Journalists

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has condemned the obstruction, humiliation and forcible removal of reporters from an open court by Magistrate Godwin Edemekong, his court clerk and police officers attached to Magistrate Court 7 on Fulga Street, Uyo.

Journalists were to cover proceedings in the matter between the Commissioner of Police and Abdullahi Yusuf, a herder; a case deemed to be of legitimate public interest.

The Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI) has strengthened the capacity of journalists in Akwa Ibom State through a specialised training programme focused on the use of scientific data in environmental reporting.

The workshop, supported by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), was held on Thursday, 26 February, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Uyo. It brought together 20 journalists drawn from across the state to promote evidence-based journalism in the Niger Delta.

Speaking at the event, MAJI’s Environment and Conservation Officer, Ikechukwu Ahaka, identified poor access to reliable environmental data as a major obstacle to effective reporting and public accountability. According to him, the gap between scientific research and media coverage has continued to limit public engagement and weaken policy responses to environmental challenges in the region.