Media
Tims Ejiga urges Govt to recognise media”s role
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
***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.
The Federal Government has withdrawn charges against Order Paper, an online news platform based in Abuja, and nine of its staff members.
The charges, which included allegations of spreading false information, were initially filed after Order Paper published an article on October 16 claiming that DSS operatives had entered the National Assembly in response to a rumored plot to remove Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The DSS, citing security concerns and reputational damage, initially pursued legal action. However, the newly appointed Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Tosin Adeola Ajayi, advocated for a more conciliatory approach, which led to the charges being dropped.
According to a source in the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) office, Mr. Ajayi reached out to express his support for ending the case, acknowledging the remorse shown by Order Paper’s leadership and the swift retraction of the article.
The Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had also played instrumental roles in securing the release of Order Paper’s administrative officer, Ms. Edna Ulaeto, who was briefly detained.
Mr. Ajayi reportedly appreciated the accountability shown by Order Paper following the incident.
During their visit to DSS headquarters, Order Paper staff explained that the publication had been misled by unreliable sources within the National Assembly.
According to the Ministry of Justice official, Ajayi highlighted that the media outlet’s apology, combined with interventions from reputable media bodies, justified a lenient response.
The decision by the DSS to drop charges has been viewed as a constructive gesture, promoting press freedom while maintaining a standard of professional responsibility within Nigerian journalism.
The withdrawal of the charges reflected a step toward more harmonious interactions between state security agencies and the media in Nigeria.
***So far refurbished donated over 120 vehicles and acquired 200 motorcycles.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Kogi Security Trust Fund (STF) has has presented vehicles refurbished for the Kogi Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and security agencies to boost the security architecture of the state.
Mr Abdulazeez Ozovehe Ohiare, chairman of the trust fund, who presented the vehicles at the state Civil Service Secretariat, Lokoja, described the gesture as a significant move to enhance security in Kogi State.
According to Ohiare, the Fund has so far refurbished over 120 vehicles and acquired 200 motorcycles for vigilante services, hunters, civil defense, Nigerian police, and state security services.
“The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has mandated us to do the best we can do for the security agencies.
“We came on board 2nd January, 2023. On assumption of office, we discovered a lot of challenges in operational vehicles of our security agencies. For the Nigerian police, the Nigerian army, the military service, even our local hunter.
“And we felt that the best thing we could do for this government is to save fund and we begin to refurbish most of the operational vehicles of security agencies in state.
“The Executive Governor mandate us to acquire motorcycles. From History and experience, we discovered that most of these criminals are not in the main town.
“They are mostly in the interior parts of the villages of our local governments and most of the security agents need motorcycles. So, by the special grace of God, we’ve acquired over 200 motorcycles for security agencies.
“The only place we are left with is the Nigerian Army. And by the special grace of God, in no distant time, we’ll be able to fix and republish about 10 operational vehicles for the Nigerian army.
“What we are doing here today is to present the republished operational vehicles for Nigerian Police, the Civil Defense, and the equally given out 15 motorcycle to State Security Services (SSS)”, Ohiare said.
Speaking in appreciation of the gesture from the STF, Chairman of Kogi Council of NUJ, Comrade Seidu Ademu expressed “deep appreciation” to the Security Trust Fund especially for the short time frame within which the bus was refurbished.
He thanked Governor Ododo for according the STF full cooperation in executing its mandate and urged that more funds be made available to the agency to go more technical in their operations.
Representatives of the security agencies including the Nigeria Police, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), SSS, Vigilante groups, Hunters and others commended the STF for the gesture. (Ends)
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News10 months agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi12 months agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi1 year agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro8 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News10 months agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu