Day: June 11, 2023

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was called upon to lead efforts in creating an African media fund, to finance and enhance media sustainability and viability.

According to the press release sent to ENA, the African Union (AU) said that the economic bottlenecks are facing the media sector in the African continent.

This was disclosed at the second continent-wide media conference of African media stakeholders in partnership with the African Union and UNESCO, being underway in Lusaka Zambia, from the 11-13th May 2023.

The annual event brought together over 300 delegates from journalists’ associations, civil society, the academia, representatives from four AU organs and bodies, African governments, the UN and other media development partners, the release indicated.

The key outcome of this convention is the African Media Convention (AMC) declaration which among other things draws the attention of governments in Africa, to pursue equitable sharing of revenues by tech giants to ensure journalism and media sustainability and viability.

Highlight of this year’s convention was the training of the AU media fellows, through a partnership between AU Information and Communication Directorate, UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison office to AU, GIZ Liaison Office to the AU and WAN-IFRA Women in News.

The press release added this joint effort was hailed by the participants as a timely and much needed programme by journalists at the conference, as it enhanced their capacity in the use of technology and artificial intelligence, especially in data journalism.

The participants further applauded the AU for establishing the AU Media Fellowship Programme, as a cross-border collaborative platform contributing to the Agenda 2063 aspirations.

The AU, its bodies and Regional Economic Communities, were welcomed as co-hosts and requested to provide support for the Annual African Media Convention.

In addition, the delegates also welcomed the AU and its bodies to partner with the Africa media stakeholders, in carrying out the annual assessment of the status of press freedom, access to information and safety of journalists in AU Member States.

“Noting the economic challenges facing the media sector, UNESCO was called upon to lead efforts in creating an African media fund, to finance and enhance media sustainability and viability. This was deemed necessary in protecting the media from political and economic pressures and thus consolidates freedom of the media in Africa.”

Furthermore, following the consultations held during this convention on the proposed guidelines for regulating the digital platforms by UNESCO, the organization was called upon to include in the next version of the Internet for Trust guidelines.

UNESCO also urged to discharge a set of obligations for technological platforms to safeguard, support and advance public interest news and journalism as a public good in society.

To ensure the recommendations emanating from this annual convention are implemented, a steering committee of nine members was established, it was indicated.

This will guide the strategic evolution of the annual African Media Convention and also spearhead the development of an annual Africa Media Review Journal, to provide in-depth documentation of media developments and the African Media Convention.

More importantly, the African Media Convention steering committee will establish follow-up mechanisms for the implementation of all past, present and future recommendations on press freedom, access to information and safety of journalists on the African continent.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Bahir Dar University will work in cooperation with Moscow University in training, research, technology, teaching and other activities based on the agreement, Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin said.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Bahir Dar University, the university signed an agreement today to renew relationship with Russia, noting it had provided financial and technical support during establishing the polytechnic college.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Terekhin indicated that the agreement will allow the researchers of the two universities to conduct exchange of experiences.

Noting that Russia and Ethiopia have strong relations in development and social issues, the ambassador mentioned that his country had provided financial support for the establishment of Bahir Dar University Polytechnic College.

Acknowledging Bahir Dar University is playing a vital role to the development of Ethiopia by providing educated manpower, Terekhin noted that the agreement has a significant role in contributing to the development of science and technology in the country.

He also pledged Russia will provide assistance to strengthen the teaching and research activities of the university.

The President of Bahir Dar University, Frew Tegegne, said on his part, "The Polytechnic College established in 1963 with Russian financial support and the Pedagogy Academy established in 1974 laid the foundation for the evolvement of today’s Bair Dar University."

The agreement which inked today will enable the transfer of knowledge in science, technology and other fields by connecting Bahir Dar University with universities and institutions in Russia, he added.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Rt. Rev’d Godwin Robinson,Bishop Lafia Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has advocated President Bola Tinubu’s urgent intervene in critical sectors including education and security, to ensure his administration’s maximum impact on Nigerians.

Godwin made the call on Saturday, while delivering the Bishop’s Charge of the 3rd Session of the 8th Synod of the Diocese held at Mt. Zion Anglican Church Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

He urged Tinubu to use his experience to address issues which had threatened the wellbeing of Nigerians.

“The current estimate of Nigeria’s population stands at about 200 millions 69 per cent of this population is between the ages of 15 to 45 years.

“People in this age bracket are actively pursuing the acquisition of knowledge and skills for better productivity or better returns, but Nigeria education sector has failed to live up to its expectations.

“There are more than 10 million out of school children roaming the streets instead of receiving instructions”, he said.

According to him, infrastructure in many schools are in a bad shape while tertiary education is constantly disrupted by disputes between governments and workers.

“Now that lecturers are back in the classes, we pray and hope that there will be no need to go back to their trenches,” said.

Robinson partly blamed the security challenge in the country on the high rate of youth unemployment.

“It must be underscored that unemployment constitutes a security threat as an ‘idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.

“The government must priorise creating employment opportunities for its citizens. It is time to advance industrial revolution to move the economy from consumption to production.

“The teaming unemployed youths must be engaged in production activities,” he said.

The cleric called on both the public and private sectors to play their parts to develop the country industrially in order to tackle the unemployment challenges faced it faced with.

With the theme: `Arise and Shine’, taken from the book of Prophet Isaiah Chapter 60 verse 1, Godwin said the Church was optimistic that Nigeria will arise from its present challenges and shine.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria