The Nation Newspaper

Tag: journalists

  • Kenyans welcomed Obama, rejected gayism

    Kenyans welcomed Obama, rejected gayism


    The people of Kenya last weekend welcomed President Barack Obama of the United States of America, who was visiting his fatherland first time since becoming American president, but he was not entirely welcomed.

    Kenyans in Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya, on Sunday gave a muted and measured response to Obama’s firm support for gay rights during his visit.

    According to AFP in YahooNews, Obama answered a journalist’s question on gay rights by drawing equivalence between homophobia and racism while standing alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta outside State House on Saturday.

    “As an African-American in the United States I am painfully aware of what happens when people are treated differently under the law,” Obama said.

    The comparison is particularly stinging in Kenya, which, like other African countries, has a proud history of resisting and overcoming colonial rule by white foreigners.

    Edna Kendi, a 29-year old software developer was unimpressed by Obama publicly advocating gay rights. “He has to respect our culture,” she said. “People can be gay but they should do so in private and quietly.”

    Kendi urged Obama to “stick to issues that are pertinent to the visit,” for her, corruption and trade.

    Moses Abok, a 49-year old motorbike taxi driver waiting for customers beneath a shady jacaranda tree, echoed Kenyatta’s view.

    “To me, it doesn’t matter. The spirit of gayism is inside just a few people,” he said using a common Kenyan term for homosexuality. “It’s not a big deal for us.”

    But Abok also welcomed Obama’s words. “What he said is we should value all people, we shouldn’t alienate or eliminate those people, because they are part of us, they are human beings,” he said.

    Ruo Maina, a 50-year old businessman in the manufacturing industry who had popped out to buy the Sunday papers, said what you do at home is nobody’s business.

    “As long as you do it in private, we don’t care,” he said. Maina was not interested in public debates on gay rights, but added that Kenya’s vocal anti-gay extremists are equally indulging in unnecessary “provocation”.

    “We don’t need to be saying it is deviant,” he said.

    Deputy President William Ruto periodically addresses evangelical Christian churches to warn against homosexuality. There is “no room” for gays in Kenya he told worshippers in May, and in July railed against the US for allowing “gay relations and other dirty things.”

    Anti-gay firebrand Irungu Kangata leads a cross-party caucus seeking to have the country’s existing anti-homosexuality laws – which include a maximum 14-year sentence – to be strictly applied and makes frequent media appearances to explain that “gayism” is a lifestyle choice that can and should be unmade.

    Vincent Kadala, an aspiring politician whose Republican Liberty Party has no seats in parliament, threatened to rally 5,000 naked men and women in order to show Obama “the difference between a man and woman”.

    The promised protest attracted a lot of media attention but was never held.

  • It’s a new dawn for journalists, says Odusile

    It’s a new dawn for journalists, says Odusile

    The newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Waheed Odusile, has promised to promote the welfare of journalists during his tenure.

    He spoke shortly after he was sworn in as the union during the 5th triennial National Delegates Conference in Abuja at the weekend.

    He said journalists must be remunerated at the right time to enable them perform their duties and responsibilities to the society.

    Odusile said it was appalling that some employers took journalists for granted, owing them salaries running into several months.

    “This is unacceptable, it is either they pay workers their salaries or close shop,” he declared.

    He maintained that the union will tackle the issue of quackery headlong and urge members to be upright in the discharge of their job.

    Odusile, who is the Managing Editor of The Nation Newspapers, said his seven- point agenda will enhance the image of the union.

    He stated that plan was underway to establish a radio station that will showcase its activities.

    He expressed optimism that journalists will receive their dues during his tenure, stressing that it was time the issue of social security that will guarantee better life for journalists was taken seriously.

    He reiterated the need for journalists to be more focused in the discharge of their duties.

    Odusile explained that a better society is a reflection of how the media conducts its affairs.

    He emphasised the need for journalists to be properly trained and retrained to catch up with global best practice.

  • Journalists tested for hypertension, diabetes

    Journalists tested for hypertension, diabetes

    Journalists in Lagos have been screened for hypertension and diabetes-. the two major causes of cardiovascular diseases.

    The exercise was held by Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Council in conjunction with the Cardiac and Renal Centre (CRC), Lagos.

    The team’s arrow head, Dr. Ngozi Aikpokpo, urged journalists and the public to do routine medical checkups for a healthier lifestyle.

    Dr Aikpokpo said: “Based on this screening, we discovered that about 30 percent of those screened have high blood pressure while about eight percent have high blood sugar without knowing, which is very dangerous. These two diseases cause serious complications in people who have them.

    “This is trying to raise awareness among the populace on the essence of regular screening and a social-corporate responsibility on our part. We are giving back to the society and we feel there is no better category of people to do it for than those who are the custodian of news themselves,” Dr Aikpokpo said.

    NUJ chairman Mr Deji Elumoye praised CRC for its gesture, calling on journalists to take their health seriously despite work pressure.

    Some of the beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation to the union and CRC for the screening which they described as helpful and enlightening.

     

  • Be more dedicated, journalists told

    The chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State council, Mr. John Emejor has challenged journalists in the state to be more professional in the discharge of their duties.

    Emejor also bemoaned what he termed as the decline of investigative journalism, urged colleagues to be probing in their reportage.

    He told The Nation that the reason why it appears as if journalism was not thriving in the state was because practitioners do not ask critical questions on issues of public importance and do not follow up stories.

    He spoke with our correspondent on the phone.

    “The problem remains that investigative journalism appears not to be thriving in the state. When issues are raised and nobody follows it up to its logical conclusion, suddenly the whole thing will fizzle out. If we dig deep, then the application of that FOI Bill will come into place”.

    On how to fight quacks in the state which has infiltrated the noble profession/practice, Emejor disclosed that ethical committee has been established by the state council to deal with such matter, stressing that the committee would always act by investigating on any petition against journalist alleged of being a quack and the committee in line with the provisions of the NUJ constitution would sanction the person appropriately.

    “There are many quacks in the business, but when we have a written report against them, we will go after them and the committee instituted by the council will determine their punishment in line with the constitution of the union but where it goes beyond what we can manage, we will hand the person over to the security agencies to investigate the person further. There must be written evidence indicating what the person did. But when there is no report, will be chasing a hot air”.

    Speaking on steps the NUJ, Abia State Council was taking to train and retrain its members to meet international best media practice, the NUJ state chairman said “We have been trying to partner with institutions and corporate individuals, but incidentally, not much exist in Abia State. We are yet to have people that would fund and get some professionals to train us.

    “Nobody can play with training and retraining of journalists because a well trained journalist is an invaluable asset to this community and the entire human race. Training and retraining is part and parcel of programme we have for Journalists in Abia State”, he emphasized.

    He advised journalists in the state to always cross-check their facts and as well try to give the accused fair hearing which he said would make their reports balance and objective.

    ”I want to advice journalists to be professional in their reportage; there are two sides to every situation. Each time, we (journalists) tend to take stories from mostly government angle and refused to take from another angle. The practice is being anchored on ethical principles. Let journalists go all out to use the FOI Bill. I am insisting that to be a renowned professional, you must also be professional in your outlook, in your writing, speeches and all that”.

    The Abia NUJ chairman stressing the need for journalists in the state and to embrace reading said “There is no laziness in this business, they (journalists) should find something new, any day, any time and for you (journalists) to stay afloat and people to keep reading you, you must not play with your books. Journalists are not reading their books anymore because of the pressure of the job but I will advice any journalist who wants to remain relevant in this life and in his chosen profession to find time to read books particularly communication and other books”.

  • Journalists assured of better conditions

    kano State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Mohammed Garba, has promised to facilitate the provision of the state-of- the-art equipment to media houses, to enhance efficiency in management.

    Garba, the outgoing president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), noted that there was need for the provision of modern equipment and facilities to media organisations, to compete with the global practice.

    The commissioner, who addressed reporters yesterday, decried the lack of modern equipment, not only in Kano, but in the country, stressing that his greatest challenge, despite the state’s prevailing financial constraint, was to ensure that media outfits were equipped with modern facilities “to assist our colleagues and ensure effective discharge of their responsibilities.”

    He said he was concerned about training and re-training of journalists, noting that the profession was dynamic, as a lot of changes were ongoing in the media, particularly the incursion of the social media.

    Garba stressed the need for the intensification of training and retraining of journalists, pointing out that “it is only by training and re-training that our colleagues can discharge their social responsibilities, as expected by the people and as entrenched in the constitution.

    “By virtue of my position as the former president of the NUJ, I am aware of the pathetic working conditions of journalists, not only in Kano, but in the entire country. I want to believe that I should be able to use my experience and influence to ensure that we better the lives of our colleagues, who are working in the state. I also thank God that I will work with a governor, who is media-friendly. I’m sure it will be very easy for us to achieve our goals and aspirations.”

  • Journalists tasked on professionalism

    Imo State Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere has urged journalists to adhere to the ethics of the profession in the discharge of their duties.

    He said the role of the media in building a virile and sustainable democracy cannot be overlooked, adding that journalists, through objective criticisms, can guarantee good governance.

    Madumere, who spoke at an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel, regretted that most journalists had jettisoned professional ethics in their bid to settle personal scores.

    “When journalists do their jobs professionally, it helps to build a better and informed society. When they criticise government objectively, it helps the government to review its policies and programme to address the people’s needs.

    “I challenge media practitioners in the state to revive the practice of investigative journalism. This practice is missing today but it is the best form of journalism because it ensures that the truth about a matter is reported instead of emotions,” Madumere said.

    Chapel chairman Attan Agbakuru appealed to government to provide an enabling atmosphere for journalists to carry out their legitimate duties.

  • NUJ aspirant Odusile vows to push for better welfare for journalists

    NUJ aspirant Odusile vows to push for better welfare for journalists

    AN aspirant for the office of the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Waheed Odusile, has promised to push for a better welfare package for journalists, if elected.

    Odusile said this on Monday during a campaign visit to the Lagos Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He noted that unlike other employees in other sectors, journalists worked for more hours and hardly had any free time to themselves, but were still paid the same or even less than other workers.

    The NUJ presidential aspirant urged media proprietors to endeavour to adequately compensate journalists for their commitment and sacrifices, hence the need for a special salary structure for them.

    Odusile emphasised the need to control and regulate journalism in the country for more professionalism and better output by journalists.

    “Journalism is not an all-comers affair and if we do not control and regulate ourselves, we will not make progress.

    “If a journalist is properly trained and certified, he will not write lies and falsehood or put the profession into disrepute by soliciting for gratification from people,’’ he said.

    Odusile said there was need for special and proper training of journalists, as well as anybody who wanted to practise the profession, to get the best out of them.

    The NUJ presidential aspirant, who is currently the Managing Editor of The Nation newspapers and a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), also proposed to seek for a radio licence for the NUJ, if elected.

    He said this would earn more revenue for the union, limit its over-dependence on government for funds and support and aid in the training of NUJ members.

    Odusile also pledged not to disappoint, if elected.

    He was accompanied by the Lagos State Chairman of the NUJ, Mr. Deji Elumoye; the secretary, Mrs. Bimbo Oyetunde; the treasurer, Mrs. Kehinde Ajayi and an ex-officio member, Mr. Ben Ibe.

    Elumoye stated the need for the Lagos Council of the union, being the state with the largest membership of the NUJ, to once again produce national leaders for the union after a fairly long time.

    He noted that since the tenure of the last president of the NUJ from Lagos, Alhaji Ladi Lawal, Lagos had not led the union at the national level and called for all to support Odusile’s bid.

    He also called for support for the re-election of Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief with NAN, as the National Financial Secretary of the NUJ, stressing that Lagos had already adopted both candidates as their representatives in the union’s elections scheduled to hold in Abuja from July 23 to July 25.

    Elumoye urged journalists all over the country to support the council’s candidates.

    The Chairman of the NAN chapter of the NUJ, Mr. Tayo Ikujuni, thanked the visitors and promised the chapel’s support for the candidates.

     

  • Journalists get tips on sight protection

    Journalists get tips on sight protection

    To prevent eye problem, Journalists have been urged to use protective lenses because of their frequent use of computers.

    “This is the only way they can protect their eyes from the VV rays coming from the computers” says renowned consultant ophthalmologist Prof Adebukola Adebule-Ositelu.

    Prof Adebule-Ositelu led experts from the Guinness Eye Centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), to conduct free eye test for staff of The Nation yesterday.

    The event tagged “NUJ/Jude Isiguzo Health Day was in honour of former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Nation Chapel, the late Jude Isiguzo, who was this paper’s Crime Correspondent.

    Isiguzo died six months ago.

    Prof Adebule-Ositelu urged other media houses to take a cue from The Nation, saying: “The Nation is a friend with the ophthalmologists at LUTH Guinness Eye Centre. Everybody has a right to good sight. We at Guinness Eye Centre are ever ready to discover eye problems and nip the problems in the bud. So we are happy that The Nation NUJ Chapel did this in honour of their late colleague.

    “As experts, we are particularly interested in the media because with good sight, they bless the economy. There is also freedom for everybody to move everywhere and utilise the information provided by the media, to work and make a living.

    “Once the sight is lost, there is reduction in the quality of life. The blind become dependent on others; such people cannot appreciate food, colours and the environment. And it is more terrible for somebody, who has had sight, then lost it, than for the one born blind. The one born blind has gotten used to such situation, but for somebody who has had vision, and enjoyed useful vision, it is more devastating, so it is better if we keep what we have. And that is why we are interested any day to help prevent blindness.”

    On her findings during the exercise, she said: “I have not collated my observations of the staff here at the moment. But largely, from the case notes recorded today, glaucoma is very common. Majority is developing or living with glaucoma; cataract is also common; and also refractive error is also common. All these indicate that these staff need to wear protective eye lenses that have UVR. Almost everybody here needs to wear glasses. This is informed from the fact that they are all using the computer so much. I have told The Editor, Mr Gbenga Omotoso to obtain screen protector for the computers. This is because the unprotected eyes will be damaged by the UV rays coming from the computer. They should be wearing UV protective glasses or they will suffer from computer syndrome. And I recommend that for all media houses throughout the federation. Journalists and people working in the media should regularly go for eye examination. Glaucoma is number one cause of irreversible blindness. It occurs globally, but it is worse in the black race than in their Caucasian counterparts, and as such we need to prevent or treat it vigorously. Good nutrition should be taken for it nourishes the body. Foods that affect or damage the eyes should be avoided, such as one day old garri (cassava) because it has saline in it; that can easily damage the optic nerve. People should also avoid drugs that can damage the eyes such as chloroquine that damages the retina. Whatever food you are allergic to, avoid it.”

  • When judges, magistrates turned against journalists

    When judges, magistrates turned against journalists

    Judges and magistrates have barred journalists from covering some cases, including those considered to be in the public interest. A recent example involved Justice Aishat Opesanwo, who walked journalists out during a robbery trial. Are such cases supposed to be heard in ‘private?’ PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU asks.

    It started with Magistrate O.O. Martins of Lagos Magistrate Court, Igbosere in 2012,  who, on several occasions, walked reporters out of her courtroom for no reason.

    At first, journalists thought it was probably because the cases in question were among those for exemption as provided for in Section 36(4) of the 1999 Constitution and as such, obeyed her directive.

    Unfortunately, that was not the case as the Magistrate one morning openly said: “I don’t want reporters in my court,” irrespective of the fact that the cases she handles neither jeopardise state security, involve minors, nor endanger public health.

    This reporter decided to confirm the complaints from her colleagues who she had chased out before from her courtroom.

    So, that fateful morning in 2012, she was among the first callers at the court and quietly sat on the last bench awaiting the arrival of Magistrate Martins to commence the day’s proceeding.

    As soon as she came in and was about to start taking matters, one of her support staff walked up to her and whispered something in her ear.

    The look on Martins’ face was anything, but unpleasant as she yelled: “I have said it severally that I do not want journalists in my court.  What are you doing here? Get out of this place and let no reporter ever come to this court again.”

    Seeing her so  enraged, the reporter quietly, but angrily left her court and never went there again till date.

    As if that was not enough, a High Court Judge,  Justice Aishat Opesanwo, last week banned reporters from covering a murder trial in her courtroom on grounds that “it is a private matter.”

    Unlike Magistrate Martins, Justice Opesanwo was calm as she told the three female reporters seated at the gallery to leave the court because they were not needed.

    Aside the two examples personally witnessed,  incidences abound where reporters have reportedly been humiliated and sent out of courtrooms by judicial officers in outright violation of the constitution, which clearly categorises a court as a public place.

    As if to borrow a leave from their learned brothers on the Bench,  instances abound where some lawyers, who came late to court and could not secure seats at the Bar, have asked reporters to vacate their seats at the gallery for them.

    There was a particular case at the Federal High Court,  Lagos, before Justice Ajumogobia, where a latecomer lawyer tapped a reporter on his shoulder and said “get up I want to sit down.”

    Initially, the reporter ignored him thinking he would respect himself and leave, but when he persisted, the angry reporter scolded him to the hearing of the judge, who also reprimanded the lawyer.

    However, most reporters have expressed worries over this cold war or seeming disdain for them by judicial officers, who see their presence in courts as intruding rather than fulfilling their constitutional obligations.

    Some have wondered whether the actions of the judicial officers were as a result of sheer ignorance of the law or because they have skeletons in their cupboards, which they do not want the journalists to uncover.

    They are worried that as custodians of the law, judicial officers who should, at all times, uphold the constitution, have turned to lawbreakers.

     

    What the law says

     

    The Constitution in Section 36 (3) expressly classified a court as a public place and went further in 36 (4) to state thus: “whenever any person is charged with a criminal offence, he shall, unless the charge is withdrawn, be entitled to a fair hearing in public within a reasonable time by a court or tribunal.

    “Provided that (a) a court or such tribunal may exclude from its proceedings persons other than the parties thereto or their legal practitioners in the interest of defence, public safety,  public order, public morality, the welfare of persons, who have not attained the age of (18) eighteen years,  the protection of the private lives of the parties or to such extent as it may consider necessary by reason of special circumstances in which publicity would be contrary to the interests of justice.

    “(b) If in any proceeding before a court or such a tribunal, a Minister of the government of the federation or a Commissioner of a state satisfies the court or tribunal that it would not be in the public interest for any matter to be publicly disclosed, the court or tribunal shall make arrangements for evidence relating to that matter to be heard in Private and shall take such other action as may be necessary or expedient to prevent the disclosure of the matter.

    Similarly, the Supreme Court in the case of Nigerian Arab Bank (NAB) vs. Barri Engineering (1995) cited in the Nigerian Weekly Law Report (NWLR) (pt.  413) 257 at 290; as well as the Court of Appeal in Asani Kosebinu vs Misri Aliyu (2005), stated categorically that the courtroom is a public place and the only place where court proceedings can take place.

    While nullifying the delivery of judgment in-chambers by judges,  the court cited Justice Ogundare (JSC) thus: “A judge’s chambers is not one of the regular court rooms nor is it a place to which the public have right to ingress and egress as of right except on invitation by or permission of the judge.

    “It is my firm and considered view that a place qualifies under Section 36 (3) of the Constitution to be called “public”, and which a regular court room is, if it is out rightly accessible and not so accessible on the basis of the “permission” or “consent” of the judge…

    “It is of essence of justice that not only should it be done, but that it should actually be seen to be done.

    “Any act of secrecy, however desirable it might seem, detracts from the aura of impartiality, independence, publicity and unqualified respect which enshrouds justice given without fear of favour.”

    In the same vein, many senior lawyers whose counsel were sought following the issue said it wrong for the judicial officers to ask reporters to leave the court, just as they explained that there was no such thing as “private matter” in a public court.

    The lawyers advised the reporters to petition the Lagos State Chief Judge,  Justice Funmilayo Atilade, so that such actions by judicial officers can be contained.

    However, the Lagos State Attorney General, Ade Ipaye when contacted,  said Justice Opesanwo took the action in order to protect prosecution witness in the case.

    He said: “It was for witness’ protection. Perhaps she should have explained better. Witness felt threatened and afraid and would have had to leave his residence if made to testify in public view.”

     

     

     

  • Munchies, excursion frills for culture journalists

    Munchies, excursion frills for culture journalists

    With the proposed Greenfield Port and Free Zone capable of being catalyst for the country’s growth for the next 100 years, Badagry is becoming a major economic nerve centre. But its wealth goes deeper than the proposed project. The ancient town is also rich in history. It is a major tourism destination. These, journalists found out during a three-day workshop hosted by the British Council, Nigeria.Evelyn Osagie,  a participant, writes.

    It was a journey back in time to a sunny day in 2014. The destination was a famous Seaport in the export of slaves to the Americas, which has since become the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) designated Slave Trade Route.

    The tour guide was the CNN award-winning travel journalist and author, Pelu Awofeso. He talked about ancient buildings and monuments that dated back to the 15th Century. He spoke of slave cells; of slavery chains and of other artifacts made and used during the trans-atlantic slave trade era of the 16th Century; of wells dug in the 17th Century and of journey to the “Point of no Return”.

    You could call it a voyage to the famous tourist’s town. But Awofeso, the founder  @TravelNextDoor, called it, Badagry: A Journey Back in Time, a documentary on a daytrip to the prehistoric town that first premiered at the just-concluded iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival (iREP) at Freedom Park, Lagos.

    The casts were a busload of tourists. The audience was 30 culture journalists from across the country. The viewing centre was the Goethe Institut, Lagos.

    Directed by photographer and broadcaster, Wome Uyeye, the documentary trails a busload of Nigerian tourists on a daylong excursion to Badagry.

    Since the late 19th Century, virtual tourism or travel documentary, were used to provide the general public with means of observing different countries and cultures. Awofeso has not only succeeded in resuscitating the genre through the display of cinematic apparatus, open narration, live and recorded voice-over narration, he highlighted the importance of travels alongside the evils of slavery.

    It was a reception marking the end of the three-day British Council Workshop for culture journalists, hosted by the Institut. They had learnt and interacted with colleagues and facilitators for three days, it was time for them to unwind, the Director-General of the Institut, Marc-Andre Schmactel said.

     

    Drinks and frills for journalists

    With drinks and snacks in hands, guests sat and journeyed to the land of Badagry, back to the Slave Trade era.

    It was a week before the International Day of remembrance of victims of slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The mood was tense.

    A walk through the town revealed a vivid reflection of the place the town occupies in the tragic history of that era. The community prides itself of several slave trade museums, most of which are private, established by families whose forefathers were direct victims of slavery or collaborators of slave traders.

    The town and a good number of its prehistoric architectures, he said, have remained preserved largely by the efforts of the natives who have long been aware of the worth of their heritage, observing that it is an “untapped goldmine” waiting to be well-harnessed. Historic and tourism sites as Badagry seen as yesterday’s history, Awofeso called, “catalysts of today’s economic growth”, saying it is unfortunate such wealth have remained under-explored by government, corporate bodies and Nigerians.

     

    From Museum to Point of No Return

    From the Badagry Heritage Museum to the Brazillian Baracoon (slave-holding cells) located in the compound of a former slave dealer, Chief Seriki Faremi William Abass, the audience followed the tourists with keen interest. Their eyes stayed glued to the large screen the tourist moved to Vlekete Slave Market, then to the Agia Tree monument and the palace of the Akran of Badagry, HRM Aholu Menu Toyi 1.

    As the tourists went on a boat cruise across the Badagry lagoon to Gberefu Gberefu Island housing the “slaves spirit attenuation well”, known also as the “well of memory loss”, the audience sights did not waver. They journeyed with tourists on foot across the 2.5km distance of the original slave route, to the “Point of no Return”, passing the slaves spirit attenuation well believed to make slaves less aggressive and to lose their memories, then through the “Gate of No Return”, two arch-like polls signifying the slaves’ separation from their motherland that opens into the vast ocean.

    One look at the ocean, gives s general relief that such hideous act has been abolished, but on a second, the whole experience rekindles the need to fight against all forms of modern slavery, it was said.

    Just like the journalists’ three-day journey was ending with tourism cum film shindig, the excursion ended with a party where the tourist recounted their experiences of the day. It was observed that a trip to a prehistoric site as Badagry can not only be fun and cost-efficient, but highly educative and stimulating.

    For the tourist their day had ended but for the audience, the night party continued to the Afropolitan Vibes at Freedom Park they were first refused entry until the Goethe Director cautioned the gatekeepers against such action. Organisers of such shows at Freedom Park need to ensure journalists are not constantly harassed at gate while attending events at the park, it was observed.