Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, has been thrown into mourning following the death of its former chairman, Patrick Osadebamwen, a veteran journalist who spent decades contributing to Nigeria’s media industry. The NUJ FCT Council confirmed his death in a statement issued in Abuja by its Secretary, Jide Oyekunle, saying the news came with deep sadness after it was confirmed by friends of the deceased. Osadebamwen was a familiar name in Nigerian journalism, having worked with several media organisations, including Union Newspaper, Core TV and The Nigerian Tribune, before joining Kaftan TV. His career also saw him…
Author: National Update
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja As Kogi State marks 35 years of its creation, the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has called for urgent reforms in governance, infrastructure, housing, tourism and public accountability. The group also demanded the establishment of a state-owned television station and stronger support for media organisations and practitioners in the state. The Executive Director of CHRCR, Idris Abdul Miliki, made the demands in a statement titled “Kogi at 35, Where Do We Go From Here?” issued in Lokoja to commemorate the state’s 35th anniversary. Kogi State was created on August 27, 1991. Miliki said…
The Department of State Services has reportedly moved to halt the prosecution of the African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over alleged cyberbullying until after the 2027 presidential election. The development could provide a major reprieve for Sowore, who is expected to intensify his campaign for the presidency ahead of the poll. Sources familiar with the matter told our correspondent that the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, and senior officials in the agency’s legal directorate recently met with its lead counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, over the case. The meeting reportedly took place on August 20, a day after the Independent…
Nigerian author and father of three, Tochi Maduba Ejiofor, is seeking redress after a CNG truck allegedly crashed into his family’s car in Kogi State, nearly killing him, his wife and their three children. Ejiofor said the incident occurred on August 1, 2026, while the family was returning to Abuja from Anambra State after attending his father-in-law’s burial. According to him, the family was waiting at an Army checkpoint when a CNG truck with registration number FZE-431IA, allegedly belonging to Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Ltd (SEEPCO), rammed into their 2018 Honda Accord. The impact sent the car…
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Niger State Chapter, has criticised Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago over comments on Christian participation in partisan politics. The PFN said political participation should not be a condition for fair treatment or consideration for public appointments. The state PFN Chairman, Pastor PeteRock Sadiq, stated this during a press briefing in Minna. Sadiq said a governor is elected by the people and has a duty to serve all citizens, regardless of their religion or political affiliation. He said Bago may have emerged as a candidate of a political party, but became governor of the entire state…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the reported abduction of 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Kogi State, describing the incident as a failure by the Federal Government to protect young Nigerians serving the country. The group called for the immediate and unconditional rescue of the corps members, urging security agencies to deploy all available resources to bring them home alive. The corps members were reportedly abducted on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while travelling from the NYSC orientation camp in Bayelsa State to Abuja. They were reportedly intercepted by armed men along the Ofu/Itobe–Onicha-Igo…
The Federal Government has activated an emergency multi-agency task force to contain a diphtheria outbreak affecting children in parts of Kano and Katsina states. The government has also deployed 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines to the two states as part of measures to contain the outbreak and protect children in affected and high-risk communities. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, ordered the emergency response, according to a statement signed by the ministry’s Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako. The task force is expected to strengthen disease surveillance, close immunisation gaps and ensure…
The latest attack on passengers along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi federal road in Kogi State has renewed concerns over the safety of travellers and traders using the route, after three people were reportedly killed and nine others abducted. The incident occurred in the evening as passengers, mostly traders from Ajobe community in Ojoku District, were returning from the Nkwo Idoko Market in Awo. The victims were travelling in a pickup van when they reportedly encountered gunmen operating along the road in Ankpa Local Government Area. Some of the passengers reportedly attempted to escape after sighting the attackers. A resident, Yakubu Ishyaku, said…
By Baba Dantiye Politics, by its nature, produces different categories of leaders. Some follow familiar patterns, easily defined by their ideology, alliances and methods of operation. Others remain difficult to categorise because they continually challenge expectations and adapt to changing circumstances. Senator Kawu Sumaila belongs to this latter category—a politician whose career has been marked by resilience, conviction, controversy and an uncommon ability to remain relevant across changing political seasons. To understand Kawu Sumaila is to examine more than the offices he has occupied. It is to explore the qualities that have sustained his political journey: grassroots connection, strategic adaptability, personal courage…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has honoured the Chairman of the Kano State Multi Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Muhuyi Magaji, as an Ambassador of the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA. The recognition was conferred on Thursday, August 27, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the NDLEA Zone 5 Commander, ACGN Mohamed Ajiya, and members of his management team. NDLEA Zone 5 covers Kano and Jigawa states. A statement issued by Lamara Garba, Member of the Media and Publicity Committee, said the recognition was in appreciation of Magaji’s commitment to combating drug abuse and…