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PRESS DESERVES BETTER DEAL (NHRC)

Nigerian Press Deserves Better Deal, Says National Human Rights Commission Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that the press is a critical agent for the protection of democracy and development and must be supported to enable them to effectively discharge their constitutional duties as the watchdog of the society. 













 It observed that Nigerian journalists fought very hard to achieve its democratic status and deserve a better deal unlike the current situation where many of them struggle with poor conditions of service amidst other challenges, including censorship, harassment, intimidation and in some cases, assassinations. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, who stated this at the eve of the celebration of the 2022 World Press Freedom Day, noted that the society should see journalists as “The oxygen of democracy and agents of change and development”, saying that their constitutional duty which is enshrined in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, “to hold the goverment accountable to the people” distinguishes them as those who perform essential duty to the nation.

 He said. “At this time when Nigeria is at the crossroad of challenge of justice, equity and fairness to stabilize our democracy, the press must defend democracy by its commitment to holding our governments accountable to the truth always no matter the difficulties of the times. It must remain the conscience of the nation, telling the truth at times like this, to save our democracy.”  He said this year’s theme for celebration of World Press Freedom Day which is, “Journalism under digital siege” is apt as it seeks to bring to the fore, “the impact of the digital era on the freedom of the press, the security of journalists and access to information and privacy”. Ojhuket said it is incontestable that the advent of the internet with the attendant boost in digital communication has benefited humanity in various ways, “but at the same time it has threatened our right to privacy, since virtually nothing is hidden from the internet radar.     “It is on this note that I commend UNESCO for championing the proposed World Press Freedom Day Global Conference scheduled to hold between 2nd and 5th May, 2022 in Punta Del Este, Uruguay. The conference would be a forum for key players in the internet related companies, legal experts, journalists etc to discuss the challenges of digital communications, the impact on press freedom and the way forward.” According to him, the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day is not an opportunity to witch-hunt any person or Institution, but is a period to reminisce the fundamental principles of press freedom, guage the state of press freedom globally, defend the Media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who are either human rights defenders in custody or captivity or have lost their lives in the line of duty. He therefore, urged the law enforcement agencies, including the Police to, as a matter of necessity, intensify their investigations to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of some Nigerian journalists, including the late Vanguard newspaper journalist, Tordue Salem whose body was reportedly found in Abuja in 2021. 

 
 
AKPABIO JOIN PRESIDENTIAL RACE


Nigeria's Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godswill Akpabio has formally declared his intention to vie for the Presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress. Akpabio declared for the 2023 presidency at the Ikot-Ekpene Township Stadium in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.





#ICCTV NEWS LINK TO WATCH: 

Nigeria’s race for the presidency in 2023 got a little more interesting today as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio declared his intention to run for the office of president in the 2023 elections.

The former Akwa Ibom State Governor made the formal declaration today, Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in front of a massive turnout of supporters of the All Progressives Congress at the Ikot Ekpene township stadium.

Akpabio will be up against the likes of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos; Rotimi Amaechi, transportation minister, and Yahaya Bello, Kogi governor; among others for the ticket.

Earlier today, the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi declared his intention to run for the 2023 Presidential election under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

What you should know

  • The ruling party is looking at having its presidential primary election between May 30 and June 1.
  • The All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier fixed its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N100 million.
  • The expression of interest form for presidential aspirants is expected to go for N30 million while the nomination form is pegged at N70 million.
  • The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is charging its presidential aspirants, comprising N35 million for nomination forms and N5 million for expression of interest forms.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Observance of World Press Freedom Day which started in 1993, and celebrated on 3rd of May annually is designed to remind governments of the need to respect their Commitment to press freedom and to remind journalists of the need to adhere to their professional ethics, defend democracy, justice, equity and fairness and be committed as human rights defenders.
Categories:Regional Tags:National Human Rights Commission 
 

2023: Governor Kayode Fayemi declares intention to run for president



 

The Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi has declared his intention to run for the 2023 Presidential election under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

Fayemi declared this today in a press briefing in Abuja, joining the likes of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and others in the party that have also declared their intentions to run for president.

He stated that he had travelled the length and breadth of Nigeria to consult with esteemed elder statesmen and women, and a cross-section of party members, before arriving at his decision.

What Fayemi is saying

Publicly declaring his intention to run for president, Fayemi said, ”I have been privileged to witness first-hand, the underline commitment and sense of solidarity which Nigerians from all parts of our country share about the promise of our fatherland.

“It has been my singular honour to have been an active part with other committed groups from various works of life labouring with determination towards rapid and sustained national progress.

“It is the spirit of the abiding faith and promised of unfinished greatness, that I stand before you today in total humility and sense of responsibility to solemnly declare to all within our party and Nigerians at large, my decision to accept my name to be put forward for consideration by the All Progressive Congress leadership and membership as our party standard-bearer in the upcoming contests for a successor to our leader President Muhammadu Buhari.”

He also said it is not a decision which he has taken lightly and to have arrived at this point, he carried out a long and deep self-introspection with the help of his wife and family members and colleagues.