₦airaland Forum

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Video of Kwara State Governor’s adviser shooting AK47 surface, as KMC raise alarm on plans to unleash maim on opposition candidates in Kwara LG election.

Kwara Must Change has uncovered deadly plans being orchestrated by the Saraki led ruling party against opposition candidates in the Local Government election slated for 18th Nov, 2017 in Kwara State. The plan was to threaten, kidnap and if possible, eliminate strong opposition candidates participating in the local government election.

We came to this conclusion based on information available to us.

Today, 15th November 2017, 3 days before the Local Government election, an online news platform, INFORMANT247 released a video of Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Political matters, Alh. Bibire Ajape caught in a web of illegal possession of fire arms.

In the video also seen by Kwara Must Change, Bibire Ajape was being instructed on how to use the AK47 riffle by some mobile police officers.

Bibire Ajape who was brandishing and firing a pump action gun in the clip LovePeddler a white native and had some mobile Police officers and others standing with him. We suspect that the riffle being used to train Ajape belong to one of the police officers, as we could hear one telling him in Yoruba language to hold the gun firmly. Ajape fired 3 shots in the clip amidst cheers from is accomplice.

Kwara Must Change believe very strongly that Ajape, who was accused of sponsoring thugs to attack Comrade Oloruntoba Abdulmumeen Musbaudeen just few days ago is preparing for the D day and how to carry out their evil act of election rigging and subjugation.

On 12th November 2017, APC political thugs loyalty to Mr Bibire Ajape had attacked Comrade Oloruntoba Abdulmumeen Musbahudeen, an opposition Chairmanship aspirant in Ilorin West Local Government at a campaign rally around Amule area. Musbahudeen escaped the assassination attempt, but many others were hurt and their vehicles destroyed.

Additionally, on 14th November 2017, a member of Kwara Must Change, Mr. Tunde A Abubakar who is also a contestant in Akanbi ward V, Ilorin South Local Government raised alarm about threats to his life and plan to kidnap him and 4 others.

Mr Tunde A Abubakar stated that, ‘’ he was reveled to hear that some Akanbi ward V APC elders are planning to kidnap him and four other PDP members in the ward in order to disrupt our supporters ahead of the local government election’’.

While Kwara Must Change was earlier unsure about the alarm raised by Mr Tunde Abubakar or how to react to it, the video of Bibire Ajapre training to kill with AK47 riffle just few days to the election left us to conclude that the plan of maim, kidnap and brutality being rumored could be true.

We are therefore calling on all security agencies to provide adequate protection for all candidates participating in this coming election, as well as their immediate families.

Specifically, we are calling on the Inspector General of Police to immediately order the arrest of Alhaji Bibire Ajape and others seen in the video clip and launch a proper investigation into the alleged rumor of plans to attack and kidnap of opposition candidates. We also urge the police to immediately storm the residence of Mr Ajape for possible stockpile of ammunition which maybe planned for use during the local government election exercise.

Finally, we demand that all the mobile police officers seen in the video training Bibire Ajape should be rounded up and properly investigated and sanctioned.

Below is a link to the video clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd_3TUHDukI

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
Kwara Must Change

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Mugabe and Grace, the women influence
Look at Mugabe, the once adored revolutionary have now been held captive in his own country, by his own people. The same people who once adored and fear him like god.

Madam Grace, the first lady is supposed to bring grace into the life of a hero, but something unexpected happened. I hope it won't be from grace to grass.

Those familiar with Zimbabwe political scene have long predicted that, if Mugabe ever falls, which they expect to happen and which now seems to be happening, his wife Grace makes it happen. Her frivolousness with power and its excessive usage has made her husband's ardent supporters turned his enemies. We have read about the many scandals and fracas.

According to analyst, Madam Grace makes Mugabe do the unthinkable, Its like her wish is his command. She can even ask him to put his hand in burning fire and it is less likely that he would resist, like the recent sacking of the Vice President to pave way for her to take over after him as President.
This is just one, out of the several crazy things she has made him do without thinking of its consequences.

Fortunately, he did many without much consequence, but unfortunately, this seems to be bringing undesired and unexpected consequences that may have no remedy.

Many will argue that the wife of late President Musa Yardua of Nigeria, Hajia Turai Yaadua is largely responsible for the cabal drama that occurred when the late president was ill and incapacitated. She reportedly held unto power for herself and wielded it for as long as it lasted.

Then the Patient Jonathan drama. We all read how she doesn't want her husband, Goodluck Jonathan to hand over power after losing the 2015 election. She wanted it at all cost and was even alleged to have fought him for conceded defeat. If anything contributed to GEJ's losing that election in the first place, Patience Jonathan high handedness have a hand in it.

It appeared the story of Samson in the bible is not just a story, it is a real life event that we also can put in a book for future generations to learn from.

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SUPPORT THE PROTEST AGAINST CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT!!!

Citizens Action To Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) wishes to call on the general public to support the #BuhariMustAct Mass Protest to #TakeBackMDAs slated to hold on 22nd Nov 2017.

Nigerians will converge at the Unity Fountain in Abuja and March to the EFCC Headquarters and the Office of the President to demand that the Federal Government take decisive action against corruption in the Ministries, Departments & Agencies simply known as MDAs. CATBAN is calling on well meaning Nigerians to support this move to sanitize our MDAs and restore its integrity.

It is important to note that, government alone cannot fix the problems in Nigeria. They need constant encouragement, reminder and charge from patriotic members of the public and Civil Society Organizations. CATBAN is leading this protest in furtherance of its determination to ensure the Buhari led administration fulfill its promises of killing corruption before corruption kills Nigeria.

#BuhariMustAct protest has nothing to do with politics; it is open to all selfless and patriotic Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or political orientation. This protest will afford us all an opportunity to remind the President that high scale corruption still exists in the MDAs and we demand that the FG should take action.

Based on the structures of mobilization puts on ground by CATBAN and the responses so far, we wish to solicit support from all members of the public to donate the following items:
1. Green Beret (any number)
2. Hand-held Nigeria’s Flag (any number)
3. Water (any number of bottled or sachet)
4. Public Address System
5. First Aid Boxes with contents.
6. Any useful items that will add value to the protest!

We appreciate all callers and citizens that have been supporting this preparation via social media platforms.

For donations and enquiry, pls call CATBAN 09097619059.

Thank you in anticipation and God bless our struggle for a better Nigeria.

Ibrahim Garba Wala
National Convener,
C A T B A N

Buhari is just one person like you and i. Until all of us decided to join the fight, there is nothing Buhari alone can do

What is wrong with Nigerian Police?
By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

Within the last 3 months, allegations of bribery, inefficiency and corrupt practices have been slammed against the Nigerian Police by 3 different bodies.

Firstly, it was a former police officer and high ranking member of National Assembly, Senator Isah Masau that painted the extent of corruption in the Nigeria Police Force.

Secondly, a reputable government agency, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in partnership with United Nations (UN) reported the extent of bribery and corruption in the police, when it ranked it as the most corrupt public institution in Nigeria.

Then, just this past week, an International Organization, World Internal Security and Police Index International (WISPI) reported that the Nigerian Police is the worst in the world. The police rejected all the reports.

When allegations of corruption or inefficiency are slammed against the police, hardly does any Nigerian contest the allegation. For a long time, many Nigerians have held the view that the Nigerian Police is one of the most corrupt institutions in Nigeria. This is a tag the police authorities have often rejected.

However, the prevalence of bribe taking police officers in our stations and highways didn’t justify the denial of the police authorities. While the police may be correct that they are not the only corrupt institution in Nigeria or that those who alleged that the police are corrupt are themselves guilty of the crime, the fact available indicates that, police are very corrupt and we need to do something about it very quickly.

Some times in August 2017, a former police officer, now a Senator of the federal republic alleged that the police are guilty of bribery and corruption. The Senator claimed that the Inspector General Of police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris among other allegations, do collect bribe of over N10 billion monthly from banks, multinational corporations and other private organizations.

The IG was further accused of extorting money, ranging from N10m to N15m, from Commissioners of Police, State Mobile Commanders and Special Protection Units (SPU) Commanders, for favorable postings.

However, the Force Headquarters refuted the claims, insisting that Senator Misau deserted the Force upon been posted to Niger Command in September 2010. The Nigeria Police also said that Senator Isah Misau has no reasonable evidence to back the allegations of corruptions against the Force. The IG has dragged him to court as we speak.

Meanwhile, a brief investigation at the banks and other private organizations truly indicates that, private organization being served by the police have special funds being paid to police for security, but these funds does not go to the Federal Government.

Similarly, the National Bureau for Statistics, NBS stirred hornet’s nest few months ago when it released its corruption perception index report, which claimed that the police is the most corrupt public institution in Nigeria. The damning report came the same day the United Nations Office for Drug and Crimes (UNODC) released its own corruption report that said Nigeria spent N400bn annually on bribes to public officials.

According to the 2017 National Corruption Survey, 46.4 per cent of Nigerian citizens have had “bribery contact” with police officers. That is the worst case, compared to 33 per cent with prosecutors and 31.5 per cent with Judges/magistrates.

Again, the police authorities denied the claim of corruption as contained in the Corruption Index. Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood described the report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as false. He said: “Corruption is a personal thing and Nigeria Police Force is not a corrupt institution and it is not for anybody to have made such allegation. ”The allegations are mischievous because it is not empirical and we distance ourselves from such and we want all Nigerians to condemn such. ”In fact a lot of changes have been introduced into the Force to ensure that we are accountable to the people”, Nation quoted him as saying. The police said.

Then, another report came out from the World Internal Security and Police Index International (WISPI). The 2016 report rates the Nigeria Police Force the “worst” globally in terms of its ability to handle internal security challenges. The indices used in accessing 127 countries from four key areas, namely, capacity, process, legitimacy and outcomes, aim to measure the ability of the security apparatus within a country to respond to internal security challenges, both now and in future. According to the report, Nigeria police performed worst on the index on all the four domains, with a score of 0.255.

However, the Nigeria Police has once again reacted to the report in a negative way. The Police gunned down the ranking that puts it at the bottom of the world police formations and said it is the best in the world. “Nigeria Police Force is the best in UN Peace Keeping Operations, Best in Africa, One of the Best in the World the police said.

The police added that, after a careful study of the report and the news items emanating from it, it wishes to state categorically that the report is entirely misleading, a clear misrepresentation of facts and figures and essentially unempirical, considering the area of coverage of the report which was said to have been carried out in 2016 by the above mentioned associations.

One will begin to wonder, can all this organizations be wrong at the same time about police corruption and inefficiency or can the police denial erase the tag of corruption against the institution? I am of the view that, the Nigeria police should stop the denial and instead look deep within it ranks to correct some of the identified lapses that is making corruption strive within the institution.

If former police officers, reputable government agencies and NGO both locally and internationally are saying the same thing about the police, don’t you think it is high time for police authorities to swallow the bitter pills and embark on genuine reforms to get rid of corruption in the institution?

In peace and conflict circle, accepting the existence of the problem is the first step in correcting it. Instead of this continuous denial, the police authorities should ask themselves a simply question, ‘’what is wrong with Nigerian police’’ and set out an evidence based methods of addressing it.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat is the Executive Director of Foundation for Peace Professionals and can be reached on discus4now@gmail.com

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Group drag Finance Minister, National Teachers Institute to court over illegal suspension of 150 staff

PRESS STATEMENT
Foundation for Peace Professionals (FPP) has dragged the National Teachers Institute (NTI) Council based in Kaduna and the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun to the National Industrial Court over the illegal and unlawful suspension of appointments of over 150 newly recruited staff at NTI.

The hearing of the matter shall come up on Tuesday, 14th November 2017 at the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division.

The 150 victims were recruited in April 2016 and a newly appointed Director General of the institute, Prof. Garba Dahuwa Azare upon resumption ordered the employment be suspended in August 2016. No reason was given for the suspension, despite numerous inquiries.

In an effort to avoid any litigation on the matter, the victims wrote several petitions to appropriate authorities for intervention, which include but not limited to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, National Human Rights Commission and others.

When the aforementioned agencies failed to intervene in the matter, despite having evidences that the recruitment process followed lay down procedure, including a Federal Characters Commission certificates of compliance, which attested that due process was followed in the exercise, the victims ran to several civil society organizations including the Foundation for Peace Professionals (FPP).

In our usual practice of avoiding litigation as much as possible, we initiated a process of mediation by seeking audience with the management of the institute in other to come to a common ground. However, our numerous letters pleading for understanding and opportunity for mediation was not honored.

We were left with no option than to approach the industrial court to enforce right of the victims in the interest of peace and justice.

We are therefore praying to the court to do as follows:

1. A declaration that the offer of appointments and or employment granted to the 150 claimants on or about 29th April 2016 complied with all lay down procedures and same are legal and subsisting, which made them bonafide employees of the National Teachers Institute.
2. A declaration that the claimant were not accorded fair treatment by the defendants respectively for not adhering strictly to the provisions of S.7(iv) of the staff regulations and conditions of service of the institute by their failure to make the appointment of the claimant effective.
3. An order compelling the defendants to make the appointments of the 150 claimants effective forthwith
4. An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, either by themselves or acting through their agents from making any fresh employment or giving any fresh appointment that will take over the positions of the 150 claimants in any form without fully making effective, the employment of the 150 claimants into the full service of the institute.

We still believe that an out of court settlement will be the best option in resolving dispute of such nature and we are open to discussion with the defendants.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
Executive Director
Foundation for Peace Professionals

Peace Structure and 2016 Strategic Conflict Assessment of Nigeria
By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

Peace does not exist on its own in an environment of interactions between two or more people. It has to be created through strategy. As I have often said, peace is a product that must be created through innovation of leaders.

Research by Institute for Economic Peace have established that the relative peace of a society is underpinned by the material and cultural circumstances of that society, whether it is the efficiency of the formal institutions of government, the strength of the economic conditions, or the strength of the cultural and informal norms that relate to corruption.

To bring peace into existence in a society like ours that is not just with multi tribal and multi religious configuration, but also with pervasive corruption and mismanagement, there is need to set up a sustainable peace structure that will continuously provide the needed antidote against conflict. Experts are no longer in doubt that building structure for peace is the best way to address conflict. However, to build an effective structure for peace, there is need to understand the nature of conflicts prevalent in the society. This would help us build an appropriate structure that has capacity to respond and address conflict. In an effort to understand the nature and motivation behind the numerous conflicts in Nigeria, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) embarked on a painstaking investigation around the country to develop a Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) for Nigeria. They have done a wonderful job and deserve our commendation. Although, Foundation for Peace Professionals was not involved in the process of investigation, assessment and development of the Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA), not withstanding, we understand the vision behind the national assignment and have confidence in the outcome of the research. On Thursday, 9th November 2017, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) launched the Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) for Nigeria at the Nicon Luxury Hotel here in Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria. In attendance were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Khadijat Abba, Gen. TY Danjuma, representative of UNDP, DFID and many others. I represented the Foundation for Peace Professionals (FPP). The research presentation was the outcome of almost 2 years of vigorous efforts of investigation, consistent traveling from one local governments to the other as well as analysis of information by the institute and its consulting partners. The Strategic Conflict Assessment (2016) was accompanied with a National Action Plan (NAP) to ensure proper implementation of the recommendations of the assessment, not just to mitigate the outbreak of conflict all across Nigeria, but to understand and address the root causes as well as find lasting solution. We understand that the Strategic Conflict Assessment of 2016 is not the first of its kind. Similar documents had been published in 2002, 2008 and 2012 (SCA). However, the 2016 publication is different in the sense that, it came with a national action plan for the implementation. The National Action Plan (NAP), according to the institute is to provide a framework for the implementation of the recommendation. What is required now is to set up an implementation committee to develop a strategic action plan with timeline of implementation. I want to believe that the federal government of Nigeria will mobilize the state governors and other arms of government to quickly look into the formation of a strategic action plan to come up with a timeline. While it is true that i am yet to fully study the 548 pages document, which i am going to start doing as soon as possible along with our team at the FPP. I must note however that, i have read, studied and comprehended the 38 pages National Action Plan (NAP) and i have no doubt whatsoever that there are some worthy recommendations that may truly help the country reduce the many avoidable conflicts in Nigeria. One of the key findings of this investigation is that, occurrences of conflicts in the 6 geo political zones of Nigeria have known no territorial or geo-political bounds. Those conflicts ranges from insurgency, militancy as well as a variety of other cross-cutting forms of inter group and communal conflicts, including conflicts borne out of youth restiveness, sundry crimes against humanity, political conflicts, ethno-religious and inter-faith, intra faith conflict and others. To solve some of the problems identified, the SCA recommended that government define explicitly and address the issue of land use and grazing activities in Nigeria. It also recommended that constitutional amendments should clarify indigenes, citizens and settler’s rights and other far reaching recommendations. The SCA recommendation also identified both state and non state actors that should be part of the implementation committee. For the state actors, we have the president, vice president, chief executive offices of the states, deputy governors and legislative arm of government, both at the national and state level. We also have the national and state Security Council and federal and state security and other related agencies. As for the non state actors, this include community based organizations, faith based organizations, relevant Non Governmental Organizations, relevant International NGO’s and others. It is my view that, the combination of state and none state actors that may be part of this implementation committee as recommended by the Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) are the primary structures of peace needed to support peace building in Nigeria. However, how properly the structure is empowered and utilized will determine, to a large extent, its effectiveness in fulfilling it’s mandate. Finally, the Foundation for Peace Professionals shall be reviewing the Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) document, after which we shall send our observation and recommendations. Meanwhile, a brief glance at the document indicates that analyses of conflict were done on regional basis. We shall also be making our reviews on regional basis. It is our intention to break down the academic jargon contained in the huge document to something more youth friendly.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat is the Executive Director of Foundation for Peace Professionals and can be reached on discus4now@gmail.com
http://mrrightsng..com.ng/2017/11/peace-structure-and-2016-strategic.html

Dear Citizens,
Our voices can do the magic!
Let us mobilise and march against the inaction of Mr. President on the monumental corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Wednesday 22nd November, 2017.

DRESS CODE: Green Beret only!!!

Join the upcoming protest #BuhariMustAct on #CorruptionInMDAs. Let's #TakeBackMDAs on 22nd November with a March to EFCC & Presidency. For details, call CATBAN 09097619059.
Let's start by sharing this post, copy and rebroadcast via all platforms you belong. Thank you for being part of the fight against impunity & corruption. GOD BLESS OUR NOBLE INTENT & EFFORT.

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mexxmoney:
She has very nice songs but I think she needs to work on her brand.

You are correct. She needs more promotion and understanding of the business aspect of music.

Group condemn shooting of taxi driver in Abuja
http://mrrightsng..com.ng/2017/11/group-condemn-shooting-of-taxi-driver.html

PRESS RELEASE
Foundation for Peace Professionals (FPP) has been informed of an unfortunate incident that happened today in Abuja at wuse market, in which a soldier who is part of security task force shot a taxi driver for no justifiable reason. The security task force reportedly dumped the victims body in his vehicle and ran away.

We condemn the cruelty and inhumanity displayed against a fellow human by the security task force. Foundation for Peace Professionals also aware that the incident had led to massive protest which started in wuse market at the scene and quickly spread to other parts of the Federal capital. We appeal to the aggrieved protesters to remain calm and not take laws into their hands. Only in an atmosphere of peace can justice prevail. Findings have revealed that, the security task force has been extorting members of the public around wuse market for a long time. Many of those who started and joined the protest when the ugly incident happened were said to be victims, who had been abused and extorted at one time or the other. We therefore call for the review of the operation of all task force that has deviated from the purpose of its creation.

We also call on the security agencies to arrest and properly prosecute the soldier that shot the taxi driver and all other members of the task force engaged in public extortion and criminality. It is important to note that, security agencies cannot do their job properly without public support, but with incident such as this, the public maybe unable to cooperate with security agencies that they perceive to be cruel, wicked and unjust to them. This is why security agencies must restore public confidence by taking appropriate actions against erring officers.

We therefore appeal to the Minister of FCT, the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) and the security agencies to jointly review the operation of this task force and others like it to ensure citizens are not being violated under the guise of maintaining law and order.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
Executive Director
Foundation for Peace Professionals

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YBNL princess have the magic
http://mrrightsng..com.ng/2017/11/ybnl-princess-have-magic.html

Temmi Ovwasa, the one and only YBNL princess recently released a thought provoking culturally induced tract that is titled Bamidele. The latest single followed the pattern of her 2 previous tracks, Afefe and Jabole. Apart from Jabole, which was her debut single under YBNL and not so unique, Afefe and Bamidele are 2 great songs that were not promoted enough to catch the audience’s attention. If you ask me, YBNL should not allow Afefe go like that with such a little attention to a great song, Temmie should do a remix and promote that song seriously. When I first heard Afefe, I told myself that this would be a hit song if properly promoted. I was expecting to watch the song on all the music promoting TV channels, but it never made it. Everything mostly ended online. Even on her Youtube channel, Afefe had less than 30k views. I can’t understand why a song like Afefe was not given the required promotion. That song is magical and spiritual. There is nothing that would prevent a properly promoted Afefe from making it to Naija top 10 on any channel, be it MTV, Sound City, Hip TV, Nigezie and others. It pained me that such a great song quickly went unheard of by the vast majority of the public, who are yearning for good songs. Then came Bamidele, another classic track from Temmie. I didn’t feel the song at first, probably due to the kind of non stimulating production, but soon after, Bamidele became my favorite track. Hardly does any day pass by without me watching the video of Youtube. Trust me, the song might not be catchy at first, it might not even make you dance, but upon listening to it properly, you will naturally fall in love. It will make you min len ge, apologies to non Yoruba speakers. With my current connection to this Bamidele track despite my earlier miss feeling, I have no doubt that the YBNL princess have the magic to become an A list artist in Nigeria, Africa and the world. All she needed right now is adequate promotion and the opportunity to be heard. Listen to her new track Bamidele and go back to last single Afefe. They are both wonderful tracks.

Civil Servant commits suicide in Kwara over unpaid salaries, group insist

The attention to Kwara Must Change has been drawn to a press statement credited to Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede who claimed that the Kwara State Government is unaware of any worker’s alleged suicide in the state.

Kwara Must Change is not surprised that the Kwara State government is denying knowledge of the man made tragedy created by it, in furtherance of its cruel, inhuman and bad governance.

A state government that owes State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) workers over 6 months salaries, yet claiming to owe no worker is nothing but a lying government. So, how would people be surprised if the same government is denying knowledge of this tragic incident that has thrown the entire state into mourning.

Rather than clear its debt, pay workers and apologize for causing so much hardship for the good people of Kwara, the government has resorted to cheap denial and propaganda, something we consider very unfortunate. Government should fear God and be considerate of its workers, who also have families to take care of.

For the purpose of emphasis, Kwara Must Change would like to reiterate that a civil servant, Mr Biodun Bashir also known as Legal, who is a driver at Erin Secondary School (JSS) Erin Ile at Oyun Local Government was alleged to have been found dead on 28th October 2017, hanging on a tree.

The deceased (may his soul rest in peace), who was previously working at the LGEA office in Ilemona is from Ipee town, Oyun Local Government. He has wife and children and like other subeb workers, he was and still owed more than 6 months salaries.

Our investigation reveals that, the deceased went missing 2 days before his lifeless body was discovered by a tree in the farm.

We once again sympathizes with the family and call on all people of goodwill to support them with anything they can.

Meanwhile, Kwara Must Change would also like to caution the state government from referring to this noble organization as an opposition platform. Kwara Must Change was never founded by any opposition party, neither has it ever received any contribution from them. Members of the group comprises of people from different political background and orientation. We are simply a citizen’s based platform for all members of the public that desires good governance and are ready to work towards it.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
Kwara Must Change

Observation on Peace and Conflict Matters
By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

It has become imperative for Nigerian media to improve its understanding of conflict reporting, in order to improve its impact in helping the nation minimize loses, while improving gains in conflict situations.

It is true that nobody will argue that the function of media is to report events as they happen. But in addition to reporting, media have a primary purpose of public enlightenment and sensitization.

Almost everyone in the society gets their information from the media. This strategic position makes journalism very important and gives it practitioners the power to influence public opinion, provide link between government and the people and affect socialization.

The matter of peace and conflict comes in under socialization and if media will effectively inform, educate and sensitize public on peace and conflict matters to promote decent socialization among members of the society, it must, as a matter of necessity, improve its understanding and reporting pattern of conflict.

Cate Malek, an educator of journalists on conflict reporting had stated that, journalist understanding of methods of reporting conflict is very necessary because; a reporter's story on a conflict can be the sole information available to his audience. How the reporter frames the conflict can bias the audience in favor of one party, or one solution over another; it can intensify the conflict, or cool it down. Journalists therefore need to exercise some restrains in using their power. Pen in the hand of an unrestrained journalist, maybe more harmful than gun in the hand of an aggressor.

Peace and conflict, like every other sector has its own professionals and practitioners. For example, not every media practitioner will report and analyze sport. The same with business, legal matters and others. In like manner, those who will report conflict need basic conflict reporting techniques to ensure they are using their platform for good, not the opposite. This is exactly what we are advocating.

In this past week, Foundation for Peace Professional (FPP) sent out letters to some television stations in an effort to improve how matters of peace and conflict is being discussed on the media. We commended the television stations for the good work they are doing in educating the public and shaping citizen’s opinion through regular dissection of burning issues.

Additionally, we observed that on burning national political issues, TV stations often invite seasoned politicians and public affairs analysts to shape public views by properly outlining major points and contextualizing the matter in the right perspective. Similarly, on matters with legal implication, they invite legal practitioners and human right activists to give proper interpretation to issues in other to rightly inform the public. This is the best approach to properly inform the audience on matters of public interest.

However, we noted that the approach of best practices often observed in discussing national political issues and matters with legal implications are not usually replicated on matters of peace and conflict. Many atimes, when discussing conflict matters or outbreak of violence, we seldom see peace professionals, conflict experts or mediation specialist discussing the matters on media. Instead, those we see doing this important task are politicians, legal practitioners or public commentators who may have limited or no knowledge about peace and conflict processes.

We are worried because as media organizations continue feature politicians and legal practitioners in place of peace analysts with grounded understanding of peace processes; this may be denying the public vital contextualization they need to make informed opinion, something that is very dangerous in a sensitive country like Nigeria.

It is important to clarify that, peace and conflict analysis is a profession with its own practitioners, who are properly trained to analyze issues in the right perspective. Proper analysis of conflict often helps to limit destructive impact as well as escalation, while improper analysis may exacerbate negative effect, influence escalation or raise unnecessary tension that may lead to further violence and reprisal. This is why media organizations are enjoined to reach out to people with basic skills of conflict analysis to serve as analysts on their platforms, instead of politicians and legal practitioners. No doubt, there are politicians and legal practitioners that had undergo training in conflict analysis, such individuals too can be engaged for such task.

Jaldeep Katwala provides a list of 10 things journalist shouldn’t do when reporting conflict, i will list 5 of them that are relevant and explain it in the Nigerian context.

1. Don’t write in clichés: Journalist doesn’t need to adopt the overused terms of tragedy to report conflict in other to make the story catchy.

2. Don’t believe everything someone tells you under the guise of eye witness: Most narrators often do not narrate the true encounter, they simply re-echo the popular views they hear from others in the area. The opinion leaders are keen to generate interest in their perspective. They have a story to tell and they sell this perspective to the people, who then relay it to whoever they encounter.

3. Don’t get things out of context: Every story has a context. Reporters should ensure to contextualize the story in line with national, regional, global or historical context.

4. Don’t accept information without questions: When people claim certain numbers of people have been victims, kindly ask for evidence. Do not quote a figure without an evidence to justify it. If you can’t find evidence, please don’t use it.

5. Don’t be led by other people’s agenda: Many conflicts are used to drive an agenda. As a journalist, do not allow any group use you to drive an agenda. Understand the issue before narrating the incident.

In view of the above, we at the Foundation for Peace Professionals appeal most respectfully that, whenever issues of conflict, violence or peace building is to be discussed or reported on the media, media organizations should en-devour to speak with peace professionals, conflict experts or mediation specialists to put issues in proper perspectives. We are confident that such patriotic move will enrich, not reduce the quality of the reportage or analysis.

Abdulrazaq O Hamzat is a Human Rights Ambassador and the Executive Director of Foundation for Peace Professionals.
http://mrrightsng..com.ng/2017/11/observation-on-peace-and-conflict.html

MISTAICEY02288:
Wait! Holup! Holup!! Holup!!! You've gotta be kidding me.
I am really interested in this part i cut out of the whole write up.
Like seriously you mean senior workers of level 15 earns less than 90k in Kwara? What kinda useless state is that? Which kind suffer head be this for goodness sake.

I swear aye awon politicians Kwara state o ni da. Aye won maa baje ni. What kinda nonsense is this bikonu.
Na wah ooo...

Level 15 civil servant in Kwara state actually earn N84,150 per month before Tax.
Yet,they are owed several months unpaid salaries.
SAD

indeed

Kwara worker commit suicide over unpaid salaries
A staff of Universal basic education (UBE) in Kwara state has reportedly committed suicide over unpaid salaries. The news was broken by a group, Kwara Must Change which said it regretted to bring to public attention, the death of Mr Biodun Bashir, a staff of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Kwara State at Oyun Local Government, who recently hung himself to death over failure of Kwara State Government to pay workers salaries and their continues denial of owing workers. ''The staff, Mr Biodun Bashir a.k.a. 'Legal', who is a driver working under UBE committed suicide by hanging on Saturday, 28th October 2017''. Kwara Must Change reports that, ''according to those familiar with the incident, Mr. Biodun, like other workers have been living under severe hardship for many years without any hope of improvement''. ''While the state government owes workers several months’ salaries, they continue to claim they do not owe on media, a false propaganda that continue to cause depression to many workers''. This is so because, the denial of government implies that they do not intend to pay what they owe workers. It said. Mr Bashir’s fidau prayer was offered today at his home town in Ipee and we pray that God grant him eternal rest the group said. The President of the group, Abdulrazaq O Hamzat stated further that, it is important to add that, while the death of Mr Biodun Bashir as a result of the wicked act of Kwara state government filter to public hears, there are several other worst cases not heard in the public. We are left to wonder how many workers have died of hunger, ill health and others without public attention. This latest tragedy is a new low for Kwara state government, a state whose highest salary being paid to the most senior workers in level 15 is less than N90, 000. Abdulrazaq said. ''Kwara is actually one of the least paying states in the country, yet they continue to owe several months’ unpaid salaries without any intention to pay''. ''We at Kwara Must Change sympathize with all workers in Kwara state and pray that God come to their rescue. We also remind them that the situation in Kwara is as a result of our bad choices in leadership. We urge all workers to persevere and not loose hope. We can make a better choice in the next election for our own good''.''We also urge Kwara State Government to fear God and take responsibility for all its workers, including the local government workers''. It said

http://mrrightsng..com.ng/2017/11/kwara-worker-commit-suicide-over-unpaid.html

sad