FCT NSCDC Commandant Gets Appointment With UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has appointed the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, as the Focal Point in Nigeria for the project “Monitoring and Reporting on the Safety of Journalists in Africa, with a Specific Focus on Gender.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Monica Ojobi says the appointment follows his participation in a three day Regional training workshop held in Entebbe, Uganda in November, 2025, which brought together 30 participants including Nigeria, journalists, civil society representatives, law enforcement officers and legal experts from the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) .

According to the statement, during the training, they reviewed the “online observatory” developed to monitor and track attacks against women journalists in Africa, offer recommendations to strengthen its functionality and coordination among key stakeholders.

The statement, says the training was organised by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) and funded by the Government of Netherlands through UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).

It forms part of the second phase of the project “Applying Modern Technologies to Enhance Mechanism For Monitoring and Reporting Attacks Against Women Journalists in Africa.”

According to his letter of nomination and appointment, his responsibilities will include receiving and reviewing cases involving threats, harassment and attacks against women journalists in Nigeria and guiding appropriate follow up action through designated national mechanisms.

The statement says his engagement will also help in ensuring that reported cases are promptly addressed by responsible security agencies through the official channels in Nigeria.

It states that the role positions Nigeria to strengthen its compliance with global frameworks on freedom of expression and the safety of media practitioners.

According to the statement, it will also serve as the national coordinating link between UNESCO, government agencies, media organizations, civil society groups, and security institutions on issues relating to attacks against journalists in Nigeria.

Reacting to the nomination, Commandant Odumosu expressed appreciation to the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for his approval of the appointment.

He also expressed gratitude to the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, for the confidence reposed in him to undertake the assignment, describing the appointment as both an honor and call to duty at a time when the safety of journalists, especially women who are considered more vulnerable remains a critical concern in Nigeria and globally.

“I want to appreciate my amiable CG for giving me the approval to undertake this noble task and the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa in Nairobi for the appointment and I shall do my best to justify this call to service.”

“Journalism is a noble profession, practised by noble men and women and I am confident that my engagement will enhance the project effectiveness in Nigeria and further reinforce collaboration among key institutions dedicated to the safety of women journalists across Africa.

Odumosu promised to work closely with professional bodies such as the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Civil society groups and other relevant stakeholders in ensuring the protection of female journalists across the continent and Nigeria.

Nkiruka Njemanze, Edited By Grace Namiji