Ignorance of the Electoral Act reason for most electoral irregularities – PAACA

 

…commences campaign to popularize Electoral Act ahead 2027

Priscilla Akpanettot

The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) has linked some of the numerous electoral irregularities committed during election period to ignorance of the Electoral Act. They made this known on Wednesday, April 29, 2024 at a capacity-building workshop for Journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking through its Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, the national movement which promotes electoral governance and strengthens citizen engagement to demand transparency and accountability said that the challenges of the 2023 election was basically ignorance on the part of political parties, the electorates as well as some of the candidates.

“The challenges of the previous election was ignorance, parading themselves as authorities. We had leaders, politicians and analysts talk elections without recourse to the electoral laws. But you cannot discuss election without the constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC Guidelines for conducting election. Sadly, in a place where we have more than 60-70 participants, only two people would say that they have the Electoral Act”, he lamented.

For this, he informed that PAACA was embarking on a campaign to popularize the Electoral Act.

“We saw the knowledge gap about the Electoral Act and have decided to take the advocacy round the country ahead of 2027. We want to deepen the knowledge of the Act before 2027 through partnership with the media and thus, get political parties and stakeholders to respond to the challenges of democracy”, he said.

Nwagwu furthered that the larger objective of the workshop was to equip participants from the media, traditional and religious institutions with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively understand and communicate the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022, enabling them, to conduct step-don training and host informative radio programs on electoral laws.

While appreciating MacArthur Foundation for supporting their objective, he sought the collaboration of the media in the actualization of their goal.

The extensive media training provided journalists with in-depth comprehension of the Electoral Act. It featured the engagement of participants in a thorough analysis of electoral changes, including their essential provisions, ramifications, and prospective effects on the democratic process, through demanding sessions and interactive workshops anchored by the Senior Programme Officer, PAACA, Isaiah Amonye.

It further offered the news makers the knowledge with which to properly inform the public, maintain openness, and defend electoral integrity.

Established in 2017, the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) works to promote and strengthen citizens’ engagement with government institutions. Its programs are targeted at increasing social accountability movement, youth and gender inclusiveness, support and promoting electoral reforms, legislative engagement, and advancing anti-corruption campaigns. Ultimately, the project contributes to improved electoral and political systems that lay the foundation for accountability, transparency, and anti-corruption.

Breaking Gender-based Barriers: NAWOJ Set to Combat Misogyny in Akwa Ibom State

Dr. Borges making a presentation at the training

With an increasing awareness of gender-based discrimination and the need for societal change, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) is set to launch an intensive media campaign aimed at tackling misogyny and dispelling anti-women stereotypes in Akwa Ibom State.

This decision was reached during a workshop on "Recognising And Fighting Misogyny and Anti-women Stereotypes" organised by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Ini Ememobong for women journalists in the state on Friday, April 26, 2024.

In her remarks, the State Chairman of NAWOJ, Comrade Nsikak Okon appreciated the Information Commissioner for the opportunity given to NAWOJians to boost their knowledge.

Comrade Okon emphasised the importance of dismantling rooted biases and fostering a more inclusive society where women are respected and empowered and pledged NAWOJ's commitment to challenge harmful perceptions and promote gender equality for social progress through media engagements.

In her presentation, the Resource Person, Dr Aleida Borges, who is the Grassroots Women Leaders Research Lead at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) and a Visiting Lecturer at the African Leadership Centre at King’s College, London hinted that recognising and combating misogyny and anti-women stereotypes is crucial for creating a more equitable society. 

She explained misogyny to mean hatred, dislike, or prejudice against women or girls which can manifest in various forms, including discrimination, belittlement, and violence at home or workplace. 

According to her, misogyny often stems from deep-rooted societal beliefs and stereotypes about gender roles and power dynamics, and it can have harmful effects on women's rights, opportunities, and well-being. 

She frowned at the normalisation of misogyny, even in developed nations which makes it difficult to fight the social vice.  

Dr Borges in her submission noted that curbing misogyny requires a multi-faceted approach, including education, policy changes, and cultural shifts, which involves promoting respect for all genders, challenging stereotypes, supporting victims, and holding perpetrators accountable. 

Goodwill messages were received from the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Elder Sunny James, as well as the State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Amos Etuk.

Media Team

AK-NAWOJ

COOPA Visits New Akwa Ibom Police PRO, Assures of Close Collaboration

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John sandwiched by members of the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA)

The Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) has assured the new Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP John Timfon, of close collaboration and support.

During a maiden visit to the Police Spokesperson, at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, COOPA's Chancellor, Mr. Utitofon Ukpong, led the delegation in congratulating the PPRO on her new appointment. Ukpong stressed the importance of synergy between the two organisations, noting that they share a common goal of working in the best interest of the Akwa Ibom people.

In her response, ASP John Timfon thanked COOPA for the visit and pledged her readiness to partner with online publishers and other relevant organisations in the state.

This development is expected to strengthen the relationship between COOPA and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, promoting a more effective and collaborative approach to information dissemination and community policing.

Bulk Purchase Agency will Ensure Efficient Tracking of Food Distribution - Dan Akpan

Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, Rt Hon Dan Akpan 

Priscilla Akpanettot

Contrary to speculations that the Bulk Purchase Scheme of the present administration would be enmeshed in scandals, Chairman of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan has posited otherwise, and urged members of the public to keep faith with the initiative.

Rt. Hon Dan Akpan said this on Monday, April 15, 2024, at the conversation put together by the Ministry of Information on ARISE Scorecard, to discuss Governor Umo Eno’s intervention and sustainability strategy towards food sufficiency and security.

He reminded that the objective of the Scheme is to mitigate the high cost of foodstuff in the State; ensure food security and sufficiency in the State and to improve the socioeconomic condition of people at the grassroots by delivery of relevant food items at subsidized rate geared towards poverty reduction.

He stated that the Scheme would be sustained for a while upon commencement, to help vulnerable members of the public find their feet physiologically.

L-R: Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob; Commissioner for Agriculture Dr Offiong Offor and Chairman of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Rt Hon Dan Akpan 

Rt. Hon. Akpan who refuted claims that the food items given at the flag-off of the Scheme were sandy and substandard stressed that they were of good quality, and that any vendor supplying substandard food items will be evicted from the scheme. 

On how the items would be monitored for effective distribution, he informed that three monitoring teams have been set up by the Agency, one for each of the three Senatorial Districts to ensure that the food items get to those intended. 

Meanwhile, the Government of Akwa Ibom State under Pastor Umo Eno is planning to spur the interest of young people in agriculture by providing them financial access and land for start-up. 

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor said this at the discussion and called on interested Akwa Ibom youth to form a team of likeminded farmers and approach Room 99 of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat where they can be merged as a Corporative group and given lands for cultivation and or funds for start-up. 

She explained that the Governor was leaving no stone unturned in his bid to making agriculture the mainstay of the economy and thus, eradicating poverty and hunger from the land, in line with Goal 1 and 2 of the United Nations proposition on Sustainable Development.

Dr. Offor who recounted the various interventions of the State Governor to livestock and crop farmers since the inception of his administration was hopeful that subsequent harvests would be bountiful and food items, less expensive for the Akwa Ibom populace.

“Government had asked Local Government Chairpersons to gift lands to government for farming, to increase production and 7 of them have done that so far. The lands will be given back to the people to cultivate, with the farm inputs provided by government. With this, we can are sure of food availability in sufficiency”, she said, adding that there’ll be designated sales point for purchase of the food items cultivated by assisted farmers when it is time. 

Dr. Offiong while responding to questions on Government’s action towards the destruction of farmlands by cattle and herders frowned at the development and announced that such defaulters will be prosecuted. 

Her position was corroborated by the Commissioner for Information and host of the discuss, Comrade Ini Ememobong who informed that the State Government had held consultations with the Arewa Community in the State and was consolidating on agreement reached to take legal action on defaulters of the Law on Open Grazing.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong said the platform was created to put members of the State in the know of the extent and why Governor Eno was intervening in food sufficiency and security.

The Discuss also had the Commissioner for Economic Development,

Mr Emem Bob Almond speak on key issues regarding the economic development of the State.

Meet your Next President

PROFILE: Gabriel Ene – Former Senior Military Attaché to the UN who aspires to be Nigeria's President in 2027

Gabriel Victor Ene is a highly accomplished individual from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, who has served the nation with distinction. He held the prestigious rank of Lieutenant General while he served as a Senior Military Attaché to the United Nations.

Known for his visionary outlook, Ene has embarked on his journey toward the presidency, aiming to become the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2027 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform. With unwavering determination, he leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit to garner overwhelming support from Nigerians in the next general election

Early Life and Education

Born on November 22, 1974, in Ikot Ambang, Ibiono Ibom local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Gabriel Ene had his formative years in the bustling city of Lagos. He received his primary education at Archbishop Taylor Memorial Primary School, Maroko, from 1981 to 1987. Following this, he attended Government College, Victoria Island, Lagos from 1987 to 1993, where he successfully completed his secondary education.

Driven by a passion for knowledge, Gabriel Ene enrolled at the prestigious University of Uyo, Nigeria, to pursue a degree in Geography and Regional Planning. In 2001, he graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc). As part of his commitment to national service, Gabriel served at Government Girls College, Gwaram, during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme from 2001 to 2002.

Military Career

Gabriel Victor Ene's career in the military has been nothing short of extraordinary. Serving as the Senior Military Attaché to the United Nations with the rank of Lieutenant General, he held the crucial role of advising on military affairs and developments. Throughout his military journey, Ene demonstrated exceptional leadership and tactical skills through his strategic appointments.

During his tenure as the Senior Military Attaché to the UN, Gabriel Ene prioritized promoting peace and fostering cooperation among nations. His impeccable diplomatic abilities and vast military expertise earned him the utmost respect from his peers and superiors.

Sports/Business 

Outside of his military service, Gabriel is also an astute businessman who is deeply committed to his Jewish Christian faith. In addition, he is passionately pursuing personal achievements and recognition in the highly competitive world of professional boxing.

The grandmaster in chess has set his sights on immense challenges beyond the realm of politics. His fervent desire is to face off against boxing champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, viewing them as his ultimate adversaries in the near future.

Having diverse experiences in education, the military, business, politics, and faith, Ene is driven to continue making significant contributions to society while seeking personal growth and fulfillment.

Overall, Gabriel Victor Ene is not only a distinguished military officer but also a revered diplomat and sportsman who has made substantial contributions both at a national and international level. His outstanding leadership, unwavering integrity, and unwavering dedication serve as an inspiration to all those who have the privilege of working alongside him.

Daily Trust Foundation Holds Workshop on Investigative Reporting

L-R: Executive Director, Tito TV, Oto-Abasi Tom; Board Member DTF, Dr. Nuhu Yakubu; Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong; Fidelis Mbah of Aljazeera and Programmes Manager, DTF, Dr. Theophilus Abbah at the opening ceremony of the Workshop

 

Priscilla Akpanettot

Daily Trust Foundation (DTF) has undertaken the training of select journalists in South-South, Nigeria on broadcast investigation. The 3-day training which began on Wednesday, April 3 to Friday, April 5, 2024 was held at Watbridge Hotel and Suites in Uyo.

Addressing participants at the Workshop, a Board member of the Foundation and former Rector at the Kaduna State Polytechnic, Dr. Nuru Yakubu said that the objective of the workshop was to bring together journalists from the South-South geopolitical zone and train them in the skills of broadcast investigation and thus, motivate them to do more.

“We conduct these Workshops because we believe that journalists must learn new skills, if they must carry out the onerous responsibility the Constitution heaps upon them”, he explained.

Comrade Ini Ememobong giving an address of welcome

He furthered that an ignorant reporter or editor would neither be able to hold government accountable, as enshrined in the constitution, nor be effective in the discharge of their responsibilities as gatekeepers hence, the need for regular knowledge acquisition.

Justifying the training of broadcast journalists, the Board member submitted that radio, television and livestreams on social media platforms travel wider than print publications and could be more impactful.

“If most of the investigations published in print and online were done by television or radio platforms, their impacts would have been totally different”, he stated, and charged participants on effective utilization of the Workshop.

Dr. Theophilus Abbah in one of his sessions with the participants

“It is the vision of the Foundation that broadcast journalists would do more investigative reporting in the interest of the growth of Nigeria…There can be no change except ills in the society are exposed. We must do the kind of journalism that is driven by values patriotism, nationalism, transparency and accountability”, he campaigned.

Welcoming participants to the Workshop, the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong described the training as an investment in the future and commended the Foundation for undertaking such gesture.

“When we invest in training, we invest in the future. The egalitarian nature of Daily Trust Foundation must be noted. You could still have gotten this funding and made it an in-house training with Daily Trust, but you are now training your competitors…you are training people without the fear that they would use the knowledge you have facilitated them to get to outdo you in the market”.

Ibanga Isine providing insights on investigations

“That is where the issue of adversarial collaboration comes in, because at the vendors hands, all your titles are competitors, but when we come into the democratisation processes of our country, the entire press becomes one family, and that is where the collaboration is”, he noted.

He therefore called on participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training in the discharge of their work.

Daily Trust Foundation, according to Dr. Yakubu is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Media Trust Group, owners of Daily Trust, Trust TV, Digital Trust, Trust Radio, Aminiya, and other specialized publications.

Participants at the Workshop

 

The Foundation has undertaken a number of humanitarian activities such as the provision of scholarships for female medical and nursing students; boreholes for communities lacking water; capacity building for women; support for orphanages; assistance to inmates in correctional centres through payment of fines for those without prison terms; remodeling of Primary Healthcare Clinic; and as well as capacity building for journalists.

So far since 2017, over 700 journalists across Nigeria have been trained by the Foundation in investigative reporting with support from MacArthur Foundation. The Workshop is the third to be conducted in the South-South with participants from Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States

Resource persons at the Workshop were: Mr. Fidelis Mbah, a world-class investigative journalist whose media experiences span through the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Aljazeera and China Global Television Network (CGTN); Mr Isine Ibanga, an investigative reporter and winner, CNN and Wole Soyinka Award for investigative journalism; Programme Director, Daily Trust Foundation, Dr. Theophilus Abbah as well as Oto-Abasi Tom, Executive Director, Tito Television Studios. 

Eme Best Foundation Fetes Akwa Ibom Communities on Easter

Priscilla Akpanettot

Keen about the overall welfare of women and children in the society, Emebest Foundation has put smiles in various communities in Akwa Ibom State with donations of food items and provisions in the spirit of Easter. 

The Foundation made the donations to Ntak Inyang community in Etim Ekpo Local Government area on Friday 29 March, 2024 and Mother Charles Walker Childrens' Home, Uyo on Saturday, while paying glowing tributes to Christ, the reason for the season.

Led by one of it's Directors, Madam Ubong Udoetuk, the Foundation premised the donation on love, saying it was needful to replicate the love of Christ to vulnerable members of the society.

Receiving the items with great excitement and joy,  the recipients at Ntak Inyang, expressed their gratitude through kind words of appreciation and prayers of blessings for the founder of the organisation, Mrs Eme Udoetuk and her team.

At Mother Charles Walker Childrens' Home, the team was gleefully received by the children and staff of the facility.

While commenting on the healthy outlook of the children and the hygenic condition of the surroundings, Emebest Foundation promised their regular patronage of the Home and prayed God to give them the grace and strength to cater for the children.

Receiving the items, Matron of the Home,  Rev. Sis. Matilda Inyang appreciated the Foundation for having the children in mind, inspite of the hike in cost of food items. She asked God's blessings upon them and assured the prudent use of the items.

Emebest Foundation according to it's Directors is a non-profit organization established to support women and children. They also offer assistance to the vulnerable and less-privileged, by supporting them financially to be self-reliant.

Located by Itam Flyover in Itam, they embark on quarterly visits to Orphanages, pay school fees of indigent students and issue soft loans to women.

The Foundation charged members of the public to keep the children in remembrance, saying that giving is loving and there is love in sharing.