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Hate speech: NBC right to increase fine but N5M too much – Pate
Nasiru Yusuf
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is right to increase hate speech fine but N5 million is too much, says communications scholar Umaru Pate.
Kano Focus recalls that the NBC has increased the fine for broadcasting hate speech from N0.5million to N5million.
Mr. Pate, a professor of media studies says communications scholars and other stakeholders advised the NBC to jerk up the fine as the previous N500,000 was not enough of a deterrent.
He revealed this on Thursday while featuring in an ARTV Kano talk show “Kwaryar Kira”.
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“Some media organizations use to charge their clients additional fees in anticipation of the NBC’s N500,000 fine.
“That’s why we advised the NBC to increase the charges but I believe N5million is exorbitant.” He said.
Mr Pate advised federal government to consult relevant stakeholders in broadcast industry for a more reasonable fine.
The professor of media studies at Bayero University Kano (BUK) described hate speeches promoted by media as the major cause of Nigeria’s civil war.
The academic lamented how some broadcast stations in Nigeria were used to spread hate messages ahead of 2015 general election.
He said it is wrong to profile a whole ethnic group or followers of a religion due to the wrongdoing of few individuals.
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In her submission, the national president of Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) Sa’a Ibrahim said the NBC did not consult heads of radio and television stations before taking the decision.
Ms Ibrahim who doubles as Director General ARTV Kano faulted NBC’s method of sanctioning media organizations.
She said it is against the principle of justice for NBC to be the arbiter in its own case.
She appealed to NBC to consult all stakeholders in broadcast industry especially heads of radio and television stations before taking any serious decision.
The BON president also advised the commission to adopt a regulation strategy that provides several layers of treating alleged breaches before issuing a sanction.
Also speaking, the General Manager Vision FM Kano Adamu Ladan advocated for a special grant to media houses as done in developed countries.
Kano Focus recalled that the NBC has launched the controversial amended code in Lagos on August 4 despite opposition by stakeholders in the industry.
One of the amendments to the code is the increase of hate speech fine from N500,000 to N5 million and the provision for sub-licensing of all broadcast contents among others.
However, in what appeared to be in-house conflict Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, chairman of the NBC accused the minister of information and culture of amending the broadcasting code “unilaterally”.
Mr Bilbis told a press conference in Abuja on August 13 that he received over 50 position papers for the 6th amendment of the code but none of the input was considered.
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
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