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Investigative Journalism: Panelists advocate new survival strategies

Investigative Journalism: Panelists advocate new survival strategies

By Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Models
Hamburg, Sept. 27 2019 (NAN) Panelists at the ongoing 11th Global investigative Journalism Conference (GOJC19), have advised media organisations fighting corruption and crime in the society to adopt new survival models so as not to go aground.

They said on Friday in Hamburg, Germany, that media organisations risked permanent closure, deformity or instability if they failed to evolve new models for sustainability.

Ms Nadine Jurrat from the DW German Academia, suggested stringent mechanisms, including careful planning and implementation of innovations.

She advised against over dependence on governments and donor agencies.

She added that governments and media organisations must provide enabling environment for operations.

Ms Andrea Dip of Brazil Publica noted that journalism was important to the society if it made its operations relevant to the people.

She said that the organisation was trying to retain its workers, most especially crack reporters and editors, through good welfare policies.

On his part, Mr Muskiliu Mojeed, Edit0r-in-Chief, the Premium Times, recalled that they started in 2011 as a profit making media organisation.

However, Mojeed said, the paper collapsed because of its critical position and non-patronage by government.

He explained that after critical review, they invested massively in content generation and credibility to gain widespread acceptance.

The media chief also disclosed that the organisation adopted multiple revenue sources, including traditional and innovative advertising book publishing, events, training, data and analysis service, donations, membership and partnerships as key to sustainable survival.

The panelists, however, cautioned against booby traps, and advised media chiefs to be wary of banana peels, including crowd funding, suspicious donations and advertisements.

Some members of the audience also recommended that media organisations should invest in properties and stock as additional sources of revenue.

The session was anchored by Mr Syed Nazakat from India.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that no fewer than 1,800 delegates from across the world are participating in the 4-day conference.

The organisers say it is designed to empower more journalists to promote good governance in their respective climes. (NAN)
MST/ETS
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General news

Alleged N3.4bn fraud: Kano anti-graft agency vows to continue investigation

Alleged N3.4bn fraud: Kano anti-graft agency vows to continue investigation
By Tukur Muntari
Investigation
Kano, June 10, 2019 (NAN) The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission has vowed to continue with its investigation on the alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council.
The Commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed this while addressing a news conference in Kano on Monday.
He said: “By virtue of Section 8 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), which provides that in `exercising its powers under this law, the commission shall not be subjected to the direction and control of any authority’.
“So the commission is not under the control or discretion of any authority or person.
“As far as the commission is concerned this investigation is ongoing and the commission will do everything legally possible to deliver its mandate with respect to the case.’’
He explained that the commission found it necessary to make the clarification that the investigation did not commence at the instance of the government of Kano state, but as a result of series of complaints by concerned citizens of the state.
“After the issuance of query to the Emir of Kano by the government based on the report of the commission, many things have happened which necessitated the commission as an independent entity to state its position,” he added.
NAN recalls that the Kano Emirate Council had last week replied the state government that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II inherited about N1.8 billion on assumption of office and not N3.4 billion as alleged.
On accountability, the council stated in its reply that the Sanusi II was not the accounting officer of the emirate but the secretary.
Earlier in its interim report to the state government, the anti-graft agency said it uncovered N3.4 billion as misappropriated funds by the emirate council allegedly under Sanusi’s tenure between 2014 and 2017. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Pension fraud: Activist urges Senate to make its investigations on Maina public 

By Emmanuel Mogbede
Maina
Abuja, May 12, 2019 (NAN) Mr Timi Frank, a Political Activist, has urged the Nigerian Senate to make public its investigations on former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina.

Maina was investigated by red chamber of the National Assembly for alleged misappropriation of funds.

Frank, who was a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the call in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the senate had set up an ad hoc committee to investigate Maina, who was said to be on the wanted list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for about two years.

The political activist said since it was an era of fighting corruption, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the menace was defeated in the country under the present administration.

He stressed that the senate must reveal to the general public the findings of its committee during the investigation.

He threatened to sue the senate if it failed to make its finding known to the public within seven days.

“I have, however, prepared my lawyers to sue the Nigerian senate if its ad hoc committee fail to make public, the outcome of its investigation in the next seven days.

“This is necessary for the nation to know who her real enemies are and those who have served her diligently,” Frank said.

He, however, condemned the sealing of residential houses located in Ikoyi, Lagos State, owned by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, by the EFCC.

He warned against mismanaging the fight against corruption and using it to witch-hunt perceived political enemies.

Frank noted that the sealed houses were the same reason the President of Senate was earlier investigated by the EFCC and later dragged to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

He recalled that the case went all the way to the Supreme Court where the President of the Senate was discharged and acquitted.

He stressed that Nigerians at all levels must speak up against injustices and should join hands with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to fight corruption.

This, he maintained was critical to making the country a better place for all, especially for future generations. (NAN)
EEM/CHOM/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

ICIR to partner NAN to train journalists on investigative reporting

ICIR to partner NAN to train journalists on investigative reporting

By Chinenye Offor
Training
Abuja, Aug. 15, 2018 (NAN) The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on Wednesday requested partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to train its journalists on investigative reporting.

Mr Dayo Aiyetan, the Executive Director of the centre, made the request during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.

Aiyetan said ICIR was ready to collaborate with NAN to develop its journalists to acquire the necessary skills for investigative reporting.

He said that the training would also help journalists to improve on the reportage of critical issues since the role of the media is to hold government accountable.

He said that his organisation was being funded by donor agencies and that the programmes included building the capacity of journalists, internships, mentoring as well as provision of grants.

According to him, the organisation’s funds were tied to specific projects such as investigating budget and procurement processes and human rights issues, among others.

Aiyetan said that ICIR was interested in training as many journalists as possible in order to improve their skills to be able to deliver on their statutory mandate.

“Because NAN is a government-owned media does not mean they cannot participate in investigative journalism.

“The organisation complements the work of anti-corruption agencies and we are standing with government to expose illegal activities.

“We want to train the staff to show our support for the media as well to share our contents,” he said.

Responding, Onanuga said that NAN management would welcome meaningful collaboration with organisations for training that can raise the capacity of its editorial staff and ultimately improve the fortunes of the agency.

Onanuga noted that NAN journalists had been trained to be compliant with the new trend of journalism such as data and investigative journalism.

He added that NAN, being a government-owned medium, had a mandate to hold government accountable.

The managing director explained that the organisation’s reportage cover all works of life, adding that the agency was subsidising the media in the country by charging affordable rates for its services.

While pledging to partner with ICIR, he noted that the public depended on the media for information and that NAN was committed to delivering on its mandate.

Mrs Nkechi Okoronkwo, the Acting Editor-in-Chief of NAN, underscored the need for capacity building, saying the management had continued to avail editorial staff of training opportunities organised both in-house and by external organisations.

She said that training was key to journalists’ development and that capacity building in the areas of science, health, economy and other sectors would be welcomed. (NAN)
CSO/ KOO/MST
=============
Edited by Kevin Okuzuwa/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Bauchi Govt investigates college theft incident

Bauchi Govt investigates college theft incident
NAN-HG-6
Theft
By Amina Ahmed
Bauchi, Feb. 23, 2018 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government says it will investigate the theft incident recorded on Wednesday at the state College of Nursing and Midwifery.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Zuwaira Ibrahim, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after inspecting the affected hostel on Friday in Bauchi.
Ibrahim said that government would partner security agencies over to unravel the development.
She said that no live was lost and no student was injured, adding that government will ensure that the school was adequately secured.
“I am here to inspect what happened in the college, but we thank God no live was lost.
“As a matter of urgency, the ministry will write to his Excellency for onward completion of the fence as I was told the contractor did not complete the project,” she said.
She advised the college management to be vigilant towards safe guarding the lives and property of the students and the college at large.
Earlier, the Acting Provost of the College, Hajiya Rakiya Saleh, said that the incident occurred on Wednesday during school hours.
“Some of the students left for clinical around 7.30 a.m while some were in classes.
“So the first batch to return from clinical around 2.30 p.m entered their roomd and found that the ceilings were tempered with and the burglars have taken way some of their valuables and money.
“That was when they raised an alarm and reported.
“After visiting the scene, we realised that the burglars entered some rooms in the girls’ hotel,” she said.
Saleh said that the college has many exit and entry points which allowed for unregulated movement of outsiders into the premises.
She explained that the college has about 24 security personnel whom were running shift duty. (NAN)
AE/CEO/MST
Edited by Chili Opara/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Economy

NPA inaugurates investigative committee on Tin Can Port fire incidents

NPA inaugurates investigative committee on Tin Can Port fire incidents
NAN-HE-26
Investigation
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Jan. 9, 2018 (NAN) The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, has inaugurated an investigative committee to look into the causes of the recent fire incidents at the Tin Can Port, Lagos.

In a statement by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Malam Abdulahi Goje, on Tuesday in Lagos, Usman urged the committee to come up with recommendations toward preventing a recurrence.

She spoke when the NPA management team visited the scenes of the fire incidents on Tuesday.

According to Usman, further steps will be taken to look into ways of safeguarding and taking drastic measures toward preventing recurrence of the unfortunate incidents across all ports in the country.

“The Executive Committee of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) also noted that the recent fire incidents which occurred resulted into loss of some official documents at its Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIP) offices.

“The Management will always make sure that the security of lives and property which is one of its cardinal thrusts since inception, is strictly adhered to,” the statement read in part.

According to the statement, the Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Dr Kayode Farinto, appreciated the visit by the management of NPA and solicited for inclusion of a member of the association to be part of the investigative team.

According to the statement, the committee had eulogised the quick response and professionalism of the NPA Fire Service Division toward combating the fire which could have been more devastating. (NAN)
AIC/AJA/MST
Edited by Adeleye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Delta poll: Police probe burning of Ughelli North DSIEC office

Poll: Police investigate burning of Ughelli North DSIEC building
NAN-H-3
Investigation
By Edeki Igafe
Warri (Delta), Jan. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Police in Delta say they have begun investigation into circumstances that led to burning of the Delta Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The command’s Spokesperson, Mr Andrew Aniamaka, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday night in Warri.
He also assured that perpetrators would be apprehended soon and brought to justice.
Aniamaka also said that the incident led to the cancellation of the Saturday statewide council election in the area.
He said: “Some thugs set ablaze the DSIEC office in Ughelli North.
“Investigation is already ongoing and I assure you that the perpetrators of the act will be apprehended and brought to book.
“Election could not hold in the local government because of the action,” he said.
Mr Felix Ekure, the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North, alleged on Saturday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was responsible for the burning to cover up its perceived atrocities.
“We were informed that election materials were brought to the DSIEC office in Ughelli North on Friday.
“And we mobilised our supporters to the venue to ensure that the materials were protected.
“At the point of distribution, we insisted on seeing the result sheets and other sensitive materials but the DSIEC official claimed that he forgot the original result sheets in Asaba.
“We insisted that he must bring the result sheets before the distribution of materials.
“At that point, PDP thugs started shooting and our boys scampered for safety.
“The PDP thugs then set the DSIEC office ablaze in order to cover up their atrocities,” he alleged.
Reacting to the development, the PDP Chairman in Ughelli North, Mr Lawrence Agbatutu, told NAN on Sunday that the APC leaders in the area allegedly ordered their supporters to set the building ablaze.
“Two days to the election, the APC stationed their boys at the DSIEC office. The leaders ordered their loyalists to burn DSIEC building, it was not the PDP supporters.
“PDP is ever ready for the election, we are not afraid because we did a lot of campaign,” he said. (NAN)
EDI/DOE/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Alleged N6bn fraud: Top Kano Emirate Council officials present documents

NAN-H-92

Evidence

By Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Kano, May 3, 2017 (NAN) Three top officials of the Kano Emirate Council have appeared before the state Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission with documents in connection with ongoing investigation of an alleged misapplication of N6 billion.

The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kano.

Magaji, who declined to disclose the names of the affected personnel and description of the documents, however said the officials were scheduled to feature on May 3, with all relevant documents concerning the probe.

He explained that the officials demonstrated high degree of cooperation as they fielded questions and submitted documents detailing the council approvals and expenditure.

According to him, cases of land racketeering, revenue collection, shop allocation, examination and other shady financial and civil service malfeasance were being handled by the commission.

The chairman assured the public of fairness and justice as well as diligent investigation and prosecution of alleged corrupt cases brought before the anti-graft agency.

Magaji described corruption as a major factor militating against national development and prosperity.

He, therefore, called for understanding, support and cooperation of all to end the cancer eroding our national values and aspiration. (NAN)

MST/MTM

Edited by Tukur Muntari.

Economy

Calabar electrocution: Agency begins investigation

Calabar electrocution: Agency begins investigation

NAN-HE-16

Investigation

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, April 21,2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) says it has commenced full investigation to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the electrocution of seven people in a television viewing centre in Calabar on Thursday.

The Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Mr Peter  Ewesor, announced this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

The police said seven people died while 11 were hospitalised after a high tension electric cable fell on a zinc structure where football fans were watching Manchester United in a Europa quarter finals match against Anderlecht.

The incident happened at around 9.30 p.m. at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area of the state.

Ewesor, who is also the Managing Director of the agency, described the incident as “unfortunate’’.

“Our field engineers are already there. I am equally on the way to the place now for us to go and find out actually what happened, how it happened and how we can prevent future occurrence.

“Presently, we are mourning with the family of the diseased; however, we will be able to make concrete statement to the nation after the investigation.

“When things like this happen, as painful as they are, we should be on guard to prevent further occurrences,’’ he said.

He said the investigation would assist the agency to find out what led to the mishap.

He said NEMSA had always been sincere with investigation of this nature.

According to him, the agency’s report on a similar incident that killed a student of University of Lagos recently remains transparent.

“ You remember the issue that happened in university of Lagos; it was equally a similar thing when the breakable cable dropped directly on a female student of the institution.

“We were able to make a firm statement at that time, after we had visited and reviewed the incidence and carried out our test,’’ he said.

Ewesor, however, said NEMSA had initiated measures to avert electrical accidents in the country.

“For us to prevent this kind of situation, we had actually given so many instructions and directive to the industry in the area of using quality and standard electrical materials,’’ he said.

According to him, the use of sub-standard materials contributes to electrical accidents.

He also said non adherence to rules on electrical installation by professionals and consumers were responsible for some of the electrical accidents.

He said staff in its 17 field offices had been involved in monitoring and evaluation of existing networks across the country.

“They go round the network to see those ones that are in bad shape which we call high risk network that are about to cause accident.

“ When we discover that, we do a memo to the DISCO concern for appropriate steps to remedy the situation,’’ Ewesor said

He said NEMSA had been encouraging the DISCOs to embark on standard construction of electrical installations and the need to monitor their network.

Ewesor said it was better for operators to spend their money to repair damaged network than to spend the money to pay compensation. (NAN)

KC/OMO/IA

Edited by Martins Odeh/Idris Abdulrahman

=================

 

Health

Alleged kidney theft: FMC Keffi wants independent investigation

Alleged kidney theft: FMC Keffi wants independent investigation

NAN-HG-3

Kidney

By Awayi Kuje

Keffi (Nasarawa State), Jan. 29, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has called for an independent professional investigation to unravel the truth behind allegation of stolen kidney at the hospital.

The Medical Director of the centre, Dr Giyan Joshua-Ndom, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Keffi.

Joshua-Ndom said the proposed inquiry would ascertain the truth behind an allegation by a patient that his kidney was removed at the centre by a consultant.

“It is better for an independent professional qualified arbiter to look in to the matter of alleged kidney removal so that the patient can properly be educated since, as it is now, he has lost confidence in the centre,’’ he said.

NAN recalls that there is ongoing report on the social media and some radio stations that one Mohammed Barau alleging that one of his kidneys was removed during an operation in FMC, Keffi.

“One of the ridiculous allegations by a former patient is that one of his kidneys was removed by a doctor in my centre during his abdomen operation.

“I therefore do not speak in defence of any one, but as the accounting officer of the centre.

“Having investigated the issue thoroughly, I am in a position to give you adequate information that guided us aright that the said patient came here in 2010, critically ill and the doctors battled to save his life.

“They removed pussy tumour on the left side of his abdomen that was suspected to be cancer but tests failed to confirm that. He was nursed and discharged about a month.

“He returned six years later for treatment of another ailment, at which time his left kidney was discovered to be missing as adequate analysis and information at this stage was the needful as one of the kidney drivers of patient satisfaction which he did not get.

“Without proper education, he jumped in to the conclusion that his kidney has been stolen. Histopathology report would have helped identify what was removed but the report showed that it was rotten beyond reasonable analysis,” he said.

According to him, “the patient also claimed that an unknown number called offering him N10 million to drop the matter, this beats logic and common sense.

“In contentious cases like this, it would be better for an independent professionally qualified arbiter to look in to the matter so that the patient can properly be educated since, as it is now he has lost confidence in us”.

Joshua-Ndom urged journalists and members of the public to always confirm information, especially about the centre with the management, before reporting in the interest of peace and national development.

The medical director restated the commitment of the management of the centre to continue to key in to policies and programmes that have direct bearing on patients and the lives of the staff. (NAN)

AKW/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola