Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, says the Nigerian media industry should be held accountable for what’s happening in the country and to its citizens, both positively and negatively.

“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect,” said Uzodimma.

In a keynote address , he delivered today during the 21st edition of the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja.

Uzodimma, critique the  theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,’ and a sub-theme: ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027,’ said : I will not let you escape accountability for electoral integrity, trust deficit, and what Nigerians expect in 2027.

Here is why.  If you have a role to play in “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion,’ then you also have a role to play in ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit.’  

Without electoral integrity, there can be no democracy. Electoral integrity begets democracy, and democracy begets good governance, and good governance fast-tracks the exorcism of trust deficit.

In all of these, your role as facilitator, amplifier, or catalyst is key.

“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect.”

He emphasised that what editors actually do is akin to a pastoral duty.

“You decide what becomes urgent and what disappears.

You choose the lens through which millions of Nigerians see their country, their leaders, and each other.

“That is how the media is structured. A policy shift is either “Government U-Turn” or “Strategic Adaptation.”

A land border closure is either “Economic Protectionism Impoverishing the People” or “National Security Imperative.” Same facts, different frames. Entirely different public perception.,” he said.

He added: ” You are not spectators in 2027. You are active participants. You are catalysts and facilitators, whether r you acknowledge it or not.

The narratives you shape between now and the election will determine whether Nigerians approach 2027 with hope or cynicism, with trust or suspicion, with a sense of shared stake or through a tribal lens.”

•Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Ethiopia has been selected to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in 2027.

Richard Muyingi, chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), disclosed that Ethiopia’s bid was endorsed last week after the country resubmitted its expression of interest , beating Nigeria in a closely contested bid.

“The matter was discussed by the African group in a meeting last week, and Ethiopia was confirmed as the host of COP32,” Muyingi said.

The hosting of COPs rotates among global regions, with Africa due to host the summit in 2027.

The host country for COP31 is yet to be decided between Turkey and Australia.

A new World Bank report says that only 44 percent of government-funded social safety-net schemes actually reach poor Nigerians.

In the new report titled “The State of Social Safety Nets in Nigeria”, released in November, the bank examined Nigeria’s spending on social safety nets, assessed their coverage and efficiency, and reveals how poor targeting, weak funding, and fragmented implementation have left millions of vulnerable citizens without meaningful relief despite the government’s lofty poverty-reduction promises.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced recently that the federal government is targeting 15 million households, covering some 70 million people via the digital cash-grant scheme.

The World Bank described Nigeria’s social safety-net spending as inefficient, saying a smaller portion of benefits goes to the poor despite their dominance among beneficiaries.

According to the bank, while about 56 percent of the recipients of safety-net programmes are poor, they receive only 44 percent of the total benefits.

It explained that this imbalance stems from the way most programmes, including the National Social Safety Nets Programme, allocate a fixed amount per household rather than per person.