The letter, signed by Ms Angela Quintal, Africa Director of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ; Ms Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID; Mr. Churchill Otieno, President of The Africa Editors Forum, TAEF; Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, MRA; Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, IPC; and Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, President of the Nigerian chapter of the Vienna-based International Press Institute, IPI, was in response to a recent statement by Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha suggesting that no journalists have been harassed in Nigeria since the Tinubu administration took office.

In the letter copied to the Vice President and Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the organisations said they were writing to the president to express alarm over the Vice President’s remarks, noting that “This mischaracterization conveys a grave indifference to the numerous and well-documented attacks on the press while you have been president, including violent abuses and arrests by Nigerian security forces.”

According to them, “on February 27, a State House press release quoted Vice President Shettima as saying to members of the Nigerian Press Council, ‘For the past three years, have you heard of any harassment of journalists?’ He added that your ‘tolerance threshold is so high.’”

The organisations noted that the State House press release also said that the Tinubu administration had promoted “an environment that is conducive for journalists to carry out their duties without harassment.”

However, they said, since President Tinubu assumed office as President of Nigeria in 2023, the CPJ has documented Nigerian authorities detaining journalists without warning and mistreating them in custody, while numerous journalists have been arrested and prosecuted over their reporting, including on defamation and cybercrime charges.

For instance, the organisations said, in August 2024, CPJ documented at least 56 journalists assaulted or harassed by Nigerian security forces or citizens while covering the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations and that masked security forces even fired bullets and tear gas in the direction of 18 working journalists.

Additionally, they pointed out that in 2024, IPC documented 65 cases of attacks on journalists, which varied from physical assault, harassment, threats to life, intimidation, murder, and unlawful and prolonged detentions.

The organisations also cited Media Rights Agenda’s 2025 annual report, which similarly tracked 86 incidents of attacks on press freedom across Nigeria, while noting that IPI Nigeria has identified a pattern of impunity for such incidents in the country.

They said CJID, which tracks media freedom violations, has verified at least 231 attacks on the press since the President took office, and in 2024 wrote to the President’s office urging decisive action to stop such incidents.

The organisations recounted that since 1992, CPJ has documented the killing of at least 23 journalists in Nigeria, as well as two others who are missing and presumed dead, while at least 13 of these journalists are confirmed to have been killed in connection with their work.

They cited the case of one of the journalists, Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi, who was found dead in a mortuary days after he was seen in police custody after being shot while reporting in Lagos in 2020, adding that “Over five years later, despite repeated pleadings, Pelumi’s body has yet to be returned to his family.”

The organisations said: “We have not seen meaningful efforts to end impunity when journalists are targeted, and your government even sought to appeal a court judgment ordering government actions to improve press freedom and the investigation of attacks against the press. Media Rights Agenda filed the case. Nigeria has elections scheduled for early 2027, and we have documented how such moments of political tension often correspond with spikes in attacks on journalists. This is a pattern that should be addressed with informed government actions, but the Vice President’s recent statements demonstrate a clear failure to recognise and respond to the dangers Nigerian journalists face, including from law enforcement tasked with protecting the public.”

They described the remarks as also reminiscent of Nigerian officials’ previous false claims and mischaracterizations about press freedom conditions, insisting that since Vice President Shettima referred to the administration as “a friend of the media”, it is time to match those words with action by holding those responsible for attacks to account, returning Pelumi’s body to his family, and ensuring the periods before, during, and after the coming elections are safe for those who report the news.

The organisations, therefore, called on President Tinubu to hold accountable those responsible for abuses against the media that have taken place during and before his tenure, and to take further action to reform Nigerian laws to ensure journalism is not criminalized as general elections are scheduled for early 2027, and his action to protect the press and Nigerian democracy is essential.

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Nigeria has fallen 10 places to 122nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders, RSF, a sharp drop from its 112th position in 2024.

This troubling slide will dominate discussions at the 2025 Annual Conference on the opening day, December 2, 2025, and at the members-only closed-door AGM session on December 3.

The worsening situation informed the group’s choice of papers and speakers for the conference, reflecting the collective concern of its seasoned membership.

The first paper, “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria: Safeguarding Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability,” will be delivered by the Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, MRA, Edetaen Ojo.

The session will be moderated by Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, CJID, with a panel featuring the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade; Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin and Special Adviser at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Idayat Hassan.

The second paper, “Building Sustainable Media in Nigeria: Navigating Innovation, Credibility, and Revenue Challenges,” will be delivered by the President/CEO of CBD MediaEdge Communications Limited and Co-Founder of Media Trust Limited, Isiaq Ajibola.

A robust panel will follow, comprising the Vice-Chair of Channels Television, Olusola Momoh; Editor-In-Chief of Leadership, Azu Ishiekwene; the Director of the MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria, Kole Shettima; and the Publisher of The Point Newspaper, Yemi Kolapo.

The session will be moderated by Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, a Professor of Mass Communication and Director of the Institute of Continuing Education, ICE, University of Lagos, UNILAG.

As part of activities lined up for the first day, a Book of Infamy will be unveiled by Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, a Professor of Mass Communication and Registrar of Baze University, while the President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, will coordinate a Surprise Honorary Event.

For the second day, reserved strictly for IPI Nigeria members, the institute will conduct a deeper interrogation of the country’s press freedom climate.

According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by RSF, “Nigeria is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in West Africa.”

RSF noted that electoral periods continue to trigger “significant violence” against journalists.

In August 2024 alone, about 30 journalists were assaulted, arrested, or targeted with tear gas or gunfire while covering nationwide social protests.

The report adds that crimes against journalists persist with “almost no state mechanism for protection,” and that authorities “keep investigative journalists under close surveillance and do not hesitate to threaten and arbitrarily detain them,” often with impunity even when perpetrators are identified.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is billed to chair the conference, while the Minister of Information and National Orientation will deliver a special remark.

Other high-profile guests expected include the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi; former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former spokesperson to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu; and former State Chief of Protocol to Buhari, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure.

Several eminent personalities and senior media leaders are also scheduled to attend, including the Executive Director of IPI Global, Scott Grifen, who will deliver a solidarity address; and former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba.

Presidents of major media associations invited to the event include Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN; Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE; Danlami Nmodu, mni, President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP; and Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdul, President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.

Heads of agencies under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation will also be present.

They include the Directors General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu; Voice of Nigeria, VON, Jubrin Baba Ndace; Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Mohammed Bulama; Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Salihu Dembos; and the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Ali M. Ali.

Other invited dignitaries include former Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Haruna Imrana; former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Gbemiga Ogunleye; IPI Global Board Member, Raheem Adedoyin; former Managing Director of Champion Newspaper, Emma Agu; former Executive Director at the Tribune Newspapers, Folu Olamiti; former editor of The Punch, Najeem Jimoh; a Professor of Communication at the Lagos State University, Tunde Akanni; Associate Professor of Mass Communication at Bayero University, Kano, Sule Yau Sule; and Publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau Shuaib.

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GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, signed on behalf of the Guild, while Lanre Arogundade, ICP’s Executive Director, signed on behalf of ICP.

The ceremony came after the IPC’s consultative session with GOCOP leadership held in Abuja on Friday, May 30th.

In his brief remarks before signing the MoU, Nmodu, said GOCOP’s decision to collaborate with the IPC formed part of the Guild’s commitment to promoting inclusiveness and gender equality in Nigeria.

He recalled that the collaboration between GOCOP and IPC commenced during the tenure of its first female president, Maureen Chigbo, adding that under his leadership, the Guild would fully implement the MoU as part of its pledge to improve the visibility of women and other minority groups, such as Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, in politics and governance.

He assured that the leadership of GOCOP would spearhead the engagement of women, promote women’s voices and also focus on the sensitisation of female voters on politics, governance, accountability and transparency.

Speaking on promoting trust in the electoral process, Nmodu stated that to promote the trust of citizens, elected public office-holders must meet the expectations of the electorate.

He also assured that GOCOP members would prioritise the reportage of the implementation of the manifesto of elected candidates as well as the promises made by them during campaigns.

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“We believe that the signing of this MoU is coming at the right time, we’ve just had a change of leadership. The new executive is determined to ensure that this partnership between GOCOP and IPC works.

“At GOCOP, we are committed to deepening the reportage of gender issues. We are determined to ensure that we engage, sensitise and enlighten women on elections, governance and other issues of national importance. All of these are to ensure that we widen the scope of female participation in all spheres of society,” Nmodu said.

IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, in his remarks, explained that the MoUs signed with GOCOP and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, were are targeted at ensuring inclusivity, accountability and transparency in the electoral process.

He called on GOCOP and NAWOJ to lead the push for impartial election monitoring and reportage, adding that the media should also scrutinise elected government officials, taking them to task on campaign promises.

He said: “As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, discussions regarding electoral trust and stakeholder confidence have become increasingly prominent. A critical factor in the discourse is the understanding that the integrity of any election is determined not only by its final outcomes, but also by the process that precedes them-including voter registration, vote collation and the subsequent announcement of results.”

Earlier in her speech, the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Aisha Bura Ibrahim, expressed the readiness of the association to amplify the position of women in politics and governance.

Ibrahim called for credible elections even as she reiterated NAWOJ’s commitment to improving the reportage of issues affecting women.

She stated the need to train and retrain female journalists, improve newsroom management to expand the opportunities for female reporters as we all the widening of access to platforms such as the agreement between NAWOJ and IPC presented.

She said: “NAWOJ insists that inclusive elections are trusted elections. Women must be visible as voters, candidates, election observers, and commentators. By amplifying women’s voices, NAWOJ promotes broader social trust and legitimacy in democracy.

“NAWOJ urges electoral bodies, security agencies, and political parties to maintain openness, fairness, and communication with the public. Transparency in vote counting, result transmission, and dispute resolution is essential for restoring public confidence.”

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, who also spoke at the event, commended IPC, GOCOP and NAWOJ for taking the bold step to increase the visibility of women in the media.

He called on the media to stand on the side of the people and not to serve as the megaphone of the government.

He maintained that the media must serve as the compass to guide the nation, especially in critical moments such as the general elections.

SP Orvenonne Ikwen, the Strategic Communications Officer, Force Public Relations Department, Force Headquarters, who represented the Nigeria Police Force at the meeting, said the police would collaborate with the media to deliver on a peaceful and credible election come 2027.

Stakeholders were also presented with IPC’s report on Safeguarding Electoral Integrity For Democratic Consolidation.

The report is a component of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, EU-SDGN, as executed by IPC.

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Struggle wise, Areemson was everywhere. Rallies, protests, marches, symposiums, lectures, retreats, celebration of comrades in life and in death, revolutionary commemorative events. Just name it. All countless.

Fearless, courageous and permanently convinced that the future of mankind lies in the socialist transformation of the Nigerian society, he invested his life in the struggle of the working masses, the poor and the oppressed, never allowing the illness that came by the way of a stroke few years ago to slow him down.

He stood throughout the burial of Comrade Dele Seteolu few months back, defying persuasions to take a seat even if briefly. Last April, he was also at the conference Hall of the International Press Centre for a JAF symposium on the state of the Nation themed: ‘Tinubu’s multidimensional Attacks on the Working Class and the Poor: The Need for Mass Resistance and Genuine Political Alternative’. Again, he insisted on standing to deliver his fiery speech receiving a loud ovation especially when he called for the urgent formation of a left-leaning working class political party to fight for power. “We can call it JAF Party, but comrades let us just do it”, he had declared.

When I suggested that he should slow down in our usual post-event chat, he jocularly dismissed my concern urging me instead to quickly arrange for his favourite Amala from Ola Sheu joint by Agege Stadium, the usual smile playing on his lips. “You know I have to eat your food my president”, he added, reminding  me for the umpteenth time that I’m the only one he regards as his president with reference to our student unionism days when I served as NANS President between 1984 and 1985.

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While I always appreciate Areemson’s accolades, the truth is that I actually admired him the more.

I admire him for his role in building the revolutionary students movement in the Ilorin axis of Kwara Polytechnic and University of Ilorin in the mid 1980s. As the president of the students’ union of the later in the 85/86 session, he played leadership role in the mass struggles against commercialisation of education by the military.

I admire him for his telegraphic memory of the struggles we waged during the period under reference. From polemical meetings of the Patriotic Youth Movement of Nigeria (PYMN) to NANS Senate convenings, Areemson would reel out moments and dates at Ilorin, Ife, Nsukka, Zaria, etc., often to my amazement. He was an encyclopedia.

I admire Areemson for his commitment to rebuilding the student movement along the political and ideological lines that endeared student unionism to all in the 80s and immediately after. He was a brain box for a retreat on the state of the student movement and NANS in Kano ten years ago to mark the 10th anniversary of Comrade Chima Ubani, whose 20th commemoration few weeks ago he also energetically mobilised for.

I admire Areemson for championing the ideological education of the younger cadres believing that a deficiency in such would decapitate them from succeeding us.

I also admire Areemson for his revolutionary zeal and unquenchable thirst to participate in the struggles of students, youths, market women, workers, academics, etc.

I admire him for his proletariat and non ostentatious life of contentment. As Ayo Obe had aptly recognised long ago, Areemson was a Peoples Commissar.

Long story short. I rank Areemson high among class fighters whose comradeship I believe is better than mine.

As your remains are laid to rest today, I can only say to you Areemson: THANK YOU. May you rest in revolutionary power.

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Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, made the call during a workshop for selected media executives and senior journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said that the media played important role in elections, emphasising media’s position as a cornerstone of democracy in any country.

Arogundade explained that IPC and CEMESO organised the workshop for media practitioners to brainstorm and identify strategies that would foster solution-driven election reporting.

“We must review our past with a view to drawing a roadmap for improvement of the present in media reportage, reflecting factually accurate, socially responsible electoral reporting, free from hate speech and disinformation,” he said.

Arogundade explained that journalists played critical role during elections, particularly in civic and voter education, public enlightenment, providing a platform for campaigns and conflict management.

He said that the media houses could not take the roles for granted, as citizens consumed and interpreted media information to make informed decisions and judgements.

“They are equally important because the conduct or misconduct of media institutions often impact heavily on democratic processes.

“The actions and inactions of media professionals could also affect the credibility and fairness of the electoral situation under which the people exercise the right to choose,” he added.

Arogundade highlighted that the European Union’s Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria phase II programme (EU-SDGN II), recognises the importance of supporting the media to enable them to perform their duties effectively.

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He stated that component four of the programme advocated the strengthening of media professionals in tackling misinformation and disinformation and enhancing their ability to diversify and deepening coverage of the electoral process.

Other areas include enhancing the professionalism of media practitioners, especially women, improving media awareness, use of the FOI Act and encouraging media engagement in promoting the participation of women, youths and marginalised groups in politics.

He said that IPC and CEMESO had organised several capacity building programmes, but after two years of substantial engagements with journalists, limited impact was recorded.

“Evaluators identified that the challenging media environment as a key constraint to applying newly acquired knowledge and skills.

“To maximise impact, training must be complemented by a supportive newsroom environment.

“Therefore, this brainstorming session aims to identify strategies for fostering solution-driven election reporting,” he noted.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr Akin Akingbulu, said that professional, ethical and vibrant media remained essential to building democracy in Nigeria.

He said that history had placed media practitioners with a sacred duty to transform information into institution, voice into nation building and headlines into legacy.

According to Akingbulu, media practitioners are faced with challenges, including widespread financial instability in media houses, mounting political pressures and the unchecked proliferation of disinformation.

“We recognise the weight media professionals carry daily battling to uphold truth, while navigating financial constraints and an ever-evolving digital landscape.

“We understand the delicate balance practitioners must strike in serving the public interests, while keeping the lights on and maintaining credibility in an era of deep skepticism.

“The threats to press freedom and the exclusion of marginalised voices are systemic issues requiring systemic solution challenges that are not journalists’ alone but are ours to confront together,” he added.

Akingbulu concluded with a strong call for sustained partnerships among the media, civil society and government institutions to forge long term reforms.

Source: NAN

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One of the rights group partners, Mr. Lanre Arogundade of the International Press Centre, IPC, said the project was being led by WARDC to make schools in Nigeria safe for the young ones.

He said majority of the schools in Nigeria lacked basic facilities and government had refused to give adequate attention to them.

“When you go to some school, children are sitting on blocks instead of chairs, they are also having their classes under the trees. We are supposed to have initiatives around education, including universal basic education,

“But these have not been effective. The project is being driven by the fact that the schools are now becoming much more unsafe because of insurgency and banditry and kidnappings; sometimes school children are being abducted.

“In line with the international commitment of Nigeria, we believe the time has come to take this quite seriously. As it is now, Nigeria accounts for fifteen per cent globally of children that out of school. We are worried that if our schools continue to remain unsafe the institutions may become worse.”

He added that, at the rate thing were going, the number of out of school children might increase as many parents didn’t see any reason to allow their children to go to school in Nigeria, any longer.

“This is the reason why the initiative is very important for us to be able to bring pressure to bear on the local government, state and the federal government as well  to play their roles to make schools safe across the country for the students. I believe it is the media that’s capable to set the agenda in this regard,” Arogundade said.

He noted that government at all levels should accord priority to safety of schools in Nigeria and practical action must be taken in that regard.

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“There should be cooperation between the state and federal security forces; there should also be the involvement of the community too in the security of schools. The traditional rules and everybody that can be considered as a stakeholders can have a role to play, which means that the government must have a series of multi-stakeholders forum to address the issue of unsafe schools in every part of the country.

“The problem are not the same everywhere -everyone with different challenges. It is important we make school environment safe for the children and in some instances, where it is necessary, schools can be relocated to area that are safer. That means government must commit resources if we don’t want many children to be out of school. Government needs to provide the resources to reverse the ugly trend of UN unsafe schools.”

In his remarks, the SSD project coordinator, Jennifer Nwokedike, said the meeting was part of the advocacy to enhance SSD reporting and popularise the Safe Schools Declaration and to strengthen public awareness, engagement and to drive the demand for adoption of the SSD bill and to secure government commitment for financing safe schools.

The project started two years ago and the major aim of the project is to hold government accountable for the implementation of safe Schools policies in Nigeria.

“We are advocating for violence and security-free schools in Lagos and Nigeria in general. When we started the project, the awareness of SSD is near zero. A lot of people didn’t know safe schools declaration; the project had three main goals – to create awareness, see to the framework that can help in actualising SSD and partner with relevant stakeholders to see to the financing plan for SSD in Nigeria.

“We’ve been able to have success stories we can tell in terms of milestones. Public awareness on SSD has increased.

“We did a lot of public engagement in Bauchi State, likewise in Lagos. We were about to present the bill to Lagos State House of Assembly, but could not because of political crisis at the assembly then. We are going to send it soon.”

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Let’s save those who may not know the rigour of imagination by quickly disclosing that the Alumni referenced here is that of the Features desk of the defunct National Concord Newspapers. By the time I stepped in as the Features Editor in 1992, the desk already had a formidable team, which by the way made the job easy. Young Tunde Akanni, by the choice of assignments he unconditionally undertook, was among the more intellectually inclined in that vibrant team. Looking back now, it was like the morning foretelling the evening, or today foretelling tomorrow. As is well known, repeated closures by the military junta prematurely aborted the Concord dream, a painful macabre turn that occurred at a time the newspaper had become one of the best in the country by virtue of its quality journalism.

What the military could not terminate however was the dream of those who had eyes on greater accomplishment. In this rank again was Tunde Akanni, who after a stint at the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), decided to migrate to the academic arena. The result of the migration and the ensuing hard work, perseverance and pursuit of knowledge is his being named a full Professor by the Lagos State University.

On behalf of the Concord Features Desk Alumni, the International Press Centre, which has benefitted from his contributions as a resource person and my family, here is congratulating Professor Tunde Akanni. In him the young has grown, and grown academically well!

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The fact that Sanmi Falobi suddenly clocks 50 makes the popular saying, the young shall grow, an obvious truism. Only to add that in his own case, the young has grown well and the impact has been felt and shall still be felt even if he prefers to be a quiet achiever.

I bear testimony to this impact having worked closely with him for about fifteen years now; a period that has seen him progress from the initial position of media monitor to programme associate, to senior programme manager and now project manager of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria. The story of the progression is however that of his hardwork, diligence and perseverance for which myself and the management owe him loads of gratitude. It is certainly not an easy accomplishment to come from a background in Estate management to make impactful interventions in the area of media development.

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Self-development also defines the Sanmi persona as he never tires of seeking to expand his frontiers of knowledge in such diverse fields as media technologies, public relations, management and publishing. It is commendable in this regard that he’s marking his 50th anniversary with the presentation of a book aptly titled ‘Timeless Lessons From African Proverbs’.

Congratulations Sanmi on this landmark birthday. Thank you for the support and dedication. Happy birthday.

The post EXTRA: Sanmi @ 50: Celebrating a diligent character appeared first on Frontpageng.

The session, which will also feature Mrs Stella Ilegogie, family life coach and Associate Head Pastor at Lively Stones Assembly International, LSAI, Kaduna is part of the 50th birthday celebrations and public presentation of the book, “Timeless lessons from African proverbs”, by Sanmi Falobi, a notable NGO intraprenuer, media & management consultant.

The discourse session, scheduled as a virtual (Zoom) event for 4 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2025 will have Dr Monday Ashibogwu as book reviewer, while Blessing Oladunjoye shall moderate the session.

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According to Falobi, “Being 50 is a significant milestone and whilst there is still much to aspire to achieveing, the significance of life is the impact that one is able to make to society and this occasion is deemed appropriate to promote and celebrate the values bestowed on us as Africans through the wisdom in proverbs passed from generation to generation.”

He added: “In this age, where we are often caught up in the hustle and bustle of digital and social media interaction, it is easy to lose sight of the deeper, more meaningful lessons that guide us to living a life of purpose and fulfilment. While the core of African ideologies and value system provides guidance on the ideals of human behaviour and relationship, the effects of westernisation, globalisation and digitalisation have unfortunately eroded the core of what used to be the fulcrum of our values as Africans, hence the spotlight on the essential values through the book, ‘Timeless Lessons from African Proverbs.’”

The discourse sessions which anticipates to bring to fore key leadership attributes needed for impactful political, social and personal productivity awakening will have captains of industry from the private sector, public institutions, religious groups, political leadership, academics and civil society as participants and discussants.

Login details:

ZOOM: https://bit.ly/sanmifalobi-50

Youtube livestreaming: https://www.youtube.com/@SanmiFalobi/streams

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Arogundade spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Saturday in Lagos, on the sidelines of the ongoing two-day interactive workshop for broadcast media anchors.

The event with the theme “Contextualizing INEC’s Responsibilities and Public Expectations Amid Fake News as Disinformation” brought together television and radio anchors nationwide.

He said that INEC must also develop an effective crisis communication strategy as part of its preparation.

According to him, IPC has organised two programmes with INEC in the state as parts of efforts to foster credible election.

He said that the last one was on effective communication, where IPC emphasised the need for open and adequate communication.

Arogundade said: “When it is election time, citizens are very hungry for information.

“A lot of things will be flying around and INEC should not be tired of explaining its own side on all the processes.

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“We have made INEC to understand that election is a form of conflict and the commission should be prepared for crisis communication, because things would happen in different places and they need to respond.

“We have also told INEC officials that they need to be able to monitor the media and do fact-checking.

“With this, when things are trending about INEC that is not correct or is distorted, they can be in a position to state their own side.”

According to him, INEC must understand that it does not even need to wait till when allegations are made before initiating programmes and briefing members of the public through the media on issues.

Arogundade said that the media had the responsibility to hold stakeholders in an election accountable.

“The media should constantly ask questions from INEC on the preparations, and the conduct of elections.

“The media should also ask questions from the political parties. Are they ready to embrace peace?

“The media should hold the political parties accountable for the peace accord,” he said.

Arogundade said that the media must also put on the front burner issues around inclusivity in elections.

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