Bricache Intelligence

No fewer than 25 female journalists and media practitioners from across Edo State participated in a two-day intensive training workshop focused on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), and conflict-sensitive reporting. The workshop was organized by  West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)-Nigeria in partnership with Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) and support from Global Affairs Canada whose commitment is to advancing the women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. The workshop, held in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, brought together media professionals, gender advocates, communication experts, and peacebuilding stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of journalists in ethical, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive reporting. The training aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, as well as the Youth, Peace and Security framework, while equipping journalists with practical skills to pro...

  The 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria marked a defining moment in the nation’s democratic journey. Beyond the political campaigns, party structures, and elite negotiations, one reality became unmistakably clear: the ordinary citizen possesses enormous political power. For perhaps the first time in recent history, the collective voice of the people disrupted long-standing political calculations and demonstrated that electoral outcomes could no longer be taken for granted. Across communities, markets, churches, mosques, campuses, and social gatherings, a new political consciousness emerged. Citizens who had previously remained politically indifferent suddenly became active participants in the democratic process. Young people, first-time voters, professionals, artisans, traders, and members of the diaspora mobilized around a common desire for change and accountability. One of the most remarkable developments during the 2023 elections was the rapid ris...

  Introduction   The Nigeria Police Force has been a recurring subject of national debate not for crime-fighting excellence, but for allegations of brutality, extortion, and human rights abuse. From the #EndSARS protests of 2020 to daily reports of harassment at checkpoints, one question persists: Why does the culture of brutality endure? While many focus on post-recruitment conduct, the real diagnosis must begin at the point of entry. Recruitment is the foundation. If the foundation is skewed, everything built on it will tilt.   1. The Recruitment Paradox: From Apathy to Avalanche   Recently, the Police Service Commission announced a recruitment drive for 50,000 constables to boost manpower. Initial reports alleged low turnout. Yet within weeks, over 150,000 applications flooded the portal. This swing reveals two things:  Instance 1: In 2022, the NPF opened recruitment for 10,000 constables and received 338,227 applications over 30 applicants per ...

  For many years, voter education in Nigeria has largely focused on informing citizens about how to register for the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), how to collect it, and how to mobilize voters to come out on election day. While these steps are important, they are no longer sufficient. Nigerians are asking deeper and more fundamental questions: Will my vote truly count? And if it does, how can I defend it? The real challenge confronting voter participation in Nigeria today is not a lack of awareness about voter registration or election dates. It is the growing distrust in the electoral process and in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that votes cast at polling units are accurately reflected in the final results. Citizens Want More Than Mobilization: They Want Protection of Their Votes Citizens are eager to know what happens after they cast their votes. They want clear, practical information on how their votes are counted, transmitt...