General News
Media experts warn of mounting threats to Journalism, demand legal protection for reporters to
… urges ethical strategic communication to strengthen public trust
By Aliyu Musa
Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo have raised concerns over the deepening threats facing professional journalism in Nigeria, warning that unchecked misinformation, unregulated online content, and lack of legislative protection for journalists could further endanger the country’s democracy.
Speaking at the NUJ FCT 2025 Capacity Building Programme for Information and media Officers in Keffi, Isiguzo said the proliferation of digital tools and the rapid expansion of social media have created an environment where non-professionals now dominate the information landscape, often with damaging consequences.
“We are able to attack it headlong, then we are going to be in trouble,” he said. “The tools we have now are available to our young stars and they can do anything with it. The professionals must have to invade—be it social media or whatever name you call it to be able to displace the people that are having free movement. Social media influencers, content creators, they are churning out all sorts, and the professionals must be there to control.”
Isiguzo warned that the “fifth law of misinformation” is now causing chaos and mayhem, worsened by the activities of citizen journalists who operate without gatekeeping or ethical checks.
“Whatever you turn out must accommodate the fundamentals, so whoever is reading what you are publishing will say this is a professional doing the job,” he said.
He further lamented that Nigeria still lacks a legal framework protecting journalists, unlike countries such as Ghana, Malawi and the United States where media freedoms are constitutionally enshrined.
“There’s no piece of legislation that protects the practice of journalism in Nigeria,” he said. “If the oxygen is plugged out and democracy begins to inhale what it should not inhale carbon dioxide then that is toxic for the body, toxic for democracy and toxic for good governance.”
According to him, journalists in Nigeria shoulder the constitutional responsibility of ensuring accountability but continue to work under fear fear of harassment, arrest, intimidation, or even incarceration.
“These journalists are living in fear fear of the unknown, fear of how to feed the family, fear to protect the family,” he said. “The only thing that can protect them is the piece of legislation.”
In her keynote speech, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the capacity-building programme represents a bold and strategic commitment to strengthening professionalism in Nigeria’s communication landscape.
She said the theme of the programme—“Enhancing Image Making, Public Relations, Social Media Management, and Media Visibility in the Public Sector”—is timely, given the speed at which information now spreads and the growing influence of digital platforms.
“We live in an age where information travels faster than policy, where perception often precedes reality, and where a single headline, a single tweet, or a single video clip can redefine the reputation of an institution,” Ike said.
She noted that the role of information officers has evolved beyond issuing statements to include strategy, crisis management, content creation, digital engagement, and safeguarding institutional reputation.
“To excel in this new system, training is no longer optional; it is foundational,” she said. “It is the difference between being reactive and being strategic, between managing information and shaping narratives.”
Ike emphasized that continuous learning remains the only pathway to relevance in today’s media environment.
“When we invest in training, we invest in excellence. When we invest in knowledge, we elevate the credibility of our institutions,” she said.
“Nothing gives me more satisfaction than to see our Council investing in capacity building, because people are the greatest asset of any profession,” she added.
She encouraged participants from the Ministry of Information, NCC, the military, NASENI, and various media houses to take the training seriously.
“Ask questions, challenge assumptions, interact with facilitators, and take back knowledge that can transform your work,” she said. “Let today be the beginning of a renewed commitment to professionalism.”
Ike expressed optimism that the programme would equip participants with tools to combat misinformation, enhance public communication, and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic ecosystemb.
In her goodwill message head of Corporate Communications Nigeria Communication Commission Mrs Nnenna Ukoha who was represented by the Principal Manager, Public Affairs Mr Tunde Akpeji said the workshop was designed to strengthen staff professionalism, improve efficiency and equip participants to engage confidently within the public communication space.
He stated that the Commission values its personnel as its greatest asset, adding that investing in their skills is essential to driving positive change across the telecommunications industry. According to him, the training will equip information officers with the competencies required to effectively communicate the industry’s commitment to protecting critical national information infrastructure.
The capacity-building programme is part of the FCT NUJ’s broader initiative to strengthen ethical standards, improve government communication, and ensure that journalists and information officers remain effective guardians of public interest amid rising misinformation threats.
The event with the theme enhancing public image, strategic communication and media visibility in the digital era also had the presence of personalities to include the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Mr Stanley Azuka Ogadigo, Deputy Director International Institute of Journalism IIJ Mr Nicholas Igwenagu, Dr Simon Sheyigar, Lecturer Federal University Lokoja and Mr Victor Habila Alaka
They took sessions to share their experience on different topics to build reputations as public relations officer
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
To cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, the Federal Government has approved a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, .
This was one of the outcomes of the conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja on Tuesday, following renewed pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.
The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The parties did not agree on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, but agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The document made public after the meeting was tagged: ‘Resolutions Reached at a Conciliation Meeting Held at Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday, 27th October, 2026’, outlined agreements on minimum wage negotiations, transport support, outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.
The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on October 22, 2026, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address disagreements between the government and organised labour.
On the transport intervention, the document stated, “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The agreement trails high transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Organised labour has repeatedly demanded measures to ease the economic pressure on workers, including reductions in petrol prices, improved wages and the implementation of outstanding welfare agreements.
The memorandum also noted the NLC leadership’s concerns about the government’s handling of its demands.
Addressing the disagreement, it stated that the NLC leadership “expressed concern over the Federal Government’s attitude towards the above issues.”
It added that the Federal Government, in response, “stated that it fully respects the right of the Congress to advocate for improved working conditions for Nigerian workers, and is genuinely trying to address every aspect of it through a structured intervention.”
On the national minimum wage, the parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
However, the effective date of implementation remained unresolved.
The document stated, “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The disagreement leaves a key issue outstanding despite the commitment to begin negotiations without delay.
The national minimum wage became a major issue in 2024 when the Federal Government and organised labour negotiated an increase in the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The new rate was subsequently enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.
The latest agreement refers to further discussions and the implementation date of the national minimum wage but does not provide details of the specific proposal under consideration or when the parties expect to conclude the negotiations.
The agreement indicates that while the government has approved some financial interventions, other workers’ demands remain subject to further negotiations, administrative verification or decisions by relevant government bodies.
“Trump… Please bring my son back to me. I am begging you for mercy.” And what Trump did when he heard those words… may bring tears to your eyes.
Her name was Malphine. She was 95 years old. A mother who had spent years waiting. Hoping. Praying. And one day… she finally got the chance to meet Trump. And stood before him. With all the strength she had left. And spoke the only words in her heart. Please. Bring my son home.
And Trump looked at this 95-year-old mother. Held her hands. And gave her a promise. I will bring your son home.
And Malphine held on to that promise. The way only a mother of 95 can hold on to something. When hope is all she has left.
Days went by. Weeks went by. And then one morning… the news finally arrived. Her son Marc was coming home. After years away. After years inside a foreign prison. After years of a mother waking up every single day, wondering whether she would ever get to hold her child again.
He stepped off that plane. And returned home. And when Marc’s feet finally touched American soil… Trump was there. In person. To welcome him. To embrace him. To look him in the eyes and say… welcome home. America has not forgotten you.
And in that single embrace…
Trump showed the world something that no speech and no rally could ever truly express: That America cares about its people. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally. And never gives up fighting for them.
And today… I sat thinking about that story. And remembered every harsh word I had ever spoken about this man. Every judgment. Every doubt. Every moment I chose to look away. And I felt something I can hardly describe. Deep shame.
Because Malphine trusted Trump at 95 years old. With all the hope she had left. And he helped bring her son home.
Today… this is the side of Trump that so many people may never take the time to see.
Not the Trump in the headlines. Not the Trump on the rally stage. Just a man. Who listened to a 95-year-old mother pleading for her son. Worked to help answer her prayers. And personally showed up to welcome him home.
If this story touched your heart today… let God and every American reading this feel your .
And tell me honestly, in your own words — after reading this… can you still speak badly about President Trump? Because I truly find it difficult to do so. Not anymore. Not after hearing this story.
Sons of Liberty. Maga Movement
–Calls for NSCDC reforms, compensation for victims
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
Dehydration was cause of the death of the detained miners, the panel constituted to investigate the deaths of alleged illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has stated.
The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, , said the miners suffered acute respiratory failure.
He also corrected the earlier reports that 37 miners died in custódy, saying 33 miners were confirmed dead.
He said the miners collapsed after calling for water and were ignored by the personnel of the NSCDC.
He added that the detention room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated.
He said the miners were illegally arrested and detained, stressing that they were all detained beyond the legally allowed period.
Part of the panel’s report called for a total reform of the NSCDC as well as solicited compensation for the victims.
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