The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has appointed Dr. Olusola Odumosu as Nigeria’s focal point for monitoring journalists’ safety in Africa, with a gender focus.
The appointment of Odumosu, who is the FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), followed his participation in a summit in Uganda on monitoring and reporting attacks on female journalists in Africa.
The piece of information is in a statement issued by the NSCDC FCT Command Spokesperson, Monica Ojobi, on Thursday in Abuja.
Ojobi quoted the UNESCO statement as saying “the appointment of Odumosu necessitated him to receive, review and facilitate responses to reported threats, harassment and attacks against women journalists through Nigeria’s designated national mechanisms.
“Odumosu will serve as the national liaison between UNESCO, government agencies, media organisations, civil society groups and security institutions on issues affecting journalists’ safety.”
Reacting, the FCT commandant appreciated the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, for approving his participation in the training in 2025.
Odumosu also appreciated UNESCO’s Regional Office for Eastern Africa for the confidence reposed in him.
He described the appointment as an honour and a call to service, noting that protecting journalists, particularly women, remained essential to strengthening democracy and freedom of expression.
Odumosu pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by promoting effective implementation of the project and strengthening institutional collaboration across Nigeria.
He assured strengthened working relationship with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and civil society organisations to improve the protection of women journalists.
