scholarly journals Constructing Ideology through Modality in Newspaper Editorials on Security Challenges in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 3-18
Author(s):  
Bukola Alfred
Keyword(s):  
Northern Region ◽  
Western Region ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Modal Verbs ◽  
Ideological Position ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Guardian

This paper explores Nigerian media’s deployment of modality on editorials on security challenges in Nigeria. The study examines how such impress on the ideological position of the media on the security issues in Nigeria. The study relates to how well Nigerian newspaper organisations attempted to reveal or mask security cases across different regions of the country through modal options. The editorials were sourced from The Punch and The Guardian (South-Western region), Vanguard and The Sun (East) and Leadership and Daily Trust (Northern Region) between 2014 and 2016. The frequencies and percentages of occurrences of these modality markers were examined and their implications were interpreted to reflect the attitudes and dispositions of the newspapers to security issues. Our findings show that the six newspapers expressed unbiased concerns over the Boko-Haram Insurgency whether or not the newspaper is situated in the northern region. However, the fact that certain security issues emanated from particular regions also prompted the kinds of modal markers employed by specific newspapers representing such regions. The Sun’s choices of modal indirectly expressed support for their plights and protests of the pro-Biafra agitators. The Punch’s choices of modal verbs portrayed President Buhari as sharing some ethnic affinity with herders.

scholarly journals Media Perspectives on Boko Haram Insurgency and Herdsmen- Farmers’ Crises in Nigeria.

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Bukola Alfred ◽  
Folajimi Oyebola
Keyword(s):  
Social Attitudes ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Western Region ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Guardian

The focus of the study is media perspectives on Boko Haram insurgency and herdsmen-farmers clashes in Nigeria. These security issues have been commented on, in Nigerian newspapers. In order to show the social attitudes of different news organisations in Nigeria to the operations of Boko Haram insurgents and nomadic herdsmen, the study analysed news editorials from The Punch and The Guardian (South-Western region), Vanguard and The Sun (East) andLeadership and Daily Trust (Northern Region). The editorials were those published in the heatof the conflicts between 2014 and 2016. The analysis focused on the representations of Agents and activities and media’s perspectives on both security issues through the analysis of process options. Our findings show that all the newspapers syntactically positioned the Boko Haram insurgents and cattle herders as Agents of destruction and death and syntactically portrayed Nigerians and farmers as the victims /affecteds of these security issues. The process options show that the newspapers did not, in any way, try to obscure the activities of these groups, rather, they decry such.

scholarly journals COVID 19 and Increased Security Challenges in Northern Nigeria: Interrogating Armed Banditry in Northwestern Nigeria

SIASAT ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44
Author(s):  
Noah Echa Attah ◽  
Usman Sambo ◽  
Babayo Sule ◽  
Muhammad A. Bello ◽  
M. Yoserizal Saragih
Keyword(s):  
Economic Activities ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Complex Dimension ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Global Health Issue ◽  
Armed Violence ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Political Economic

The COVID 19 pandemic has become a global health issue that now intersects with security issues, especially in African countries. The outbreak of the virus in Africa has halted political, economic and social activities, including countering armed violence. Nigeria is one of the African countries that is faced with security challenges, ranging from Boko Haram insurgency, rural banditry, farmers-herders clash, kidnapping, robbery to piracy among others. However, much attention has concentrated on mitigating the spread of COVID 19 pandemic and the provisions of palliatives to cushion the effects of the abrupt stoppage of formal and informal economic activities. This study examines the intersections between the pandemic and armed banditry in Northwestern. It appears that armed bandits have intensified attacks on communities, against the background of government’s anti-COVID policy. Government has equally re-strategized in responding to the bandits’ attacks. The study gathered data from documented sources and media reports and were analyzed, using content analysis. The study observed that the armed bandits used the COVID 19 lock down policy to increase attacks on some communities, thereby providing a complex dimension to rural banditry in Northwestern Nigeria. This led to increased air and land offensive by the Nigerian military against the bandits. This study recommends among others that government should increase surveillance and adopt strict measures on movements to curtail the activities of the bandits.    

scholarly journals Nigeria media framing of coronavirus pandemic and audience response

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekwutosi Sanita Nwakpu ◽  
Valentine Okwudilichukwu Ezema ◽  
Jude Nwakpoke Ogbodo
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Media Framing ◽  
Audience Response ◽  
The Sun ◽  
News Reports ◽  
The Media ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
The Masses ◽  
The Guardian

Background: Part of the role of the media is to report any issue affecting the society to the masses. Coronavirus has become an issue of transnational concern. The importance of the media in the coverage of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nigeria and its implications among Nigerian populace cannot be overestimated. This study evaluates how Nigerian media depict the coronavirus pandemic and how the depictions shape people’s perception and response to the pandemic. Methods: The study employed a quantitative design (newspaper content analysis and questionnaire). The content analysis examines the nature of media coverage of coronavirus in Nigeria and China using four major national newspapers (The Sun, The Vanguard, The Guardian and The Punch). The period of study ranged from January 2020 to March 2020. A total of 1070newspaper items on coronavirus outbreak were identified across the four newspapers and content-analysed. Results: The finding shows that the coverage of the pandemic was dominated by straight news reports accounting for 763 or (71.3%) of all analysed items. This was followed by opinions 169(15.8%), features 120 (11.2%) and editorials 18 (1.7%) respectively. The Punch 309 (28.9%)reported the outbreak more frequently than The Sun 266 (24.9%), The Guardian 258 (24.1%), and Vanguard 237 (22.1%). Finding further suggests that the framing pattern adopted by the newspapers helped Nigerians to take precautionary measures. Conclusion: Continuous reportage of COVID-19 has proved effective in creating awareness about safety and preventive measures thereby helping to ‘flatten the curve’ and contain the spread of the virus. However, the newspapers should avoid creating fear/panic in reporting the pandemic.

Cross-Regional Analysis of Terrorism Reporting and Dynamics of Ethnic Relations in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 20-35
Author(s):  
Doris Ngozi Morah ◽  
Omojola Oladokun
Keyword(s):  
Regional Analysis ◽  
Ethnic Relations ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
It Impacts ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ethnic Tension ◽  
Southwest Nigeria ◽  
Scale Down ◽  
The Media

The news sociology and news determinism perspectives do project both the integrationist and disintegrative capabilities of the media. This projection is premised on their agenda-setting tradition, meaning that the social responsibility performance credential of the reporter can help build a nation or be a factor of the collapse of social control. This work explores this oxymoron by examining terrorism reporting and how it impacts on ethnic relations among the three dominant regions in Nigeria. A total of 400 respondents from Southeast and Southwest Nigeria respond to seven items on their relationship with the Northern Region that has been affected by the activities of the terror group Boko Haram. The findings portray a violent nature of the Northern Region. However, they do not support six of the media-framed and widely-held assumptions by the southerners about the conflict, including the statement that the insurgents represent northerners' interest. The media can scale down ethnic tension by publishing and framing stories that promote de-escalation.

scholarly journals Building Peace through DDR Programs: Lessons from Reintegrating Boko Haram Ex-Recruits in Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydie Belporo
Keyword(s):  
Death Penalty ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Lake Chad ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Far North ◽  
Community Norms ◽  
Lake Chad Basin ◽  
Security Challenges

In the countries of the Lake Chad Basin, Boko Haram’s emergence has created major new security challenges for the region’s governments. Cameroon’s Far North region, the most populous in the country, is at the heart of these security issues. Since late 2020, Boko Haram has intensified attacks in Far North localities with assassinations targeting civilians, kidnappings, and looting in small towns along the Nigerian border. In response, the Cameroonian government has pursued a hardline strategy and militarized the affected localities. In addition to arbitrary arrests, prolonged pre-trial detention, prison overcrowding, and the death penalty are all sources of concern. This policy note outlines core findings from a case study of the Boko Haram ex-associates reintegration process in Cameroon. The note examines how existing community norms or mechanisms might be as useful as more standard approaches to disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) in addressing challenges presented by Boko Haram ex-associates in Cameroon.

scholarly journals Christian Churches and the Boko Haram Insurgency in Cameroon: Dilemmas and Responses

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kpughe Lang
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Final Section ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Humanitarian Crisis ◽  
Christian Churches ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Humanitarian Work

The spillover of the terrorist activities of Boko Haram, a Nigerian jihadi group, into Cameroon’s northern region has resulted in security challenges and humanitarian activity opportunities for Christian churches. The insurgents have attacked and destroyed churches, abducted Christians, worsened Muslim-Christian relations, and caused a humanitarian crisis. Aggregately, these ensuing phenomena have adversely affected Christian churches in this region, triggering an aura of responses: coping strategies, humanitarian work among refugees, and inter-faith dialogue. These responses are predicated on Christianity’s potential as a resource for peace, compassion, and love. In this study we emphasize the role of Christian churches in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency. It opens up with a contextualization of Boko Haram in Cameroon’s north. This is followed by an examination of the brutality meted out on Christians and church property. The final section is an examination of the spiritual, humanitarian and relief services provided by Christian churches. The paper argues that although Christian churches have suffered at the hands of Boko Haram insurgents, they have engaged in various beneficial responses underpinned by the Christian values of peace and love.

Newspaper Coverage of the Boko Haram Terror Campaign in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-152
Author(s):  
Babatunde Oni ◽  
Praise Lamina
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Major Group ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Daily Newspapers ◽  
Terror Attacks ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Before And After ◽  
General Elections ◽  
The Media

Terrorism is one of the leading security challenges in Nigeria. Since 2009, the terrorist group, Boko Haram, is the major group fueling this problem by carrying out terror attacks mostly in the northeastern part of the country. The period between 2014 and 2015 marked the peak of terrorist attacks by the group. This period coincided with the general elections, which saw a transition from one civilian regime to another. Boko Haram menace was one of the pressing issues that voters wanted to be resolved. How did the media frame this problem? A content analysis of three national daily newspapers was conducted to see the newspapers' pattern of Boko Haram coverage shortly before and after the 2015 general elections. The study found a slight difference in Boko Haram's reporting before the elections and after. While most of the frames used in newspapers remained unchanged, the frames reflecting hopelessness began to feature more.

scholarly journals Serological evidence of Rift Valley fever virus infection among domestic ruminant herds in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deo B. Ndumu ◽  
Barnabas Bakamutumaho ◽  
Edward Miller ◽  
Jesca Nakayima ◽  
Robert Downing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley ◽  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Domestic Ruminant ◽  
The South ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
The Western Region

Abstract Background Prior to the first recorded outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Uganda, in March 2016, earlier studies done until the 1970’s indicated the presence of the RVF virus (RVFV) in the country, without any recorded outbreaks in either man or animals. While severe outbreaks of RVF occurred in the neighboring countries, none were reported in Uganda despite forecasts that placed some parts of Uganda at similar risk. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) undertook studies to determine the RVF sero-prevalence in risk prone areas. Three datasets from cattle sheep and goats were obtained; one from retrospective samples collected in 2010–2011 from the northern region; the second from the western region in 2013 while the third was from a cross-sectional survey done in 2016 in the south-western region. Laboratory analysis involved the use of the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses, including non-parametric chi-square tests for comparisons between districts and species in the regions. Results During the Yellow Fever outbreak investigation of 2010–2011 in the northern region, a total sero-prevalence of 6.7% was obtained for anti RVFV reacting antibodies (IgG and IgM) among the domestic ruminant population. The 2013 sero-survey in the western region showed a prevalence of 18.6% in cattle and 2.3% in small ruminants. The 2016 sero-survey in the districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Kasese, Kisoro and Rubirizi, in the south-western region, had the respective district RVF sero-prevalence of 16.0, 2.1, 0.8, 15.1and 2.7% among the domestic ruminants combined for this region; bovines exhibited the highest cumulative sero-prevalence of 15.2%, compared to 5.3 and 4.0% respectively for sheep and goats per species for the region. Conclusions The absence of apparent outbreaks in Uganda, despite neighboring enzootic areas, having minimal restrictions to the exchange of livestock and their products across borders, suggest an unexpected RVF activity in the study areas that needs to be unraveled. Therefore, more in-depth studies are planned to mitigate the risk of an overt RVF outbreak in humans and animals as has occurred in neighboring countries.

scholarly journals ‘Rival visions of reality’: An analysis of the framing of Boko Haram in Nigerian newspapers and Twitter

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercy Ette ◽  
Sarah Joe
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Research Tool ◽  
Terrorist Group ◽  
Framing Analysis ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Media Space ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
The Media

This article focuses on the framing of Boko Haram, a transnational terrorist group, in legacy and social media platforms. The discussion is predicated on the understanding that in spite of its popularity as a research tool, the concept of framing is still problematic. One area of contention has been the reliability and validity of framing analysis. Drawing on Robert Entman’s seminal definition, this study investigates the viability of two innovative framing approaches and explores the intersection of the framing of Boko Haram in four Nigerian newspapers and Twitter. The authors argue that, while newspapers continue to dominate the media space, it is important to acknowledge the growing relevance of social media in shaping and influencing the opinion of their users. The study’s findings support the viability of these approaches and come to the conclusion that exploring the differences between the platforms can unearth different versions of reality.

scholarly journals Nigeria and the Challenges of Internal Security in the 21st Century

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Chris I. Nwagboso
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
National Security Policy ◽  
Boko Haram ◽  
Internal Security ◽  
Historical Method ◽  
Religious Intolerance ◽  
Security Challenges

This paper examines the various internal security challenges confronting Nigeria in the 21st century. The paper adopts historical method and content analysis to investigate how the abysmal failure of the poorly formulated and ineffectively implemented National Security Policy has hitherto exacerbated internal security challenges in Nigeria. The paper further attempts a critical review of major internal security challenges hitherto confronting the country; such as the Niger Delta crises, kidnapping in the South-East geo-political zone, Jos crises, Boko Haram crises and crises by Fulani Herdsmen in the Northern part of Nigeria. The result of the analysis shows that these internal security challenges have not only been difficult to address by the National Security Policy, but have also impacted negatively on the country's desired socio-economic development in the 21st century. The paper, therefore, recommends among others, the need for a careful review of the Nigeria's National Security Policy that will not only be integrative/comprehensive in outlook, but will also take cognizance of some domestic factors that are currently responsible for internal security problems in the country; such as unemployment, inequality, poverty, fraudulent electoral process, corruption, skewed federalism, porous nature of the Nigeria’s borders, sabotage among politicalelites, bad governance, religious intolerance, citizen-settler controversies, among others.

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