NUJ to set Agenda on Civic Space Strengthening in Akwa Ibom
By Ekemini Simon
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council has expressed readiness to set an agenda on the need for the strengthening of the regulatory environment for sustainable Civil Society Organisations operations in Akwa Ibom State.
This was made known on Thursday when the Community of Practice (COP) on Civic Space Strengthening in Akwa Ibom State paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk.
Briefing the Chairman, the Team Lead of the COP, Tijah Bolton-Akpan noted that there is a growing trend of repression targeted at freedom of the civil society and the media.
While noting that the repression come in form of attacks, arrest and Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), lawsuits involving the use of legal tactics to harass, silence, or financially burden these actors, often with the aim of discouraging their advocacy or activism, he said another form of repression is going on subtly through stringent and demanding regulatory environment.
Bolton-Akpan explained that the several filings civil actors have to comply with with relevant MDAs distracts them from their main work.
Recommending the solution, the Team Lead said ” The Government needs to reduce and improve on these regulations. We need a One-stop-shop provision where all the required compliance can be done. Even at the sub-national level, we need some harmonization of these regulations”.
Bolton-Akpan called on the media to cascade the challenges and solutions through its agenda setting role.
He added “We came to you because we need this very important partnership with the media as agenda setters. As those setting the agenda you should understand what we are facing. When you get the information right, other stakeholders and the government will understand the challenge and what needs to be done.”
The Team Lead used the opportunity to invite the NUJ Chairman to the South South Regional Conference and requested the State Council ‘s support on media coverage at the conference.
In his response, the Chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Amos Etuk thanked the COP for the visit. He equally expressed appreciation over the training opportunities and award sponsorship Civil Society Organizations especially Policy Alert has been extending to the State Council members.
The Chairman said the training and support received from the CSOs have shaped its members to play its watchdog role effectively.
While sympathizing with the CSOs over the challenges faced in the civic space, he expressed the determination of the media in the State to set an agenda on the issues for a solution to be arrived at.