The Lagos-based International Press Centre (IPC) conducted a comprehensive training program for 40 journalists aimed at combating information disorder in democratic governance reporting. The two-day workshop took place in Kaduna State on Wednesday, March 6th, and Thursday, March 7th, 2023, drawing participants from nine states across Northern Nigeria.
Journalists from various Northern states, including Abuja, Kaduna, Kastina, Niger, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Plateau, and Benue, participated in the workshop. These journalists, spanning different levels of experience from new to mid-level, community, and freelance journalists, converged to enhance their skills in combating misinformation and promoting transparency in democratic governance reporting.
The workshop, part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project, focused on utilizing fact-checking and Freedom of Information (FOI) tools. With the theme “Credible Elections and Democratic Governance: Media Engagement on Using Fact-Checking and FOIA to Combat Information Disorder,” the training underscored the critical role of media engagement in ensuring transparent electoral processes and countering the spread of misleading information.
Stella Nwofia, the Programme Manager of IPC, addressed participants at the training session held at the Bafra International Hotel in Kaduna. She emphasized the significance of the training in addressing the growing threat of misinformation to democratic governance. Nwofia highlighted the training’s alignment with the EU final report of the 2023 general elections, aiming to equip journalists with the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to navigate the challenges of the digital era while upholding standards of responsibility and ethical behavior.
“This training program is designed as a three-part series to empower journalists nationwide, promote critical thinking, fact verification, and media literacy,” said Ms. Nwofia. “Our goal is to empower journalists to uphold truth, advocate integrity, and safeguard democracy.”
The event featured lecture sessions by distinguished speakers, including Lanre Arogundade, the Executive-Director of IPC, who spoke on the principles of good journalism and the importance of fact-checking. Edetean Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, delivered a lecture on utilizing the FOI Act and investigative methodologies to report on democratic governance and electoral accountability issues.
During the training, participants engaged in practical exercises on information verification and fact-checking under the guidance of Mr. Arogundade. Dr. Fatimah V. Shuaibu from the Department of Mass Communication at Kaduna Polytechnic addressed the gender dimension in combating information disorder, emphasizing the significance of diverse perspectives in media reporting.
Mr. Edetaen Ojo highlighted the essential role of the FOIA in investigative journalism, urging participants to leverage this legislative tool to hold government and corporate bodies accountable.
The training provided by the EU and IPC serves as a critical step in equipping journalists with the skills and knowledge needed to combat fake news and promote accountability in Nigeria. By fostering a culture of transparency and responsible journalism, journalists play a pivotal role in strengthening democracy and ensuring a brighter future for all Nigerians.
The general-secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mohammed Sanusi has disclosed that egg heads and technical buffs of the governing body are working hard towards brining an A-license coaching course back to the country.
Sports247 reports that Sanusi made the disclosure while speaking at the ongoing Confederation of African Football (CAF) B-license coaches refresher course in Abuja, which he said became imperative to upgrade the country’s tacticians.
While revealing that the coaching course is running alongside a similar training programme for referees in the country, Sanusi, who is one of the instructors, affirmed that the dual-programme will bring huge benefits for participants.
Sanusi, who spoke on behalf of NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, at the opening ceremony of the six-day course in Abuja on Monday, further disclosed that specialized paths have been introduced in building of capacity in the sector.
He specifically mentioned programmes in the areas of young talent, beach soccer and FIFA elite referees that were organized earlier this month, then disclosed that Nigeria has been admitted back into the CAF A-License Coaching Convention.
The NFF scribe described this development as a significant step for Nigerian coaches and urged them to diligently build their capacity towards the highest level possible in the game, then urged participants to show total commitment to excel.
“The technical department is now working assiduously towards resuming the CAF A-License course in Nigeria in August, for the first time in nine years. We have a total of 50 participants for the refresher course, but only 25 will be admitted.
“We will set very high standards and only the best will cross the hurdle. That does not mean we are going to close the door for others. Immediately we are done with this CAF A-course starting in August, we will apply for another one at that level.”
Sanusi also revealed that Gusau, who is also the president of West African Football Union (WAFU) zone-B, has approved a vehicle to move Video Assistant Referee (VAR) training equipment into Nigeria to upgrade match arbiters in the country.
The Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria, Kaduna branch, has condemned the mob killing of a woman at the Maraban Jos area of Kaduna. The association described the incident as barbaric and a serious threat to the rule of law.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna, signed by its chairman, Awwal Shittu, and secretary, Ibrahim Bawa.
MULAN expressed shock and sadness over reports of the attack, murder, and burning of the woman following allegations of child theft. It described the act as jungle justice and maintained that no allegation of criminal conduct justifies extrajudicial punishment.
The association stated that the killing violated the victim’s fundamental right to life as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.
It said the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly reports that the victim was removed from police custody before being killed, raised serious concerns about security procedures and the protection of persons in lawful custody.
According to MULAN, if confirmed, the development points to possible lapses that require urgent and transparent investigation.
“The duty of law enforcement agencies is to protect lives, maintain law and order, and ensure that suspects are subjected only to lawful investigation and prosecution. No person in police custody should be surrendered, directly or indirectly, to mob violence,” the association stated.
MULAN called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the killing and the surrounding circumstances. It also demanded the identification, arrest, and prosecution of all persons involved in carrying out, encouraging, or facilitating the mob action.
The association further urged authorities to investigate the conduct of the security personnel responsible for the deceased’s custody and protection and to apply disciplinary or legal sanctions where necessary.
While commending the police for arrests already made and its commitment to prosecuting those responsible, MULAN stressed that justice must be impartial and extend beyond those physically present at the scene.
The association said investigations should also examine possible acts of negligence, complicity, or omission that may have contributed to the incident.
It pledged to monitor the investigation and prosecution process and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting human rights, accountability, and the sanctity of life through lawful means.
MULAN reiterated that under Nigerian law, every suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. The association warned that mob justice undermines public confidence in lawful institutions and threatens social order.
It also extended condolences to the deceased’s family and prayed for peace, justice, and greater respect for the rule of law.
The incident has attracted reactions from stakeholders following the barbaric act.
The police command in Kaduna condemned the mob action and announced the arrest of suspects in connection with the incident, saying that investigations continue.