Nigeria and the Doha-based international broadcaster Al Jazeera are to collaborate in the area of capacity building for journalists in the government-owned media organizations, especially the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

This followed a request made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to Al Jazeera to collaborate with the Ministry of Information and Culture in its efforts to restructure the NTA and other publicly-funded media establishments to enhance their performance.

He said the collaboration could be in the areas of capacity building as well as exchange of programmes and personnel.

”Our plan is to reposition the public media organizations to make them effective and competitive, irrespective of which government is in power,” Mohammed said during a meeting with the Acting Director General of Al Jazeera, Dr. Mostafa Souag, in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday.

”For a long time, government media organizations have lost their independence and credibility. I want to restore the glory and credibility of the publicly-owned media organizations,” he said.

The Minister also called for a ‘special relationship’ between Al Jazeera and the Nigerian Government in the coverage of the key policy areas of this Administration – the fight against corruption and terrorism as well as the efforts to revamp the economy.

He assured Al Jazeera that the present Administration in Nigeria ”is an extremely open government” and that the organization would not have any problem doing its work in the country.

Responding, the Acting Director General of Al Jazeera hailed Nigeria for providing a conducive environment for the media to carry out its duties.

”Despite a lot of conflict and tension, you have managed to create a conducive environment for the media. This is very important for us in the media and we hope to see more freedom and more protection for the media,” he said.

Dr. Souag said Al Jazeera is willing to cooperate with the ministry in the area of training, adding: ”Our training centre is one of the most professional in every aspect of the media, We are more than happy to work with you.”

The Minister is in Qatar to attend the 2016 Annual Congress of the International Press institute (IPI), which is due to open later on Saturday.

Nigerian Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has strongly condemned the recent inclusion of Nigeria in the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against terrorism.
The action according to them was a clear negation of the rights of Nigerians, as well as a lack of regard for the views of non-Muslim Nigerians who took part in bringing the new administration into power.
NCEF Chairman, Solomon Asemota while addressing newsmen in Abuja, said, “Including Nigeria in the Saudi Arabia Military coalition of Muslims/Arab nations would appear that the foreign policy thrust of the current administration is to make Nigeria a satellite state of Saudi Arabia.”
He also said, the inclusion of Nigeria in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), as well as its recent inclusion in the Saudi-led coalition was an attempt by Muslim leaders to dominate the country, with the teachings of Islam.
“Any nation in which Islamists believe that they are sufficiently strong to exercise influence rarely experiences peace.
“Mr. President should kindly remember that over 50 per cent non-Muslims of Nigeria did not vote for the nation to become Sharia compliant.
“While Islam is a religion; Islamism, otherwise called political Islam, is a set of ideologies that hold that Islam is not a religion, but a political system meant to dominate the environment in which it is practised,” NCEF noted.
The group said some policies and decisions of the Buhari government has given Nigerians cause for concern.
While positing that the Buhari’s policies and decision has given Nigerians cause for concern, The group also stated that, “N900 billion was released as bailout to states without appropriation. International commitments are being made without recourse to the National Assembly.
“Attempt to fund deficit in the 2016 budget through issuance of Sukkuk loan which is a Sharia compliant loan”.
The NCEF expressed dismay at what it described as the Federal Government’s inaction to the carnage and destruction perpetrated by the Fulani Herdsmen.
“According to media reports over 300 Nigerians were allegedly massacred by the Fulani Herdsmen. Till today, there has been no prosecution of any of them,” it stated.
The NCEF also decried the decision of government to establish grazing reserves across the nation, saying the proposal is a deceptive attempt to appropriate the land of indigenous ethnic groups for Fulani Herdsmen to spread terror across the nation.
It called on the government to convene a Council of State meeting to enable past presidents of Nigeria assess the developments in the country, and make suggestions that will lead to the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission – a commission which should follow an enactment of law, among other things, study the problem of terror in Nigeria and ensure the prosecution of culprits.

The Christian body also frowned at decision of Kaduna State government to enact a law banning religious preaching, which contravenes section 38(1) of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.

By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Ahead of the Easter Celebration, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State in North-west Nigeria has advised residents of the state to be at alert and remain security conscious.

A statement by his Spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, noted that, in the light of the successes the Nigerian military is recording in the North-East, terrorists may be contemplating attacks on soft targets in murderous desperation, hence, residents are advised to remain vigilant and comply with security procedures as they go about their lawful businesses.

The state government also tasked residents to report any suspicious persons/activities around them to the security agencies; giving the state’s security hotlines as: 08081708671, 08064810676 and 08050366625.

“Churches and Mosques shall continue to maintain necessary security measures, especially on major days of worship and congregation, particularly on Sundays and Fridays.

“The authorities responsible for places of mass gatherings such as markets, shopping malls and parks are also directed to step up security, while visitors to such places should be vigilantly careful and cooperate with the security procedures,” the statement points out.