Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State has called for stronger collaboration between the media and his administration to promote peacebuilding, democracy, and development in the state.
Speaking at a public lecture organised by the Katsina State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radda, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, reaffirmed his commitment to open governance and urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, and responsibility in their reportage.
He cautioned against fake news, hate speech, and incitement, noting that the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception and ensuring societal stability.
He also recalled recent citizen engagements on security and governance, stressing that public contributions are vital for shaping responsive policies and building trust between the government and the people.
As part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen communication, Radda announced the approval of a full digital upgrade for Katsina State Television to align with global broadcasting standards.
During the event, the NUJ Katsina Council presented Governor Radda with the Pillar of Democracy Award in recognition of his support for journalism and exemplary leadership.
The award was received on his behalf by Dr. Zango.
Governor Radda also urged journalists to embrace developmental journalism that highlights both challenges and government interventions, citing examples in healthcare and education.
He encouraged the NUJ to invest in training and modern technology to enhance investigative reporting, transparency, and accountability.
Earlier, NUJ National President Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi called on journalists to focus on solution-driven reporting that addresses pressing issues in northern Nigeria, including poverty, education, and health, while advocating for mentorship, better welfare, and insurance cover for practitioners.
Yiaga Africa and the International Press Centre (IPC) have urged the National Assembly to include provisions for early voting in the ongoing electoral reform process.
Director of Programmes at Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu, said that about two million eligible voters, including journalists, election observers, security personnel, and INEC staff, were unable to vote during the 2023 general elections due to the nature of their work.
Speaking at a Consultative Roundtable with media stakeholders on the Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reform, convened by IPC in partnership with Yiaga Africa and the European Union under the EU-SDGNII programme, Mbamalu stressed the need to amend the Electoral Act to allow early voting.
She noted that many Nigerians on essential duties have been disenfranchised for years, a trend also observed in other parts of the world, and urged stakeholders to ensure their voting rights are protected in future elections.
She said, “We have never had early voting in Nigeria. This is essential for those who work during elections. It would enhance transparency, inclusivity, and rebuild citizens’ trust in the process.”
Executive Director of the IPC, Lanre Arogundade, called on the media to play a vital role in the ongoing constitution and Electoral Reforms at the National Assembly.
Arogundade said that it had become pertinent to review the proposals for electoral reforms to determine their feasibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said, “Distinguished colleagues, notwithstanding the considerable efforts invested in advancing the citizens’ memo, we have now reached a pivotal juncture where media support is both essential and highly valued.
“As the National Assembly reconvenes, it will be reviewing several proposals for electoral reforms to determine their feasibility for enactment within the statutory period required for amendments to take effect before the 2027 general elections.
“Historical precedent, such as the 12-year campaign for Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act, demonstrates that meaningful reform is often achieved when the media actively champions the cause.
“Throughout this advocacy effort, the media played a significant role by serialising the bill’s content, publishing editorials, columns, news reports, features, analytical pieces, vox pops, and conducting interviews.
“Additionally, media organisations and professional bodies contributed to public hearings through formal presentations.
“The significant influence exerted by the media contributed to the passage and enactment of the FOI bill under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
“Additionally, it should be noted that the electoral reforms previously mentioned were also achieved with media support, reflecting a pattern observed in other countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Mexico, South Korea, and several Eastern European nations, where the media serve as key catalysts for legislative and policy advancements.
On his part, a senior lecturer at Paul University, Akwa, Anambra State, Dr Tony Oyima, added that diaspora voting must also be prioritised.
Onyima, a former managing director of The SUN newspaper, said, “Nigerians abroad remit millions of dollars to the economy, yet they cannot vote. Early voting would address this injustice.”
The South East Landlords Association (SELA) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create a National Park in the Southeast, stressing that the region remains the only part of the country without one.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the association made its position known in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Prince Onukwue, and Secretary, Pst. Ekeocha Charles.
Onukwue, who read the statement, said, “We plead with Mr President to give us one National Park in the Southeast. The Southeast is the only region that has no National Park, and we are feeling left behind. Inasmuch as we appreciate what the President is doing for the region, we urge him to solve this problem for us.”
He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for appointing Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu as the Board Chairman of the National Parks Commission, describing it as a recognition of indigenous talents and a commitment to national development.
According to Onukwue, Ononogbu’s appointment is a testament to the president’s effort to empower people from the region while fostering unity and progress across the country.
The Coalition of Independent Online Media Platforms has faulted a recent report published by Sahara Reporters, alleging that relatives of top political figures secured jobs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) without due process.
According to the coalition, the story is a recycled narrative that had been previously addressed by the NCC months earlier, adding that Sahara Reporters failed to include the commission’s response.
“This report, which attempts to malign the person and office of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, is not only factually shallow but reeks of a coordinated attempt to undermine his credibility, incite distrust in public institutions, and ultimately set him at odds with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” the statement read.
The group further faulted the report for failing to provide verifiable documents or proof to back its claims, insisting that it amounted to speculation rather than journalism.
“It is especially ridiculous and indeed laughable that the report suggests Dr. Maida is seeking political relevance by allegedly working against the same President who appointed him. What relevance would a technocrat gain by joining forces with an opposition that holds no power at the center? The claim lacks both political logic and common sense,” the coalition stated.
The group linked the publication to attempts by entrenched interests to frustrate ongoing reforms at the NCC under Dr. Maida, who, since assuming office, has introduced transparency-driven measures, including merit-based staff training allocations.
The coalition urged any aggrieved party with credible evidence of wrongdoing to petition relevant anti-corruption agencies or the National Assembly, instead of sponsoring what it called “blackmail through unverified media reports.”
“As online publishers, we believe in press freedom and responsibility. We urge Sahara Reporters and others to verify claims before publication, rather than weaponizing journalism for political vendettas,” the group added.
Reaffirming its support for the NCC boss, the coalition said Dr. Aminu Maida remains a dedicated public servant committed to implementing the Federal Government’s telecommunications mandate under President Tinubu.
“Attempts to discredit him through unsubstantiated publications will not stand. We reject this smear campaign in its entirety and commend the Presidency for remaining focused on performance, not propaganda,” the statement concluded.
A group of youths has demanded decisive actions to elevate the participation of younger elements in the political and governance landscapes.
They demanded the time for youths to claim their rightful place on the decision-making table was now.
This was the consensus at the gathering of young leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria during the unveiling of Future is Now Project.
Participants emphasises that young Nigerians are not merely the leaders of tomorrow but are the leaders of today, rejecting any form of delay, denial, or exclusion from political leadership.
In a bold vision for the nation’s future, a communique read by its Convener, Mr. Laolu Akande, laid out clear, ambitious targets to be achieved by the next election cycle.
These include: “At least 70% of Local Government Chairmanship seats to be held by youths under 35 years; at least 70% of State House of Assembly seats to be occupied by youths under 35 years; “at least 70% of House of Representatives seats to be contested for and won by youths under 40 years; and a minimum of 50% of executive appointments at both Federal and State levels reserved for Nigerians under 40 years.”
To realise these goals, a pledge was made to champion political inclusion by lobbying, negotiating, and mobilising support for credible youth candidates across all political parties.
Efforts will also focus on mentorship programmes, capacity building for young leaders and forming cross-cultural alliances to ensure governance reforms favoring youth representation.
At the unveiling, homage was paid to Nigeria’s elder statesmen and stateswomen, acknowledging their foundational contributions while urging them to graciously yield space for emerging young leaders.
The call was for older generations to act as mentors and guides, ensuring a smooth and sustained leadership transition.
The gathering opened with an impassioned address by the Interim Chairman of the project, Rep Abdussamad Dasuki, who described the event not merely as a gathering, but as the ignition of a movement – a national commitment to dramatically increase youth leadership at all levels of governance.
Dasuki said the Future is Now Project is born of sacrifice and demands sacrifice from older generation.
“Today,” Rep Dasuki declared, “we are not just announcing a project, but igniting a movement, one born of sacrifice, fueled by persuasion and courage, and sustained by the dreams of millions of Nigerian youth. The Future is not tomorrow — the Future is Now.”
Dasuki reflected on Nigeria’s political history, noting that while young leaders had once been central to the country’s formation and early development, they have increasingly been sidelined from positions of power, despite the demographic reality that over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 35.
He cited the signing of the Not Too Young To Run Act in 2018 as a step forward but stressed that persistent barriers still prevent meaningful youth participation in governance. Rep Dasuki called for a generational shift, where younger leaders not only contest elections but are supported to win and lead.
Drawing lessons from recent youth-led global protests in countries like Nepal, Rep Dasuki warned of the dangers of political exclusion and the potential unrest that can follow when large youth populations feel alienated from their governments.
“When a large demographic feels excluded from decision-making, frustration festers. We must act now, not only to empower, but to prevent disillusionment that can lead to instability,” he warned.
Key highlights of the event include the unveiling of the interim governance structure of Future Is Now project – which will undertake the preparation for a more elaborate gathering of Future is Now in the first quarter of 2026 – and the unveiling of the membership registration portal Future Is Now Youth Movement
Also at the unveiling were former Minister of Youth, Solomon Dalung; Hon Ibrahim Bello Haliru (the youngest member of the National Assembly); Hon. Henry Shield; Hon Salisu Yakassai and Hon David Oloto.
Ms Nicole Nwosu (Convener 1), and Ibrahim Zanna (Convener 2) made presentations at the event while goodwill messages were delivered by development partners, civil society leaders, youth and student leaders, and other partners.
The accident involved mainly traders who were travelling from Ibaji Local Government Area to Ilushi market in Edo State. Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the incident in a condolence message on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo yesterday.
According to the Commission, the figures covered 2023 and last year, during which it also monitored the disbursement of government’s intervention funds.
These include the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (PL-CNG) scheme, NG-CARES, NACA Global Fund, SESET, AMCON loans, and a range of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facilities such as COVID-19 support packages and conversion loans with 15 per cent cover.
•Agency apprehends five suspects, rescues 24 victims
The Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has said the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is becoming a comfort zone for human traffickers.
She stated this yesterday when she led an operation to the airport, which led to the rescue of 24 victims of human trafficking and arrest of five suspected trafficking agents.
The victims whose ages range from 15 to 26 years, were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo and Rivers states, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.
According to a statement in Abuja by the Press Officer of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, one of the suspected human traffickers, was a retired senior law enforcement officer.
The suspect is alleged to be a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate operating within the Southwest.
On how the raid was carried out, the agency stated: “The latest raid followed a tip-off from concerned stakeholders and partners who alerted us to an influx of suspected human trafficking victims at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the unwholesome activities of some suspected traffickers.
“At the end of nearly six hours of operation, the human trafficking were disrupted, leading to the arrest of five suspected traffickers and rescue of 24 suspected victims.
Neighbours of the Somtochukwu Maduagwu, the presenter with Arise News channel, who died during a robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja. in the early hours of Monday, have narrated how she died.
One of them, Ejiro Okpihwo, the organiser of the most beautiful girl in Abuja beauty pageant, who lives on the ground floor of the house, said the robbers came to their premises about 2:55 am, broke doors and attacked them. He contacted the Divisional Police Officer around 3am. He also called the OC Surveillance of the Mabuchi Police Station.
Surprisingly, Okpihwo said, the police got to the scene in less than 10 minutes, but by then the robbers, using a car from their house, had escaped.
“But they passed the criminals on the road. The robbers were up to 14. The police saw three cars in convoy going left, but they were coming from right. They did not see the robbers. The lady was supposed to marry in December. She’s gone. I will not lie to you, the Nigerian Police did their best, they could have done that day, but hospitals never did the right thing.
“She was not raped, she was not shot, we saw the wounds on her head, we saw the wounds where she hit her head in one of those pavements here. Immediately, Somtochuwkwu jumped and hit her head, and the armed robbers left. They left, because the fear is there, the fear, the tension. The robbers are heartless.
“Immediately the girl landed on the floor with her head, fear engraved in the environment. This house and the other house were not robbed, because the house was already open for them to rob. They left her things – phone, etc.’’
At the hospital, he said the workers asked for a police re
Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited has disowned a suit filed on its behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, alleging it was done without authorisation.
In a letter to Malik, the firm stated that neither its board nor management approved the action purportedly filed by his law firm, A. A. Malik & Co, against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The company demanded the withdrawal of the suit, requesting evidence of compliance.
It warned that failure to comply would lead to petitions to law enforcement agencies, the Body of Benchers, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee.
Houses for Africa also raised concerns about the transfer of the case from Court 38 to Court 37 in Jikwoyi, and the assignment of the matter to Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court, despite other pending cases on the same subject.
It described the process as questionable and urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ensure that the integrity of ministerial decisions on the River Park Estate crisis was maintained.
