Onuigbo Tasks Media Professionals On Positive Agenda Setting

 

THE MEDIA, PARLIAMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE,PAPER PRESENTED BY REP. (SIR) SAM ONUIGBO FCIS, FNIM, KJW, CHAIRMAN, SECURITY, SPECIAL INTERVENTIONS AND CLIMATE CHANGE, GOVERNINGBOARD, NORTHEAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION(NEDC) DURING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESS CORPS RETREAT HELD AT HASKE LUXURY HOTEL, TUNGA MINNA, NIGER STATE ON OCTOBER 19-21, 2023.

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1. PREAMBLE

I am delighted to be here on your invitation. Right away, let me thankthe Chairman and Executives of the House of Representatives Press Corps for organizing this retreat for the benefit of your hardworking Members. Your theme: “Role of the Media in Mainstreaming ClimateChange Policies,” is apt and germane to the current global conversations on climate change. I, therefore, commend you for this worthy engagement.

2. INTRODUCTION

The historical development of the Nigerian media and parliament represents a complex interplay of societal, political, and cultural forces. Each has a unique journey of growth, transformation, and adaptation, shaping the nation’s narrative in distinct ways. However, in recent years, a compelling intersection has emerged—a fusion of media and the parliament in pursuit of a common goal: climate action. Thispresentation explores the historical evolution of the Nigerian media andlegislature, and how their convergence has catalyzed a dynamic shifttowards addressing the pressing issue of climate change. It highlights the past, the present, and the collaborative future of these two influential pillars in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, united in the quest for “mainstreaming climate change actions in line with national development priorities,” for a sustainable and climate-resilient future.

3. THE NIGERIAN MEDIA – HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The history of the Nigerian media is a compelling narrative that reflects the nation’s journey from its colonial past to a thriving democraticsociety. From its inception as a tool of colonial administration to its evolution as a powerful platform for the dissemination of information, the Nigerian media has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s identity, education, politics, and social fabric. This brief presentation delves into the rich tapestry of the Nigerian media’s historicaldevelopment, examining its growth, challenges, and its profoundimpact on society, culture, and governance. As practicing professionalsin the field, together, let us embark on a journey through time to explore the milestones, challenges, and triumphs that have defined the Nigerian media landscape.

media engagements. Heposits that the initial form of media employed in Nigeria consisted oftraditional communication methods. These were the communicationchannels utilized by indigenous Nigerians prior to the arrival of colonial explorers on Nigerian shores. These traditional media, known by various names and categorized in multiple ways by contemporaryscholars, displayed unique styles in performing nearly all the functions that modern mass media fulfill today. These functions encompassed information dissemination, education, entertainment, developmental communications like climate action advocacy, and politicalcommunication and mobilization for electoral participation.Commencing with humble

origins, as exemplified by Rev. Henry Townsend’s ‘Iwe Iroyin Yoruba Fun Awon Egba,’ which commenced publication in 1859, and RobertCampbell’s ‘Anglo-African’ in 1863, the Nigerian media has evolvedinto a robust pillar that lends substantial support to both global and local developmental endeavors.

Patrick Ene Okon, author of ‘West Africa and the Europeans since the 15th Century: Essays in Honour of Patience Okwuchi Erim’ wrote onthe theme ‘Historical Development of the Mass Media in Nigeria:From Colonial Era to the Present’. Patrick confirms that Nigeria, a prominent West African nation with a population of nearly 230 million, has been significantly influenced by mass media since the colonial era. These non-personal channels of communication disseminateinformation to a large and diverse audience without interpersonalcontact. There are two major types of mass media: print and broadcast.Print media includes newspapers, magazines, newsletters, billboards, and posters, while broadcast media includes television and radio. Theemergence of the internet has added new media to the list. Thenewspaper press is the oldest mass media type and has played asignificant role in shaping Nigeria’s and many other nations’ histories.

The mass media are expected to fulfill several functions including providing information, instructing the public, promoting individual rights, maintaining economic equilibrium, providing entertainment, and preserving independence. However, the media can also adopt different approaches such as partisan, advocacy,adversary, liberal, independent, or interventionist journalism. Theseapproaches involve taking a stance on issues, crusading for causes, oropposing the government. The media and their personnel have the right to choose between a more active or neutral role in society.

4. THE EVOLUTION OF THE NIGERIAN MEDIA

During the colonial era in Nigeria, the mass media was greatly influenced by the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This conference onhow to partition Africa without her consent or contributions led toBritain’s conquest of Africa and the subsequent administration of Nigeria as separate Southern and Northern protectorates. The British exerted their political influence through trade, missionaries, and the introduction of modern education. The printing press played a crucialrole in mass-producing print media materials. The first printing press was established in Abeokuta in 1854. This was followed by the establishment of another press by Reverend Hope Masterton Waddellin 1867. Nationalists in Nigeria used

newspapers as a powerful tool tofight against colonial rule. Broadcast media was introduced in the UKin 1932 when the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) launchedthe first short-wave broadcasting service in Lagos. In 1956, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation was incorporated, providing a regulatory framework for broadcasting. The television segment joined this development with the establishment of Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in 1959.

During the colonial era, the broadcast media was government-owned, focusing on acting as the mouthpiece of government. However, print media, including newspapers owned by nationalists, took partisan, advocacy, activist, and adversary approaches. For instance, the Nigerian Pioneer, owned and edited by Sir Kitoye Ajasa in 1914, wasseen as defending governmental policies. Advocacy media, on the other hand, could achieve both positive and negative ends. Oneexample of this was the publication that allowed its professional position to be used to prosecute personal vendetta and vent grievances. Activist media focused on galvanizing people towards independence and self-government, with John Payne Jackson’s Lagos Weekly Recordbeing the most prominent. The Daily Times then called the NigerianDaily Times, took on the role of recommending nationalist journalists for prosecution, describing Herbert Macaulay as a sedition-monger,exploitation of the poor, and ignorant in the name of patriotism. The West African Pilot edited by Late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe also made massive contributions towards decolonization.

5. THE MEDIA IN THE FOURTH REPUBLIC

Nigeria’s governance has been inconsistent since its independence in 1960. From the January 15, 1966 coup d’etat to the death of late General Sanni Abacha in June, 1998, Nigeria was characterized by coups and counter coups and unstable civilian governments. However,Nigeria has experienced nearly a quarter of a century of unbroken democratic dispensation probably due to the mass media’s vigilant roles and contributions. The media has engaged in social, economic, health, and attitudinal change efforts, and has been effective in evoking patriotism and participation in development. It has significantly contributed to the accomplishment of this amazing feat. Under the democratic system in place in Nigeria, the media has demonstrated its ability to persevere against all challenges and take a proactive role in advancing the nation. Radio, television, and newspapers havecontributed significantly to the media’s efforts to improve society. The media has been able to gather news and information better due to the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

6. NEW MEDIA’S DEVELOPMENT AND CITIZEN JOURNALISM

The mass media sector is currently experiencing a process known as”functional displacement” as a result of the development of new media. Every time significant new media technologies are introduced, according to Baran & Baran, “they destabilize existing mediaindustries, forcing large-scale and frequently very rapid restructuring.” Additionally, McQuail claims that, “the Internet is gradually replacing many ‘traditional’ mass media functions, such as advertising, news, andinformation.” Today, not only in Nigeria but throughout the world, thisis what has been going on in the media. The capacity of modern mediato be interactive, which entails a two-way information flow through thecomputer between the user and the medium, is the single most remarkable feature of modern media.

7. THE NIGERIAN LEGISLATURE

The Nigerian Legislature is a critical component of the country’s governing structure and plays a pivotal role in the law-making process. Over the years, the Nigerian legislature has evolved to metamorphose into its current structure, a bicameral legislature, consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Nigeria Legislature is an essential institution in the country’s democratic system, providing a forum for debate, negotiation, and decision-making on critical issues that affect the nation’s development.

8. HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF THE NIGERIANLEGISLATURE

Lucky A. Tongs, Omololu Fagbadebo, and Mojeed Olujinmi in theirwell-researched book “The Legislature in Nigeria’s Presidential Democracy of the Fourth Republic”, informs that the National Assembly, as the principal legislative institution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has had a long history of institutional evolution dating back to June 1862, barely a year after the annexation of Lagos after a 10-year battle of conquests. The history of its growth anddevelopment is, therefore, intimately linked to and incorporates features of the British colonial administrative authority. Thus, thecreation of a crown colony in Lagos also witnessed the birth of the Lagos Legislative Council, which played an important role in colonial governance.

The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 formally established a united Nigeria. This did not alter much of the structure of the government beyond the unification of the two supreme courts that had previously operated in Northern and Southern Nigeria. In 1914, Sir Frederick Lord Lugard established the Nigerian Council, and remained in place until 1922 when Sir Hugh Clifford, composedthe Legislative Council. Sir Hugh Clifford dismissed the NigeriaCouncil in 1922 because it lacked legislative or executive authority. There was no legislative or executive authority attached to any council decisions that passed.

Sir Hugh Clifford’s 1922 Constitution which introduced the elective principle and established the Legislative Council remained the same body and was almost static throughout its 24-year history, from 1922 to 1946. The role of the Nigerian legislature remained largely unchanged throughout colonial rule; but the structure and composition of thecentral legislature in Nigeria changed from its inception in 1862 to its independence in 1960, with a mix of officials and nominated unofficial members. It should be stressed that the legislative council under, Sir Lord Lugard lacked legislative or executive power. The introduction of the elective principle under the Clifford Constitution gave three representatives to Lagos and one to the municipal part of Calabar with the extension of adult suffrage in the Southern part of Nigeria. The status of the unicameral legislature changed in 1958 with the establishment of the Senate.

Arthur Richardson’s 1946 constitution was opposed by Nigerian political elites because he stated that they were not politically matureand lacked the resources for self-governance. The opposition led to itseventual withdrawal. John MacPherson who replaced ArthurRichardson, set up a committee to draft a new constitution which wasenacted in 1951. That constitution gave rise to the creation of aunicameral central legislature in 1952 which is known today as the House of Representatives.

The Northern and Western regions had a bicameral legislature in 1946and 1951, respectively. The House of Representatives, (formerly central legislature) functioned from 1952, comprising unofficial members as well as a Council of Ministers. The bicameral legislaturefunctioned from 1960 to 1966, with the upper body (Senate) exercisingparticular powers not shared by the Federal House of Representativesunder the frameworks of the the1960 Independence and 1963Republican Constitutions. The parliamentary system between 1959 and January 15, 1966, adopted the characteristics of a fusion of executive and legislative powers because it was the party with the largest numberof elected members in the parliament that was called upon to form the national government.

9. THE CURRENT LEGISLATURE- THE NATIONALASSEMBLY

The authors further assert that Nigeria’s Legislature in the Fourth Republic is similar to the 3rd Republic legislature in terms of structure. Section 4(1) of the Constitution vested “the legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a National Assembly for the Federation,which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.”

The bicameral legislature provides more legislators to have a voice in the legislative process. The Senate has 109 members (3 senators representing each of the 36 states, and 1 representing the Federal Capital Territory). The House of Representatives consists of 360 members representing federal constituencies in Nigeria. Section 58 of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to make law through legislation passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The president has to assent to the bill to become an Act of the National Assembly. This prerogative is what former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR exercised when he assented to the Climate Change Act2021 in order to lend his administration’s support to climate action.

10. CLIMATE CHANGE

Rachel Carlson, now regarded as the mother of the environmental movement in 1962 published ‘Silent Spring’ which brought the attention of the world to the negative impacts of the environment. TheUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines climate change as a change that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that latest the composition of the global atmosphere and addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods

Climate Change has been variously described as a long-term change in the average weather patterns or conditions that have come to impact the Earth either by making it warmer, wetter, or drier over several decades. The negative effects lead to drought, desertification scrub in sea level, coastal erosion, gully erosion, wildfires, etc. those negative impacts lead to loss of livelihoods, etc.