News
Kogi NUJ chair breaks fast with Journalists
***Ododo’s SA Media Harps On Unity, Professionalism
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State on media, Hon. Ismaila Isah has charged journalists, irrespective of political and religious affiliations, to foster unity among themselves and uphold the ethics of the profession.
Hon. Isah gave the charge on Wednesday evening during a special breaking of Ramadan fast which was organized by Alhaji Seidu Haruna Ademu, Chairman of the Kogi State Council of the NUJ.
The Special Adviser described the event, attended by both Muslim and Christian Journalists in the state, as a true reflection of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad for the holy Month of Ramadan.
He urged journalists in the state to support one another and reflect on the plight of the needy in the society assuring of the state government’s continuous support for the pen profession.
Hon. Ismaila Isah said that his presence at the event was like home coming for him as he noted that the event once again, demonstrated love and togetherness of all journalists .
According to him, the special event is also an opportunity to foster unity and love for one another as professional colleagues as he urged them to uphold the ethic of the journalism in order to enjoy journalism profession.
“It is a fact that journalists hardly find time to refresh and relax because of the demands of the profession. But today provides an exceptional opportunity to fulfill a spiritual obligation as Muslims”, he said.
Hon. Ismaila Isah also called on journalists to remain dedicated, focused and eschew sentiments that could negatively impact their editorial independence.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Council Alhaji Seidu Haruna Ademu noted that the programme was in fulfilment of one of his promises on assumption of office to sustain the legacies of his predecessor.
He said that the immediate past chairman of the union, Alhaji Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh sustained the annual breaking of Ramadan fast with members through out his tenure of two terms.
While expressing satisfaction with the turnout of journalists at the event, the NUJ Chairman
said that the event was organized to bring together both Muslim and Christian Journalists in a happy and friendly atmosphere.
He expressed gratitude to the Special Adviser on Media and all Journalists in the state for attending the special Ramadan fast breaking and called on Journalists to redouble their efforts in the discharge of their duties creditably and efficiently.
He urged journalists in the state to always be guided by the ethics of the profession and remain supportive of the government of the day to move the Kogi State forward. (Ends)
Former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Professor Tom Adaba, has passed away at the age of 84.
According to reports, he died peacefully on Saturday in Abuja.
Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, Secretary of the Egbira Elders Forum, confirmed the news, stating, “I feel sad to inform you that our elder and leader, Prof. Tom A. Adaba, has answered the call of nature this morning. Further details about his burial arrangements will be communicated later.”
Born on July 2, 1941, Prof. Adaba made significant contributions to Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Between 1988 and 1992, he became the first Nigerian to serve as President of the African Council for Communication Education.
Despite calls for suspension from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Police Force, the Osun State local government election proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.
Governor Ademola Adeleke voted in Ede North Local Government Area, describing the process as peaceful and urging residents to exercise their franchise.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, cited a Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating sacked local government chairmen, while the police warned of potential security threats.
However, the Osun State government insisted on holding the election, emphasizing its commitment to obeying a court directive. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) boycotted the polls.
Voting took place under tight security, with minimal commercial activity observed in Osogbo, the state capital.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Information, Jonathan Vatsa, has indicated that Firmer President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the public presentation of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, The Journey of Service, held in Abuja on Thursday was not surprising.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa suggested that Buhari’s no-show was a result of unresolved bitterness over the 1985 coup, in which Babangida overthrew him and subsequently detained him.
According to Vatsa, Buhari may still harbor resentment, especially over being denied the chance to bid his late mother farewell while in detention.
“It Would Have Been the 9th Wonder of the World If Buhari Had Attended”
Vatsa claimed that Buhari’s absence was expected, given the deep-seated history between the two former leaders.
“The memory of the ‘mother of all betrayals’ has not left him. It would have been the ninth wonder of the world if Buhari had attended that book launch,” he said.
The APC chieftain also linked Buhari’s perceived neglect of Niger State during his eight-year presidency to his history with Babangida.
“The whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by Buhari because of IBB. For eight years, he did not pay any serious official visit to the state, and not a single federal project was executed here. The Baro Port project was abandoned, and federal roads across the state were left in disrepair,” Vatsa alleged.
He claimed that despite the overwhelming votes Buhari received from Niger State in 2015 and 2019, the state was sidelined due to the personal history between the former presidents.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Niger State paid for the sin of one man,” he lamented.
When asked for his opinion on the contents of IBB’s autobiography, Vatsa said he would reserve his comments until he has read and digested the book fully.
“There are certain things I expected to see in the book. Once I am done reading, I will invite you all for my comments,” he stated.
The book launch attracted several high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Yakubu Gowon, as well as former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Other dignitaries included former Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, and ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, and Namadi Sambo, alongside traditional rulers and state governors.
Buhari’s absence, however, remained a major talking point, reinforcing speculations that the 1985 coup remains a sore point in Nigeria’s political history.
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