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Experts Urge Government to Leverage Social Cohesion Data for Policy Reform, National Development

Published

1 year ago

June 24, 2025

Experts have called on the government to utilise social cohesion data to enhance national policies and programmes to address critical development issues across the country and promote national development.

The experts made this call on Tuesday at a Capacity Building Workshop organised by Africa Polling Institute (API), an independent, non-profit opinion research think-tank.

The workshop tagged is “The Use of Social Cohesion Data in Enhancing National Policies and Programmes and Promoting Effective Media Reportage”.

Prof.Bell Ihua, Executive Director API, said the workshop supported by Ford Foundation was to ensure that the Nigeria Social Cohesion data did not stay on the shelves.He said from the findings of the research carried out across the country by API the indicators of lack of social cohesion which was the bane of development include issues of trust, social justice, gender inequality, security issues among others.

“So it’s for us to make use of this data we share with the government so that the government can begin to do what it needs to do.

“We want the social cohesion data to permeate the society, such that public institutions are integrating it in their policy and programme planning, and media practitioners are engaging in socially-cohesive news reportage.

“One of the first major finding API noted is the fact that citizens have very little trust for the government, governors and public institutions.
“The second big issue we found is now that citizens are united in a shared struggle. You know, we didn’t used to have this before, but the data shows that citizens are united in shared struggle.
“We want the government to be aware because by being aware, they can now use this data for their policy and planning,” Ihua said.

A member of the Board of Trustees of API, Dr Soji Adeniyi, on his part said the goal of the training was to bring together people that are involved in managing social cohesion in the country.

“The goal is for us to begin to tackle the issue of social cohesion from an understanding of data perspective.

“It’s not enough for us as a country to think that perception is everything. Perception has its place and scientific data has its place.

“We’ve been gathering this data since 2019 and it has been changing year after year based on the perception of what is going on within the country.
“We felt it is time to start sharing this data so that those institutions that the government constitutionally has put together to address those challenges will rise up to the challenge.”

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr Steve Ogidan, CEO, Successory Nigeria Ltd, said the government in making use of social cohesion data must be intentional in integrating youths, women and the marginalised in the society.

He added that prioritising budgets based on performance would translate to social investments policies targeted interventions for enhanced cohesion.

Mrs Amina Zemo, a participant, said the workshop was enlightening, highlighting the need to have national cohesion within the country and the need to use the data available to address issues facing the country.

She added that the government had to build trust of the people and with the use of accurate data the government would find out actually what citizens need and give it to them.

our correspondent reports that the workshop had the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Sports Commission (NSC) among others.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

5 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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