Press Freedom: Isiguzo Urges Media, Stakeholders to Defend Rights of Journalists

·     Ojukwu: it’s irresponsible, breach of free press to arrest journalists, Atiku flays Tinubu government 

·     Zulum bags NUJ’s good governance award in education

Chiemelie Ezeobi in Lagos, Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, has called on media organisations and critical stakeholders in the country to uphold press freedom by defending the rights of journalists to work without fear of censorship, harassment, and violence.

Isiguzo described press freedom as essential for democracy, accountability, and protection of human rights.

The NUJ national president spoke yesterday in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital, during a training for journalists in the state to mark the World Press Freedom Day, held at the NUJ secretariat.

Relatedly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the arbitrary arrest and incarceration of journalists by the Tinubu administration, saying it shows the attitude of the current government to freedom of the press.

Atiku, who tweeted his displeasure on X, formerly Twitter, said it was irresponsible and a breach of press freedom assured journalists by the Nigerian constitution. 

He was reacting to the arrest of Daniel Ojukwu of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). Ojukwu was picked up barely 48 hours after the observance of this year’s World Press Freedom Day last week.

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum won the NUJ Good Governance Award 2024 on Education.

Isiguzo, represented by an ex-officio of the Bauchi State Council, Abubakar Waziri, urged journalists to play their role as the watchdog of society, holding power to account, exposing corruption, and amplifying the voices of the marginalised and vulnerable.

He stressed that despite facing numerous challenges, including threats, intimidation, and attacks, journalists continued to demonstrate courage, resilience, and professionalism in the pursuit of truth and justice.

The NUJ president also urged stakeholders in the country to ensure the safety and wellbeing of journalists, especially those reporting on sensitive or dangerous topics, such as environmental issues, and provide training, resources, and legal support to journalists facing threats or attacks.

Isiguzo said the environmental crisis was one of the most pressing challenges of the present time, with far-reaching implications for the planet and future generations.

He added that from climate change and deforestation to pollution and biodiversity loss, the threats facing the environment were complex and urgent.

According to him, “This year’s theme: ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,’ underscores the crucial role of journalists in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.

“The NUJ joins the global community in commemorating this special day and reaffirms its commitment to defending press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and advocating for the rights and safety of journalists across the country.

“Journalism, therefore, has a critical role to play in raising awareness, fostering public debate, and catalysing action to address these issues.”

Speaking earlier, Chairman, Bauchi State Council of NUJ, Umar Sa’idu, advised journalists to continue to uphold the ethics of the profession and contribute towards promoting the ideals of democracy, justice, accountability, peace, and unity in the country.

Sa’idu stressed that journalists should utilise the enabling element of freedom of expression to protect human rights, as the watchdog of the society and voice of the voiceless.

Ojukwu was reportedly abducted by the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police and was at the weekend held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, in Lagos.

FIJ said Ojukwu had gone missing last Wednesday and was unreachable even after they filed a missing person’s report 24 hours later.

It took a private detective hired by FIJ to track the last active location of his phones to Isheri Olofin, and afterwards, his family learnt of his detention at Panti.

In a series of tweets condemning the arrest, Atiku wrote, “Two days ago, on the occasion of the #WorldPressFreedomDay, a minister of this administration boasted that no journalist had been incarcerated by this administration. 

“That was before the detention of Daniel Ojukwu of @fijnigeria. The arrest of Ojukwu may not be unconnected with the ground-breaking investigative works of the independent Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) that has exposed alleged high profile smuggler with links to top officials of this administration.

“I wish to also remind of the arrest and detention of Segun Olatunji of FirstNews Newspaper and Chinonso Uba aka Nonso Ukwa of Oziza FM Radio. It is not only irresponsible to arrest journalists for exposing the ills that abound in this government, it is also a breach of their constitutionally guaranteed #FreePress.

“That the arrest of Ojukwu came barely 48 hours after the observance of the World Press Freedom Day, speaks volumes of the character of the Tinubu administration to freedom of the press. The least that is expected of the relevant authorities is to #FreeOjukwu.”

Zulum Wins NUJ Governance Award

Zulum won the Nigerian NUJ Good Governance Award 2024 in education.

At an event, tagged, “NUJ, Press Freedom and Governance Award,” 18 journalists and public servants, who distinguished themselves in their careers, were honoured.

Presenting the award to Zulum on Saturday at an event held at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, Isiguzo stated that the award was in recognition of Zulum’s laudable achievements in the development of the education sector and good governance he had provided the people of Borno State.

According to the NUJ president, Zulum has over the years embarked on innovative intervention and aggressive investment in the education sector of Borno State.

Zulum said, in a statement, that he had since 2019 executed 124 projects in the education sector, including the construction of over 30 new mega schools and the rehabilitation of 1,087 classrooms in several schools across the state.

The statement said, “Zulum has recruited over 4,000 new teachers, deployed strategies to reduce out-of-school children from two million children to 800,000 in 2024 and has approved over N4 billion as scholarship for local and foreign education to Borno indigenes.”

Responding after receiving the award, Zulum, who was represented by Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, expressed appreciation to the organisers for finding him worthy of the award.

He said, “It is amazing to be rewarded for managing a crisis and rebuilding a state like Borno State, which is coming out of a decade-long violent insurgency. The Borno restoration project focuses on bold and sustained investment in all sectors of society.

“Press freedom constitutes an important booster of the Building Borno Back and Better initiative. In Borno State, journalists are granted free space and access to information to carry out their duties and write stories that will enlighten society and influence public policy.”

The event was attended by Governor of Benue State, Rev Hyacinth Alia; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by Chairman, House Committee on Information; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Equally present were Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission, Abuja, Ms Gill Lever; Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON); Barnabas Gemade; and Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja.