Plenary Proceedings, House of Reps, Tuesday, July 9th, 2024
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu presided.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu presided.
There is a need to declare a state of emergency on the significance of transforming air quality management in Africa and addressing the health risks associated with air pollution.
Data suggests that Lagos is a highly populated city with a pollution hovering between 12 million to 21 million. With the recent flood crisis, the wellbeing of inhabitants has become the number one concern. And this is not just in Lagos, as cyclic climate change has ushered in a new global review of what climate and weather means today.
African cities are coming together in Lagos to address air pollution, a major challenge in the city. Lagos, with a population of over 21 million according to WHO, faces air quality issues due to vehicular emissions, industrial activities, open burning of waste, and domestic cooking practices.
The direct impact of the lives of humans, animals, and plants is devasting. Air pollution can lead to respiratory infections, heart diseases, stroke, lung cancer, environmentally induced asthma, increased risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and neurological conditions in humans and other animals as well.
LightRay! Media is at the forefront of championing the voices of leaders in this field in this important discussion as a matter of mainstream call-to-action by everyone no matter their country. The mantra: “All for one, one for all” is perhaps an approach all must adopt to ensure we keep our planet, this beautiful earth safe for ourselves and every other living and existing thing that is part of this circle of life.
In this investigative report by the Editor-in-Chief and Special Correspondent, Ejiro Umukoro and Collins Odigie Ojiehanor respectively, this feature uncovers critical DEVCOMM approaches to addressing these issues. It will take a collective effort on the part of everyone to create a cleaner, safer, saner, healthy, and prosperous society.
Okuama Murder: Community lies in ruins despite Nigerian Army’s “no retaliation” promise.
Residents Demand Answers: ‘Why Has the Delta State Government Failed to Protect Us?’
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu presided.
The Shadows of Asaba: A Study on Female Gangsterism and Cultism and Its Impact on Young Girls – A Communications Development Intervention
In a world where sustenance has become a luxury, John Jayewole’s words resonated deeply. “Who’s looking for nutrients nowadays? You just eat because you need food to survive.” The harsh reality of Nigeria’s food crisis hit home as he shared his own struggle. “I wanted to buy eggs this morning, but the vendor asked for 500 naira for just three eggs. I had to walk away.”
In Africa’s most populous nation, the escalating cost of food has left millions grappling with hunger, their dignity and hope dwindling with each passing day. Inflation has taken hold, and the effects are devastating. Mothers sacrifice their own meals to feed their children, while farmers watch in despair as their harvests fail to meet even the most basic needs.
In rural communities, the once-thriving fields now lie barren, food stores empty. Families who once relied on subsistence farming now find themselves at the mercy of a capricious climate and an unyielding economy. Their lives are dictated by the unpredictability of it all, their futures hanging in the balance.
The search for sustenance has become a daily struggle, a constant reminder of the fragility of life. As the food crisis deepens, so too does the sense of desperation. In a world where food is a basic human right, the people of Nigeria are being forced to fight for survival, their dignity and hope hanging by a thread.
Similarly, Global Hunger Index (GHI), showed that Nigeria is the 16th most hungry country in the world among countries with sufficient data to calculate the 2023 GHI scores.
By Collins Odigie Ojiehanor.
Rethinking victimhood, Umukoro advocates for a culture of mental resilience and emotional empowerment.
Press freedom and literature are interconnected in several ways, and foremost of which, is Freedom of Expression. Press freedom is a fundamental right that allows journalists and writers to express themselves without censorship or fear of retribution. Literature, as a form of creative expression, also relies on this freedom to explore ideas, themes, and stories without restriction.
Press Freedom and literature also interconnects with regards to Access to Information. A free press ensures that citizens have access to accurate and unbiased information, which is essential for informed public discourse. Literature, in turn, can provide unique perspectives and insights into the human experience, fostering empathy and understanding.
Press Freedom and literature is about Holding Power Accountable. Press freedom enables journalists to hold those in power accountable for their actions as clearly directed by Section 22 of the Nigeria constitution as an important requirement of journalists.
Literature can also serve as a means of social commentary and critique, challenging societal norms and political systems.
Press Freedom and literature is also about Cultural Preservation and Promotion. Literature is a vital part of cultural heritage, and press freedom helps ensure that diverse voices and stories are represented and preserved. This allows literature to continue shaping culture, influencing public opinion, and inspiring future generations.
Journalism as Literature allows the creative mental space for some journalists and writers to blend the lines between reporting and storytelling, using literary techniques to convey complex issues and human experiences. This intersection highlights the importance of press freedom in enabling writers to craft compelling narratives that inform and engage the public.
It is this reason, we believe inspired the United States Agency for Global Media to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day focused on bringing journalists from across the continents to discuss the book, DISTORTION by Ejiro Umukoro.
Challenges the over-dependence on AI generated stories while inspiring the next generation of young female journalists to take on the baton of media reporting and storytelling based on high ethics and practices of journalism.
. . . As Nigeria’s Economic Woes Worsen, Citizens Turn to Street Food Amidst Soaring Inflation and Regulatory Vacuum.
In a country grappling with economic crisis, runaway inflation, and rampant governance failures, Nigerians are increasingly resorting to street food as a desperate measure to sustain themselves. With the formal economy in shambles and regulatory frameworks in disarray, the allure of readily available and affordable street food has become a bitter sweet reality for many.
As the purchasing power of citizens continues to dwindle, the demand for street food has skyrocketed, forcing buyers to overlook concerns about safety and hygiene in pursuit of a filling meal. The proliferation of street food vendors, unregulated and unlicensed, has become a stark reminder of the government’s failure to address the socio-economic woes plaguing the nation.
In this investigative report, we delve into the world of street food in Nigeria, exposing the dire consequences of poor governance, economic mismanagement, and the human cost of a nation in crisis.
Due to the recent Cholera outbreak in Lagos, our reporter, Collins Odigie Ojiehanor, investigated the general levels of awareness and response in mitigating the spread of cholera amongst residents in Okosofe and Lagos Island. Our findings left us more disturbed.