Metro

‘No going back’, organisers of #EndBadGovernance protest tell Nigerian Govt

Published

2 months ago

July 27, 2024

Organizers of the planned #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled to hold across Nigeria from August 1st to the 10th have refused to back down despite pleas from the government, politicians, religious bodies, traditional rulers and respected leaders of thought.

The nationwide protest is aimed at drawing the attention of the government to the unbearable hardship, hunger, high cost of living, and bad governance and despite attempts by government at different levels and security agencies trying everything possible to dissuade the organizers to shelve their plans, they have insisted on going ahead with their plans of hitting the streets as planned.

The groups numbering over 26, made it known on different platforms that they would take to the streets to protest the prevailing hardship, hunger, and bad governance and there would be no going back.

To show their seriousness, they have to at least 20 state governments and the security agencies seeking permission to use state infrastructure to carry out their civic duty.

Some of the groups, according to findings, include Concerned Nigerians, Nigerians Against Hunger, Initiative for Change, Take it Back Movement, Revolution Now, Human Rights Co-Advocacy Group, Nigerians Against Corruption Initiative, Citizens for Change Advocacy Initiative, Timely Intervention, and Active Citizens Group.

Others are Students for Change, We Coalition, Total Intervention, Refurbished Nigeria, Tomorrow Today, Our Future in Our Own Hands Initiative, Youths Against Tyranny, and Call a Spade a Spade Movement, among others.

One of the organisers of the protest and the Convener of the Revolution Now Movement, Omoyele Sowore, also released a list of locations for the upcoming #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, scheduled to take place in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, listed the designated locations for the protest in various states including Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Enugu, Jigawa, Ekiti, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory, among others.

“The listed locations include Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki/Ajah axis, Badagry, Ikeja, and Epe in Lagos State; Kano main town in Kano State; Azare and Bauchi town in Bauchi State; Enugu city and Nsukka in Enugu State; and Dutse and Kazaure in Jigawa State.

“Other locations are Ado-Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti in Ekiti State; Calabar in Cross River State, and Gwagalada and Central Business District in the Federal Capital Territory, among other,” he said.

Another organiser who is the Director of Mobilisation of the Take it Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, said in a statement that the protest was backed by several groups in the country.

“This is not about one group or another. It is about angry and hungry Nigerians who are tired of this system. Protest is our right. Nobody can take it away from us.

“We have already written to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to avail us of the National Stadium built with taxpayers’ money for our peaceful demonstration,” he said.

Adenola said they have demanded the provision of 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, water, and security for the convenience of citizens who would be camped out at the location.

The statement titled, “Request for use of Eagle Square Abuja for #EndBadGovernance protest”
reads:

“As one of the groups organizing the forthcoming #EndBadGovernance protest, #DaysOfRage starting from August 1st to 10th, 2024, we at the Take It Back Movement write to your esteemed office to notify you of our decision to use Eagle Square as a point of convergence for patriotic Nigerians to demand better governance.”

A representative of Nigerians Against Hunger, Tunde Thomas, who also spoke on the protest, said Nigerians were tired of the hunger in the land.

“Our demands are simple – End hunger. We cannot be the most populous black nation in the world and be hungry.

“The country is in a mess. We need to recognise that. Members of our group are mostly in the Middle Belt and in Cross River. We would come out en masse and make sure we don’t stop till our demands are met.”

While echoing the same resolve, the National Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, Jabir Yaro, said:

“Nothing will stop this protest. Nobody in this world can stop this protest. It will happen and everybody should come out en masse to protest. No level of intimidation will stop us.”

Related Topics:EndBadGovernance Featured Hardship Hunger Nigeria Protest

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Metro

How media training can build a resilient culture of free speech in Zambia

Published

3 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Isaac Dachen

In a democratic country like Zambia, a free and independent media is essential for holding those in power accountable, promoting transparency, good governance and facilitating public discourse.

The media shapes public opinion and fosters a culture of independence and free speech.

However, achieving a strong and independent media landscape in Zambia has been fraught with challenges, including intimidation, censorship and limited access to information, despite the enactment of the Access to Information law.

Addressing these challenges requires professional media training.

Such training equips journalists with the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to report critically and independently, thereby strengthening democratic institutions and fostering a more engaged, diverse, vibrant and informed citizenry.

Media training supports free speech by preparing journalists to effectively communicate and report on a broad range of issues, including politics, governance, and socio-economic development.

This training encompasses traditional reporting as well as digital media practices.

As digital platforms grow in importance, training in these areas ensures journalists can engage effectively with audiences and combat misinformation.

Furthermore, media training helps journalists build resilience and manage stress, enabling them to withstand intimidation and maintain their mental and physical well-being.

Informed publics are crucial for thriving democracies.

Beyond benefiting journalists, media training has a ripple effect on the community. Training programs often include outreach initiatives that educate the public about the role of the media and the importance of free speech.

These initiatives foster a better understanding of media practices and the value of independent journalism, encouraging public support for a free and vibrant press.

Gracious Kutemwa, a radio and TV presenter at ZNBC, noted that media training promotes diverse voices and helps marginalized groups articulate and share their stories.

“This contributes to a more inclusive media landscape, which is vital for a healthy democratic society,” she said. She added that media training also encourages open dialogue between different segments of society, fostering mutual understanding and respect.

“This dialogue is crucial for addressing social issues and promoting peaceful coexistence,” Kutemwa stated.

She emphasized that media training contributes to the overall health of democracy and governance in the country.

Meanwhile, Kamo Banda, a media and journalism student, highlighted that free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, allowing for the exchange of ideas and public discourse.

“Media training in Zambia can enhance free speech by providing journalists with the skills to express themselves effectively and responsibly,” she said.

Banda also noted that effective media training extends beyond the newsroom.

“By engaging with local communities, training programs can help raise awareness about the role of the media in democracy and the importance of free speech,” she stated.

In conclusion, media training is crucial for building a vibrant and diverse media landscape that reflects the needs of Zambian society.

It empowers voices, enhances democracy, and promotes a culture of free speech and independence in Zambia.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

Metro

‘Expect more protests, I am not afraid of Tinubu’, Nigerian activist blows hot after airport arrest

Published

11 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed that despite his arrest by operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on arrival from the United States at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, the President Bola Tinubu-led government should expect more protests.

Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow, who was reportedly arrested and detained on Sunday morning at the airport by the NIS which also seized his passport and other travelling documents, said he was not afraid of Tinubu and would go ahead with planned protests.

Sowore, who is also a journalist and publisher of online news platform, Sahara Reporters, had on Sunday announced his arrest on X.com.

“I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA at MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me.

“This is not unexpected because I have always known that it is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober revolt.”

Though he was later released after undergoing interrogation, Sowore was still upbeat about going ahead with planned protests against the government as he is not afraid of President Tinubu.

Sowore who later appeared in an interview programme on a popular TV station on Sunday night by, insisted that a planned “FearlessInOctober” protest scheduled to commence on October 1, will still go on as well as other such demonstrations.

He said the protest was part of a series of protests organised by Nigerians against what he called the oppressive government of Tinubu.

“We started on August 1, which was part of the ‘End Bad Governance’ protest. It was supposed to be a continuation,” he said.

“There were 15 demands that the government did not even attend to. Instead of that, the Federal Government arrested and detained a lot of people. They tied them with bogus offences, very outrageous offences of treason – for carrying placards.

“So, this is going to be a continuation of that.

“Everybody is aware, the government is aware of this. Everybody is looking forward to it because it’s a matter of right that Nigerians have to not allow this government to obliterate them with hunger, starvation, and incompetence

“It is treason to arrest, detain, and forcibly charge citizens with crimes that the government committed. And it’s not the first time I was accused of treason. In fact, I heard about the offence of treason in 1992 at the University of Lagos when we went and did Babangida Must Go.

“And the police arrested us at Western Avenue Police Station, asked us to start writing statements under duress, and said that we wanted to overthrow the government. That was the period that Olusegun Mayegun was President of NANS.

“I was charged with treason in 2019 by Buhari, so I’m not new to these bogus offences of treason. But that is not our focus. Our focus is that we have a country to liberate and a people to save. So whatever offences are thrown our way, we should not be discouraged.

“It’s up to the people to determine what constitutes the offence of treason. And I must say to you also that in 1994, Tinubu was accused of treason. If you remember when he was accused of bombing the Ejigbo depot by Abacha. So that was why he left Nigeria on exile. But in our case, we are not going to go on exile simply because the government is afraid of our package,” Sowore added.