Media
Constituency Projects: CSO Urges EFCC, ICPC To Beam Searchlight On Implementation
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Participants at a Civil Society and Media Roundtable Discussion Constituency Projects have called on the nation’s Anti-Corruption Agencies to scale up their searchlight on implementation of Constituency Projects in Kogi State.
The stakeholders made the call in a Communique issued at the end of the round table discussion organized by Stallion Times Media Services on Saturday in Lokoja.
The Communique was signed by Hamza Aliyu, Chairman, Kogi Accountability Platform; Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina,
Co-Chairman, Kogi State OGP Non-State Actors and Isiyaku Ahmed, Project Coordinator,
G-DRIP (Stallion Times).
According to the Communique, the programme is aimed at encouraging accurate, active citizens’ participation in governance and push for quality service delivery.
It forms part of activities rounding off the three-year Participatory Governance and Media Literacy project tagged: “Get Involved, Dialogue and Improve (G-DRIP)” being undertaken in Kano and Kogi states by Stallion Times Media Services.
The project is being executed in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism under the Collaborative Media Project with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
The participants observed that many elected representatives had no functional constituency offices for engagement with their constituents just as Constituents are not usually aware or carried along in the conceptualization and planning of constituency projects.
They also observed that citizens’ dissatisfaction with their elected representatives is a direct consequence of the lack of transparency in the activities of political leaders especially in their expenditure of public funds.
To address the myriad of challenges arising from issues around constituency projects, the the stakeholders called on every elected representative to have a functional Constituency office with the requisite staff and equipment.
They also urged Anti-Corruption Agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam their searchlights on the implementation of Constituency Projects in Kogi State.
They also urged the Legislature to put in place, mechanisms for ensuring that the concept of Constituency Project is made Transparent and accountable to the people (through Oversight and Public Accounts investigations).
“Citizens, Civil Society and Media must pay attention by being involved in conceptualization, monitoring, tracking and implementation of Constituency Projects at State and Federal Levels.
“Citizens must take interest in the areas of Public Sector Budgeting, Budget Tracking and Legislative Advocacy including Policy Engagement.
“Elected representatives must make quarterly Town hall meetings a priority for engagement with their constituents”, the Communique read.
The Round Table Discussion on was attended by CSOs, Leaders of Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), Women groups, Persons with Disabilities, members of Action Plan Steering Committee of Kogi State Open Government Partnership (OGP), State and Non-State Actors, and the Media. (Ends)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reorganized the presidency’s media and communications team in a move aimed at bolstering the effectiveness of government communication.
The presidency, in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, announced that Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Onanuga himself would now serve as joint spokespersons for the administration.
The restructuring involves new designations for key officials within the communications team. Sunday Dare, previously Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation, has been reassigned as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications. Daniel Bwala, appointed last week as Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, is now Special Adviser on Policy Communications. Bayo Onanuga retains his role as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
“These appointments, along with the existing role of Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, underscore that there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency,” the statement read.
The collaborative approach is designed to ensure more consistent and effective communication of government policies and decisions to the public.
According to the presidency, the team will collectively manage the dissemination of information to foster greater transparency and alignment with the administration’s priorities.
This reorganization underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to a more cohesive media strategy that reflects the diverse needs of the public and the complexities of modern governance.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has sent a message of congratulations to the management and staff of the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper on its 75th anniversary.
The Governor praised the newspaper’s leadership in shaping public discourse and upholding accountability through its dedication to truth, transparency, and responsible journalism.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement on Saturday quoted Ododo in a message that commended the Nigerian Tribune’s legacy, acknowledging its role in fostering responsible journalism that has earned it the trust and loyalty of readers across Nigeria.
“The Tribune has consistently upheld fact-based reporting, balance, and objectivity, even amidst the challenges of misinformation in today’s media landscape,” he said.
Reaffirming the essential role of a free press in maintaining democracy, Governor Ododo recognized Nigerian Tribune’s efforts to support the rule of law and responsible governance.
He expressed optimism that the milestone would inspire the newspaper to continue its commitment to journalistic integrity, essential for a stable and enduring democracy in Nigeria.
Founded on November 16, 1949, by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Hannah Dideolu, the Nigerian Tribune has built a legacy as one of Nigeria’s pioneering media institutions, contributing significantly to the nation’s democratic growth.
***Aims to Revolutionize Nigeria’s Media Sector
In a transformative step for Nigeria’s media education, Sir (Dr.) Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu has launched a cutting-edge Media Resource Centre at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ikeja, Lagos.
Fully funded by Dr. Adebutu, this modern facility aims to elevate media training standards in Nigeria, strengthening the nation’s media capabilities and delivering economic benefits.
The facility features a 350-seat auditorium, an advanced ICT hub, and a fully equipped studio, establishing NIJ as a leader in West African media training.
Since its founding in 1971, NIJ has been a cornerstone of media education in Nigeria, and with this new hub, it now has the potential to attract international collaborations and play a crucial role in Nigeria’s knowledge-driven economy.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, a former NIJ board member, praised Dr. Adebutu’s visionary investment, calling the Media Resource Centre a model of critical infrastructure for economic and workforce development.
Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Mohammed Manga quoted Edun in a statement to have said,
“This initiative not only prepares our media professionals for the future but also creates job opportunities and supports economic growth,” Edun stated.
Accirding to the Statement,The centre’s resources are set to empower students and professionals with hands-on skills essential for a dynamic media landscape.
“The facility positions NIJ to offer world-class training, drawing attention from across Africa and establishing Nigeria as a key player in the global media arena.
Dr. Adebutu’s visionary gift to NIJ stands to reshape Nigeria’s media landscape, paving the way for a new generation of skilled media professionals, economic advancement, and a stronger media industry.
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