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Lawan’s special assistant on new media resigns

Lawan’s special assistant on new media resigns

By Kingsley Okoye/Julius Toba-Jegede
Resignation
Abuja, June 23, 2019 (NAN) Mr Olu Onemola, the Special Assistant on New Media to the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan, has resigned his appointment.

A statement by the Special Assistant to Lawan on Media and Publicity, Mr Mohammed Isa, on Sunday in Abuja, said the resignation of Onemola was announced in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate.

According to him, Onemola thanked Lawan for the offer to serve and promote the work of the ninth Senate.

“I’m sure the offer is borne out of your patriotic desire to serve the Nigerian people.

“However, at this time, given my antecedents and the controversy this has generated, I would respectfully like to be excused from taking up this national assignment.

“It is my hope that whoever fill this role will build upon what we have started in terms of opening up the activities of the Nigerian Senate to the public,” Onemola said.

Isa,however, said the President of the Senate had since approved the resignation and wished Onemola the best in his future endeavours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Onemela, who served in the same capacity in the office of Dr Bukola Saraki, the President of the 8th Assembly, was re-appointed by Lawan on Wednesday.
KC/JTJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Workers’ Day: NUJ seeks end to casualisation of journalists

By Martha Agas
Journalists
Jos, May 1, 2019 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for an end to exploitation of journalists through casualisation of their employment by some media organisations.

”This type of employment is promoting compromises in the journalism profession for financial gratifications,” Mr Paul Jatau, the Chairman of NUJ, Plateau Council, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos.

He expressed worry that some media organisations engaged their reporters on contract for a long period without converting them to permanent staff, thus depriving them of many entitlements.

The NUJ chairman said labour laws do not allow the practice of casual staff for many years, yet many media organisations default in compliance to such laws, saying stringent actions must be taken to curtail the practice.

“Some media organisations are fond of giving reporters only identity cards for the job without any form of remuneration.

”In Plateau, apart from government owned organisations, only three media organisations pay their reporters,” he alleged.

He appealed to the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to press for the introduction of media salary scale to address the welfare of journalists.

“We want members of the National Assembly especially those who have been in the profession to support our efforts to make it pass through the processes of legislation for implementation,” he said.

Jatau also called for a law to checkmate the proliferation of online publications in the society, noting that quack journalists and other non-professionals are hiding under such cover to disseminate fake news and promote hate speeches.

”We must sanitise the profession to prevent it from being an all comers venture and enable us discharge our duties as the watchdog of the society diligently,” he said.

Jatau said NUJ in Plateau had facilitated trainings for journalists with organisations such as Google and Search for Common Ground to horn their skills in using internet and adopting peace journalism in their reports.

He said efforts were on top gear to build the NUJ House in the state, adding that the press center is being renovated to enable a conducive environment for journalists to discharge their duties and organise their events.

Jatau advised journalists to be circumspect in their reports and work towards galvanising the society through truthful and responsible reporting. (NAN)
MAA/CHOM/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Group tasks journalists to promote infant, child healthcare

Group tasks journalists to promote infant, infant healthcare

By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Breastfeeding
Abuja, April 25, 2019 (NAN) Alive and Thrive, an NGO, has called on journalists to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the health of children and mothers in their reportage.

The Project Director of the NGO, Mr Victor Ogbodo, said this during an Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) advocacy meeting with professional media organisations organised by FHI-360 and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) on Thursday in Abuja.

Ogbodo, who was represented by the Technical Adviser, Mr Awalu Kawu, said media organisations should be the strongest advocate for exclusive breastfeeding to change some of the misconceptions.

“The most critical time for good nutrition is the first 1,000 days of a new born to grow and be productive, the medicine for the new born is the breast milk.

“Breast milk provides all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antibodies that children needs to grow and thrive in the first six months of life and continues to be pivotal point of diet up to age two,” he said.

Ogbodo said the country was able to reduce the rate HIV and AIDS in the country through advocacy and intervention, saying that exclusive breastfeeding can be attainable in the country if there was increase awareness.

The Technical Adviser on Policy and Advocacy, Mrs Toyin Gabriel, said Nigeria had the second highest stunting burden in world with 11 million stunted children and a prevalance of 32 per cent National Nutrition and Survey 2018.

She said exclusive breastfeeding had the potential to save more children’s lives than any other preventive intervention.

“Breast fed children have at least six times greater chance of survival in their early months than non-breast feed children an exclusively.

“Replacing breastmilk with another fluid can negatively impact an infant’s nutritional status, survival, growth and development,” Gabriel said.

The National President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, said with appropriate feeding practices in the early months and years of life were important to achieve optimal health outcomes, intellectual and social development.

She said even after complementary foods had been introduced, breastfeeding remains a critical source of nutrients for the young infant and child.

Omowole said the media had an important role to play in ensuring the issues related to infant and young child feeding is brought to the front burner.

The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguzo, said there was need to effectively empower the capacity of journalists on exclusive breastfeeding inorder to enlighten the public on the benefits.

The representative of the Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Mr Eddie Emessuri, said there was need to involve relevant stakeholders on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, adding that there should be consistency in advocacy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alive and Thrive is funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and managed by FHI-360,

The organisation is an initiative to save lives, prevent illnesses and ensure healthy growth and development in infants feeding practices. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Bauchi Govt partner NGOs, Media to raise CBS issues

Bauchi Govt partner NGOs, Media to raise CBS issues
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Partnership ‎
Yankari (Bauchi State), Nov. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government says it is collaborating the media and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to tackle low uptake of Child Birth Spacing (CBS) in the state.
The Deputy State Health Educator Primary Health Care Development (SPHCDA), Alhaji Ribadu Jibrin, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Yankari on Tuesday.
“CBS uptake was found to be low in the state because of low literacy rate.
“That is why we need NGOs and media to embark on adequate awareness creation and advocacy on the benefits of CBS.
“To also improve knowledge that uptake may impact positively on health indices especially in the rural communities in the state,” he said.
He said presently the state government is working with other NGOs including Challenge Initiative, Plan International and Breakthrough Action Nigeria in implementing CBS services in the state.
According to him, myths, misconceptions and beliefs play a role that people who practice CBS or contraceptives end up with health problems or permanent infertility.
“Or contraceptives reduce sexual urge and on the other hand increase promiscuity among women.
“Other contributing factors include low access to healthcare facilities and the patriarchal nature of societies,” Ribadu said.
He stressed that traditional rulers, religious leaders, health educators and caregivers were engaged to mobilise and sensitise the public on the importance of CBS in the state.
“We also constitute Social Behaviour and Communication Committee (SBCC) that comprises journalists, health educators, youth groups and Maternal Newborn Child Health officers of Local Government Areas.
“The committee is responsible for demand creation that is to developed Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials for public awareness on effective CBS,” he said.
He however called on the general public to embrace the CBS services with all seriousness.
The health educator noted that CBS services allows individuals to achieve desired birth spacing and family size and contributes to improved health outcomes for infants, children, women and families.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bauchi state government in collaboration with The Challenge Initiative (TCI) organised the training for journalists, health educators and MNCH officers of local government areas on IEC materials.
The materials would be developed for adoption and implementation of high impact CBS that would improve maternal health in the state. (NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

BaSAM solicits media support on health reportage

BaSAM solicits media support on health reportage
By Amina Ahmed
Awareness
Bauchi, Nov. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal, Child and Newborn (BaSAM MNCH) has solicited media support to raise public awareness on health issues.
BaSAM is a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media professionals advocating for releases of funds allocated to the health sector in the state.
The Chairman, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Committee of the organisation, Mr Ladan Isa, made the appeal when led executive members of BaSam on a visit to Bauchi Zonal Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
Isa said that the lives of mothers and children in the state needed to be saved through adequate funding of the health sector.
According to him, the State Government had allocated 16 per cent of its 2018 budget to health sector, but unfortunately prompt releases of the fund allocated has been a major concern.
“We are soliciting for the support of NAN to educate the general public on health issues and challenges especially health facilities,” he said.
Responding, the Acting Zonal Manager, Mr Huseyn Mbar, said that the agency has a dedicated desk at its headquarters to promote and support health, population and gender issues.
He said that with the recent development of new ailments and modern technologies the need for credible reportage cannot be overemphasised.
He said the agency has been in the forefront of reporting issues affecting the public health and pledged to collaborate with BaSAM. (NAN)
AE/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

President Buhari’s achievement under-reported – Organisation

By Emmanuel Mogbede
Achievements
Abuja, Nov. 7, 2018 (NAN) Dr Tom Ohikere, the Deputy National Chairman (North), All Progressives Congress (APC) support group, says the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is under reported.

Ohikere who doubles as the National Coordinator of the Broom Platform, another APC media support group, stated this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He underscored the need to project the administration’s achievements to the public ahead of the 2019 general elections.

This, he said, was the reason the platform was planning to undertake a nationwide media tour to document and showcase the development strides of the Buhari-led administration.

He, however, said that the tour which was earlier scheduled to commence on Nov. 15, had been rescheduled to a date to be made public later.

He explained that the tour was rescheduled for the platform to streamline its activities with that of the APC presidential campaign train ahead of the 2019 general elections.

According to him, the rescheduling is also necessary to conform with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guideline on campaign time table and other extant electoral laws

Ohikere said the tour would produce physical evidence to authenticate the development claims of the APC across the states of the federation.

He added that the tour would ensure a comprehensive media appraisal and documentary of the laudable projects of Buhari and the APC governors.

He said that it was also to complement APC on publicity, saying that the team will focus on achievements on infrastructure development.

He said that they would focus on areas of roads, electricity, housing, health, power, transportation, agriculture and education.

“We are going to show Nigerians the impact analysis of what the government has done and its policy of continuity.

“President Buhari has continued the projects left or abandoned by successive governments and this is a landmark achievement,’’ he said.

Ohikere stressed that the platform owed the APC a moral obligation to contribute its quota towards its electoral victory in 2019.

He maintained that the APC-led Federal Government had recorded tremendous successes in governance by investing huge financial resources in key sectors of the economy.

He said it was, however, regrettable that the achievements of the administration was under reported, adding that the public had been misinformed most times.

“It is therefore, our observation that a lot still needs to be done in the areas of public awareness and citizens’ orientation on the “monumental achievements of our great party across the country,” he said.

Ohikere said the media tour, which would include both local and international media organisations, would provide an excellent opportunity to ascertain the stages of infrastructure provided by the Federal Government.

According to him, pictorial facts collected during the tour will be compiled in a publication to be circulated during the APC Presidential and governorship campaigns ahead of 2019 general elections.

He said the platform had planned to host the APC International Media Stakeholders Summit to address the media challenges inherent in the elections.

This, he said, was aimed at initiating capable platforms for combating fake news and hate speeches as well as mobilising media support.

“We promise to make this public project evaluation a very robust infrastructure impact benefits analysis of the APC administration,’’ he said.

Ohikere also said that the platform had already entered into a partnership with NAN and other media outlets to give visibility to the tour as well as project the APC-led administration’s achievements. (NAN)
EEM/CHOM/IS/MST
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ismail Abdulaziz/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

APC Broom Platform seeks progressive collaboration with media

APC Broom Platform seeks progressive collaboration with media

By Mohammed Suleiman Tola
Publicity
Abuja, Oct. 30, 2018 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) Broom Platform, a political outfit, on Tuesday called for a “progressive partnership’’ with media organisations for the development of the country.

Dr Tom Ohikere, the National Coordinator of the group, made the call during a visit to the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.

Ohikere, who served as a commissioner for information in Kogi under two administrations, appealed to the conscience of all media practitioners to support the present administration with a sense of patriotism to get the country out of the woods.

He said: “Without your (media) support, citizens and rest of the world will not appreciate the good things the government is doing.

“So, people need to know, understand and support the government to rejig the country and deliver more dividends of democracy.’’

The coordinator described the platform as a media inclined specialised forum of over 60 veteran journalists, writers and media administrators.

He explained that the group would canvass for the realisation of party ideals, leadership qualities and virtues as well as character, competence and capacity of our leaders.

On policy environment, he urged the media to support and promote challenges of national development, the philosophy behind project continuity and completion of abandoned projects of successive administrations.

Similarly, Ohikere appealed to journalists to publicise the achievements, milestones and legacy projects recorded by the Buhari administration.

Besides, he challenged the media to set and promote nationalistic development agenda for the country beyond 2019 the general elections.

On their part, Ohikere announced that the group was contributing via off and online activities (traditional and social/new media platforms), but needed more support.

Consequently, he said the group would embark on a nationwide media “evidence of change’’ tour, beginning from Nov. 5, 2018, through Jan. 25, 2019.

The coordinator emphasised that the tour would cover all the APC controlled and non-controlled states of the federation and the FCT.

Responding, Onanuga noted that the activity was in the best interest of the Federal Government and the ruling party.

The managing director pledged the support of the agency toward national unity, peace, progress and development. (NAN)
MST/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Health

2018 MNTE campaign: Stakeholders advocate synergy between media, health sector

2018 MNTE campaign: Stakeholders advocate synergy between media, health sector
By Kevin Okunzuwa
Collaboration
Benin, Oct. 3, 2018 (NAN) Stakeholders have called for effective collaboration between the health sector and the media to achieve great success with the planned 2018 national Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) vaccination campaign.
The stakeholders made the call in a communique issued on Wednesday at the end of a one-day media orientation meeting for the 2018 MNTE in Benin, Edo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes UNICEF as saying that MNT is a swift and painful killer disease that kills new born and sometime the mother.
According to UNICEF report, MNT killed no fewer than 34,000 new borns in 2015 alone while a significant number of women also die to due to maternal tetanus every year.
The meeting had over 40 media practitioners drawn from the electronics, print and online media including participants from health institutions from the six states of South-South geo-political zone, with support from UNICEF.
The communiqué resolved that media practitioners should use their platforms for the dissemination of information about the upcoming MNTE holding between Oct. 18 and Oct. 11.
They resolved that media practitioners should endeavour to feature officials from states owned health institutions and other health experts in their platforms for discussion on MNTE-related issues.
Part of the resolutions include “to help dispel rumour by communicating correct messages about MNTE campaign; to participate in monitoring the implementation of the 2018 MNTE campaign’’.
The stakeholders also resolved to use their platforms “to advocate to political leaders to support the campaign with timely release of counterpart funds and other materials needed for a successful campaign’’.
The participants appreciated that the overall aim of the campaign in Nigeria was to improve immunisation coverage of MNTE and reduction of deaths among women and children in the target local government areas of the six implementing states for the campaign.
The stakeholders agreed that advocacy, communication and social mobilisation, adequate financing, proper planning and human resource development strategies would help to attain the desired coverage during the campaign.
NAN reports that the target states include Edo, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers and Rivers.
UNICEF health expert, Dr Kizito Ozoh, in an overview, said MNT represented a very high proportion of the tetanus disease burden due mainly to inadequate immunisation services, limited or absent clean delivery services and improper post-partum cord care.
He noted that Nigeria remained one of the 16 countries yet to eliminate MNT, adding that the states in the South-South had been identified to be high risk zone. (NAN)
KOO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

CSOs, Media tasks Bauchi Govt. on special package for PHCs

CSOs, Media tasks Bauchi Govt. on special package for PHCs
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Package
Bauchi, Oct. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations under the aegis of Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organisations (BASNEC) has called the State Government to implement the Minimum Service Package (MSP) for Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state.
Mr Sukumun Ezekiel, the Lead Resource Person of the coalition, made the appeal at a stakeholders meeting on the need to call for the enactment of special package in to law, increase funding and timely releases for PHC funds on Wednesday in Bauchi.
Ezekiel reaffirmed the commitment of CSOs in supporting states in the development of the MSP that would facilitate the revitalisation and effective delivery of PHC services in the state.
According to him, the European Union (EU) and UNICEF is supporting in the preparation of the package document for the state.
“That is why we are appealing to the state Governor to sign in to law and implement the said MSP documents for the state PHCs to be effective,” he said.
He enjoined the state governments to prioritise and continue to allocate more resources towards revitalisation of PHC services which is key towards achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC).
“Health is an essential input to poverty reduction and socio-economic development. However, in principle all people are legally entitled to and should be guaranteed access to at least the minimum set of services, health professionals and resources.
“Furthermore, this entitlement must be protected and enforced by legal and regulatory measures, so that no one is prevented from seeking this minimum package of care,” he said.
He also urged governments to be committed to the provision of effective, affordable and sustainable health services to the entire population through an essential package of care.
Earlier, Mr Jinjiri Garba, the Chairman of the group, noted that efforts to strengthen PHC service delivery should be sustained towards reduction of maternal and under-five mortality rate in the state.
He appealed to the state government and other stakeholders to put in their best to towards signing the working document in to law.
Garba also charged partners to support government to assess, cost and plan the implementation of MSP to support PHC delivery.
He suggested that the PHC minimum standard should be in the areas of health infrastructure, human capacity, financial resources and provision of essential drugs.
Garba also recommended that the special package would strengthen the PHC system, staffing, equipment, service delivery, improve access and quality of services at the local government level. (NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

NGO tasks media on nutrition coverage

NGO tasks media on nutrition coverage
By Tukur Muntari
Nutrition
Kano, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), an NGO, has called on journalists to give more attention to nutrition issues in the country to address cases of malnutrition.
The CS-SUNN Executive Secretary, Mrs Beatrice Eluaka, made the call in Kano on Friday at an interactive session with representatives of various media organisations.
She said the task was necessary to attract policy makers and concerned stakeholders on the alarming burden of malnutrition which had continued to be a key contributor to infant and maternal mortality and morbidity.
According to her, malnutrition is also a contributor to poor cognitive development and increased severity of diseases adversely affecting under-five children in the state.
She tasked the media to step up the reportage of nutrition issues to attract policy makers and concerned stakeholders to take the right steps toward curbing malnutrition in Nigeria.
She said it was worrisome to note that the latest Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey (MICS 2017), showed an alarming increase in stunting and underweight rates of children in the state.
According to her, data from the MICS 2017 puts the stunting rate at 58.0 per cent, underweight at 40. 3 per cent with a reduced weight rate of 10.8 per cent, which is still above the WHO acceptable level.
She also called for an emergency action in Kano state.
The executive secretary, however, commended the state government for releasing N294 million in 2017, as counterpart fund for the purchase of Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic-Food for the management and treatment of severely malnourished children.
She also commended the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, who persistently demonstrated rare commitment towards addressing the burden of malnutrition in the communities.
She however called on the state government to improve on preventive measures like exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate infant and young child feeding practices and dietary diversification.
“This is to prevent more children becoming malnourished and to ensure that cured malnourished children do not relapse upon discharge from the treatment centres, as is currently the case in many communities,’’ she said.
According to her, CS-SUNN is a coalition of organisations with shared vision on the need to address deficiencies in food and nutrition.
NAN reports that the meeting is aimed at highlighting the nutrition situation in Kano state and government’s effort in addressing malnutrition menace for improved nutrition policy implementation and funding. (NAN)
MTM/JIE/MST
Edited by Julius Enehi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola