Media
Media stakeholders brainstorm in Dakar against illicit financial flows from Africa
As African countries continue to grapple with the depth of illicit financial flows, IFFs, and with an estimated annual loss of $88 billion, stakeholders have gathered in Dakar, Senegal to address this concern.
It is feared that if the scourge is not tackled, it could derail the continent’s bid to achieve sustainable development goals, SDGs, by the deadline of 2030.
A report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, the “Economic Development in Africa Report 2020”, notes that the amount is enough to finance almost half the annual financing gap of $200bn that the continent faces to achieve the SDGs.
The UNCTAD’s Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi, stated that IFFS are, “inhibiting African development by draining foreign exchange, reducing domestic resources, stifling trade and macroeconomic stability and worsening poverty and inequality. These illicit flows rob Africa and its people of their prospects, undermining transparency and accountability and eroding trust in African institutions.”
He warned that “faced with high capital flight, tax avoidance and a marked dependence on corporate income taxes, African Governments face significant constraints to widening their tax base.”
Kituyi advised that “African governments need to work diligently alongside all key stakeholders to drive concerted actions to combat the negative impact of illicit financial flows from the continent.
“These efforts must necessarily include strengthening stolen assets recovery and setting new legislations and standards to avoid IFFs. – in concert with Africa’s private sector actors – should take the lead in strengthening stolen assets recovery, setting new standards for avoiding illicit flows and committing to more concerted actions to combat the negative impact of illicit financial flows on African economies.”
To this end, TrustAfrica is seeking to “Strengthening the capacity of African media in the fight against Illicit Financial Flows”.
The Executive Director of TrustAfrica, Dr. Ebrima Sall, in a letter said the workshop is mainly for media practitioners and bloggers drawn primarily from countries in West Africa including Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal.
Sall quoting the UNCTAD’s report said that the large financing gap for the SDGs cannot be closed solely through government revenues. But that tackling IFFs will open the door to releasing much needed investments in education, health and productive sectors.
According to Sall, “the debate on IFFs from Africa remains very relevant and has to be kept in the public place.
“It is thus important that those on the forefront of informing the public have conceptual understanding of IFFs and play an important role to remain active in reporting, informing and discussing this pertinent issue.”
The TrustAfrica executive director explained that the core objective of the workshop which commences June 23, 2022 to 24, is “unpack the concept of IFFs and appraise the status of IFFs in Africa identifying; identify priority issues for policy change and advocacy,” as well as “assessing the capacity gaps in media and IFFs coverage.”
The workshop is also expected to “enhance the capacity of media practitioners in understanding the issues of IFFs and reporting on it; create a circle/network of media practitioners specializing on IFFs who could regularly report, inform and editorialize on IFFs and contribute to spurring African governments to increase their efforts to stop IFFs.”
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has sent a message of condolence to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state over the passing of one of its senior members, Mr. Mathias Omale, who died on Monday in Lokoja.
In a press statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, Ododo described the veteran journalist’s death as a great loss to the journalism profession in the state.
The Governor sympathised with the family and friends of the deceased, commending the dedication and hard work Mr. Omale demonstrated during his active years in journalism.
According to the statement late Omale made a significant impact as a staff member of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, where he inspired many young journalists in the state until his retirement as Deputy Director in the News Department.
The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul and asked God to grant his family the strength to bear the loss.
Former National Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Tims Ejiga, has called on government at all levels to accord the media its due recognition as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
Ejiga made the call during a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Director-General of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (FM 94.1), Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuff, alongside former national and state officers of the union.
He urged governments to prioritize public-funded media organizations, providing adequate equipment, logistics, and staff welfare to enable them perform optimally.
Ejiga emphasized that as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, after the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, the media deserves attention and support.
He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his efforts in repositioning the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation and urged continued support for the media industry.
“If the media is the Fourth Estate of the Realm in a Democracy after the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, then attention must be paid adequately to public funded government-owned media organisations.”
He observed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s body language, from the onset, had been that of a restoration governor as within seven months of his administration, he had right some of the wrongs perpetrated by past administrations.
Ejiga further implored Governor Ododo to transform the state broadcasting organization with his “Midas’ Touch” saying, “I believe the state Media industry as a whole deserves restoration.”
He also called for restoration of the Executive Cadre in the Directorate, along with the financial benefits as well as Life Assurance for journalists and media workers in the state saying the job of a journalist is a delicate one.
Speaking earlier, a former chairman of Kogi State Council of the NUJ, Mr Emmanuel Boro urged the new Director General to carry all cadre of staff along and give them sense of belonging to motivate them for higher productivity.
Boro pledged the continued support of the group saying, “we will support you fully to ensure that you succeed. We shall be behind you, before you and by your side.”
Alhaji Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh, General Manager of FRCN, Prime FM 101.5 and immediate past Chairman of Kogi Council called on the state government to provide the new DG with the necessary working tools to enable her excel.
“Like somebody who has been given farmland to farm, she surely needs a hoe and cutlass to work on the farm with good seeds to plant”, he said.
In her response, Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuff, the newly appointed DG of the Corporation, expressed gratitude to God Almighty and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the appointment.
She said that God probably gave her the position to change the narrative and the story of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation as she confessed that news crew of the station used to go to Mount Patti on motor bikes.
The DG however noted that governor Ododo changed the narrative upon assumption office as governor as he quickly approved the release of a Hilux van and a Sienna bus for the station to operate with.
She thanked the veteran journalists for the visit saying that she would not fail them or the government as she pledged to run an open-door policy with an inclusive administration where everyone matters and is given a sense of belonging. (Ends)1
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has tendered his resignation, effective immediately.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Saturday, Ngelale announced that he had submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his decision to take an indefinite leave of absence.
Ngelale also resigned from his additional roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
He cited medical challenges affecting his immediate and nuclear family as the reason for his resignation.
The statement read, “I have submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to address medical matters affecting my immediate nuclear family.”
Ngelale expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve, acknowledging that the demands of public office require uninterrupted attention.
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