The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has officially confirmed the killing of one of its most senior intelligence officers, Col. Abdulsalam Ude, who was fatally shot during an attack by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Abuja. The killing has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s security community, with the Agency describing the incident as a painful national loss and vowing that those responsible would be tracked down and prosecuted. In a statement issued by its Acting Assistant Director of Protocol, Capt. J.E. Oti, the DIA disclosed that the attack occurred at the officer’s residence in Phase 5, Army Housing Estate, Kurudu, Abuja.…
Author: National Update
Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the reported assault on a campaigner for President Bola Tinubu in Delta State, describing the incident as a dangerous affront to democratic values and political tolerance. The victim, Mr. Tempo Mudi, said to be a Protocol Officer to the Governor of Delta State, was reportedly attacked by some youths while campaigning for President Tinubu’s re-election at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in Effurun, Warri. Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku…
The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has criticised the judgment of the National Industrial Court dismissing the suit filed by whistleblower Yisa Usman against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), warning that the ruling raises far-reaching concerns about whistleblower protection, due process, disability rights and accountability in Nigeria’s public service. In a statement signed by its Programme Manager, Godwin Onyeacholem, AFRICMIL said its concerns extended beyond the employment dispute, describing the case as one with significant implications for labour justice, public administration and anti-corruption efforts. Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court had, on July…
By Tunde Olusunle You catch a glimpse of a golden mace hoisted high in the distant sky to the right, on the expansive _Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Way_, as you drive past the “City Gate” in Abuja toward the airport. It reminds you of a larger, more dominant version that sits regally at the central approach to the nation’s parliament, in the “Three Arms Zone” at the heart of the nation’s power nexus. You are never quite sure if the insignia you fleetingly see en route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is an annex of the National Assembly Complex.…
With barely weeks to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, have raised fresh concerns over escalating political tension, warning that violence, misinformation and electoral malpractice must not be allowed to undermine the democratic process. The caution came on Tuesday as INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, flagged off a five-day operational assessment of the election with a courtesy visit to the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife. The election will involve 2,339,233 registered voters across 3,763 polling units, 332 registration areas and the state’s 30 local…
A potentially significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections may be taking shape, as four of Nigeria’s influential regional organisations have opened consultations aimed at forging a common position on the country’s political future. Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Middle Belt Forum and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) converged in Abuja, where they reviewed the state of the nation and demanded a new direction in governance amid worsening insecurity, economic hardship and growing political tension. The meeting, held at the Abuja liaison office of PANDEF, brought together representatives of the South-West, South-East, Middle Belt and South-South in what…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has suspended seven lecturers over alleged sexual harassment and the unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks, as fresh allegations of cult activities and “sex-for-marks” practices trigger anxiety among students. The institution’s Public Relations Officer, John Amos Onimisi, confirmed the suspensions while responding to allegations of misconduct and other disciplinary breaches within the Polytechnic. Onimisi said six lecturers were suspended on July 22, while another lecturer was suspended separately over allegations of sexual harassment. He explained that the Polytechnic’s disciplinary committee was investigating the allegations and would take appropriate action where culpability was…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja The Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Dr Rabiu Olowo, has commenced the construction of a world-class Accounting Research Centre of Excellence and Digital Library at his alma mater, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State. The project, which is aimed at strengthening accounting education, research and innovation, was formally launched with a groundbreaking ceremony at the university. Speaking on behalf of Olowo at the ceremony, the Project Coordinator, Dr Mohammed Umar, said the facility was conceived in line with global best practices and would provide a modern environment for learning, research,…
By Friday Idachaba, The Federal Government has commenced moves to incorporate mental health, emotional intelligence and psychological leadership into Nigeria’s foreign service as part of efforts to strengthen diplomacy, governance and regional cooperation across Africa. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, disclosed this in Abuja when the President of the Pan African Psychology Union (PAPU), Professor Andrew Zamani, paid him a courtesy visit. The meeting, attended by senior PAPU officials and representatives of the Nigerian Psychological Association, FCT Chapter, led by its Chairman, Adejoh Victor, focused on advancing collaboration in mental health, leadership development and diplomatic…
National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Senator David Mark, has described the Court of Appeal judgment quashing the earlier ruling seeking to deregister the party as a major victory for democracy and the rule of law. Mark, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Tuesday, said the verdict had vindicated the ADC and reaffirmed the judiciary’s role as a defender of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. The former Senate President said the attempt to deregister the party amounted to an assault on multiparty democracy and the constitutional right of Nigerians to freely associate…