Polls: Avoid stories capable of triggering political crisis -CAN, JNI appeal to journalists

decided who will be the governor of Kaduna State. So, why should we fight over an election that God has already concluded even before we go to the polls?

“Journalists should not create tension in the state. I hope whoever emerges the next governor on Saturday should be left to God to judge if he fails to do justice for all of us.

“We are hoping we will have peaceful elections. We hope this and other engagements that have been coming up we help us to have a peaceful election in the state”, he added.

Engaging colleagues on the revised media code for election coverage, a former Director

General (Media) to a former governor, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki recounted how about 800 people lost their lives while about 65,000 others were displaced due to the 2011 post-election crisis in Northern Nigeria with Kaduna topping the list. He urged media platforms to ensure equitable access to all contenders irrespective of whether they are contesting on a major or minor political party.

According to him, when access is given to a candidate and the same was not given to the other, “it is a breeding ground for conflict which media and journalists must avoid as captured in the first and most important portion of the revised code.

“Again, the media must practice social responsibility. As a journalist, you are first a Nigerian before you are a journalist and so, you must promote peace at all times because conflict doesn’t know who is a journalist and who is not. You must ensure fairness, balance, and accuracy in your report. You must not report an issue that will generate conflict”, he said.

Earlier, the Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, Abdulgafar Alabelewe said, “this programme was put together to refresh our memories as journalists on the need to promote peace as we approach the 2023 governorship and state assembly elections.

“Though promotion of peace is entrenched in the journalism code of ethics and even in our formal training, we cannot underestimate the need for fora like this to remind us of our roles as nation builders.

“Without wanting to preempt the guest speakers, I want to call on my colleagues in Kaduna state to be conscious of the volatility of our dear state and avoid reportage that is capable of setting the state ablaze”.

L-R: National Commissioner of INEC, in charge of North Central, Prof. Sani M. Adam presenting the certificate of return to Senator Elect, representing Kwara Central, Sen. Saliu Mustapha, when the INEC present the certificate of returns to Senators elect, at the international Conference Centre, yesterday in Abuja.

IWD 2023: Nigerian women hardworking, dedicated, says Buhari

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined Nigerian women in celebrating the International Women’s Day (IWD), observed on March 8, recognizing the invaluable role women have played in advancing the progress of the country since independence.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, stated this in a statement Tuesday to mark the 2023 edition of IDA.

The President, Adesina said, saluted the hardwork and dedication of Nigerian women working tirelessly and achieving results in different fields of endeavor, from those sacrificing daily in the markets and farms to train the next generation of leaders, to those breaking limits in education, sports, medical field, arts, entertainment and even in politics, where they are still largely under-represented.

The President is proud to have worked and associated with some of Nigeria’s brightest women in his cabinet, government and the international community, the statement noted.

“He thanks the amazons who have served meritoriously as partners in the progress witnessed on the political, economic and social fronts.

“He notes that, against all obstacles, these women in leadership positions have delivered in a society still largely dominated by men.

‘President Buhari welcomes the contributions of role models and women who have demonstrated that through hardwork, dedication and honesty, greatness can be achieved.

“He pledges the commitment of government to promoting gender equality, respect for the rights of women and working conscientiously to remove all barriers that prevent Nigerian women from realising their universal rights.

“On the theme of IWD 2023, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, President Buhari believes that his administration has leveraged on the creation of a ministry dedicated to digital economy to promote the importance of digital skills, innovation and entrepreneurship for the girlchild.

“As Nigeria builds on the successes of the digital economy sector, which is the most successful in the diversification of the nation’s economy, and the Start-up Act, which creates endless opportunities to Nigerians in the technology space, the President trusts that women and girls in the country will have access to equal opportunities, live their dreams and contribute immensely to the development of the country,” the said.