Author: NewsDesk

Some parents in Abuja on Sunday expressed concern about the negative influence and effects of cartoon videos on their children. Parents, in separate interviews with the Nigerian News Agency , said that watching cartoon shows had a significant effect on children’s behaviour. They said the impact was both negative and positive, adding that most children behave by copying the behaviors they see on the shows. Mrs. Amaka Ezukwuoke, a housewife in Kubwa, said that her children had neglected their studies and housework due to cartoons on TV and were hallucinating most of the time. “My son screams in his sleep…

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has urged political parties to consider picking females as running mates for their presidential and governorship candidates. National President of the association, Ladi Bala, who made the call in a statement weekend, said it was in the interest of inclusive society and development. “While NAWOJ applauds the processes and the demonstration of the sense of responsibility by the political parties in the conduct of their primaries, there is, however, the need for a gender-sensitive representation in the entire political equation and balancing,” she stated. “It’s worrisome to note that rumours making the rounds…

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over two fully built and fully equipped health centers to the Cross River government for use in the local government area of Ogoja. UNHCR Country Representative, Ms. Chansa Kapaya, who launched the health centers in Ogoja, thanked the Federal Government and Cross River in particular for hosting the Cameroonian refugees. The Nigerian News Agency reports that the health centers are located in the communities of Adagom and Ukende. Kapaya said the statistics of 85,000 refugees in Nigeria were the refugees officially registered by the National Commission for Refugees, adding that Cross…

By Rakiya A.Muhammad The fisheries sub-sector plays significant social and economic roles in Kebbi State, northwest Nigeria. Small-scale fisheries are critical for the livelihoods and food security of the coastal communities, with thousands engaged in artisanal fishing, processing and marketing in over 500 fishing settlements. According to the State Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries, “about 150km of the River Niger traverses Kebbi State, with an estimated surface area of 87,500 ha. In addition, 50,000 ha of the Kainji lake (representing over half of its area) is in Kebbi State.” It added: “The Sokoto Rima River also flows through the…

Rakiya A.Muhammad Ali Bello, only age four, confronts the ever-present challenge of surviving on the streets of the Sokoto Metropolis, situated in the northwest region of Nigeria. Desiring to cater to his needs, he begs his way from one location to another. The young boy endured a lost childhood due to unfavourable circumstances resulting from the stress of securing sustenance during early childhood. Experts consider this period crucial for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. “Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the trajectory of a child’s holistic development and build a foundation for their future,” points…

WATCH: “Inside Nigerian Community Living the Climate Crisis,” a 10-minute documentary that explores the impacts of climate change on the Kwanni community of Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria. Centering the voices of mothers, shopkeepers, grandfathers and children, Rakiya Abubakar Muhammad reveals how flooding and erosion are compounding existing problems of poverty and marginalization. The documentary is a contender for a 2023 Covering Climate Now Journalism Award; Muhammad, a member of EJN, is a finalist under the Long Form Video category.

Rakiya A. Muhammad How to get election reporting right was a central focus at the International Press Centre’s workshop designed to enhance the professional skills of female journalists to engage in impactful, inclusive, and public-interest reporting of the ongoing electoral processes and, particularly, the 2023 elections. “Not getting it right means hindering the effective performance of the four core roles of the media in elections,” pointed out Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC). He listed such roles as civic and voter education, conflict management, public educator, and campaign platform/open forum. Embracing elements of good political…

Rakiya A.Muhammad With campaigns toward the 2023 general elections on, a former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, has advised against the politics of bitterness. The All-Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the State and Senator representing Sokoto North district made the call in Sokoto. He spoke against carrying any weapon during rallies. The Senate Committee chair on Defence called on his party supporters not to tamper with political billboards or signposts of other political parties in the state. He stressed the need to abide by the rules of the game.

President Nigeria Association on Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Comrade Ladi Bala, has urged the media and journalists to set the right agenda for gender and persons with disabilities inclusivity in the electoral processes. She also tasked them with providing accurate and verifiable information to help promote sane societies. Comrade Ladi Bala made the call in Abuja at the opening of a two-day training for female journalists. “As women journalists, let us be in the vanguard of promoting women’s issues, gender inclusivity and discouraging gender marginalization in the electoral process and after the elections,” she stated. “The media as the watchdog of…

By Shafa’atu Suleiman  Many residents of Goronyo in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria, have heaved a sigh of relief with measures helping to prevent floods from washing away farmlands and disrupting human activities in areas that hitherto experience perennial flooding. They recalled the detrimental effect of devastating floods in the locality and expressed joy over the measure they noted provides ongoing protection from it. Governor Aminu Tambuwal-led administration constructed a 7 -kilometre embankment to control the yearly flooding following Dam overflows. Goronyo Dam, commissioned 30 years ago, impounds the River Rima in the Goronyo Local Government area. “The flood control measure…