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45 Journalists Killed In 2021,300 Languishing In Prison-Report

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To mark International Human Rights Day on December 10, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has published the lists of imprisoned and killed journalists in 2021. According to the Federation’s statistics, 45 journalists have been killed since 1 January 2021 and 365 are still behind bars.

 

The two lists underscore the deepening crisis in journalism, with rights and freedom of journalists under sustained threat in many regions of the world.

 

According to the two IFJ lists – killed and imprisoned journalists -, 365 journalists are still in jail as of 10 December 2021, up from 235 last year. China (102), Turkey (34), Belarus (29), Eritrea (29), Egypt (27), Vietnam (21), Myanmar (18), Russia (12), Azerbaijan and Yemen (11), Cambodia (10) and Iran (9) are the biggest jailers of journalists.

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Asia tops the IFJ regional list with 162 journalists in prison, followed by Europe (87), the Middle East and Arab World (65), Africa (49) and the Americas (2) .

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The crackdown on media professionals in authoritarian regimes, including massive arrests of journalists in Myanmar, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Hong Kong account for the growing number of colleagues behind bars today.

 

The IFJ’s list of journalists and media staff killed so far in 2021 is down from last year, with 45 killings recorded against 65 in 2020. While this decrease is welcome news, it is small comfort in the face of continued violence which claimed lives of journalists in countries like Afghanistan (9), Mexico (8), India (4) and Pakistan (3).

 

 

 

Again, Asia leads the regional pack with 20 killings, before Americas (9) Africa (8), Europe (6) and the Middle East and Arab World on just one.

 

The Asia Pacific region owes its top position on the killed list to the situation of journalists in Afghanistan as highlighted by the safety crisis in media, after the return to power of the Taliban with their avowed intolerance to independent reporting and hostile attitude to women’s participation in public life, including working as journalists. The collapse of the Afghan government and the withdrawal of Western troops left thousands of journalists scrambling to get to safety, outside their country and abandoning their careers and livelihood.

 

These are not the only violations of journalists’ right to exercise their profession in safety and independence. The IFJ denounced the new form of mass surveillance on journalists, Pegasus, a highly advanced spying device which was used to interfere with communications of thousands of people, including journalists.

 

Even the only rare positive development for journalists, the award of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to two journalists Maria Ressa and Dimitry Muratov, served as a reminder of the sacrifices they made in the service of press freedom and democracy in their countries, like so many any of their colleagues around the world.

 

“The world needs to wake up to the growing violations of journalists’ rights and media freedoms across the globe,” said IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger. “These lists of journalists in jail and colleagues who have been killed are clear evidence of deliberate acts to suppress independent reporting. They also point to the violation of the people’s fundamental right to access accurate, objective and fair information so that they can make properly informed choices about public affairs, which is a requisite for an inclusive society and true rule by consent.’’

 

The IFJ urges the United Nations to adopt a Convention on the safety of journalists to promote, protect and ensure the safety of media professionals in times of peace and during armed conflict, and to safeguard their ability to exercise their profession freely and independently in an enabling environment, without facing harassment, intimidation or attacks against their physical integrity.

 

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Dangote Group Deploys Advanced Technology In Companies   

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From left:  Group General Manager, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Numan, Bello Dan-Musa, Senior Advisor to the Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman (Receiving an Award), President of the KADCCIMA, Ishaya Idi, First Deputy President of KADCCIMA, Farouk Suleiman, at the Dangote Special Day during the just concluded 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair.

Clinging onto its position as Africa’s leading conglomerate, the Dangote Industries Limited has instituted a plethora of cutting-edge technology in creating top-notch efficiency for all its companies.

Speaking weekend at the just concluded 46th Edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair, Senior Advisor to the President of the Dangote Group, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, said the digitization exercise is a sustained endeavour, adding that it has helped in speeding up manufacturing and sales.

“As some of you may be aware, we have since digitized our manufacturing and sales processes through the deployment of automated and smart systems, particularly in our cement plants,” she said.

Mrs. Wali Abdurrahman spoke at the Dangote Special Day, against the backdrop of the Trade Fair’s theme: Promoting Efficiency in Manufacturing, Trade, and Agriculture through Digital Transformation.

She said what normally takes days, now takes minutes to accomplished.

The company is one of the major sponsors of this year’s Trade Fair.

She said: “The integrated advanced technology adopted in all our operations; cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, Petro-chemicals, and agriculture, has made us become leaders in all sectors where we play.

According to her, customers of the company have voiced their immense satisfaction with this innovative ordering channel, reinforcing our commitment to enhancing their experience and propelling future growth.

“The DMS Application is available on both Android and iOS platforms for our registered customers in the cement, sugar, and salt sectors, ensuring they can easily access our products anytime, anywhere,” she added.

According to her Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (DPAN) plant has leveraged on advanced technology of in the production of a 120-vehicle daily production capacity and an annual capacity of 44,000 units.

“By assembling globally renowned Peugeot models—such as the Landtrek pickup, 3008, 5008, and 508 GT—DPAN fosters trade by reducing import dependency and providing locally assembled vehicles at competitive prices, “she said.

Speaking earlier, President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) Rsv Ishaya Idi commended the Dangote Group for its job creation strides in the country, saying the company has sustained its partnership with the Chamber.

The President of the Chamber called on Nigerians to support the Dangote Group.

He said the 46th Kaduna Trade Fair has offered the opportunity for both the company and the Chamber to interact.

Dangote Group is the biggest employer of labour in the private sector in Nigeria.

The company took the center stage during the fair, as the Federal Government affirmed its pivotal role in the country’s push towards industrialization.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Dafang I. Sale, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, thanked the company for “doing a good job” in Nigeria.

Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna, Director General of the Chamber, Alhaji Usman Saulawa, defined the Dangote Group as a conglomerate that is helping to drive the Nigerian economy.

According to him, the company has not only made a significant positive impact on the business community in Kaduna State but has also contributed immensely to the growth of both the Nigerian, and global economy.

He added: “Our selling point is the joint collaboration and full involvement of Kaduna State Government, Dangote Group and other companies.”

He also acknowledged its partnership with the Dangote Group, describing it as the Unique Selling Point, and a major competitive advantage of the 46th Kaduna International Trade Fair.

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Sen. Barau Donates 1,037 Motorcycles, 63 Cars to APC Supporters in Kano

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Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and APC National chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje test running the motorcycles

The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin, on Sunday donated 1,037 motorcycles and 63 cars to grassroots supporters of the All Progressive Congress(APC) in Kano State.

Speaking during a grand event at Meena Event Center Kano, Senator Jibrin, said the gesture was aimed at empowering members of the party with a view to achieving the set objectives.

He said the motorcycles will be distributed to all the wards and local government APC chairmen of Kano State.

The Deputy Senate President noted that a special package for women,teachers and other stakeholders would soon commenced geared towards ensuring that the public benefits from the dividend of democracy.

“We are also planning to also empower university graduates who were not able to secure white collar job ,three will be selected from each local government and will be empowered with the sum of five million Naira loan to embarked on small businesses.

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Jibrin commended the style of leadership exhibited by the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, which under his stewardship the Party has achieved greater heights.

In his remarks, the APC National chairman,Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said that the Tinubu led administration was working tirelessly aimed at improving the well being of the general populace.

Ganduje commended Senate Jibrin, for the donation, saying that it would enhance the socioeconomic well-being of the party members and promote its ideals.

Ganduje expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing key members from the state as ministers and to other key positions.

” We appreciate President Tinubu for making it possible to appoint Dr Mariya Bunkure, as Minister for the Federal Capital Territory and Alhaji Abdullahi Ata, as Minister of state for works and Housing.

He said the people of Kano State would continue to support the progressive party due to the love Tinubu has shown to the state.

The APC state Chairman Abdullahi Abbas, praised Senator Barau’s empowerment scheme, urging other politicians to provide palliatives to their constituents ,especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Abbas urged party supporters to remain vigilant and focus on winning the 2027 general elections

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AAPU President visits Baba-Ahmed University, Urges Collaboration Among Universities

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AAPU President visits Baba-Ahmed University, Urges Collaboration Among Universities

The President of the Association of African Private Universities, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to Baba-Ahmed University, Kano, to engage in discussions on the development and advancement of private universities in Africa.

Prof. Gwarzo led a distinguished delegation from Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), accompanied by the President of MAAUN, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Israr as well as top management staff of the University.

Upon arrival, the delegation was warmly received at the university’s open theater by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Tanko Idris, along with members of the university’s staff and student body.

Earlier in his remark, the Vice-Chancellor expressed profound appreciation to Prof. Gwarzo for his outstanding contributions to education and humanity, not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.

Prof. Tanko Idris further extended his gratitude to Prof. Gwarzo for the visit, describing it as a significant occasion that underscores his unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and academic excellence.

He also offered prayers for Allah’s continued blessings upon Prof. Gwarzo, wishing him long life in good health to sustain his efforts in advancing education.

Responding, Prof. Gwarzo commended the Vice-Chancellor for his steadfast dedication to academic excellence and institutional development.

He also called for collaboration among universities to enhance research and innovation as well as to expose the universities to each other.

He further lauded the university’s management and its Founder, Datti Baba-Ahmed, for their remarkable contributions to the promotion of quality education.

Additionally, Prof. Gwarzo encouraged the university’s staff to continue supporting the Vice-Chancellor, expressing confidence in his leadership and vision for elevating the institution to greater heights.

During the visit, two students of the university conferred an award of excellence on Prof. Gwarzo in recognition of his exceptional contributions to education.

Among the entourage that accompanied Prof. Gwarzo during the courtesy visit included the President of MAAUN Kano, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Israr, Dr. Abba Jidda and Dr. Musa Lawal Jibia, among others.

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