An online survey through a cloud-based platform (Google Form) conducted by David Arome to assess knowledge, perceptions, challenges, and mitigating factors of environmental plastic pollution. The responses of the participants are shown in the chart below:
Engr. Ogbolo Aaron Eje, an Abuja-based Civil and Structural Engineer and the CEO of Jebstructs Nigeria Limited and Skyprime Detail Engineering Limited gives his 108 yrs old father a befitting burial for a life well spent. Pa Ogbolo Daniel Onah lived between 1914-2022 and was known as a successful farmer, a community leader, and a philanthropist whose life had impacted so many lives both living and dead. At Pa Ogbolo’s residence at Okpenehi-Ada-Iyeche of Oju LGA of Benue State between 28th and 29th December 2022, were dignitaries and mourners cutting across traditional leaders, both serving and non serving political office holders, business associates of his children, religious and community leaders recounting memories. PA. Ogbolo’s biography Papa Ogbolo Daniel was born in 1914 to the family of late Chief Onah Aju popularly known as Obachi Onyukwu and Ohiama Ogigbo in Oyidoma ( Anchimeba) of Okpenehi Ada-Iyeche, Igede Oju LGA Benue State Nigeria. He was the 5th child in a polygamous family of 18 children. Late Pa Ogbolo had no privilege of formal western education standard but he passed through a system of education called “organiser” he was later withdrawn by his late father whose ideology largely favoured farming as a then […]
“The phenomenon of “press release journalism” in the Middle belt region has overtime, hindered the uncovering of valuable facts and realities of critical sectors in the area. thereby limiting the effect of the people’s will – a menace he frequently said must be halted.” By: Bryan Ula. A bid to respond to the clamors for quality reportage in the middle belt region of Nigeria births a sustainable initiative and regional news media, “Middlebelt Reporters.” The online media platform on Friday 9th December 2022, commenced a 3Days compulsory virtual Capacity Training for 28 selected early career journalists on high-quality reportage focusing on investigative reporting and human interest stories among others emanating from the region. North Central Nigeria also regarded as a middle-belt region consists of six states Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja. Speaking during the training, the host and founding partner of Middle belt reporters, Jairus Awo, emphasized the essence of its existence noting that the phenomenon of “press release journalism” in the Middle belt region has overtime, hindered the uncovering of valuable facts and realities of critical sectors in the area. thereby limiting the effect of the people’s will – a menace […]
The competition which is in its final stage has ten finalists namely Christine, Benaiah Jerry, Tommy Jay, Mejo, Kofi A.D.S, Annie Daymar, Drey Marli, Khaam, P_D Draiz and Legacy Boss. All ten would compete, seeing to the emergence of two winners who would be split into four, two rappers and two singers. By: Emmanuel Umahi The city of Jos is a hub for talent and skills. This is evident in the skill set of talents that are spread across the sectors of sports, entertainment, business, tech, and many more. Annually, there is an export of these talents from the city of Jos to a global scale through diverse competitions in music, movies, runway modeling and many more. We see these talents, know these talents and by the chance of familiarizing ourselves with their personalities, celebrate them as part of the ecosystem they represent. The Jtown Rising Stars is one of the many means of honing talents in the city of Jos. The talent show, championed by recording and performing artist Ruby Gyang, is a means to create a platform for young up-and-coming artists resident in the city of Jos. Also, the competition is aimed at assisting young artists to make […]
Young queer Nigerians reflect on their experiences of coming out in conservative Nigeria. There is hope for a brighter future. By: RABIAT MADAKI (Minority Africa) — In his sophomore year of college, 21-year-old Alex came out as gay to his middle-aged conservative Yoruba mother. He had gotten tired of the hetero-normative ideals his mother forced on him. “She was always going on about when I’ll get a wife and kids,” he says. During one of her tirades about having a traditional family, Alex snapped and decided to come out. “I had considered it for a while, but the thing about coming out is that you don’t really plan for it. It just happens, it’s not like today you wake up and say you’re coming out,” he says. Much like many conservative parents, Alex’s mother viewed his sexuality as a problem that needed spiritual intervention and she immediately dragged him to see a pastor to “cure” his homosexuality. Conversion therapy is an all too common problem that many LGBTQ+ youths from conservative backgrounds endure. Such negative reactions to coming out is mostly prevalent in deeply religious and conservative households. The pastor who Alex’s mother took him to wanted him to stay […]
A 2020 research by The Conversation showed that over 90% of reported rape victims in two major Nigerian newspapers were women. While not a conclusive picture of rape in Nigeria, the research is evidence that there are very few reported cases of male rape in Nigeria. This new film delves into why. By: SAMUEL BANJOKO Ogun, Nigeria (Minority Africa) — A friend casually mentioning the harassment massage therapists face led Godwin Harrison to start working on the script of Happy Ending in 2020. The movie set out to tell a story of how power dynamics and sexualization, despite professionalism, lead to harassment for massage therapists. But Happy Ending does more than that; it touches on another often avoided subject: male rape. “I wanted to tell a story mostly on the ills massage therapists face,” Harrison says. “They go for a session, and the next thing, the client already has this mentality that they have to give him or her a happy ending. That was the initial concept. But when I started writing the script in 2021, [it] took me on a journey which led me to male rape.” A 28-year-old filmmaker, who is based in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, Harrison […]
OPINION By: Ogakwu Julius Ogbaji The cashless policy is a complement to the Naira Redesigned strategy; they are just twin brothers though with four legs but two hands and one head. The cashless policy will benefit the poorer masses (proletariat) more than the ruling class (Bourgeoisie). The cashless policy is another best policy of this administration thus far and should be embraced by all and sundry. The cashless policy if well managed and implemented is capable of fighting inflation to a standstill. Nigeria is projected by the United Nations to be the third most populous nation in the world taking over from the USA by 2050, if this measure is not taken now the country will be worse off. H.E President Muhammadu Buhari might have lost his re-election bid if this policy was implemented before the 2019 general elections because over 70% of his party men may neither work nor vote for him for the fear of the unknown as we have started seeing the jittering from so many high profile persons and institutions already. The cashless policy does have some disadvantages as well. According to PRASANNA, an Indian Author and Editor-in-Chief with Aplus Topper, a cashless economy is an […]
Through my work in the Kavango East and West regions, I started to think more deeply about climate change and environmental awareness programmes run by NGOs.
TheMiddleBelt Reporters is a regional online news platform documenting grassroots news, features, investigations, developments, solutions, tech, and social justice as well as fact-checking in the North Central Region of Nigeria. We are calling on early-career journalists and campus journalists from the North Central state in Nigeria and those who are interested in writing compelling news reports, features, and community news about the Middlebelt, Nigeria. Prior knowledge of journalistic writing is just an advantage, but the selection would not be based on that. However, applicants should have a flair for journalism and be ready to attend three days of training organized for selected applicants. Deadline November 15th 2022 Interested applicant should complete this form.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, I humbly welcome you to this very important Press Conference. This briefing couldn’t have come at a better time due to the exigency of the situation, especially at this critical period. Every Action Counts! [Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative] is Joining Forces to Mobilize Millions to Take Action on the Sustainable Development Goals. This press briefing is part of the activities marking this year’s United Nations General Assembly and Global Week of Action. As we all know the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly started already Tuesday, 13 September 2022 with the theme, “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”. This year’s theme acknowledges the impact of crises such as COVID-19, climate change, and conflict around the world with a focus on seeking solutions that build global sustainability and resilience against it. The development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is one of the major highlights of the 21st century. After the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it was clear that for the world to reach its desired destination, we needed another set of actionable goals. But it’s been seven years since the beginning of the SDGs; the question remains, how well […]
