The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has condemned the attack on Kpenya Mosque and the communities of Gidan-Zana and Kpenya in Dekara District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The forum demanded the immediate and safe release of all abducted persons. The Chairman of the forum Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua in a statement on wednesday said it was deeply saddened by the attack, which reportedly occurred on Friday, August 22, 2026, and resulted in the abduction of hundreds of worshippers and residents. Yar’Adua commiserated with the government and people of Niger State, particularly families of those abducted and those reportedly…
Author: National Update
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised concerns over the growing use of religion as a tool for political mobilisation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The organisation warned that allowing religious platforms to become campaign grounds could undermine voters’ freedom of choice, deepen social divisions and threaten peaceful elections. CISLAC Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said political campaigns should be driven by issues that directly affect Nigerians rather than religious or ethnic sentiments. He listed security, education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, poverty reduction and accountability among the issues candidates should address as they seek voters’ support. The…
By Opeyemi Owoeye The August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election was never just about who would occupy Bola Ige House in Osogbo. It was framed by INEC itself as “the most consequential off-cycle election in Nigeria” because “after this election, we move straight into the general election.” With barely five months to the 2027 general elections, all eyes turned to the Independent National Electoral Commission under its Chairman, *Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN*. Could INEC conduct a credible poll in a state already described as tense? Could the commission prove it had learned from past off-cycle elections and restore public…
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has raised fresh concerns over the Federal Government’s proposed pilot livestock scheme, demanding full details of the lands earmarked for the programme before any implementation. The forum said it was particularly concerned about the inclusion of communities in Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory in the proposed scheme. In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the SMBLF warned that the programme must not become a vehicle for taking over ancestral lands or imposing ranching projects on communities without their consent. The statement was signed by…
The Governing Board of the Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria) has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, on his 70th birthday. The Guild also extended Eid-el-Maulud goodwill to Muslims across Nigeria and the world, urging them to reflect on the virtues of peace, compassion, justice, tolerance and love for humanity associated with the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. In a statement issued by the Secretary of the GIMP-Nigeria Governing Board, Pastor (Barr.) Samuel Egburonu, the Sultan was described as…
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has described the career of the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, as evidence that the hardships of public service can build, rather than break, leaders committed to their duties. Diri said Walson-Jack’s journey from the Niger Delta civil service to the highest administrative position in Nigeria demonstrated the value of perseverance, discipline, commitment and purposeful service. He spoke at the retirement and book presentation ceremony for Walson-Jack, where he joined other senior Nigerians in celebrating her 34 years in public service. The governor said Walson-Jack’s experience in Rivers…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development if merit, competence and integrity are compromised in the appointment of people to public offices. Jonathan made the call while speaking at the retirement and book presentation ceremony of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Walson-Jack to lead the Federal Civil Service, describing the position as one that requires a high level of merit and competence. Jonathan noted that Walson-Jack became the first Bayelsan to occupy the position, stressing that the office could not simply…
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has praised the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Walson-Jack, for her contributions to Nigeria’s public service. Adedeji spoke through his representative, M.L. Mbaka, at the public presentation of Walson-Jack’s two memoirs, which documented her years of service, leadership experience and reforms in the civil service. He described the occasion as an opportunity to celebrate Walson-Jack’s career, honour excellence and preserve the institutional memory of purposeful leadership. Adedeji also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for attending the event, saying the President’s presence…
The future of Nigeria’s newspaper industry is at the centre of a new book by the Group News Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, Sunday Isuwa, PhD, as digital technology continues to reshape how news is produced, distributed and consumed. Titled Digital Shift in Nigeria’s Newspaper Industry, the book examines the growing transition from traditional print journalism to digital platforms and its impact on newsrooms, journalists, media businesses and audiences. The publication will be formally launched on October 29, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) headquarters, behind the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja. The event is…
The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage Nigerians directly as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 25, POMR spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, said Nigerians deserve to hear directly from candidates seeking their votes rather than relying mainly on political surrogates. The group said the 2027 election should focus on the records, policies, competence and character of the presidential candidates. POMR questioned whether a sitting president seeking a second term could effectively ask Nigerians for another mandate while ministers, party officials, governors and…