117 journalists murdered in 2020 and 2021: UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) says the continuous killing of journalists without consequence is unacceptable. In a report published on Wednesday, the agency said unresolved deaths of journalists remain at 86 per cent.
The report, released on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, described the global immunity rate for journalist killings as “shockingly high.” “Impunity for killings of journalists remains unacceptably high at 86 per cent,” the agency added.
UNESCO called for strong measures to guarantee that such violations against media persons are thoroughly investigated, and the culprits are identified and punished. “Governments should ensure that all necessary measures to ensure that crimes committed against journalists are properly investigated and their perpetrators identified and convicted,” the report advised.
“Freedom of expression cannot be protected when there is such a staggering number of unresolved cases,” stated UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. Ms Azoulay emphasised that not severely punishing violations against journalists had a “chilling effect on investigative reporting.”
Referencing the death of 117 journalists between 2020 and 2021, with several killed gruesomely in front of their family members, the agency said it was working with member states to develop and implement national media laws and policies. It is also training government institutions, including judges, prosecutors and security agencies “to enforce the rights of journalists and ensure that attacks against them are investigated and prosecuted.”
Source: Peoples Gazette
Nnamdi Kanu’s release only befitting burial for Mbazulike Amaechi – Ohanaeze
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has again pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a mark of honour to the late Chief Mbazulike Amaechi. The First Republic Minister, DAILY POST reported, died on Tuesday without the government granting his request for the release of Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Amaechi, popularly known as The Boy is Good, died after a long wait for Kanu’s release. And speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said the elder statesman died in agony.
“His last wish and request was ‘release Nnamdi Kanu to me’. But Buhari refused to grant that request until he died. The Boy is Good died in anger, agony. His last wish was not granted; it is quite sad. “As it stands now, the only thing that would make his spirit rest is the release of Nnamdi Kanu. That is the only befitting burial the government of Buhari should give to him.
“This rigmarole and somersault they are doing with the judiciary will not be of any help. The Federal Government should stop intimidating the judiciary,” Okwu stated. He also knocked the Federal Government for neglecting the federal character principle as contained in the country’s laws.
According to him, “you cannot be treating people so unfairly and expect that they should not agitate. That is not possible. “This government threw federal character into the dustbin; that is why there is too much agitation. They should use the last few months of this administration to right all the wrongs done to Ndigbo.”
Source: Dailypost
APC mourns Zamfara PDP chairman
Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday in Gusau expressed sadness at the death of the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhaji Sani Ahmad.
Alhaji Ahmad died in Gusau on Wednesday at the age of 62 years after an official engagement with Islamic clerics. Publicity Secretary of the APC in Zamfara, Malam Yusuf Idris extended the condolences of the party to the family and associates of Ahmad.
State’s chairman of the APC, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani described the death as unfortunate, sudden and shocking. “The state’s PDP Chairman’s death came while he was working to ensure peace among Islamic scholars.
“On behalf of the entire APC members, we extend our condolences to members of the PDP over the great loss. “We pray to Almighty Allah to grant him eternal rest,’’ Idris quoted Danfulani has having said.
Source: NAN/News Dairy Online