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NGE Condemns Killing Of Journalists In Gaza, Harassment Of Nigerian Journalists

August 29, 2025

The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has lamented the killing of Journalists in Gaza.

In the past few days, five Journalists covering the full blown war have been killed in missile and artillery attacks by Israeli forces. This is excluding those who had earlier been killed in the ongoing war. The five were working for Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye.

The Guild, also, condemned the harassment and intimidation of Nigerian Journalists by Security Agencies, especially, the Nigerian Police, citing the current ordeal of Azuka Ogujiuba, Publisher of Media Room Hub as an example.

In a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the NGE said that “Targeting and killing Journalists in Gaza constitutes a war crime and an unacceptable attempt to impede work of Journalists and concealment truth from war areas.”

Following the full text of the statement.

“The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) expresses deep concern over the relentless targeting and killing of journalists in Gaza.

“We strongly condemn the recent killing of five journalists: Husam al-Masri (Reuters), Mariam Dagga (AP freelance journalist), Mohammad Salama (Al Jazeera), Ahmed Abu Aziz (Middle East Eye), and Moaz Abu Taha, through artillery and missile attacks by Israeli forces.

“These heinous acts are a blatant breach of international law, specifically the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I, which provide for the protection of journalists covering wars.

“Targeting and killing journalists in Gaza constitutes a war crime and an unacceptable attempt to impede the work of journalists and conceal the truth from war areas.

“We demand an immediate cessation of the targeting and killing of journalists in Gaza and other parts of the world, as well as an end to the war in Gaza.

“We call for thorough investigations into these unfortunate incidents and for those responsible to be held accountable.

“The international community must rise up to protect press freedom and ensure that journalists can carry out their work without fear of violence, reprisal, or death.

“We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Gaza and around the world, who risk their lives to bring the world the truth. We praise the bravery and dedication of journalists who continue to report from war zones and dangerous areas.

“The Guild also condemn the recent arrest, harassment, and intimidation of Nigerian journalists, including Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub, by the Nigeria Police Force over coverage of a court case.

“This is a clear attempt to silence journalists performing their lawful duties. We demand that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, halt the harassment and intimidation of journalists and respect their constitutional rights.

“We urge the government and security agencies to uphold press freedom and respect the media’s constitutional right to hold those in authority accountable.

“We stand with journalists facing intimidation in Nigeria, and we will continue to advocate for the protection of journalists and press freedom.

“Signed:

For: Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)

“Eze Anaba

President, NGE

“Onuoha Ukeh

General Secretary, NGE

28/8/2025”

Focus On Winning Souls, Not Materialism, Politics, Uzodimma Tells Churches

The Source

August 29, 2025

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has admonished Churches to prioritise the winning of souls as against the current craze for materialism embodied in prosperity gospel

He also cautioned Priests against using the pulpit to play politics as that is against the tradition of the Church.

He spoke on Thursday in Abuja as the Chairman of the occasion during the General Assembly of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.

Uzodimma who reflected on the theme of the Assembly, Faithfulness to the Liturgy: A Liturgical Vision for a Hopeful Future in Abuja Archdiocese, deplored the practice whereby churches place more emphasis on materialism and politics above evangelism and strict observance to the Liturgy.

“It is true that Church infrastructure is important, but no edifice, no matter how grand can substitute for the winning of souls. That remains the church’s foremost duty, “he submitted.

He lamented what he described as the monetisation of the liturgy through fundraising activities embedded in the church, saying that it erodes the sacredness of worship.

Uzodimma said the blessings from the liturgy were not for sale as being practised by some ignorant priests.

Uzodimma stated: “We understand that the Church has financial needs. But there is already a calendar for bazaars and harvests. And when funds are raised, let it be done with dignity and restraint befitting the House of God. ”

While urging the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, to raise some of those aberrations at the Bishops Conference, with a view to restoring order, Uzodimma campaigned vigorously for a deep respect for the liturgy by Catholic faithful.

“What distinguishes the Catholic Church through the ages is its uncompromising commitment to liturgical discipline. This fidelity has preserved her unity,integrity, and witness. For me, the liturgy is the soul of the church while liturgical discipline is the oxygen that sustains her, “the governor submitted.

On the progress so far made by the Abuja Archdiocese and its future, Uzodimma was full of praises for both the clergy and the laity for the appreciable strides recorded.

According to him, with the number of Priests and Parishes, Abuja Archdiocese had justified its creation from Minna Diocese about 40 years ago.

He declared: “From my personal experience attending Mass in Abuja, I can testify that there is a strong commitment to the structure and spirit of the liturgy. This is heartwarming, and it must be preserved. ”

He called on the Archdiocese to remain faithful, renew its commitment to the Liturgy as holy witness while raising a generation of clergy and laity who will see the liturgy not as a task but as a gift.

Gov Mbah Has No Business With APC, ADC, PDP Chairman Insists

Suleiman Anyalewechi

August 28, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst persistent and widespread speculations suggesting that the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, may be pitching tent with the All Progressive Congress APC, the Enugu State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has insisted that the Governor has no plans now, or in the future to abandon the party.

Since the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Enugu State earlier in the year, the rumour mill has been saturated with news of Governor Mbah’s planned defection to the ruling party at the centre.

The speculations even became more rife and strident following the defections of Governors Sheriff Oborevwori and Dr Umo Eno, both PDP members, to the APC about three months ago.

Despite playing visible roles in the recent efforts of the PDP to rediscover itself, including being recently drafted as the Secretary of the Party’s National Convention Planning Committee, talks about Governor Mbah still exiting the PDP have continued unabated.

But reacting to the development on Thursday, the Enugu State PDP Chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunwike, noted that the clarification has become necessary going by speculations in some sections of the media suggesting that Mbah is planning to leave the PDP.

The state PDP Chairman who spoke during an interactive session with the party’s wards and Local Council Executive Members in Enugu North Senatorial District, maintained that the party’s structures in the State are intact and safe.

“Governor Mbah, the leader of PDP in Enugu State, and all of us, are still in the party. The Governor has no intention to join another political party.

“The Governor is still flying the flag of PDP. I, therefore, urge party members in the State and the general public to disregard this as unfounded and baseless.speculations”, Chukwunwike noted.

He emphasized that the visit of the Party State Executives was to appreciate the immeasurable support the Senatorial Zone has been given to the Governor.

“The party is happy in that the Zonal Executives in the Enugu North Senatorial District have always given maximum support to the Governor and the party executives.

“Governor Mbah is transforming the State with huge infrastructures in every Political Ward. Overwhelming majority of Enugu residents are happy that the State has a smart, intelligent ,and performing Governor, who is utilizing available resources judiciously and equitably”, the PDP Chairman asserted.

Rivers Local Government Election Must Go On, Court Rules

Suleiman Anyalewechi

August 28, 2025

Rivers State Electoral Commission - RISEC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

An attempt to halt the conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election scheduled for August 30, 2025, was on Thursday August 28, 2025, failed following the dismissal of a motion filed by an aggrieved citizen.

The Source reports that the Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC had fixed the Saturday August 30 date for the conduct of polls to elect Council Officials after the nullification, by the Supreme Court of an earlier exercise held on October 5, 2024.

However, the planned election has been greeted by a plethora of criticisms, and some political parties have already signified their boycott of the polls which not a few have dubbed “illegal and unconstitutional”.

Ruling on the motion filed by a Port Harcourt based legal practitioner, Williams Abayomi-Stanley, challenging the validity and propriety of the planned election, Justice Stephen Jumbo of the Rivers State High Court, while dismissing the application, said that the exercise will go ahead as scheduled.

However, while dismissing the ex-parte motion to halt the polls, the presiding judge granted the applicant’s request for a substituted service of the motion on notice to the parties in the case .

Justice Jumbo held that the applicant’s motion to stop the planned election lack merit, and, therefore, cannot be granted.

He adjourned proceedings to September 10, 2025 ,for the commencement of hearing on the substantive suit.

The applicant in the motion on notice is challenging the process leading up to the said Local Council polls, including the appointment and constitution of the Chairman and members of the RSIEC by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,and the National Assembly.

The claimant is praying the Court to determine if by virtue of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the President has the power to appoint persons into the RSIEC.

In another suit filed by a former member of the APC House Of Assembly candidate, Chima Nnokam and four others at the State High Court ,the claimants, among other things, are seeking an order of the Court, to declare the Local Council polls illegal and unconstitutional.

They are also contending that going by the provisions of all relevant extant laws, the appointment and constitution of the membership of the State’s Electoral Commission by persons other than the duly elected officials of Rivers State (Governor and Members of the State’s House of Assembly) is illegal null and void.

The applicants are also seeking an order of the court , recognizing the sacked Justice Adolphus Enebli-led RSIEC as the legitimate Electoral body pending the end of its tenure.

NEC Takes Measures To Eradicate Polio, Endorses Renewed Hope Medium Term Dev Plan

Ayodele Oni

August 28, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

At its 151st meeting on Thursday, the National Economic Council, (NEC) took step to ensure total eradication of polio disease among children following resurgence of the ailment.

The council approved new measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s immunisation system.

The NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also endorsed the Renewed Hope Medium-Term Development Plan (2026–2030), a blueprint expected to guide national growth over the next five years.

The Council at its 151st meeting held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, explained that polio vaccination coverage had increased from 81 percent to 84 percent.

It noted that the progress was a step forward in the campaign to rid the country of the virus and therefore pledged renewed focus on routine immunisation to sustain the momentum.

This was as officials noted that the plan would serve as a roadmap for strengthening healthcare, scaling up routine vaccination, and investing in critical areas of the economy.

The renewed push specifically aligned with global efforts by the World Health Organisation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to wipe out polio completely.

Nigeria, which was declared free of wild polio virus in 2020, is believed to be at risk of resurgence due to gaps in vaccination and circulation of vaccine-derived strains in some geopolitical zones of the country.

Ebonyi Increases Minimum Wage To N90,000

Ayodele Oni

August 28, 2025

Ebonyi State Governor - Francis Nwifuru — Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru

By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to improve standard of living of workers, Ebonyi state government has announced an increment in the minimum wage of state civil servants from N70,000 to N90,000.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe, made the disclosure on Thursday, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting.

Omebe stated that the increment was aimed at enhancing workers’ welfare, adding that it took effect immediately and applied to all categories of the workforce.

“We want to state categorically that this is not a political statement, as this government does not toy with workers’ welfare.

“The government has offset the pension and gratuities of state retirees from its creation in 1996 to date.

“The verification process for retirees in the Local Government Areas had commenced, and when completed, the payment will be made,” he said.

He also said that if the government did not play politics with such huge financial obligations, it would not do so with additional N20,000 to workers.

“The governor is a leader, builder of capacity, human beings, and infrastructure.

“The government is anchored on the biblical people’s charter of needs mantra, which is leading the people according to their needs.”

Omebe disclosed that the EXCO also considered implementing the eighth-year tenure policy for directors and the immediate retirement of those who have served in the same cadre for the specified period.

“The EXCO exhaustively deliberated on the issue and approved its implementation for the affected permanent secretaries and directors.”

“Leave Us Out Of Your Politics Over Annual Tax; We Are Not Complaining” – Abia Traders Caution Abia Opposition

Suleiman Anyalewechi

August 28, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The organized small business sector and traders in Abia State has advised the opposition camp in the State to stop crying more than the bereaved.

This is as they expressed satisfaction with what they called ” the transformational leadership of the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, as well as their unflinching commitment towards making their modest contributions to the Abia renewal project .

The position of the traders is coming on the heels of the recent controversy steered by the introduction of annual N36,000 new tax regime imposed on traders in by the State Government.

In a statement earlier in the week, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority NALDA. Prince Paul Ikonne had berated the Governor Otti led administration for imposing on the traders and small scale entrepreneurs what he called a debilitating tax regime.

The Source reports that the Abia State Government, in a bid to shore up its internally generated revenue, IGR, profile had recently announced an increase in the amount payable by traders and small scale entrepreneurs across the state from N18 000 to N36,000 annually per shop and business outfits.

But while the new tax regime is yet to get off the ground, Prince Ikonne one of the vociferous and visible opposition voices described it as a deliberate ploy by the Abia State Government to further stifle business activities in the State, particularly, the small scale businesses.

According to Ikonne, a one time Commissioner for Lands and Physical planning in the State, adding a new tax burden on the already suffering traders and small scale entrepreneurs will lead to many of them closing shops sooner than later.

While further describing the development as inhuman and insensitive, the proprietor of Enyinmba Radio Station Aba, called on the State Government to immediately halt the implementation of the new tax regime to save businesses from possible collapse.

But, in an exclusive interview with this medium on Thursday, August 28,2025, Deacon Mike Aniorji, the Chairman of the popular Ariaria International Market Aba , informed that contrary to the impression being created by the opposition camp, the traders are manifestly happy with the current Abia state Government, and also are ever willing to be part of the efforts at creating a new Abia state.

According to him, the traders and other business owners are immensely satisfied that there are visible infrastructural facilities to justify any tax being paid to the Government.

Aniorji stated that unlike before when the taxes being paid found their way into private pockets, and with nothing to show for the humongous amount collected by the Government, Abians today can confidently point to what are being done with their funds .

The Ariaria International Market Chairman expressed deep regret that those, today pretending to love the traders and Abians were the same people that presided over the mindless pillaging of the people’s resources in the last 24 years.

He condemned the deliberate moves by the opposition camp to create unnecessary disaffection and chaos under the guise of fighting for the same traders they wilfully neglected for many years.

“Let me place it on record that Abians, including traders, and other business owners, are immensely grateful to and happy with the present administration in the state .

“It is no longer a secret that before the current administration ,most of the markets in the state were completely inaccessible owing to dilapidated road networks.

“Most of the traders, even when they managed to enter the markets had to put on rain boots to be able to access their shops , owing to devastating floods.

“The most disturbing aspect was that all the previous administrations in the State were appointing their family members, cronies and associates to be collecting the rents and taxes from traders and others.

“The result was that these cronies and associates after paying a paltry amount to the Government at the beginning of the year, will now collect billions in taxes from the traders.

At the end of the day,the money which could have been collected and used by the Government to maintain infrastructural facilities, including access roads to the markets, went regrettably into private pockets.

” Now, our position as traders is that since we are seeing results on the ground, since we now know where our money is going unlike before,we have decided to partner and collaborate with the Government of the day to take Abia to the next level.

” We are ready and happy to fulfill our statutory obligations to the Government , including payment of taxes and rents.

“We have decided to support the Government

with the payment of taxes. So, nobody should cry for us, as some people are trying to do” Aniorji stated.

He informed that efforts are underway to create a seamless payment system for the traders .

“At the moment, we have made representation to the Government requesting that the payment of the N36,000 be made in, at least two instalments.

“Being a listening Governor the request is presently receiving appropriate response from him”, the Ariaria Market Chairman noted .

Police Seal Edo Labour House To Stop Ajaero Caretaker Committee

Ayodele Oni

August 28, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

There was an attempt to truncate the inauguration of the Caretaker Committee for Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) on Thursday as the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), also known as the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House, in Benin City, was sealed by Police Operatives.

The main gate of the University of Benin, the actual venue of the ceremony, was also heavily guarded by Police personnel, with some suspected thugs loitering around the secretariat.

A Police armoured personnel carrier was deployed to the area.

The heavy security presence was reportedly aimed at preventing the inauguration of the Caretaker Committee of the Edo NLC.

However, the inauguration still took place at a different venue in Benin City, where Prof. Monday Igbafen was sworn in.

Some NLC leaders from neighboring States, who were scheduled to attend the inauguration, expressed disappointment at being unable to access the secretariat due to the security presence.

Speaking to newsmen, Augustine Igben from the Maritime Workers Union said he was embarrassed when he was not allowed entry into the Edo Labour House, questioning why Policemen were barricading the building when it was a labour issue that should be settled internally.

IGP Egbetokun Raises Alarm Over Threats Posed By Cattle Rustling In Africa

Ayodele Oni

August 28, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, has warned that cattle rustling is becoming a security threat in Africa.

While presenting a paper at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, the IGP called for urgent and concerted international cooperation to address the escalating security challenges posed by cattle rustling and its dangerous convergence with terrorism financing, as well as the spread of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threats across Africa.

Egbetokun raised concern over the transformation of cattle rustling in West Africa from a rural nuisance into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that fuels terrorism, armed groups, and cross-border criminal networks.

He further warned of the dangerous nexus between cattle rustling and CBRNE threats, including the spread of zoonotic diseases like anthrax and brucellosis, the exploitation of smuggling routes for trafficking radiological materials, and the use of proceeds from livestock theft to fund production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), thereby worsening insecurity across conflict zones.

The IGP outlined six strategic pillars for response, including intelligence fusion, livestock market reforms, anti-money laundering frameworks, stronger border cooperation, community partnerships, and CBRNE preparedness.

He also called for a continent-wide and global alliance to secure Africa’s livestock trade, protect rural populations, and block extremist exploitation of regional vulnerabilities.

On the sidelines of the conference, the IGP met with INTERPOL President, Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, where discussions centered on strengthening border security, expanding access to global policing databases, enhancing real-time information exchange, and improving institutional capacity against terrorism financing.

He also met with a Brazilian delegation led by De Souza Rinaldo and Dos Reis Guedes Ferreira Alvares Andrea, with both parties committing to deepen Nigeria–Brazil police cooperation through intelligence sharing, combating organized crime, and building capacity for CBRNE threat mitigation.

The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading from the front, sharing best practices, and working collaboratively with its regional and international partners to ensure peace, security, and resilience in Africa and beyond.

“Calamity As Painful As Death Befell Us After Handshake With Jimoh Ibrahim” – Mohammed, co-Founder, Newswatch Magazine

The Source

August 28, 2025

By Gideon Njoku

One of Nigeria’s most accomplished Journalists and Columnists, Yakubu Mohammed, has told the sad story that led to the collapse of Newswatch Magazine, the first serious and as then, most successful Weekly News Magazine published in Nigeria.

Along with late Dele Giwa, Yakubu, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese founded Newswatch. It was their brainchild. It was also the toast of the moment. And had some of Nigeria’s bests in the Journalism profession on board.

However, it, suddenly, gradually disappeared from the newstands after months of “struggling”, attributed mainly, to the punishing economic situation in the Country which also forced other News Magazines to migrate from hard copy to Online. It has not been the same for the Magazine industry and their founders since then.

What surprised many when Newswatch went under was that it did at a time it was public that Jimoh Ibrahim, business mogul, serial entrepreneur, now a Senator, had, allegedly, pumped in hundreds of millions of Naira into the publishing house as a core investor; that the quartet of Ekpu, Agbese, Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade, will still be there as Executive Directors and see to the running of the Company they had sweated for, and invested so much in. They were to be consulting Editors. What was expected was that Newswatch would “roar”. But that didn’t happen.

Within a couple of months, Ibrahim did away with the quartet before they knew what was happening. They were humiliated out. Nobody quite knew what happened. It was all guess work and speculation. But finally, the messy, inside story is out, from the horse’s mouth – Yakubu Mohammed.

Mohammed, in his just finished memoir, “Beyond Expectations”, likened what they went through in the hands of now Senator Ibrahim to “as painful as death.” He said it was worse than the 13 days they spent in prison during the repressive regime of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

He said that the first time they met with Ibrahim and shook hands with him, they thought it was beautiful, but were unaware it was the death warrant of the magazine they were signing.

12 years after, they are still in Court with Ibrahim over Newswatch, over unfulfilled promises, assurances and agreements. However, he disclosed that a number of prominent Nigerian Leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Head of State, General Abulsalami Abubakar, have waded in, and that both parties could settle out of Court and perhaps, Newswatch could come back on stream.

Part of Mohammed’s story in his memoir reads:

“The founders (of Newswatch) had decided to expand the operations of the weekly magazine in 2011, after 25 years of successfully publishing it.

They decided to expand operations to include a daily newspaper and a radio station.

“We also planned to reposition our nascent book company, NewswatchBooks Limited, and make our library the best media archive in this part of Africa and ,thereafter, retire.

“To make this dream come true, we decided to shop for more investors as we did when we conceived the idea of Newswatchin 1984.

“We involved our managers in search of credible investors.

“One of them, Bankole Makinde, our advertisement manager, introduced to us Jimoh Ibrahim, a businessman and publisher as a possible core investor.

“Ray, Dan, Soji (Akinrinade) and I walked into the warm embrace of Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim in May 2011.

“There was nothing to indicate to us that we were about to sign the death warrant of our company, Newswatch Communications Limited.

“We did not anticipate that any fate worse than our 13-day ordeal in Abacha’s gulag would come our way again.

“But the calamity that befell us after a handshake with Jimoh Ibrahim was as painful as death, and signalled a reversal of fortune and the death of a dream.

“Newswatch, the darling of media consumers in Nigeria and abroad, had suffered an almost irreversible misfortune.

“At the time of writing this, it has been off the streets for 13 years.”

He said that Ibrahim had initially announced the retention of theNewswatch founders as Executive Directors and Consulting Editors for a period of two years, but gradually started reneging on agreed terms.

“We were to resume after our vacation. But this was not to be so.

“In the same vein, he equally failed to pay the N510 million for his 51 per cent shares in line with the share purchase agreement.

“After pussyfooting for a while, he reluctantly approved that the company should pay us our retirement benefits.

“For this, he made available a total sum N310 million, saying to us that this was what the company could afford”

Until he finally eased them out, Mohammed said, the company could still not afford to pay the balance of their benefits. But he said that was nothing compared to the fate that later befell them.

“After holding board meetings for one year, he whimsically closed down the company in 2012 when staff were complaining about unpaid salaries and allowances.

“Because we intervened on behalf of the staff, he said we were no longer directors of the company.”

They finally ended in court with him, and still there 12 years and counting. But a glimmer of hope.

According to him, “On the advice of prominent leaders in this country, including President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, we approached Sen. Ibrahim to discuss the matter.”

Perhaps, this intervention would work. And just perhaps, one day, Newswatch would come back on stream.

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