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USAID Trains Plateau media practitioners on Conflict Sensitive Reportage

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To promote conflict-sensitive reportage and foster peace in Plateau State, media practitioners and key stakeholders gathered for a two-day capacity-building training organized by the United States Aid (USAID) and Mercy Corps as part of the Community Initiatives To Promote Peace (CIPP) project.

Held in collaboration with Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), ARDA, PARE, Savannah Center (SCDDD), and the Social Justice and Humanitarian Development for Peace Initiative, the training took place at Crispan Hotel, Jos, on the 25th and 26th of July.

The participants were trained on  the need for more objective and peaceful reporting that is devoid of fanning the flames of conflict in Plateau State

Mr. Godwin Okoko, the Mercy Corp conflicts technical adviser for the CIPP project, while leading the session on conflict analysis, emphasized the significance of understanding all parties’ perceptions and the root causes of conflicts. The training also focused on building confidence, understanding the context and culture of involved parties, and adopting a positive approach in media narratives while addressing negative aspects.

According to Mr. Okoko, “Conflict reportage should encompass the profiling of causes, actors, and dynamics of the conflict. This will enable developmental and peace-building organizations to gain a better understanding of the context in which they operate and their role in the conflict.”

Gyang Bere, the director of press to the Governor of Plateau State, delivered a goodwill message during the training. He highlighted the crucial role of journalists in shaping opinions and impressions of events. Bello stressed the significance of early warning signals in conflict prevention and urged media practitioners to be mindful of their impact on any situation.

” I believe that this engagement will sharpen our horizon of conflict reportage and the duty of the media towards development. We need to keep in mind that our message can either make or mar a situation. Governor Mutfwang desires a peaceful Plateau where people can coexist in unity, irrespective of their backgrounds,” added Bello. “.

Representatives from various organizations also expressed the importance of responsible reporting and its contribution to peace-building efforts. Mr Gayi Timothy Gayi, the Acting Director General of the Plateau Peace-Building Agency (PPBA) acknowledged the media’s role in their previous successes and encouraged participants to utilize their outlets to reduce tension.

Brig-Gen. Gakji Shipi RTD, the special adviser to the Governor on security matters, addressed the challenges of security reporting, emphasizing the need for balanced and sensitive reporting. He urged journalists to approach criticism with love rather than hostility.

“One of the challenges in security reporting is how encountered threats are labeled and interpreted. Sometimes, non-religious issues are mistakenly portrayed as religious crises in media reports. The lack of balance in reporting where one side of the story dominating the narrative and disregard for national security and consequences are also concerning,” noted Shipi.

The State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha, stressed the gravity of Plateau’s challenges and expressed the agency’s commitment to ensuring accurate and responsible transmission of information.

Taiye Dashin, the Program Officer for the CIPP program, elaborated on the program’s objectives, which focus on training communities to promote peace for themselves and facilitating conditions necessary for sustainable peace. Dashin emphasized the crucial role of the media in shaping narratives that can either fuel or prevent conflicts.

We believe that most of the narrative fuel the conflict which makes the role of the media so important. It is important to note that no information is useless.”

Dashin also explained how issues such as weak law enforcement, displacement of groups outside the locality, poor remuneration of staff, ethnicity and rivalry, incompatible land use, rising population, disputed land ownership, and insufficient natural resources can lead to conflict.

As part of the engagement the participants where divided into groups to highlight challenges of reporting conflict situations in specific Plateau communities, including Mangu, Reom, and Bassa and also provide recommendations in the form of a drama.

Regarding the success of the program, Godwin Okoko, the Mercy Corp conflicts ethical adviser for the CIPP program, commended the media participants for their unwavering dedication to peace-oriented reporting.

He said, “I am filled with joy knowing that we have passionate individuals who have earnestly committed themselves to fortifying peace structures and promoting social harmony through the inception of the plateau peace media network.”

“Our aspiration extends beyond the mere establishment of this group; we expect them to sustain the momentum. They will play a crucial role in advocating for peace, raising awareness, and supporting various initiatives to prevent conflicts both at the community and individual levels. Our hope is to witness a reduction in tension within communities, and we anticipate news reports that will not only build rather than destroy, but also strengthen the fabric of societal unity. Over the next six months, we anticipate seeing the positive impact of their endeavors, and our organization stands ready to provide unwavering support to their cause”.

Participants, including Adamu Baba, a community peace observer, expressed their newfound understanding of the importance of collaboration between conventional and online media and also other bodies for sustainable peace journalism. Mrs. Zianab Babaji, reporting for the voice of America Hausa service emphasized the need for journalists to prioritize humanity in their professionalism and to focus on national security while reporting.

At the end of the training the Plateau Peace Media Network was set up by participants, aimed at driving conflict sensitive reporting within the state and to further engage the conversation amongst other media houses. The event climaxed with the presentation certificates to participants to acknowledge their successful completion of the training.

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Akor Adams Says Super Eagles Focused On Improvement, Not Unbeaten Record Under Eric Chelle

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Super Eagles striker Akor Adams has revealed that the national team is not overly focused on its unbeaten record under coach Eric Chelle despite extending the streak after the 2-2 draw against Poland.

READ ALSO: Eric Ejiofor Urges Nigerians To Trust Eric Chelle After Super Eagles’ Impressive Run

Nigeria have now gone 24 matches without losing in normal time under the Franco-Malian tactician, but Adams insists the players are more concerned about improving performances and getting positive results.

“We are not too focused on the unbeaten record,” Adams said.

According to the Super Eagles forward, the team’s main objective remains continuous improvement and representing the country positively.

“Our focus is on performing better and getting results for Nigeria,” he implied.

Adams also praised Chelle for introducing a fresh tactical identity and philosophy to the national team since taking charge.

“The coach has brought a different dimension and philosophy to the team,” he noted.

The striker believes the tactical changes have contributed significantly to the team’s recent performances and growing confidence.

“You can see the improvements in the way we play,” he added.

Nigeria’s unbeaten run under Chelle has continued generating optimism among supporters as the team rebuilds following recent disappointments.

“The team appears more organized and competitive now,” many football observers believe.

The Super Eagles continue preparing for future competitive fixtures while integrating new players into the squad.

“There is growing belief around the direction of the team,” supporters continue to say.

For Akor Adams, the message is clear.

Records are not the priority.

Improvement and results matter more.

And Eric Chelle’s philosophy is helping shape a stronger Super Eagles side.

 

Because lasting success in football comes from growth, consistency, and collective ambition.

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Dangote refinery raises processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals says it has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), surpassing its installed nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd following a performance assessment by its process licensors.

The development marks a significant operational milestone for the refinery, which is widely regarded as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refining facility.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, the company explained that the increase demonstrates the refinery’s ability to process additional feedstock while optimising performance across its production units.

In his remark, Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery’s latest output increase forms part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at scaling capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months.

Mr Edwin said the proposed expansion could position the facility among the largest refining complexes globally, while strengthening Nigeria’s drive for energy self-sufficiency.

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“The refinery’s growth trajectory reflects a deliberate move toward continental and global refining dominance, not just domestic supply sufficiency,” he said.

The announcement of reaching 70, 000 capacity comes a few days after the refinery chief executive disclosed that the production target of 70,000 barrels per day would be reached by 2028.

On Tuesday, the refinery CEO, David Bird, while speaking during the S&P Global Energy Middle East Petroleum and Gas Conference in London, said the refinery is currently operating at full nameplate capacity and is planning what he described as a “ruthless replication” strategy to expand output.

“We will bring 700,000 barrels per day of fully complex refining capacity on stream by the end of 2028,” he said, adding that long-lead equipment has already been procured while construction contracts are being awarded.

He added that the group could eventually increase refining capacity to 2.1 million bpd, supported by plans for another refinery in East Africa, positioning the company as a major player in global crude and refined product markets.

“Nigeria has gone from fuel scarcity to absolute fuel abundance since the Dangote refinery came online,” Mr Bird said.

According to Kpler data cited last month, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported an estimated 57 million barrels of jet fuel between April 2024 and April 2026.

The data showed exports rose from about 20,000 barrels per day in April 2024 to around 65,000 barrels per day by the end of that year before peaking at approximately 160,000 barrels per day during the review period.

The figures highlight the growing role of refined petroleum exports in Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly aviation fuel, as the country seeks to strengthen domestic refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported products.

Expansion plans and export ambitions

Owned by industrialist Aliko Dangote, the refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has since expanded output to include petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and other refined petroleum products.

The company said the facility now supplies both domestic and international markets, exporting refined products to several African countries and to European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.

It also said refined products from the facility have reached markets in the United States, while jet fuel exports have extended to Saudi Arabia.

Dangote Industries argued that the refinery has increasingly played a stabilising role in regional fuel markets amid supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with more African countries turning to the facility for energy security.

Growing global footprint

The refinery’s rising output has further strengthened its position in global fuel markets.

The company noted that the facility emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, citing data from S&P Global Commodities.

Industry analysts say the refinery’s operations have already contributed to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, easing pressure on foreign exchange demand and improving local fuel availability.

READ ALSO: Dangote refinery can supply Jet Fuel Globally — Official

As production volumes increase, the refinery has also attracted stronger engagement from international crude suppliers and commodity traders, sourcing feedstock from both domestic and foreign producers to sustain rising throughput.

Dangote Industries said the planned expansion to 1.4 million bpd by 2028 is expected to generate broader economic benefits, including job creation, increased industrial activity and improved trade balances.

The refinery also expects to deepen downstream industrialisation through increased supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), polypropylene and other industrial feedstocks used in manufacturing.

Plans also include production of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), a key raw material used in detergent manufacturing, as part of efforts to expand the country’s petrochemical value chain.


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