Press Release

Gavel
#PressFreedom, Nigerian Journalists, Press Release

PRESS FREEDOM MONITORS CONDEMN HARASSMENT OF IPC BOSS AND OTHER JOURNALISTS

/

Press Release11/2/2022 PRESS FREEDOM MONITORS CONDEMN HARASSMENT OF IPC BOSS AND OTHER JOURNALISTS Press Freedom and Safety of Journalists Field Monitors from the six geopolitical zones of the country yesterday demanded a stop to the continued harassment of the Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC), Comrade Lanre Arogundade and other journalists in the country by the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) and other security agencies. The monitors in a press statement signed by Rosemary Nwaebuni, S’South; Moses Ojo, S’West;Naomi Okoh, N’Central Elizabeth Achuagu, S’East; Bello Mujtaba Ramalan, North West and Abdulkareem Haruna, N’East lamented that media professionals have become endangered species in the course of carrying out their constitutional responsibilities. They frowned at the consistent attacks, intimidation, violence and sometimes killing of journalists by those whose responsibility it was to protect lives and property. “Such violence against journalists must stop”, they stressed. The monitors noted that Mr. Arogundade was on Thursday held at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by the DSS for nearly two hours while returning from The Gambia where he had gone to conduct a training programme on ‘Conflict Sensitive Journalism’. A senior official of the DSS had confirmed to the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors that it was a case of mistaken identity, when he called to know why Arogundade was being detained. However, Comrade Arogundade confirmed that it has become a reoccurring decimal as similar scenario happened when he was leaving for Gambia January 30, 2022, adding that he had to ask the DSS officers the reason why he was always subjected to such unnecessary harassment that almost made him miss his flights sometimes. The Monitors therefore demanded a stop to all these harassment on the Executive Director of IPC (Arogundade) and other journalists in the country, even as they called on the Director-General of DSS to carry out adequate training for his officers andprovide adequate information management mechanism to avoid undue embarrassment of media practitioners other citizens and ridiculing of the organization. They also demanded unreserved apology from the DSS to Arogundade for confiscating his cellphone and other harassments meted to him while he was detained last Thursday. Signed:Rosemary Nwaebuni, S’South.Moses Ojo, S’West.Naomi Okoh, N’Central.Elizabeth Achuagu, S’East.Bello Mujtaba Ramalan, North West.Abdulkareem Haruna, N’East.

#Eu4DemocracyNg, Freedom of Information, Press Release, Uncategorized

FOI Desk Officers of Public Institutions Meet on Establishment of Online Platform to Share Information on FOI Implementation

/

Press Statement FOI Desk Officers of Public Institutions Meet on Establishment of Online Platform to Share Information on FOI Implementation LAGOS, Monday, January 31, 2022: Freedom of Information (FOI) Desk Officers from various Federal public institutions will meet at a two-day workshop in Abuja on February 1 and 2, 2022 to discuss the establishment of an online FOI Platform to enable them to share information, ideas and experiences on the implementation of the FOI Act, 2011. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), will deliver the keynote address at the workshop, which will also have in attendance, the National Coordinator of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria, Dr Gloria Ahmed, who is also the Director of Special Duties at the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as well as Mr. Gowon Ichibor, the Head of the FOI Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice. The workshop, which will have representatives from over 60 public institutions, is being organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with Media Rights Agenda (MRA)) and the FOI Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice. It is funded by by the European Union (EU) under component 4b: Support to Media of the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project. According to the organisations, the overall objective of the workshop is to improve compliance by public institutions with their duties and obligations under the FOI Act, as well as to ensure more effective implementation of the Act through the creation of an interactive online platform for FOI Desk Officers of public institutions to enable them share good practices and learn from each other’s experiences as they oversee implementation by their respective institutions. Mr. Lanre Arogundade, IPC’s Executive Director, noted that “The creation of an online platform, in addition to facilitating shared learning, experience sharing and best practice application in the implementation of the FOI Act, will also provide an opportunity for FOI Desk Officers of public institutions to be updated with the latest developments on freedom of information, and facilitate collaborative resolution of challenges.” MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, who is also a member of the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the OGP in Nigeria, said “We strongly believe that this initiative, which is starting with this workshop, and will be followed by other activities, will lead to significant improvements in the implementation of the FOI Act thus contributing to the fulfillment of Nigeria’s commitments in its OGP National Action Plan regarding improved compliance with the FOI Act.” For further information, please contact: Olutoyin Ayoade (Ms)Communications Officer,International Press Centre (IPC)E-mail: tayoade@ipcng.org OR Idowu Adewale (Mr.)Communications Officer,Media Rights Agenda (MRA)E-mail: idowu@mediarightsagenda.org

#Eu4DemocracyNg, Freedom of Information, News, Press Release

IPC, MRA Invite Nigerians to Vote for Most Responsive Public Institution in National FOI Awards

/

Press Statement IPC, MRA Invite Nigerians to Vote for Most Responsive Public Institution in National FOI Awards FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lagos, Monday, November 29, 2021: The International Press Centre (IPC) and Media Rights Agenda (MRA) are inviting Nigerians from all works of life to vote for the public institution adjudged to be most responsive to requests for information from members of the public under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and that has adopted innovative and access-friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public’s right of access to information in the country. The online voting exercise, which begins today and closes at midnight on Sunday, December 5, 2021, is the final selection process for the conferment of a “Public Institution FOI Best Practice Recognition” Award under the Public Institutions Category in the National Freedom of Information Awards initiated by the two organizations as part of activities to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the FOI Act. The FOI Bill was signed into Law by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 after about 12 years of advocacy for its enactment. The FOI Awards, which are designed to recognise and reward individuals, organisations and public institutions that have made significant contributions towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria as well as in ensuring the effective implementation of the FOI Act since its inception in 2011, are organised with support from the European Union through component 4b: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project. In addition to a National FOI Essay Competition for mass communication and journalism undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions, which is aimed at encouraging mass communication and journalism students to examine the impact of the FOI Act in enhancing participatory democracy under the topic: “Deepening Democracy, the Impact of FOI Act 10 Years After”, FOI Awards will also be given in four categories at an award ceremony taking place in Abuja on this year’s International Human Rights Day, Friday, 10 December, 2021 as follows: The Individual Category, to honour an individual that has made the highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act to public institutions or private entities to which the Act applies, between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021; The Organisational Category, to honour a news organisation, any other type of organisation, company, association, institution, group, or other types of corporate entity that has made the highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act to public institutions or private entities to which the Act applies, between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021; The Public Institutions Category, a Public Institution FOI Best Practice Recognition Award, to be conferred on a public institution adjudged to be most responsive to requests for information from members of the public under the FOI Act and that has adopted innovative and access-friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public right of access to information in Nigeria; and A Special Recognition Award, to be given to an individual adjudged to have made a substantial and lasting contribution towards advancing the right to information in Nigeria over the last 10 years. The entities short-listed for online voting for the Public Institution FOI Best Practice Recognition Award are the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). IPC’s Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, explained the rationale for the public voting saying: “We have decided to open up the process of selecting a winner in the Public Institutions Category to the Nigerian public because we believe that members of the public who have a right of access to information under the FOI Act should be the ultimate deciders, based on their personal experiences or from the information available to them, of how well each of the public institutions at the top of our performance indicators have done in providing information to the public and in the general implementation of the Act.” Members of the public can indicate their choice of public institutions for the Award in this category by voting at: https://bit.ly/311auJc For further information, please contact: Olutoyin Ayoade (Ms)Communications Officer, International Press Centre (IPC)E-mail: tayoade@ipcng.org OR Idowu Adewale (Mr.)Communications Officer, Media Rights Agenda (MRA)E-mail: idowu@mediarightsagenda.org

Gavel
#PressFreedom, end impunity, Nigerian Journalists, Press Release, Safety of journalists

IPC condemns the gruesome murder of OAP David Ekanem; calls for thorough investigation

/

Nov. 9, 2021 Press Release IPC condemns the gruesome murder of OAP David Ekanem; calls for thorough investigation For immediate release:Tuesday November 9, 2021 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos – Nigeria condemns the reported gruesome murder of David Ekanem, popularly known as ‘Itiat Zion’, a member of staff at FAD FM, in Calabar, Cross River State. A Newspot Nigeria report revealed that the late Ekanem who was the Efik language programme presenter for FAD FM, was stabbed and left to die by alleged hoodlums close to a popular hotel on the Murtala Mohammed highway on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The cause of the alleged attack is unknown, but the radio station Ekanem worked with confirmed his death. In statement by the Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, IPC said: “It is of serious concern that yet another journalist has been killed highlighting the fact that journalists and other media professionals continue to be endangered species in Nigeria as we stated on November 2 while marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists” IPC therefore calls on the Police and other relevant security agencies to do their utmost to ensure that the killers of David Ekanem are apprehended and brought to justice. SGDMelody LawalSafety Alert Officer, IPCmelodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org 08132776441

Cameraman
#PressFreedom, Media Monitoring, Media News, News, Nigerian Journalists, Press Release, Safety of journalists

Anambra 2021: IPC establishes Special Journalists’ Safety Monitoring & Alert Desk…….issues advisory on coverage

/

Press Release Anambra 2021: IPC establishes Special Journalists’ Safety Monitoring & Alert Desk…….issues advisory on coverage For immediate release: November 5, 2021 24 hours to the Anambra State governorship election on Saturday November 6, 2021, the International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos-Nigeria, has announced the establishment of a Special Journalists’ Safety Monitoring & Alert Desk for Journalists and other media professionals covering the poll. IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the special alert desk would operate from Friday November 5 to Sunday November 7 to cover the immediate pre-election, the election and the immediate post-election periods. “Journalists have been molested by security agents and political thugs during previous elections despite accreditation by INEC and nothing can be taken for granted”, Mr. Arogundade stated. The special alert desk will monitor and document the situation of journalists and other media professionals and send out immediate alerts if they encounter problems. Journalists and other media professionals on the ground are therefore advised to reach the special alert desk should the need arise as follows: Hotlines:+234 802 362 6281+234 806 381 0424+234 813 277 6441+234 0811 450 3887Twitter: @IPCngFacebook: IPC Nigeria. IPC also advises journalists and other media professionals covering the elections to avail themselves of the services of the ANAMBRA GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION SECURITY MONITORING ROOM estblished by the Cleen Foundation. In case of any emergency or distress, they can call the situation room numbers:+234 8060463492,+234 9032506317 The Anambra State Council of the NUJ can also be reached on:+2348039329116,+2348181119464 In the alternative they can reach the following senior police officers as provided by the situation room: +234 7034135464Ag. DIG ZAKI M. AHMED (OPERATIONS) +234 8106160007AIG DASUKI D. GALADANCHI,mni (CTU) +234 8110542985AIG ABANG B. JOHN (PMF) +234 8033018835AIG MURI UMAR MUSA (ZONE 13) +234 8036448894CP ECHENG ECHENG (ANAMBRA COMMAND CP) +234 7039194332CONTROL ROOM NUMBER Complaints about police actions can also be directed to:+234 8131199111+234 8057000001 AdvisoryIPC also charges journalists covering the election to abide with the provisions of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage requiring adherence to the ethical and professional standards of factual accuracy, discipline of verification, avoidance of disinformation and misinformation, avoidance of hate speech and conflict sensitivity. They should equally abide with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and refrain from publishing results that are not approved by INEC. IPC particularly enjoins journalists on the ground to:• Always have on them INEC’s accreditation card and organisational identity card• Refrain from going out if not accredited by INEC• Constantly inform colleagues or editors and family about location and challenges• Be familiar with the polling units in advance, and identify exit points in case of emergency• Wear appropriate PPE• Back up documents in a secure storage• Draw up a plan B in case of loss of internet and devices and other crisis situations• Memorise an emergency number in case of loss of phone.• Have an emergency phone enabled with SOS apps, so numbers can be contacted on speed dial.• Avoid confrontations with the police or individuals• Avoid moving alone, but in groups SGDOlutoyin AyoadeCommunications Officer, IPC+234 0811 450 3887tayoade@ipcng.org

Cameraman
#PressFreedom, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Information, Press Release, Safety of journalists

IPC DECRIES ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS AND #ENDSARS ACTIVISTS AT ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROTESTS

/

October 20, 2021 Press Release IPC DECRIES ATTACK ON JOURNALISTS AND #ENDSARS ACTIVISTS AT ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROTESTS For immediate release, Wednesday October 20, 2021The International Press Centre (IPC) condemns in strong terms, the attacks on several journalists who were on legitimate duty to cover the #ENDSARs one-year anniversary protests in Lagos and other parts of the country today, Wednesday October 20, 2021. Reports from the IPC’ situation room on ‘Media Coverage of One Year After the #EndSars Protest’ reveal that Legit.ng Online reporter, Abisola Alawode was arrested at the Lekki Toll Plaza while PM News correspondent, Taiwo Okanlawon and the Arise TV crew of Adefemi Akinsanya and Ope Adenihun were beaten and harassed at the same venue. The Arise TV crew were also illegally ordered to pull down the drone they were using to cover the event. Policemen also barred The Punch Newspaper correspondent, Adebimpe Olajiga, from covering the protest and in Osogbo, Daily Post correspondent, Sikiru Obarayase, was arrested during the anniversary match in the state capital. The attacks on the journalists mark an unfortunate and condemnable repeat of the assault on the media during the #EndSars protests in October last year. ‘It is highly regrettable the security agencies continue to fail to recognise journalists as frontline workers during crisis situations”, Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said in a statement. According to Mr. Arogundade the actions of the policemen pose major threat to the ability of the media to serve as societal watchdog and hold government accountable to the people. Mr. Arogundade said it was equally wrong for the Police to arrest and detain the #EndSars protesters describing the action as a clear violation of the right to peacefully assemble and protest. “The combined effect of the repression of the journalists, media professionals and #EndSars activists is that the democratic space is being undermined by the government through the security agencies”, he added. IPC therefore calls for a halt to the assault on democratic rights of Nigerian citizens and demands that those responsible for Wednesday’s attacks should be fished out and prosecuted. SGD:Olutoyin AyoadeCommunications Officer, IPCtayoade@ipcng.org

press
News, Press Release, Safety of journalists

Missing Vanguard Reporter: IPC demands thorough investigations

/

October 18, 2021 Press Release Missing Vanguard Reporter: IPC demands thorough investigations For immediate release: October 18, 2021 The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeris is seriously concerned about the sudden disappearance of Vanguard Newspaper’s House of Representatives Reporter, Mr. Tordue Salem since last Wednesday. Mr. Salem was reportedly last sighted within the premises of a Total Filling Station, opposite the FCT, Abuja Police headquarters on Wednesday evening. The Editor of Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Eze Anaba confirmed that Mr. Salem was yet to be seen as at this morning, Monday October 18, 2021. IPC’s Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, in a statement said that Salem’s disappearance is disconcerting and the search for him should be accorded high priority by the Police and other security agencies. “In a country where the rights of journalists and media professionals are continuously violated, concerted efforts by relevant stakeholders are necessary to ensure that Mr. Salem returns to his family and beat safely, and that the safety of other journalists and media professionals is guaranteed”, he added. IPC therefore appeals to the government and the security agencies to do all within their powers to locate Journalist Salem. SGD:Olutoyin AyoadeCommunications Officer, IPCtayoade@ipcng.org08114503887

#Eu4DemocracyNg, Call for Entries, Essay Competition, EU-SDGN, European Union, Freedom of Information, News, Press Release

Call for ENTRIES Freedom of Information (FOI) National Essay Competition

/

Call for ENTRIESFreedom of Information (FOI) National Essay CompetitionTheme: Deepening democracy, the Impact of FOI Act ten years after The International Press Centre (IPC) and Media Rights Agenda (MRA) hereby invite entries for their 2021 National Freedom of Information Essay Competition for mass communication and journalism undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions.The topic of the essay is “Deepening democracy, the Impact of FOI Act ten years after.” The competition, which is part of activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Freedom of Information Bill into Law by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, is organized with support from the European Union through component 4b: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES FOR THE COMPETITION Entries will only be accepted from undergraduate students of Mass Communication or Journalism of any tertiary institution in Nigeria, public or private, and must be accompanied by a fully legible copy of the Student’s Identity Card of the person submitting the entry. All entries should include the full names of the student, the name and address of the university as well as the student’s course of study and department. It should also contain the student’s telephone number and email address as well as the student’s Matriculation Number. All entries should be between 800 and 1,000 words in length and should be type-written on Microsoft Word using Times New Roman font, 14 points. Each entry will be judged on compliance with these technical specifications as well as on the richness of content, the quality of the spelling and grammar, the logic in the structure of presentation and how compelling the arguments are. All entries will be checked for plagiarism and originality. Any entry found to have plagiarized another person’s work will be disqualified. SUBMISSION OF ENTRIESEntries should be sent by email to: foientries@ipcng.org with “National Freedom of Information Essay Competition” on the Subject line. DEADLINE The extended deadline for the submission of entries is October 31, 2021. Entries must be received no later than 12.00 midnight (WAT) on that date. All entries received will be assessed by a panel of independent judges. Prizes will be awarded to the winning entry and the First Runner-Up. All entries received for the competition would be rewarded with a set of publications by the two organizations even if their entries are not selected for the ultimate prize. The Winner and First Runner-Up will be invited to an award ceremony, which will take place in Abuja on Friday, December 10, 2021. For enquiries or further information, please send an email to: admin@ipcng.org

#Eu4DemocracyNg, Essay Competition, EU-SDGN, European Union, Freedom of Information, Press Release

IPC, MRA Set New Deadline for FOI Essay Competition Entries, Expand Eligibility Criteria

/

Lagos, Wednesday, October 13, 2021: The International Press Centre (IPC) and Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today announced an extension of the deadline for the submission of entries for their National Freedom of Information (FOI) Essay Competition to October 31, 2021. They also announced the expansion of the eligibility criteria to accommodate undergraduates of Mass Communication and Journalism in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including monotechnics, polytechnics and universities. In a statement issued in Lagos by Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, and his MRA counterpart, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, the organisations said the extension of the deadline for the submission of entries and the expansion of the eligibility criteria were informed by the need to give more time to eligible persons who were not able to meet the earlier deadline to submit their entries and therefore allow more students to participate in a crucially important activity touching on an issue that has the potential to significantly impact the lives of all Nigerians. They also announced that every eligible student who submits an entry for the competition would be rewarded with a set of publications by the two organizations even if their entries are not selected for the ultimate prize. The initial call issued by the organisations on September 15, 2021 for the submission of entries for the essay competition as part of activities to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the signing of the FOI Bill into Law by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, had limited eligibility to undergraduates of Mass Communications or Journalism in Nigerian universities. According to the organisations, the competition is aimed at encouraging mass communication and journalism undergraduates to examine the impact of the FOI Act in enhancing participatory democracy under the topic: “Deepening Democracy, the Impact of FOI Act 10 Years After.” The winners of the competition will be announced and honoured at a National Freedom of Information Awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja on this year’s International Human Rights Day, on Friday, 10 December, 2021. The competition is organized with support from the European Union through component 4b: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project. For further information, please contact: Olutoyin Ayoade (Ms)Communications Officer, International Press Centre (IPC)E-mail: tayoade@ipcng.org OR Idowu Adewale (Mr.)Communications Officer, Media Rights Agenda (MRA)E-mail: idowu@mediarightsagenda.org

Webinar
#PressFreedom, News, Press Release, Safety of journalists

IPC DECRIES ATTACK ON GM OF JAMZ 100.1FM, DEMANDS COMPENSATION

/

September 21, 2021 Press Release IPC DECRIES ATTACK ON GM OF JAMZ 100.1FM, DEMANDS COMPENSATION For immediate release, Tuesday September 21, 2021The International Press Centre (IPC) condemns in strong terms, last Sunday’s brutal attack on the General Manager, JAMZ 100.1FM, Ibadan, Mr. Tony Awobode, reportedly by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his men from the Eleyele Police station in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Western Daily News report of September 21, 2021 stated that: ‘’The incident happened when Awobode popularly known and addressed as Don Tee who was riding on a power bike was stopped by the DPO alleging that his car mirror was hit by the power bike as the JAMZ FM GM was trying to cross towards the Aleshinloye axis”. Efforts by Don Tee to explain that there is no mark or sign of friction on the side mirror led to further attacks on him as he later explained to the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).Don Tee, according to the report, described his ordeal this way: “it was a case of arbitrary use of naked power”. In a statement, Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, expressed shock over yet another police brutality against a media professional and the unending nightmares such acts continue to constitute for the media in Nigeria.“The highhanded and uncivilized manner in which some elements in the Nigeria Police handle issues with journalists represents nothing but the continuing gross violation of their fundamental human rights”, he stated. IPC therefore demands that all the perpetrators of the attack on Don Tee should be fished out and prosecuted in addition to the payment of adequate compensation and settlement of the medical bills of the victim. Stella NwofiaProgram ManagerTel: 234-(0) 8020359629, 08063810424Email: stellanwofia@ipcng.org, stellanwofia@gmail.com, stellanwofia@yahoo.com

Scroll to Top