EdTech Meets Innovation: Abuja to Host Mastercard Foundation Inaugural Conference 2024
By Collins Odigie Ojiehanor for LightRay! Media.
By Collins Odigie Ojiehanor for LightRay! Media.
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.
A Perspective.
In this special Perspective Features by LightRay! Media, we invite journalists to tell their stories in the line of duty. We explore the themes, scenes, circumstances, and vulnerabilities that makes them review and reevaluate what Journalism means in the age of AI, clique bait, disinformation big money market, as we ask: Is Journalism Achieving its Aims?
In this Edition, Roland Bayode shares a profound insight from which we begin this piece: “At the core of journalism lies a profound axiom: “News is what someone wants suppressed. Everything else is advertising.
In the midst of tumultuous times, journalists stand as sentinels of truth, warranting our steadfast support and gratitude.
But what do you think?
… Advocates for skilled writers and storytellers in the age of AI and advancing technology.
. . . As Nigerians mark Eid-el-Kabir, a News Investigation reveals widespread price inflation and theft of rams, traditionally sacrificed during the festival. Videos of naked men paraded for stealing rams aimed to deter the practice, but market sellers are accused of overpricing, fueling forced inflation.
Our investigation uncovered shocking price disparities: rams bought for N80,000 in Katsina were resold for N250,000 in Abuja, N600,000 in Warri and Benin, and N750,000 in Lagos. This exposé comes as Nigerians struggle with economic hardship, casting a shadow over the festivities.
Our reporter, Collins Odigie Ojiehanor, has the full story on how soaring food prices and economic struggles are dampening Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Nigeria.
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.
Training female students in Nigeria’s campus universities helps prepare them ahead for better entry qualification into a highly digitslised and evolved media landscape.
The Deputy Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu presided.