Gombe
UNICEF Urges Ethical Journalism to Protect Children, Promote Healing in Crisis-Hit Regions
UNICEF Urges Ethical Journalism to Protect Children, Promote Healing in Crisis-Hit Regions
By Auwal Ahmad
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged journalists covering Nigeria’s North-East and North-Central regions to adopt ethical reporting practices that prioritise the safety and dignity of children and other vulnerable groups affected by conflict.
Sussan Akila, a Communication Specialist with UNICEF, made the call during a two-day training for journalists drawn from the regions, where insecurity and humanitarian crises continue to shape news coverage.
While acknowledging the risks and limitations journalists face in accessing conflict areas, Ms Akila commended media practitioners for their persistence in informing the public despite the challenges. However, she emphasised that journalists have a responsibility that extends beyond breaking news, acknowledging that the way they report stories can have a significant impact on the lives of victims.
According to Ms Akila, the media plays a powerful role in shaping public discourse and influencing how society responds to crises. She warned that careless reporting, particularly involving children, can expose victims to further harm or stigma. Ms Akila cautioned that we must handle elements like photographs, video footage, and headlines with caution, as they have the potential to either protect survivors or worsen their situation.
“Journalists have the power to shape narratives. The way we tell stories can make survivors feel safe or put them at risk,” she said.
She urged reporters to reflect on the consequences of their choices, especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as sexual violence or abuse involving minors. Emphasising empathy, Ms Akila encouraged journalists to consider how they would handle stories involving their children or family members.
She questioned the ethics of publishing identifiable images or details of child victims simply to attract attention or boost readership. “Would you publish the face of your child in such circumstances? These are the questions we must ask ourselves,” she said, adding that ethical reporting begins with recognising the humanity of those affected and treating them with respect.
Ms Akila further noted that while journalists may move on after filing a story, the consequences of their reporting often remain with victims for years. She warned that exposing a child’s identity or sharing sensitive details could have lasting effects, including stigma and psychological trauma that may follow the individual into adulthood.
“The story may end for the reporter, but its impact continues in the life of the victim and within the community,” she said.
She described journalists as more than observers, noting that they also have a role to play in supporting recovery and healing in communities affected by violence. According to her, responsible reporting can help reduce stigma, promote understanding and encourage support for victims, particularly children and women.
The training, she explained, is designed to help journalists examine how their work affects individuals and communities and to improve standards in reporting sensitive issues. Participants are expected to engage in discussions and share experiences aimed at developing safer and more responsible reporting approaches.
Ms Akila expressed optimism that the sessions would equip journalists with practical tools to tell stories without causing additional harm.
“Ethical reporting is not only about accuracy. It is about doing what is right for children and for society,” she said.
UNICEF has continued to partner with media organisations to promote child-sensitive journalism, especially in regions affected by conflict, where reporting can either contribute to recovery or deepen existing wounds.
“If You See Something, Say Something”: Inuwa Yahaya Launches Anti-Terror Campaign in Gombe
By Auwal Ahmad
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has urged residents of Gombe State to take an active role in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality, saying security is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation of every citizen.
The governor appealed Monday during a statewide broadcast to launch the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, a public awareness initiative aimed at strengthening community vigilance and supporting ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.
Gov Yahaya described insecurity as the greatest obstacle to sustainable development in Northern Nigeria, stressing that peace and economic progress are inseparable.
“Without security, there can be no development, and without development, there can be no lasting peace,” the governor said.
He commended members of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives and property.
He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices would never be forgotten.
The governor said Gombe’s relative peace, despite being located in Nigeria’s insurgency-prone northeast, was the result of deliberate investments in security and sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies, and local communities.
He highlighted several initiatives introduced by his administration since 2019, including the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Internal Affairs, the creation of the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC), and Operation Hattara, a joint security outfit established to improve operational coordination.
According to him, the state government has also equipped security agencies with operational vehicles and logistics, strengthened local vigilante groups, and established peace committees to prevent communal and farmer-herder conflicts.
Alh. Yahaya noted that the two security summits organised by his administration produced recommendations that improved intelligence gathering, enhanced emergency responses, and reinforced community participation in maintaining peace.
As Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, the governor said he had championed regional cooperation to address insecurity, including efforts to establish the Northern States Security Trust Fund.
“No state can tackle insecurity alone because criminals do not recognise state boundaries. We must continue to share intelligence and coordinate our responses,” he said.
The governor praised traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups, and women’s groups for supporting peacebuilding efforts across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
“If you see something, say something. Timely and credible information remains one of the most effective tools in preventing crime and protecting lives and property,” he said.
Gov. Yahaya also urged security agencies to adopt modern technologies, intelligence-driven operations, and community-based policing while respecting human rights.
The governor called for unity across ethnic, religious, and political divides. He warned that terrorist groups and criminal organisations often exploit social divisions to advance their activities.
He expressed support for the federal government’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged Gombe residents to cooperate fully with security agencies.
He concluded by calling on citizens to embrace the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, saying lasting peace can only be achieved through collective vigilance, unity and public participation.
“We must stand together against terrorism and every form of criminality to protect our communities and preserve the peace we have worked so hard to achieve,” he said.
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APC Confident of Victory in Gombe LGAs’ Polls
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record a sweeping victory in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for June 28, 2026, as the party formally presented flags to its chairmanship and councillorship candidates across the state.
Speaking during the flag presentation ceremony in Gombe, Governor Yahaya said the APC remained the dominant political force in the state and was determined to sustain its electoral successes at all levels.
According to him, the party’s growing influence is reflected in its representation across elective positions, noting that APC currently occupies all 24 seats allocated to the state in the House of Representatives.
“We are determined to repeat our electoral successes and retain all elective positions under the APC platform. Our strength lies in our unity, commitment and the confidence the people have in our leadership,” the governor said.
He stressed that the party’s objective was to maintain control of all local government councils and legislative seats, urging party members to remain focused and united ahead of the polls.
Governor Yahaya highlighted the role of the state’s 11 local government areas and 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in deepening grassroots governance, describing the initiative as a strategic step towards bringing government closer to the people.
He also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting critical infrastructure projects in the state, particularly the ongoing superhighway project aimed at improving connectivity across the North-East.
The governor noted that the project, recently inspected by Minister of Works David Umahi, would boost trade, create economic opportunities and improve the welfare of citizens across the region.
“We appreciate President Tinubu’s commitment to the development of Gombe State and the North-East. These projects are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which continues to inspire confidence among Nigerians,” he stated.
Yahaya further reaffirmed his support for the administration’s development agenda, saying its policies were already yielding visible results across various sectors.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, lauded Governor Yahaya for what he described as remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education and social development.
The APC chairman said his visit to various parts of Gombe State gave him the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of government projects on residents.
“I visited communities, institutions, universities, road projects and cultural centres. What I saw was democracy working for the people. The projects are touching lives and improving livelihoods across the state,” he said.
Professor Nentawe noted that market women, traders, farmers and other residents expressed confidence in the APC government, attributing the party’s popularity to its focus on development and service delivery.
He also praised President Tinubu for ongoing and planned federal infrastructure projects across Northern Nigeria, including major road corridors linking Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Maiduguri.
According to him, the projects would strengthen regional integration, facilitate commerce and significantly reduce travel time across the region.
The APC National Chairman further highlighted plans for a railway network connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri through key northern cities, as well as gas infrastructure projects designed to stimulate industrial growth and improve energy access.
He urged Governor Yahaya and APC stakeholders to continue mobilising support for the party while remaining committed to delivering democratic dividends to the people.
Professor Nentawe also celebrated the APC’s recent electoral victories, insisting that the party’s strength derives from its close connection with ordinary Nigerians.
“APC remains firmly rooted among the people. Our success is based on good governance, development and our commitment to improving the lives of citizens,” he said.
The flag presentation ceremony attracted party leaders, elected officials, traditional rulers and supporters from across the state, as APC intensified preparations for the June 28 local government elections.
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