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Anthony Ufoh
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) on 15 September 2025 has called on the Federal, State and Local Governments to ensure that the rights of journalists to perform their duties and their freedom of expression are protected as guaranteed by the constitution.
This is coming as the world celebrates the ‘International Day of Democracy’.
In a statement made public by MRA, signed by Idowu Adewale, the Media Communications Officer, he said that the group joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 edition.
The statement read,” Noting that this year’s theme, ‘Achieving Gender Equality, Action by Action,’ is particularly relevant for Nigeria, where there has been a scandalous marginalisation of women in governance at all levels, MRA stressed that gender equality is not only a human right but also a fundamental requirement for a resilient and inclusive democracy.
“The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/62/7 on November 8, 2007, in which it decided to observe September 15 of each year as the International Day of Democracy and invited all UN Member States, organizations of the UN system, regional and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and individuals to commemorate the Day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness, the statement read.
In a statement issued in Lagos to mark the 18th anniversary of the Day, Mr. John Gbadamosi, MRA’s Programme Officer, said, “As we mark this year’s International Democracy Day, we wish to remind our leaders at all levels of government that democracy is more than elections.
“It is about creating an open society where transparency and accountability, equal participation, and human rights are guaranteed.”
According to him, “Democracy thrives when all citizens, women and men alike, can participate equally in shaping their societies.
Unfortunately, Nigerian women continue to face disproportionate barriers in politics, governance, and the media, among other sectors. Structural inequalities, gender-based violence, online harassment, and under-representation in decision-making processes undermine both women’s rights and the quality of Nigeria’s democracy.
Achieving gender equality, step by step and action by action, is central to building the open, just, and accountable Nigeria we all desire.”
To strengthen and sustain Nigeria’s democracy, he urged the Federal and State Governments to guarantee freedom of expression and media freedom by ending attacks, harassment, and censorship of journalists and media workers.
He also urged the full implementation of the FOI Act to ensure transparency and accountability in governance and safeguard digital rights and Internet freedom by enacting rights-respecting regulations that foster access, innovation, and citizen participation.
Mr. Gbadamosi urged ordinary citizens, civil society organisations, the media, and the international community to remain vigilant in defending Nigeria’s democratic institutions and practices, emphasising that democracy must be nurtured daily through collective action and respect for fundamental rights.