called “A Night of Tributes and Celebrations,” the event promises a delightful evening filled with melody, presentations and deepest tributes dedicated to a man of great integrity and wisdom.
‘’This gathering aims to extol the virtues of this exceptional and visionary leader, celebrate his wonderful life, higher vision, legacy, contributions to humanity and great sense of humour’’ a statement signed by Henry Ovie Ebireri said.
The family also announced Okotie-Eboh Grammar School, Sapele as reception venue.
‘’A special thanksgiving mass will take place on Sunday, September 22 at St John Paul 11 Catholic Church, New Ogorode Road, Sapele’’ the statement added.
. Another batch of trainees’ graduate from company’s Plant & Equipment Academy
Against the backdrop of prevailing economic and related downturns in the country, leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc continues to support the federal government in aiding youth empowerment for a better future. This is just as another batch of trainees graduated from the Plant and Equipment Academy of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Speaking at the grand event last weekend, the company’s Director, Administration, Alhaji Abdulaziz Kaita who described the event as a celebration of another key mileage in the company’s consistency of purpose and proactive contribution to the country’s industrial and technological development and industrial advancement, said that developing Nigeria’s teeming youths for a productive future cannot be left to government alone. Patriotic corporate citizens according to Alhaji Kaita, must seek ways and opportunities to aid government in the foregoing regards.
You cannot leave everything to the Government; you also must contribute. Nigeria has one of the biggest populations of youth in the world, not only in Africa, but in the world, because 70% of the population of Nigeria are young people. So out of a population of 220 million people, 150 million people are between the age of 23 and 38 years. So, it’s very important to tap into this population which we have and train them, Kaita said.
Adding that the spate of insecurity in the land pose another cause for worries, the Director said, if we train more youth so that we can possibly take them out of the streets, all these issues of insecurities we have in Nigeria, maybe, will be over.
He disclosed that part of why the construction company established its Plant and Equipment Academy is to complement efforts of government in empowering the youths even as he challenged other corporate entities operating in the country to do same for better results. In order to complement the efforts of the Government, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, set up this Plant Academy to train people so as to complement the efforts of the Government. So, companies like Julius Berger usually contribute and help the Government to train youths to take them out of the streets, to get them employed. It is not only Julius Berger that should be doing this. I am also calling for other companies to emulate what Julius Berger is doing, to train people, so that we can take all the youths out of the streets, he further said.
Concluding, Kaita said a report of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation shows that this type of training contributes to performance. He continued: According to the report, we have about 26% increase in performance for people who are trained against those people who are not trained at all. So, I think some or most of you will get employed in Julius Berger. But even if you go elsewhere, I am sure you are going to be a big asset to the company where you go. This is something which is timely, and it is laudable too. We have trained about 40 technicians so far since we set up this academy and I think about 16 are graduating today. This is a very good achievement.
Kaita commended a major partner in this Julius Berger’s effort, Armed Forces Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Mechatronic School (AFEME for their continued support.
The Head of Julius Berger Plant and Equipment Department, Francois Roos who kickstarted the programme, praised the graduating youths for seizing the opportunity of the training programme to develop themselves as well as encouraging people around them to engage in similar training. But the most important other thing you need to do is to inspire the people around you that they would also want to be trained that they would ask your supervisors and also do not be scared to share your knowledge, you now know something; go share it with the people around you, Roos added; even as he thanked everybody that contributed to the life of the trainees for helping to fulfil their dreams.
Other senior Julius Berger officials at the event were the Head of Human Resources, Mr. Olorunfemi Ojomo; the Senior Manager, Training, Festus Akin Ogunfuyi; Talent Manager, Adeyinka Adeniyi; the Coordinator of the Academy, Ajamah Himernuel; Head of Corporate Communications Department, Mr. James Agama; and Happiness Moses mnipr, Media Relations Office.