Education
Don tasks Media on transparency, accuracy to justify Fourth Estate status
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
PROF. Gbenga Solomon Ibileye of the Federal University Lokoja, has urged the Media industry in Nigeria to prioritize transparency, accuracy, and a commitment to public interest in fulfilling its role as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
Prof. Ibileye who is also the Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies at FUL made the call while presenting a paper titled, “The Media As The Fourth Estate of the Realm: Fact or Fiction.”
The function was the 2023 Triennial Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, held at the NUJ Press Centre Lokoja.
He said that the relationship between the Media and the public is mutually reinforcing, and incumbent upon both to uphold the principles that underpin the position of the Media as the Fourth Estate.
“Citizens have a responsibility to evaluate the information they consume critically, seek out diverse perspectives, and hold media outlets to account for their reporting practices.
“At the same time, the media industry must prioritize transparency, accuracy, and a commitment to public interest in fulfilling its role as the Fourth Estate”, he said.
He said that while concerns about misinformation and partisan reporting abound, the media’s capacity to inform, scrutinize power, and facilitate public discourse should not be underestimated.
“The evolution of mass media presents both challenges and opportunities, and the preservation of the Fourth Estate depends on a concerted effort to prioritize factual reporting over fiction-inducing contents.
Ibileye stressed that in today’s media landscape, concerns have been raised about the erosion of the basic principles attributing it to the liberalized space with the journalism profession becoming an all-comers affair.
He noted that people with little or no training at all in journalism, mass communication or media practice now find themselves writing, editing, reporting, and generally setting the agenda and nuances for the media and media analysis.
The University Don regretted that the advent of social media had further complicated the issues, where any person who has access to a computer, mobile device and the internet and can type any passable English, would call himself a journalist or media practitioner.
He said that the development had led to the compromise of professional quality in terms of the ethics of the profession, objectivity and fairness adding that the other ethical standards are now sacrificed on the altar of the rise of sensationalism.
“As we navigate the complexities of the modern media landscape, the enduring ideals of truth, accountability, and public service must guide the media’s pursuit of its Fourth Estate responsibilities”, he added.
Ibileye, a Professor of African Literature, Oral Poetics and Cultural Communication however said that the concept of the media as the Fourth Estate remained a vital framework for understanding its role in democratic societies.
He said, “The fact of the matter is that for democracy to thrive, it requires informed citizens”, adding that in a representative democracy, the role of the press is twofold.
“It both informs citizens and sets up a feedback loop between the government and the people. The press makes the actions of the government known to the public, and voters who disapprove of current tendencies in policy can take corrective action in the next election.
“Without the press, the feedback loop is broken and the government is no longer accountable to the people. The press is therefore of the utmost importance in representative democracy”, he asserted. (Ends)
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has expanded its international reach by accrediting additional foreign schools in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea to conduct its Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
These newly accredited schools will join those in Saudi Arabia, which previously secured NECO’s accreditation, to begin writing the examinations starting next year.
NECO’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mallam Azeez Sani, announced this in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna. He said the initiative reflects NECO’s commitment to broadening its horizons and establishing a global presence.
Thorough Accreditation Process
According to Sani, NECO’s Accreditation Team visited the schools to assess their readiness for the examinations.
The evaluation process included inspections of classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, workshops, examination halls, and sports facilities.
“After a comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full accreditation status for both SSCE and BECE,” he said.
This expansion, he added, highlights NECO’s dedication to delivering quality education assessments that transcend Nigeria’s borders, offering opportunities for students to benefit from its expertise and standards.
Strengthening Regional Impact
The council’s growing influence has made it a key player in Africa’s education sector. Currently, NECO examinations are being conducted in several countries, including Benin Republic, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Saudi Arabia.
NECO also disclosed that the ongoing NECO SSCE External Examination is being conducted at the UNHCR School in Diffa, Niger Republic—the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.
The council reiterated its commitment to advancing education on the continent and beyond. “With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, fostering educational excellence and contributing to the development of the education sector across the region,” the statement read.
This international accreditation further reinforces NECO’s standing as a credible examination body, providing students worldwide with access to reliable and standard assessments.
The Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to making Nigeria a beacon of educational excellence, emphasizing the critical role of education in driving national progress.
This pledge was made on Thursday during a public hearing organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund to discuss two bills: The Federal Polytechnic Onueke, Ezza South, Ebonyi (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and The Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri (Establishment) Bill, 2024
Representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Titus Zam (Benue North West) highlighted the Senate’s dedication to fostering inclusive and sustainable development through education.
“Education remains a cornerstone for national progress,” Senator Zam noted. “Its accessibility to all Nigerians, irrespective of geographical or socio-economic status, is a priority for this Senate.”
He emphasized that the input of stakeholders at the hearing would underscore a shared resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s educational framework, expand opportunities for intellectual growth, and provide technical and vocational training for the nation’s youth.
Akpabio, through Senator Zam, assured Nigerians of the Senate’s dedication to legislative measures that promote equity, national growth, and prosperity.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, explained that the Federal Polytechnic Onueke Bill aims to bolster technical and vocational education, aligning with the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment and enhance socio-economic conditions.
Similarly, Senator Kenneth Eze (Ebonyi Central), sponsor of the Federal Polytechnic Onueke Bill, emphasized that the institution would address pressing challenges in the labor market by focusing on skill-based education, ICT, and applied sciences.
“This initiative represents a paradigm shift for a nation grappling with high unemployment rates. It is a step toward advancing human capital development and securing a brighter future for Nigerian youths, particularly those in Ebonyi State,” Senator Eze said.
The Senate reiterated its commitment to legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening the education sector and creating opportunities for skill acquisition and intellectual development. By supporting these bills, the Senate seeks to position Nigeria as a global leader in education and human capital development.
The Federal Government has suspended 13 students of the Federal Government College (FGC) Enugu for six weeks following an alleged bullying incident that was widely circulated on social media.
The suspension was ordered by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who emphasized that safety and discipline are paramount in federal schools.
According to Folashade Boriowo, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, the incident involved a gang assault on an SS1 day student and raised serious concerns about student welfare at FGC Enugu.
The viral video prompted the ministry to establish a disciplinary committee to investigate, leading to the temporary suspension of the students involved.
Dr. Alausa has directed the School-Based Management Committee to collaborate with security agencies to conduct a thorough probe into any possible external influences.
In addition, the government has introduced enhanced security measures at the college, with law enforcement presence and strengthened safety protocols.
As part of the response, the ministry will also provide counseling and rehabilitation services to promote a safe, positive school environment for all students involved.
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