Public Education Works Initiative (Civil Society Org.)

REGISTRATION:

TRAINING FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

The future of Nigeria's democracy and institutions of governance depends mainly on the quality of citizenship and political leadership in the country. While we, as a people, continue to amaze ourselves and the world with our strength and resilience, we are just as frustrated by our inability to realize our immense national potential.

The key to this failure lies in the falling governance and public ethics standards, which, in turn, reflect our lack of investment in the neglected art of political leadership. In popular perception, politics has increasingly become synonymous with corruption and self-serving exercise of power rather than the propagation of values. These familiar manifestations of a fundamental decline of civil society reflect our need for more investment in Civic Education and the neglected Art of Political Leadership.

Public Education Works Initiative - an institution that has long been at the forefront of shaping our nation's public life - firmly believes that we must address this challenge seriously.

As a first step, we have committed ourselves to launching a world-class professional course, which will initiate our young men and women into the fine Art of Political Leadership. Aimed at actual or potential practitioners of politics - first-time legislators, youth leaders, and the like – The C-GAP School for Political Leadership will be the training ground for the best and brightest in the business.

The course will bring together young politicians, activists, and policymakers on a non-partisan basis, and stimulate and nurture their interest in Public Service and Leadership. It will develop a broad range of analytic and leadership skills that help implement major political and economic reforms.

Good Citizenship and Political Leadership do not just happen. The Art of Political Leadership requires Citizens' participation in both community and national politics; it's a fundamental responsibility and a cornerstone of democracy. It is only through engagement and participation that we can build a society that reflects our values, promotes equality, and works towards the common good. So, let us begin by learning the Art of Politics, and getting involved.

If you are interested in learning and mastering the Art of Political Leadership, then we invite you to enrol in the C-GAP School for Political Leadership for the political education you need to make a difference by completing this form:

REGISTRATION: TRAINING FOR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP The future of Nigeria's democracy and institutions of governance depends mainly on the quality of citizenship and political leadership in the country. While we, as a people, continue to amaze ourselves and the world with our strength and resilience, we are just as frustrated by our inability to real...

PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) PhD Scholarships

PhD Scholarships available to support 3-4 Year Doctoral Training in PASET Rsif Priority Thematic Areas

Fifth Rsif PhD Scholarships Call for Rwanda and Nigeria Nationals is now open.
Deadline for submission: 26 May 2023

Summary
• PhD Scholarships available for study at Rsif African Host Universities in the PASET Priority Thematic Areas: (1) ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence, (2) Food security and agribusiness, (3) Minerals, mining and materials engineering, (4) Energy including renewables, and (5) Climate change.

• Eligible applicants: Citizens of Rwanda and Nigeria. Priority will be given to women and young academic faculty who do not have a PhD. Those with PhDs, or currently enrolled in any PhD Program and those holding another PhD scholarship are not eligible to apply.

• Scholarship period: 3 to 4 years
• Participate in a 6-12-month sandwich placement at an international partner university, research institute or private company.
• Final selection and notification of awards: July 2023.

Background
The Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an African-led initiative with the goal of strengthening skills in the Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology to further socio-economic transformation in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) is the flagship program of PASET. Rsif focuses on transformative technologies that have a far-reaching positive impact on society. It supports PhD students, post-doctoral scientists and universities in SSA to establish high-quality training, research and innovation environments and to develop institutional capacity for the benefit of the whole region. It is funded by contributions from African governments, the World Bank and the Government of Korea and facilitated by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya, as the Rsif Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU).

The specific objectives of Rsif are to:
1. Create a stock of highly skilled scientists, professionals and innovators in ASET areas.
2. Identify and nurture young talented Africans who wish to further their studies in ASET fields where expertise is needed most.
3. Address imbalances in the number of women and disadvantaged groups in ASET fields in Africa.
4. Build African university capacity to provide relevant ASET training and to ensure continued investment in scaling up ASET education and workforce.

PASET priority thematic areas
PASET established the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) to contribute towards the training of a critical mass of PhD and post-doctoral candidates, and support research and innovation in five priority thematic areas:
i. ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence: This involves the use of information and communication technologies in a wide range of economic sectors, including big data analytics and artificial intelligence systems, computer programming, software development and their applications in manufacturing and service delivery.

ii. Food Security and agribusiness: This includes sustainable food production systems, pest and disease control strategies, management of post-harvest losses of crops and new opportunities for agribusiness development. Other areas include new ways to improve soil fertility, conserve water for food and agricultural production, and enhancing nutrition for humans and livestock.

iii. Minerals, mining and materials engineering: This includes mineral processing and beneficiation, mining and materials engineering. Other important areas include new materials for construction, transportation, consumer goods, health care delivery and production equipment. Work involving nanomaterials and exploring novel biomaterials and related climate-smart materials would be of much interest as well.

iv. Energy including renewables: This involves new forms of energy as well as more efficient ways of using energy. Developing renewable energy sources, e.g. biomass, wind, solar, and geothermal are highly encouraged.

v. Climate change: This involves developing strategies for mitigating or adapting to climate change, including, for example, early warning systems for natural disasters and strategies for disaster management, modelling for climate change, and building climate smart or resilient systems for urban and rural communities and disaster-prone populations in Africa.

About the PASET-Rsif PhD Scholarship Program
• Rsif PhD Scholarships are open to candidates interested in receiving international-quality PhD training.
• The duration of the PhD Scholarship is 3 to 4 years, including 6-12 months ‘sandwich’ placement at an international partner university, research institute or private company.
• Priority for the scholarships will be given to women and existing young academic faculty who do not have a PhD.
• Rsif scholarships will be awarded in July 2023.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the Rsif PhD Scholarship, applicants must:
• Be a citizen of Rwanda and Nigeria.
• Have a relevant master’s degree in one of the fields of study.
• Meet the specific admission requirements of the Rsif African Host University where they would like to pursue a PhD (see links to the AHU PhD programs in Table 1)
• Preference will be given to applicants who are 35 years of age and below.
• Be willing to enroll full-time in a PhD program at an Rsif AHU in the 2023-2024 academic year.
• Should not be holding another PhD scholarship when applying to the Rsif PhD scholarship.
• Be willing to spend 6-12 months in a ‘sandwich’ training at an international partner university, research institute or private company.
• Demonstrate that their research goals are well aligned to the Rsif Priority Thematic Areas and contribute to Africa’s development.

The PASET Rsif PhD Scholarship covers:
• University tuition fee and research costs
• A monthly allowance to cover living expenses such as accommodation and meals while at the Rsif African Host University and while on a sandwich placement at an International Partner Institute.
• Return travel from home country to the Rsif African Host University
• Return travel from the Rsif African Host University to the International Partner Institute
• Visas, Covid 19 tests and student permits
• Annual medical and personal accident insurance

The PASET Rsif PhD scholarship does not cover:
• Extra support for family members/ dependents, including children and spouses
• Additional return tickets to the home country for personal reasons
• Application costs to AHUs including certifying and equating of certificates

Rsif African Host Universities and Eligible PhD Programs
The Rsif program is implemented through Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs). AHUs are competitively selected universities in SSA that offer a PhD program in one of the PASET Priority Thematic Areas. Rsif AHUs admit and train Rsif PhD scholars.

Rsif PhD scholarships will only be awarded to applicants wishing to enroll full time in an eligible PhD program at an Rsif African Host University. A list of Rsif AHUs and PhD programs is given below (Table 1).

Table 1. Rsif African Host Universities
Rsif African Host University PhD Program Link to University PhD Program PASET Priority Thematic Area
University of Gaston Berger, St. Louis, Senegal
Africa Centre of Excellence in Mathematics, Computer Science, and ICT (MITIC)
Computer Science http://www.ceamitic.sn/en/phd-in-computer-science/
ICTs including big data and artificial intelligence
University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Africa Center of Excellence in Internet of Things (ACEIoT)
Internet of Things: Embedded Computing Systems https://aceiot.ur.ac.rw/?q=content/phd-studies

Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Centre d’Excellence des Sciences Mathématiques, Informatique et Applications (SMIA)
Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication de l’Institut de Mathématiques et de Sciences Physiques http://www.imsp-benin.com/home/

Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans & Animals in Southern & Eastern Africa (SACIDS)
Food Security and Agribusiness http://www.sacids.org/
Food Security and Agribusiness
University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana Applied Agricultural Economics and Policy/Agribusiness https://www.ug.edu.gh/aea/

Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (MaRCCI)
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology https://www.mak.ac.ug/marcci

Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Arusha, Tanzania
Africa Centre of Excellence: Water Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy Futures (WISE – Futures)
Materials Science and Engineering https://www.nm-aist.ac.tz/index.php/mewes
Minerals, mining and materials engineering
Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Materials Science
http://spas.ku.ac.ke/index.php/departments/department-of-physics

African University of Science and Technology, Abuja Nigeria
Africa Centre of Excellence: The Pan Materials Institute (PAMI) Mining and Materials Processing Engineering https://pami.aust.edu.ng/

University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Africa Centre of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR)
Petroleum and Gas Engineering / Energy Economics https://aceceforuniport.edu.ng/
Energy including renewables
University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Physics https://physics.uonbi.ac.ke/

Institut International d'Ingénierie de l'Eau et de l'Environnement (2iE), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Centre d’Excellence pour la Formation et la Recherche en Sciences et Technologies de l’Eau et l’Environnement en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre (CEA-IMPACT 2iE)
Sciences et Technologies de l’Eau, l’Energie et l’Environnement www.2ie-edu.org

University Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Africa Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Agriculture (CEA-CCBAD)
Climate Change and Biodiversity http://univ-fhb.edu.ci/
Climate change
Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
Africa Centre of Excellence in Dryland Agriculture (CDA)
Natural Resources Management and Climate Change http://www.cda-buk.edu.ng/

Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Africa Center of Excellence for Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation (ACE Climate SABC)
Climate Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation http://climatesabc.haramaya.edu.et/teaching/program-overview/phd-courses/

Rsif International Partner Institutions
Rsif International Partner Institutions (IPI) are approved universities, research institutes/centres or companies (public or private) that offer sandwich opportunities for Rsif PhD Scholars from Africa. Rsif PhD Scholars must spend between 6 and 12months at an IPI for a strategic research placement as part of their PhD programme.

Application and Selection: summary
• Applicants apply for a scholarship to conduct PhD research in a PASET Priority Thematic Area.
• The AHU and Rsif selection panels will review applications and make the final selection for scholarship awards.
• Once scholarships are awarded, successful candidates will be instructed to register with their selected AHU. Further details will be provided at this time.

Application Guidelines
Carefully read the application instructions. Please note that only complete applications submitted online will be accepted. Applications submitted by email or hardcopy will not be considered. Opening date for applications: 17 April 2023

i. Applications are accepted through the online application platform: https://apply.rsif-paset.org/. See Annex 1 for a description of the application form.
ii. The form should be submitted together with the required supporting documents (Table 2, below).
iii. The online platform will accept the following file types: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, jpeg, png. The maximum file size accepted for any single file is 32 MB.
iv. The application must be completed in English or French.
v. Applications must be submitted no later than 26 May 2023 at 5:00 pm (East Africa Time; UTC+3).

Table 2. Required supporting documents.
1 Certified copies of bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates
2 Certified3copies of university transcripts for bachelor’s and master’s degrees
3 Rsif Application Document (Download and fill form)
4 Personal statement/ motivation letter (character limit, including spaces: 4,500)
5 PhD Concept Note (Download and use provided template)
6 Two signed, official letters of recommendation from your employer (if currently employed) or university where master’s degree was undertaken. The letters must be on official letterhead.
7 Copy of a recognized form of identification (e.g. passport biodata page or national ID)

Please note that applications will be screened for plagiarism. Evidence of plagiarism will invalidate the application.

Conditions for application
a. The applicant agrees to comply with all rules for participating in this call.
b. icipe reserves the right to reject applications that fail to meet the eligibility and selection requirements.
c. All decisions made by icipe with approval by the PASET Executive Board (EB) are final.

Rsif PhD Scholarship Selection Process and Criteria
General principle
The Rsif student selection process adheres to the principles of scientific excellence, accountability, and transparency. In this respect, the selection of candidates will be based on merit, and the potential of the candidate and his or her PhD to make significant scientific and technological contribution that positively impacts on the development of SSA. The selection of candidates is also dependent on availability of funding.

Key Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated on the following key criteria:
a. Leadership potential: Demonstrated leadership in areas such as community service and outreach activities.
b. Intellectual ability: Demonstrated through the applicant’s academic track record, quality of the application, personal statement of motivation, and PhD project idea. Additionally, the applicant’s creative thinking and innovative approach to problem solving will be considered.
c. Research capability: Demonstrated through the applicant’s research experience and quality of the application.
d. Demonstrated commitment to pursue a PhD degree: Judged by the applicant’s CV, personal statement of motivation.

Evaluation and Selection Process
i. icipe receives applications online and screens them for completeness and eligibility against the criteria stated above.
ii. Each African Host University will evaluate the applications using their own admission criteria. The university will prepare a shortlist of qualifying candidates that meet the university admission requirements and forward to icipe.
iii. Independent review of Rsif PhD Scholarship applications: icipe will appoint committees of anonymous, internationally recognized, independent experts to conduct an evaluation of university-shortlisted applications. Each committee will provide a ranked shortlist of qualified applicants to icipe.
iv. An independent evaluation committee (IEC) consisting of a multidisciplinary team of international experts will evaluate the final ranked lists and make recommendations for the scholarship awards.
v. The IEC will then share their recommendations with the PASET Executive Board (EB) for their endorsement of the award of scholarships.
vi. Notification of scholarship awards: July 2023.
vii. Once scholarships are awarded, successful candidates will be instructed to register with their selected AHU. Further details will be provided at this time.

Further information
Contact information and support:
Email: [email protected]
The Manager
Regional Coordination Unit (RCU)
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
P.O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254 (20) 632 000

ANNEX 1

SUMMARY OF THE PHD SCHOLARSHIP ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION

2. Rsif PASET INFORMATION
• Have you applied for an Rsif Scholarship before?
• How did you hear about the Rsif Scholarship Program
• Are you applying for a scholarship as a faculty member of a university in sub-Saharan Africa?
• Give name of university, department, your position including dates and responsibilities.
• Will you require study leave from your home organisation / institution?
• Select AHU that is aligned with your proposed research project.

3. Rsif APPLICATION DOCUMENT
• Upload a filled Rsif Application document (Download and fill the Rsif Application document provided. Ensure your document is clearly saved as follows before uploading: *your name*-Application Document)

4. PhD CONCEPT NOTE
• Upload a PhD Concept Note that describes the research project that you would like to pursue for a PhD, methods and techniques to be employed and novelty and/or importance of the study. (Download and fill the Concept Note template provided. Ensure your document name is clearly saved as follows before uploading: *your name*-PhD Concept Note).
• Please note that the research topic must be in one of the PASET Priority Thematic Areas.

5. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (MOTIVATION LETTER)
• Upload a statement of purpose/ motivation letter that provides more insight into your academic and professional goals. Be sure to emphasize skills such as leadership, community service, outreach activities, past teaching/supervision experience, involvement in student activities, etc. Character limit, including spaces: 4,500 (Ensure your document is clearly saved as follows before uploading: *your name*-Motivation Letter).
• Your personal statement should answer questions such as:
o Why have you chosen to apply to the PASET Rsif PhD Scholarship Program?
o Describe why you wish to undertake a PhD and why you are well suited to research the proposed topic. Why is this program the logical next step considering previous work and academic experiences?
o How does the Rsif PhD Scholarship program align with your career goals? Demonstrate your commitment and dedication to furthering research in your field of interest. Include how you wish to contribute to society through your research and how you expect to apply the acquired skills and knowledge upon completing your PhD.
o What are your strengths? Demonstrate how you stand out from other candidates. Highlight relevant projects, dissertations thesis, presentations and contributions to society that demonstrate your academic skills and creativity.
o If you are a university faculty member, explain how a PhD will enable you to strengthen the capacity of your university.

6. DEGREE CERTIFICATES
• Upload certified copies of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates.
• Please combine into one file. (Ensure your document is clearly saved as follows before uploading: *your name*- BSc and MSc Certificate)
7. TRANSCRIPTS FOR BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S DEGREES IN
• Upload certified copies of university transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
• Please combine into one file. (Ensure your document is clearly saved as follows before uploading: *your name*- BSc and MSc Transcripts)

8. RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
• Upload two (2) signed, official letters of recommendation from your employer (if currently employed) or university where master’s degree was undertaken. The letters must be on official letterhead. (Ensure your document is clearly saved as follows before uploading: *your name*- Recommendation Letters)

9. IDENTIFICATION CARD/PASSPORT
• Upload a copy of a valid national identification card or biodata page of your passport. (Ensure your document is clearly saved as follows before uploading: *your name*- Identification Document)

ANNEX 2

HOW TO CERTIFY YOUR BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S DEGREE CERTIFICATE AND TRANSCRIPTS
1. Your degree certificates and all transcripts must be certified by one of the following (i) the University where you obtained the degree; or (ii) a Commissioner of Oaths (Lawyer), who may charge you a fee for their services; or (iii) Ministry of Education in the country where you obtained the degree; or (iv) Higher Education Commission in the country where you obtained the degree.

2. To get the documents certified, take the original documents and high-quality photocopies to the office of certification, and ask the certifier to:
a. Check the originals are genuine.
b. Check the copies to be certified are identical copies of the originals.
c. Write or stamp ‘Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me’ on each document, then sign and date underneath. If the certifier is using a stamp, please make sure an ink stamp is used. An embossing stamp is not acceptable.
d. Under their signature, the certifier must write their name in CAPITAL LETTERS, adding their occupation, address, telephone number and email address.
e. If the original is a multiple page document, each page must be checked against the copy to ensure that it is correct. The certifier can then proceed as follows:
i. Sign each page of the copy.
ii. Certify the last page of the copy, as described above.

3. Scan (in colour) all pages of the certified copies. Upload onto the Online Application Platform.

Note: failure to certify using the instructions above will invalidate your application.

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📣 Scholarship applications are open!

Study in the UK to expand your network and learn vital skills before returning home to achieve your goals and create positive change. Don't forget to tell your family and friends.

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CHARACTER COUNTS
COMMENTARY: THE FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP AND THE BETRAYAL OF DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES

Preface:
I rarely comment on hot political topics because too many readers are so anxious to determine whether I am a friend or foe of their beliefs that it undermines the credibility I seek as a fair and impartial mentor and friend. Being impartial, however, does not preclude the formation of opinions, and despite my attempt to provide a balanced “professorial” approach, it is certain that I will be both lauded and condemned for this commentary — not for the light I hoped to shed on the issues, but because of the conclusion that I am either an ally or enemy. The reality is the closest scrutiny of my commentaries will not reveal my political ideology. Sometimes I agree with positions commonly taken by liberals and sometimes with conservatives. I want to comment on the current political atmosphere, despite my certain knowledge that some readers whose attention I value will ban me from their lives. I think it is important that we all consider how a democracy is supposed to work.

The test of leadership is efficacy. In politics, elected leaders must pursue their principles in a manner that respects but is not entirely subordinate to the desires of a majority of constituents. That leadership requires a balance between, on the one hand, ardently advocating one’s own ideology and, on the other hand, strategically accepting and respecting the opposing views of equally sincere leaders. ..., as we witness one more sad chapter in the deterioration of our democratic principles, we are experiencing the consequences of failed leadership across the entire political spectrum.

Sincerity is important, but when one is vested with the responsibility and authority to manage public affairs it is not enough. Working within a democratic system requires an understanding that the concepts of compromise and acceptance are honourable strategies in the pursuit of peaceful, civil and effective resolution of differences and disputes.

Responsible leadership lies somewhere between the extremes of expediency, unanchored to any principle beyond self-interest, and the passionate, self-righteous sense of integrity that leads to fanaticism.

Politics has been called the art of the possible because democracy requires accepting that points of view thought to be foolish must be accommodated within a constitutional structure. The ultimate test of democracy is efficacy. The failure to get things done, to keep things moving, to keep the government open — that is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of the fundamental principles of democracy.

The politics of anger and power, the dominance of political gamesmanship and manipulation are inherently anti-democratic, and elected officials who do not understand or can’t do their job should be removed, not because they lack character, but because they are incompetent.

In the end, however, we get the government we deserve. It’s been said that in a democracy every citizen is a public official with responsibilities to the common good. A citizenry that ignored the inevitable consequences of gerrymandering and looks the other way or cheers on blind partisanship has failed in its role as public officials. Shame on them. Shame on us!

An old maxim says, when you are in a hole, stop digging! I hope we will at least stop digging.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

HATE SPEECH AND FAKE NEWS ARE NOT OFFENCES IN NIGERIA

Following the presentation of the Reviewed version of the 6th Edition of the National Broadcasting Code, the media has been awash with the news of increase in the penalty for hate speech and or fake news from five hundred thousand Naira to five million Naira only. It is interesting that no media practitioner or lawyer has taken the time to ask a pertinent question, is there any offence in the Laws of Nigeria known as hate speech or fake news?

There are no offences or crimes in Nigeria known as, called, or referred to as either hate speech, and fake news. The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) cannot create either the offence or crime of fake news or hate speech.

The combined reading of the powers of Commission in Section 2 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission Act, to regulate and control the broadcasting industry, establish and disseminate a national broadcasting code and set standards with regard to the contents and quality of materials for broadcast; monitoring broadcasting for harmful emission, interference, and illegal broadcasting; and determining and applying sanctions including revocation of license of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in the public interest, still does not give it any statutory power or authority to create an Offence through the Broadcasting Code.

There is no provision for payment of financial penalties in the Act. The power to impose a financial penalty can only be given to the NBC by the Law. The NBC cannot give itself the power to create offences and penalties. That power must be specifically conferred on the NBC, which the NBC Act has not. The NBC, therefore, has no power to make subordinate or subsidiary legislation. What the NBC has done in the Code is a usurpation of legislative powers of the National Assembly.

The non-inclusion of fines and penalties as sources of income or revenue for the Commission is evidence that the Act did not mean to impose financial penalties. The identified sources of funding of the Commission are (a) such percentage of fees and levy to be charged by the Commission on the annual income of licensed broadcasting stations owned, established or operated by private individual(s), Federal State or local government; (b) such moneys as may, from time to time, be lent or granted to the Commission by the Government of the Federation or of a State; (c) all moneys raised for the purposes of the Commission by way of gifts, loans, grants-in-aid, testamentary disposition or otherwise; (d) all other assets that may, from time to time, accrue to the Commission. Nowhere in the Act does penalties from fines paid by licensees and Broadcast Stations constitute a source of revenue for the Commission. It appears that the only mention of financial penalties in the Act is in the power of the NBC to prescribe an appropriate fee payable for licenses.

The NBC Act states clearly that the NBC has no power to institute and carry on criminal proceedings for any offence, whether relating to a matter in relation to which they have functions.

In the absence of any provision in the NBC Act, the NBC cannot make subsidiary legislation. The NBC cannot create an offence in the Broadcasting Code, wherein it is the accuser, prosecutor, judge, and executor. If the NBC’s Broadcast Code turned “Penal Code” is allowed to stand, then we would have a Law that discriminates to the extent that what is hate speech and fake news on Radio and Television is not an offence in the print media world of newspapers and magazines.

The attempt by NBC to create a non-existing offence of hate speech to strangulate free speech and free media is the exercise of impunity in the extreme. Our Constitution states in unequivocal words that “ … a person shall not be convicted of a criminal offence unless that offence is defined and the penalty, therefore, is prescribed in a written law …”

Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack
Executive Director
Public Education Works Initiative

Wednesday, 12 August 2020.