The Nation Newspaper

Tag: journalist

  • Journalist raises the alarm over threat to life

    The Executive Director and Chairman, Editorial Board of Badagry Prime, a news magazine, Otunba Yomi Olomofe has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to help secure his life and those of members of his family. Olomofe spoke while narrating his ordeal in the hands of smugglers around the Seme Border of Badagry.

    Olomofe, who is also the immediate past President of the Rotary Club of Ajara, spoke on his hospital bed in Lagos where he is recuperating.

    He explained that the incident happened on Thursday, last week in the presence of Customs officers of Seme Command.

    Narrating how he narrowly escaped death, Olomofe said he was in the company of a colleague journalist on a visit to the command, saying some smugglers, who claimed journalists have been writing negative stories about them, pounced on him and beat him to stupor.

    He noted that he suspected a set-up because he was at the Seme Command on the invitation of the authority of the Service.

    “I wonder how anybody could have been waiting for me there. How do they know that I will be there?

    “They were beating me and they were threatening to kill any journalist that writes any story about them.

    “I was there with the correspondent of Tide Newspaper. I was lucky that a friend from Rotary Club came to take me away; I would have been dead; because I was left there almost lifeless.

    “This happened within the premises of the Nigerian Customs Service and I don’t know what they might do again. My life is not safe and that is why I am appealing to the police to come to my rescue.

    “I am fully resident in Badagry, my family lives with me. I have my parents, wife and children in Badagry.

    “These hoodlums are not unknown. They are known to everybody, but they are above the law. They even told me that they have killed many people and nothing happened,” Olomofe lamented.

  • Smugglers attack journalist inside Custom’s office

    Smugglers attack journalist inside Custom’s office

    The Executive Director and Chairman, Editorial Board of Badagry Prime, a news magazine, Otunba Yomi Olomofe has narrated his ordeal in the hands of smugglers around the Seme border area of Badagry, while appealing to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to help secure his life and that of his family.

    Olomofe, who is also the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Ajara, spoke with newsmen yesterday, from his hospital bed, where he is recuperating.

    He said the incident occurred last Thursday in the presence of Customs officers within the premises of the Seme Command.

    Narrating how he narrowly escaped death, Olomofe said he was in company of another journalist colleague during a visit to the command, when some smugglers, who claimed journalists have been writing negative stories about them, pounced on him, beating him to stupor.

    He noted that he suspected a set-up because he was at the Seme Command on the invitation of the authority of the Service.

    “I wonder how anybody could have been waiting for me there. How do they know that I will be there.

    “They were beating me and they were threatening to kill any journalist that writes any story about them.

    “I was there with the correspondent of Tide Newspaper, if not for a friend from Rotary Club that came to take me away, I would have been dead, because I was left there almost lifeless.

    “This happened within the Customs premises and I don’t know what they might do again. My life is not safe and that is why I am appealing to the police to come to my rescue.

    “I am fully resident in Badagry, my familly lives with me. I have my parents, wife and children in Badagry.

    “These hoodlums are not unknown. They are known to everybody, but they are above the law. They even told me that they have killed many people and nothing happened,” Olomofe lamented.

  • Media digital migration: Understanding the times

    Media digital migration: Understanding the times

    There is no denial that the future of the media is digital communication which became the concern for the Board of Directors, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) during a recent meeting.

    The Board expressed worries over the seemingly lack of progress in the Digital Migration process in West Africa, especially in view of the internationally mandated deadline for all countries to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting.

    Interestingly, more audience explore the digital space than majority of media professionals and the risk of this is that information is becoming less verifiable considering the level of internet saturation.

    On the other hand, a few of those who are apparently able to use digital communication among media owners and practitioners may not even be well informed as to the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of the cyber space.

    Meanwhile, there was an internationally mandatory June 17 deadline of migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, which is obviously not fulfillable.

    However, the Board observed that given the pervasiveness of television as a source of information for a large proportion of the population in West Africa and prevalence of analogue television sets in the region, the obvious inability of countries to meet the agreed deadline has potentially serious implications for access to information and freedom of expression in the region.

    These concerns of the MFWA’s Board are contained in an 11-point Resolution adopted at the end of its two-day meeting held in Benin Republic on Friday, May 29.

    “The Board also expresses deep concern about the low level of public awareness of the digital migration process and calls on the media and civil society groups in West Africa to support public education efforts to prepare citizens in their respective countries for the digital migration,” the Resolution noted.

    The Resolution urged governments in West Africa to prioritise the safety of journalists in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, and the recent UN Security Council Resolution on the Safety of Journalists.

    The Security Council Resolution (Resolution 2222) adopted on May 27, 2015, urged Member States of the United Nations to create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment for journalists, media professionals and associated personnel to perform their work independently and without undue interference.

    The Board’s Resolution also covered other critical issues relating to freedom of expression and press freedom in the West Africa region including concerns about lowering professional standards among the media in the region, the need for states to decriminalise defamation and the need for governments and regional bodies in West Africa to make significant investments in ICTs and work collaboratively to promote internet rights and freedoms.

    Consequently, the ways and manners of accessing information have fast moved from analogue to digital. It is therefore worrisome to discover that media houses still do not understand the times.

    Perhaps, it could be possible for media practitioners to relate with the magic of digital communication when they consider copies of their newspapers sold and returned or when they measure audience viewership for the broadcast folks.

  • ‘Armed robbers’ shoot journalist

    ‘Armed robbers’ shoot journalist

    There was panic on the busy Oshodi- Apapa Expressway yesterday after suspected armed robbers attacked and shot a journalist.

    The victim identified as Victor Ahiuma-Young was waylaid by two gunmen around Sadiku Bus stop, Ilasamaja after he left a commercial bank where he had gone to withdraw some money.

    Eyewitnesses said that Ahiuma-Young, an Assistant Labour Editor with Vanguard Newspaper had stopped by a vendor’s stand, few metres from the pedestrian bridge to buy some newspapers when his attackers who rode on a motorcycle, accosted him, demanding the money he withdrew from the bank.

    “As he was looking at the papers, one of the men shot him on the thigh and ordered him to hand over the money he withdrew to them.

    “When he turned to see what was wrong, another shot was fired at him, which made everyone at the bus stop to run for safety.

    “We have seen these motorcycle thieves snatching people’s bags as they come out from the bank but have never really seen them shooting someone this much,” said one of the female jewellers by the foot of the pedestrian bridge.

    According to her, the incident took place around 10am very close to the bank on the expressway.

    However, The Nation gathered that Ahiuma-Young’s attack was the 15th since November last year.

    Traders at the bridge claim that a similar incident happened last month where a teenager whose father had given money he withdrew from the same bank was attacked and his wrist cut by motorcycle robbers.

    They expressed worry at the spate of robberies given that there is a Police Station not so far from the bus stop, just as they berated the late arrival of policemen from the Olosan Division, who came after the robbery.

    It was learnt that Ahiuma-Young while trying to scare his attackers away, picked a stone which he hauled at them but received another gunshot on his hand as he tried to pick another stone.

    With the final bullet hitting his hand, the money was said to have fallen off, which the robbers hurriedly picked up before escaping on their motorcycle.

    The journalist was said to have bled severely with onlookers unwilling to assist him fearing he may die and land them in trouble.

    Sensing that help was far from him, Ahiuma-Young was said to have staggered towards May Clinic, not too far from the scene where doctors on duty attended to him and extracted 13 pellets from his thighs before referring him to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for proper medical attention.

     

  • ‘How to be a campus journalist’

    ‘How to be a campus journalist’

    The University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter of the National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) has sworn in its leaders at the parliamentary chamber of the Students’ Union Government. FRANK EJEAGBASI and KINGSLEY CHARLES report.

    Just like their election, the inauguration of Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ) executive at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was memorable.

    The  executive were sworn in with fanfare at the Students’ Union Government (SUG) parliamentary chamber.

    The event, which started at 1pm, was chaired by Mr. Bassey Ekerette of the UNICAL Teaching Hospital. It was attended by guests from within and outside the university, including the SUG president, Emmanuel Ajang, Editor of Weekend Chronicle Mrs Florence Oluohu and Editor-in-Chief of Cross River Watch Mr Agba Jalingo, among others.

    In his valedictory speech, former NUCJ president Raymond Ekemini praised the university management for its support, noting that the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke, contributed to the press freedom on the campus.

    He said: “Words are not enough for me to express my heartfelt gratitude to our media-friendly Vice-Chancellor for his support and contribution throughout my tenure as president. To my successor, I praise your courage for taking this brave decision to serve despite the challenges involved in balancing this selfless engagement with academics. I urge you to be objective in your action. You must not allow anyone to threaten you into distorting the truth.”

    Ekerette applauded the campus writers for their orderliness, urging them not to relent in keeping the university community informed about students’ welfare. He said journalism was reserved for responsible people, stressing that the union must channel their writing objectively.

    There was excitement in the hall when Raymond passed the baton of leadership to his successor, Gilbert Pepple, after the executive members took the oath of office. The oath-taking was conducted by Mr Maxwell Egbawho, the commissioner for oath.

    Gilbert promised not to betray the trust of his colleagues, describing the ceremony as a “moment of happiness”. He said: “I am grateful to God and my fellow campus writers who entrusted such great confidence in me. I am not unaware that the journey is not going to be an easy one. It was not easy for Martin Luther King, V.I. Lewin, Mao Tse-tung and Nelson Mandela, but according to John Mason, all obstacles will vanish with consistent and persistent struggle.”

    Mrs Oluohu urged the campus writers to brace for the challenges of journalism, saying: “Being a campus journalist is a lofty task, because you stand as a mediator between the school and the students.  Your duty as campus writers is not just reporting news stories but to speak against injustice and other ills on campus without fear or favour.”

    Mrs Oluohu expressed worry over the absence exclusion of ladies in the executive. She added: “It is sad that this new executive is not gender friendly. I will expect you make amend soon.”

    Highpoint of the event was the  presentation of awards to some guests for their contribution to the development of campus journalism. Among the honorees were Prof Epoke, Director, Centre for Educational Services, Dr Paul Eze Bassey, Chief Medical Director of UNICAL Medical Centre, Mrs Oluohu and Agba Jalingo, among other.

    Ikechukwu Ofili, a 200-Level Public Administration student, won Campus Journalist of the Year.

    The others exco members are Emmanuel James Philips, Vice President, Nnabi Getoke, General Secretary and Mfonobong Ayara, Financial Secretary, Sunday Ezema, Director of Project and Emmanuel Nwagboh, Director of Programmes, among others.

  • Japan seizes Syria-bound journalist’s passport

    Japan’s authorities have seized the passport of a journalist planning to travel to Syria, local media say.

    It was necessary to confiscate Yuichi Sugimoto’s passport in order to protect his life, the authorities said.

    The 59-year-old photographer, who had planned to enter Syria on 27 February, described the move as a threat to the freedom of press.

    Two Japanese hostages were killed by Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria in January.

    However, Mr Sugimoto told reporters that he had no intention to visit areas controlled by IS.

    It is said to be the first time the Japanese government has taken such a step.

    The foreign ministry says it is in accordance with a provision in the country’s passport law, that allows a confiscation in order to protect the passport holder’s life.

    Mr Sugimoto, who has covered conflict zones in Iraq and Syria before, insists he has always taken precautions and retreated when in danger.

    “What happens to my freedom to travel and freedom of the press?” he told the Japanese paper Asahi Shimbun.

    He said he was planning to travel to Turkey before entering Syria with a former soldier who had previously worked for Kenji Goto, a fellow journalist who was taken hostage, and killed in Syria last month.

    A second Japanese citizen, Haruna Yukawa, was also kidnapped and killed by IS militants.

    After the handling of the hostage crisis, approval ratings for the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have gone up, recent polls show.

  • Jailed Al Jazeera journalist freed, deported

    Jailed Al Jazeera journalist freed, deported

    Peter Greste, one of the three jailed Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt has finally reunited with his family in Australia after 400 days behind bars in Cairo.

    Greste was arrested in December 2013 and jailed last June alongside two other Al Jazeera colleagues – Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohamed.

    The trio was sentenced to between 7 and 10 years for allegedly aiding terrorist Muslim Brotherhood however, a court in Egypt ordered their retrial about a month ago.

    As at the time of filing this report, despite that all the defendants denied the charges against them saying their trial was a sham, it was gathered that  Mr Fahmy may be deported to Canada while concern remains about Mr Mohamed, who holds no dual nationality.

    Mr Fahmy, who holds dual Egyptian and Canadian citizenship, may be freed after having his Egyptian nationality revoked, presidential sources said.

    “This is what we expected would happen,” his brother Assem told pressmen: “Those who rule the country, this is not the first time they’ve done this, there have been foreigners who they have let leave the country when they were in trouble and their Egyptian colleagues are the ones who paid the price.”

    Responding to the release, Al Jazeera said its campaign to free the journalists from Egypt would not stop until all three were freed.

    “We’re pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity,” it said adding: “We will not rest until Baher and Mohamed also regain their freedom.”

     

  • ADVAN unveils awards for Brand Journalist

    ADVAN unveils awards for Brand Journalist

    The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has announced entries for the maiden edition of Brand Journalist of the Year  Award.

    The award, which rewards reporters’ excellence in brands reporting, is open to those in the print, broadcast and online media who are practising in the country.

    According to the President of ADVAN, Kola Oyeyemi, the journalists’works on brands, branding and brand values submitted for assessment must comply with the principles, demands and ethics of the profession, adding: “The works shall be judged on clarity of message, factuality, fairness, balance, human interest, originality, freshness od ideas, depth, confidence, emotional appeal, creativity, technical execution, mastery of the media, quality and levels of professionalism.”

    He noted that judges would also asses the authors, on their understanding of brand values and brand distintiveness.

  • Waiting for Sanity poem seeks change

    Veteran journalist and ace filmmaker, Mr Joe Dudun, has called for change. His poetry collection, Waiting for Sanity is calling for societal change and re-orientation.

    The collection has poems spanning over 30 years. In it, Dudun ponders why the country is the way it is.

    Citing some leaders, who have impacted positively on society, he advocates that Nigerians should be that change they want to see.

    With poems, such as Confab, Westgate, First Song, Emauado, Oloibiri and Fuel Hike,the poet is set to impact society with the collection. After years in Journalism and filmmaking, Dudun still hold dear the belief: “Poetry should talk back to society”.

    His words, “We all seek for something or somewhere or someone that could consume our worries. Indeed, we strive for that redeeming shoulder that would unburden our burdens. Do we only but yearn and wait?…” summarises his what his thoughts in the collection. To find out, what the those thoughts and his contribution to scholarship, Dudun challenges the reader to seek his collection out.

    Aside Waiting for Sanity, he has also published other titles,such asUwale (Barracuda, 2010), a play on the Niger River delta and The Ekpoma Plays (a collection of three early plays).

    Dudun was the former Assistant Features Editor of The Punch Newspaper,who co-ordinated reportage of this year’s National Conference for Leadership Newspaper as Managing Editor (Features & Special Stories).

    Born in Burutu, Dundun participated in the evolution of Nollywood and filmmaker who has directed The Village Square, Oso biri Ugen, The Great Tide: TheStory of Nana Olomu (13-part TV serial dramatizing the epic story of Nana of the Niger Delta – won the Zuma International film Awards for best historical docu-drama), Beyond Obligation, Living For Tomorrow;Wale Adenuga Production’s SUPER STORY–The Promise. and co-wrote and co-directedCascade, a UNICEF advocacy movie project, etc.

    He is the screenwriter of epic movies, such as Nneka: The Pretty Serpent; Fatal Desire; Goodbye Tomorrow; Onome; Wale Adenuga Productions’ Super Story – Omajuwa: The Destiny Child, One Man’s Poison and ‘Thislife’ series – Only God Forgives, Omotola, My Only Helper and Love of my life; Ripples; Candlelight; and One Too Much (13 episodes), among others.

  • ‘We’ve lost a quintessential journalist’

    ‘We’ve lost a quintessential journalist’

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu expressed shock yesterday on the death of Pastor Dimgba Igwe.

    A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, quoted Ekweremadu to have described the deceased as a “quintessential journalist.”

    He said his death was a “typical thunderbolt from a blue, serene, sky”.

    Ekweremadu said: “I am short of words to describe this sad event. Sometimes, life can be cruel beyond measure, and this is one of such instances. It is a grievous loss not only to the Sun Publishing Ltd, but also the media industry and the nation.”