Headlines
According to the US Ambassador, the World’s Attention is Focused on Nigeria Ahead of The 2023 Elections
By Derrick Bangura
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said on Thursday that the world’s attention would be focused on Nigeria this year and early next year as the country prepares to elect a new president and form a new government.
She did, however, point out that the Nigerian Guild of Editors and members of civil society organizations have a role and a responsibility in promoting democracy.
The Ambassador, speaking at a Town Hall Meeting titled “Agenda Setting for Sustainable Democratic Culture,” organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) with support from the US Embassy in Nigeria, stated that Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and opposition to authoritarianism remained strong.
“Your leaders have been consistent in calling for the respect of presidential term limits, for example, and they have been quick to condemn military coups in West Africa and the rest of the continent,” she said
According to her, beyond public pledges supporting freedom and democracy, the editors and members of the civil society groups have a responsibility to delve deeper into underlying factors that erode faith in democracy.
She explained that patronage politics, corruption, inequality, and the failure of many democratic governments to deliver for their citizens, fuelled public and media doubts about the democratic model, causing them to lose hope and cynically accept the status quo as inevitable and normal.
“One way to restore public confidence in democracy is through free and fair elections. The eyes of the world will, therefore, be on Nigeria this year and early next year as you prepare to choose a new president and transition to a new government.
“We were pleased that, last week, President Muhammadu Buhari signed Nigeria’s long-awaited Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law, ensuring adoption of a number of long sought-after reforms to the electoral process, including the electronic transmission of election results from polling places.
“Editors like yourselves are in fact critical gatekeepers. Your actions and decisions level the playing field. You determine whose voices are heard, and what news topics receive in-depth coverage. In a digital age, when the 24/7 news cycle is unrelenting and often bewildering, you help weed out the trivial to focus on the essential,” she said.
While tasking editors on their professional duty, Leonard explained that access to accurate, unbiased information was critical to any democracy in the world.
“There is a significant positive multiplier effect whenever journalists do the right thing or take a well-documented, pioneering approach. When free and independent media publish previously unknown facts, write principled editorials or take a stand to defend and protect other courageous journalists, the public takes note and trust is built and re-built.
“On the other hand, we know that not everyone is principled and well-meaning in your field or any other field. Trust cannot be nurtured, when media houses play favourites and charge varying rates, for example, to politicians and candidates for the same level of broadcast time or publicity.
“Trust is diminished, when media accept money from self-interested players or malign actors to publish favourable or unfavourable stories. Brown envelope journalism undermines the public’s trust in the media, erodes journalistic integrity, and defeats the media’s ability to play a transparent oversight role over government actions,” she added.
She, therefore, urged editors to serve as catalysts to build a democracy that was accountable to people, saying when the citizenry’s belief in democracy, good governance, and elections were restored, invariably they would want to be a part of that system and would defend it.
“Right now, the world is at a tipping point between those who tolerate autocracy and those who believe democracy can deliver for the people,” she says. As President Biden stated, democracy does not happen by chance. We must defend, fight for, strengthen, and renew it.” Let us begin today with renewed vigour and optimism in order to defend democratic ideals and practices at every opportunity. As civil society representatives, academicians, youth leaders, editors, and journalists, you are on the front lines, and the Nigerian people will undoubtedly remember and judge you based on how well you perform for them.”
Mr Joshua Ibitomi, the Area Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),
Ibeju-Lekki, Epe Division, Lagos State, has warned truck drivers against speeding and reckless driving.
He gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeju-Lekki on Tuesday.
The FRSC official, who blamed speeding on the ghastly vehicle accident that occurred at Aiyetoro market in Epe
which claimed several lives and left some injured, said that with careful driving, such accident could be avoided.
He added that “the accident was as a result of speeding, reckless driving and loading of truck beyond its capacity.
“All these are factors responsible for accident when drivers are not conscious of the driving rules.
“Vehicle can develop technical fault at any time, therefore, speed limit and caution need to be applied while driving.”
He said FRSC had been sensitising drivers on the need to install speed limit device and be road conscious while driving, in line with the mandate to instill decent use of road.
Ibitomi also advised passers-by and the public to be safety conscious while walking on roadsides to avoid falling victim of accidents.
He attributed major road crashes on roads to speed limit violation, urging drivers to respect the sanctity of human life by obeying traffic rules.
He added that the FRSC had evolved measures to ensure accident-free yuletide and new year festivities in 2024
Jubilant supporters celebrated Donald Trump’s apparent victory in Florida early Wednesday as he claimed a return to the White House, despite most major news networks holding off on officially calling the race.
At an event in Palm Beach, Trump supporters reveled in the win projected by Fox News, cheering as the former president declared a “political victory that our country has never seen before.”
“I feel extraordinary,” said 68-year-old supporter Ted Sarvanis, dancing with arms in the air. “This is the greatest American political story in the history of the country.”
Joined by running mate J.D. Vance, Trump took the stage, celebrating his projected win. The atmosphere at the convention center was electric, with supporters sporting “Make America Great Again” caps and mingling in formal attire and Trump-themed clothing.
“I feel relieved. I was a little bit scared because you never know how things are going to turn out,” said Stacy Kurtz, 45.
In contrast, a far different scene unfolded for Vice President Kamala Harris’s supporters at Howard University in Washington, where they were hoping for a Democratic win.
As the night wore on and Trump gained electoral votes in key battleground states, disappointment swept through the crowd.
“I am scared, I am anxious now,” said Charlyn Anderson earlier in the evening.
Democratic watch parties in places like Atlanta and Pennsylvania grew somber as results rolled in, with Lynn Johnson, 65, expressing concern, “It’s going to be dangerous if he wins. I don’t feel safe.”
While Trump’s supporters celebrated a comeback, the mood among Democrats was marked by worry and disbelief.
“He’s a terrible candidate, so it just doesn’t make sense,” said Harris supporter Ken Brown.
The contrasting scenes highlighted the nation’s deep political divide on election night.
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, expressing optimism for stronger ties between Nigeria and the U.S. in an era of global challenges.
The congratulatory message, issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasises the Nigerian leader’s hopes for a renewed partnership between the two nations.
Following his victory on Wednesday, Trump pledged to “heal” the country, marking a stunning political comeback as he edged past Kamala Harris in a closely contested election.
Tinubu, in his message, affirmed, “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
Tinubu highlighted that Trump’s return to the White House reflects the trust and confidence of the American people in his leadership, praising their commitment to democracy.
Given Trump’s experience from 2017 to 2021 as the 45th President, Tinubu foresees a new era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.”
The Nigerian President also expressed confidence that Trump’s leadership will contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide, acknowledging America’s significant influence on global affairs.
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