By sdnonline

No doubt, Nigeria is enjoying democracy to an extent but the truth remains that the nation nascent democratic system can still be better with the amendment of it’s electoral process to deepen citizens participation in democracy.

As part of efforts to deepen citizens democratic participation, civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the National Assembly to hasten the process of the electoral reforms to ensure the concerns of critical stakeholders are adequately met.

The coalition organisations with support of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU- SDGN) are: Institute for Media and Society (IMS); International Press Centre (IPC); Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD); CLEEN Foundation; Inclusive Friends Association; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and Nigeria Women’s Trust Fund.

Others are: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC); Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ); The Albino Foundation; Yiaga Africa; Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD); Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) and Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA).

Speaking at a joint press conference in Lagos, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), explained that there is the need for the National Assembly to adopt a set of citizens’ priorities for the 2021 Electoral Amendment Bill

“We are here gathered to further amplify these and related issues for the purpose of enlisting the support of the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, with the constitutional mandate to monitor governance and hold the government accountable to the people, for the citizens-driven electoral reforms that we seek.

“In the above regard the underlining principle behind our call on you to play a vanguard role in the process is for the media to ensure that the National Assembly is accountable to key stakeholders in the Nigerian electoral process in making any amendments. Among these stakeholders are the civil society, the women, the youths, the people living with disability and the election management body itself – the Independent National Electoral Commission. Any amendment that fails to reckon with the demands of these groups will not help to strengthen the electoral processes,” he said.

Parts of the demand of the coalition on media include: That there should be recognition of, distinction between and provision for free access and paid access for political parties and candidates to the media during election campaigns; that public media (broadcast and print) should provide equitable airtime/coverage to all political parties and candidates during election campaigns- under both free and paid access arrangements; that Public media (broadcast and print) should grant the usually underserved and marginalised groups, particularly Women and People With Disabilities (PWDs), special discounted airtime/advert rates during election campaigns.
That the media should publish airtime/space tariffs before, during and after elections.
That the penalty for contravention of the provisions in Section 100 should be restricted to the offending entity (the media house). It should not be extended to the “principal officers” and “other officers’ of the media house.

“One important frontier at which information could serve as public good is the electoral process and that is why we are proposing some amendments that will ensure that the media is not encumbered in the coverage and reportage of political parties and candidates, especially as self-regulatory frameworks, including the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage require that the media should give them equitable access while also promoting the inclusive issues of women, youths and people living with disabilities. Indeed, all the frameworks governing media role in elections require that journalists should adhere to the ethical and professional imperatives of fairness, balance, accuracy, conflict sensitivity and avoidance of hate speech.

,”The above demands reflect our rejections of the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act in the bill before the National Assembly especially in Section 100 (6 (a) of the bill proposing that the fine for media houses be increased to N 2millon in the first instance and N5million upon subsequent conviction a d Section 100 (6) (b) proposing that: “Principal officers and other officers of the media house to a fine of N2 million or to imprisonment for a term of 12 months,” Arogundade declared.

In the current Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) the penalties for contravention of the provision in Section 100 (3) and100 (4) as stipulated in Section 100(6) is: A maximum fine of N 500, 000 in the first instance, and a maximum fine of N1million for subsequent conviction.

While maintaining that there is high expecrtation from the media, Executive Director, Institute for Media and Society (IMS), Dr. Akin Akingbulu said the electoral law must ensure the media perform it’s role without inhibitor.
“The expectation from the media is very high. Media should ensure equal and equitable coverage of political parties, women and people with disabilities during electoral process,” he said.

In the area of inclusion issues, the coalition organisations eiterated their demands for the National Assembly to give utmost consideration to: protecting the voting rights of the blind and visually impaired voters;
regulating the cost of nomination of candidates to promote political inclusion and;
promoting the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disability in politics.

“Electoral reform remains the only way an inclusive electoral system can be achieved. Hence, the continued call for the enabling legal instruments wherein inclusive participation of all Nigerians to participate in the electoral process (without being disenfranchised, without fear of attack by hoodlums and political hooligans, without fear of insecurity, without denials based on gender or disability, and without any restrictions in the ease to emerge as a candidate, and without any inhibition to vote and the votes to count during the election, etc) is guaranteed.”

Similarly, David Anyaele, Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) declared that access to voters education and political positions are great challenges for people with disability.

“There is no enabling platform for people with disability to make our voice heard and become visible. Access to voters education and political positions are our great challenges . People think because of our condition we cannot participate in the electoral process,” he said.

Director of Programmes, Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Mary George-Peluola, stressed that women still face a lot of challenges which hamper them from pursuing their political career and getting political leadership positions.

Adeola Ekine Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Lagos State Chapter, enjoined women to support each other in every area including politics and urged media houses not to be gender biased in sharing responsibilities.

On his part, Chairman of Lagos State Council of Radio and Television Theatre Art Workers Union (RATTAWU), Dare Durosinmi called on media houses in Nigeria to provide life insurance for journalists during the electoral process.

On the Issue of INEC and conduct of credible and acceptable elections, the CSOs therefore demand for: Strengthening the financial and operational independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); publication of polling unit level results by INEC to promote transparency in the results process; legitimising the use of technology in the electoral process through electronic accreditation of voters; electronic voting, electronic collation and transmission of results;
Introducing stiffer sanctions for electoral offences and establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission;
Improving election security and comprehensive regulation of the conduct of security personnel on election duty;
Introduction of early voting for Nigerians on essential election duty and voting rights for Nigerians in the diaspora;
Eliminating judicial actions/proceedings that ridicule or make a mockery of citizens will and choices in electing their representatives.

According to the coalition organisations “It was a welcome development when the National Assembly began a process in 2020 to amend the electoral laws..The urgent need for a new law is founded on the broad-based consensus by all Nigerians and electoral stakeholders on the need for a more credible and improved electoral process that encourages active citizens’ participation while genuinely guaranteeing their rights in choosing leaders that will provide quality representation and sustainable governance. There’s no doubt that over the last two decades of uninterrupted civil rule, there is still a deep yearning for reforms that can significantly inspire citizens’ trust in democracy.

“However, the silence from the National Assembly on the Electoral Amendment bill since the public hearing in December 2020 and the retreat to consolidate citizens’ feedback into the bill in late January 2021 is worrying. Nigerians deserve that the elected representatives readily respond to the needs of the people and grant the request for a new electoral law that genuinely captures the wishes of the people. This delay in concluding the process serves as a reminder of the failed process in 2018 and the lost opportunity to consolidate Nigeria’s democracy in 2019.”

By sdnonline

As media organisations and associations worldwide commemorate the World Press Freedom Day, Monday, , May 3, 2021, Journalists for Christ (JFC) International Outreach, the association for Christian Journalists and allied professional in Nigeria, has called on the Nigerian government to ensure the necessary freedom for the Nigerian press in order to carry out its professional role of informing the public

The organisation also urged media professionals in the country to ensure access to verified and reliable information for the people.

According to JFC President, Lekan Otufodunrin, the theme for this year’s celebration ” Information as a Public Good” is very apt considering the urgent need, more than ever before, to ensure that people have access to the right information at all times.

“New media technologies have enhanced freedom of expression, dissemination and access to information, but the level of misinformation and dissemination have become worrisome.”

“Fake news have become the order of the day with many false information and harmful content being disseminated regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and other major crises,” he said.

He explained that in line with the statement by UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azulay, this year’s celebration should call attention to the  essential  role of free and professional  journalists  in  producing  and  disseminating this information, by tackling misinformation and other harmful content.

Otufodunrin therefore called on the Nigerian government to ensure the press is not gagged saying, “In this regard, the media in Nigeria and worldwide needs the necessary freedom and support to be able to play it’s expected role in properly informing and educating the public.

“Hence, the information people get should be empowering and lifesaving for public good not harmful to individual and corporate existence.”

By SDNonline

U.S. Consul General Claire Pierangelo joined dignitaries including Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the formal opening of the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Center & Specialist Hospital (MRCC) in Lagos.

The new healthcare facility founded by Dr. Modupe Elebute Odunsi, is equipped with cutting edge American medical diagnostic equipment and is reputed to be Nigeria’s first comprehensive cancer treatment center.

Delivering remarks at the event on Friday, Pierangelo noted that the establishment of the MRCC represents yet another example of the strong partnership between American and Nigerian private sectors to significantly improve public health outcomes.

She also noted that the United States continues to lead the world in medical research, innovation and technology providing solutions to tackle the scourge of cancer and bringing happiness to many, as demonstrated by the ingenious medical devices developed by Varian and GE Healthcare.

She lamented the heavy emotional and financial burden cancer places on patients and their loved ones and expressed optimism that the new health facility will make cancer treatment available locally and significantly reduce medical tourism for cancer care.

“We can only hope that more centers like the MRCC will emerge and that all stakeholders in the health system continue to take big strides towards defeating cancer. Varian, GE and other U.S. medical equipment suppliers are ready to be reliable partners in such effort,” Consul General Pierangelo said.

“It is heartwarming to know that Marcelle Ruth Cancer Center & Specialist Hospital is the first comprehensive healthcare center in Nigeria and perhaps the whole of Africa, with the most advanced radiotherapy treatment. With these diagnosis and treatment capabilities now available in Nigeria at MRCC, Nigerians do not need to travel overseas again to seek medical solutions for any kind of cancer,” she added.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Nigeria recorded nearly 125,000 new cases of cancer in 2020 and about 79,000 cancer-related deaths. That means every hour, fourteen Nigerians are diagnosed of cancer and nine die as a result. By IAEA recommendations, Nigeria should have, at a minimum, 150 working medical linear accelerators. However, there are currently only between 3-5 working machines in the country at any given moment.

-By FUNMI FALOBI-

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Anne Patterson joined Dr. Perpetua Uhomoibhi, Coordinator of Nigeria’s National Malaria Elimination Program on Tuesday to launch a new activity to control the country’s leading killer of children – malaria – in rural areas of eight vulnerable states.

Over the next five years, the $90 million President’s Malaria Initiative for States (PMI-S) will serve as the flagship activity for the global U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in Nigeria. Since 2010, PMI has provided $712 million in investments, including the distribution of over 61 million insecticide treated bed nets (ITN), which are now in 43 percent of all households, twice the rate before the intervention.

“In Nigeria, members of low-income households in rural areas are seven times more likely to contract malaria than urban dwellers,” Patterson said. “Because these communities also have limited access to prevention and treatment services, it is critically important to reach these populations to reduce malaria.”

In partnership with state governments, PMI-S will improve the quality of and access to malaria services, promote evidence-based decision-making, boost drug drug-based prevention and treatments, and strengthen health systems and program management.

The new activity builds on the success of earlier PMI-supported malaria interventions in Nigeria, which has helped the national rate of malaria infection decrease by 16 percent – even higher for children under five – since PMI began operating in Nigeria. PMI has also helped increase the likelihood a pregnant woman receives malaria prophylaxis fourfold.

Led by USAID and implemented with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the last year, in addition to distribution of ITNs – provided 22 million doses of prophylaxis to pregnant women, 6.9 million doses to children, and 129 million treatment doses at health facilities and in communities. Another 62 million rapid tests helped health workers properly diagnose and treat patients for malaria and other fevers. PMI-S is implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH).

By sdnonline

To commemorate World Earth Day on April 22, 2021, the U.S Embassy’s Green team, led by Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and Deputy Chief of Mission Kathleen FitzGibbon, visited the LEA Primary School in Gwarimpa to meet the 20 ECO-Scholars sponsored by the Embassy’s recycling program, plant trees, educate the children on the need to recycle, and donate school supplies and learn about the progress of the 20 ECO-Scholars sponsored by the recycling program. The Embassy will plant 20 trees to represent the 20 Eco Scholars sponsored by the Green Stripe Initiative program.

Ambassador Leonard noted, “There is no greater way to put words into action than to witness the transformation of American recyclables into the bright eyes of Nigerian students. As the United States convenes the Leaders’ Summit on Climate today, we recognize that only together with government, the private sector and civil society can we succeed in reducing emissions and transitioning to welcome the benefits of climate action including job creation and innovation.”

The Green Stripe Initiative’s focus has been on increasing efforts to recycle paper, glass, cardboard, and plastic. While great strides have been made in this regard, Green Stripe will additionally focus on other tangible areas of impact such as energy consumption, waste disposal, and water usage. With each step along the way, GSI seeks greater community involvement as we focus on a greener Earth for all.

On the recycling front, the Embassy has been working with a local partner, Chanji Datti, who collects recyclables and converts them into raw materials for further use. To this end, revenues generated from recyclables collected from Mission members, have been used by Chanji Datti in conjunction with the Flexisaf foundation to support 20 ECO-Scholars at the LEA School in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

The embassy commends Transcorp Hilton for supporting this year’s World Earth Day by providing additional trees to plant. This affirms the importance of the public and private sectors working together to reduce emissions and to combat climate change.