Author: Adisa-Jaji Azeez

Kwara NANS stakeholders, convened today in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, have unequivocally condemned the reprehensible attack on Comrade Ibrahim Abdulrazak Imam (Jeje) in Abuja on April 15th, 2024. In a press statement issued on April 18, 2024, the Kwara NANS Stakeholders stated that the brutal assault, orchestrated by Lucky Emonefe and Akinteye Babatunde (Babtee), has left Jeje, a senior comrade from Kwara, with severe injuries, including bone fractures and wounds, as captured in a disturbing viral video circulating online. The Statement signed by the Chairman, Kwara NANS Stakeholders Forum, criticized the barbaric nature of this attack cannot be…

A tragic accident occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Wednesday when an 18-seater bus, carrying several passengers, crashed into the bridge’s rails. The incident, according to Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), resulted in two adults being ejected from the vehicle into the Lagos lagoon. The bus, with the registration number FKJ 872 YA, veered off the road at high speed near the Adeniyi Adele axis en route to Lagos Island, leading to the severe accident. The Marine Police have initiated a search operation for the two victims, a male…

Ambassador AbdulFatai Yahaya Seriki-Gambari, CEO of Kursi Investment, philanthropist, and seasoned politician, has conveyed warm Eid greetings to Muslim faithfuls, urging them to uphold the spirit of holiness that Ramadan instilled. In a statement released by his media team, Ambassador Seriki-Gambari emphasized the importance of continuing the virtues of Ramadan beyond the holy month. He urged Muslim faithfuls to maintain their devotion to righteousness and spirituality, fostering a sense of peace and unity in society. Quoting from the statement, “As we celebrate Eid, let us remember that the spirit of Ramadan should guide our actions and interactions beyond this blessed…

In a congratulatory message, Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, the ENACT Principal, extends warm felicitations to all Muslim faithfuls on the successful completion of the 2024 Ramadan fasting period. He commends the high level of discipline exhibited during the 30-day fasting period, highlighting it as a testament to the potential for societal improvement if pursued collectively. Engr. Adeyemi emphasizes the determination, discipline, and faith displayed by individuals who observed the fasting rituals despite prevailing hunger and economic challenges. He underscores the significance of adhering to the prescribed order of Allah (SWT) and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), noting that such…

The GRS Movement has extended courteous greetings to Muslims on the event of Eid-l-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The Movement’s press secretary, ADISA Ridwan Ajadi, released a statement to the public urging Muslims to keep up embracing the lessons learned during the month-long period of fasting and prayer. The statement highlights that Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims, with the act of fasting being one of the obligatory acts of worship. “After 30 days of active worship and abstinence from food, water, and other prohibited actions, a new moon is sighted for the celebration…

Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District and the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate, sends heartfelt Eid-el-Fitr greetings to Muslims, urging them to embrace love and forgiveness post-Ramadan. He emphasizes the spiritual significance of Ramadan as a time for purification and sincere worship. In a statement issued by his media assistant, Nasif Sholagberu, Senator Mustapha encourages Muslims to reflect on the teachings of Ramadan and strive for virtues that elevate spiritual well-being and contribute to humanity’s betterment. Additionally, he calls on all Nigerians to embrace tolerance and unity to foster a resilient and united nation. However, amidst the festive Eid…

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Ogun State has announced an indefinite strike commencing on Monday, April 8, following unresolved disputes over unpaid allowances. The decision to strike was triggered by the state government’s failure to address the non-payment of a 40% peculiar allowance to the judiciary workers, despite a 14-day notice. On Sunday, April 7, JUSUN released a statement detailing their attempts to engage with the government. According to the union, they had submitted all required documentation to Governor Dapo Abiodun and other key state officials on March 8, including confirmation from the National Salaries and Wages…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially revealed the candidates for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, scheduled for 21 September. INEC’s disclosure came on Saturday when the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Anugbum Onuoha, showcased the list of the 17 political parties and their governorship candidates. The comprehensive list, now accessible on the notice boards of INEC’s Edo office and across all its offices in the 18 local government areas of the state, includes notable names such as Uwaifo Osaro of the Action Alliance (AA) and Aner Abdullai Aliu from the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Other candidates…

The recent detention of Segun Olatunji, an editor at FirstNews, by operatives from the Nigerian military’s Defence Intelligence Agency marks another concerning incident in the ongoing assault on press freedom in Nigeria. The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network dedicated to press freedom and independent journalism, has strongly criticized this arbitrary detention, labeling it a serious infringement on human rights and a breach of the nation’s legal principles. According to the IPI, “The rule of law stipulates that anyone accused should be promptly allowed to present a defense in court,” echoing the requirements of…

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the deployment of police personnel and operational assets nationwide in anticipation of potential security threats during the 2024 Easter celebration. This directive was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement released in Abuja. The Inspector-General emphasized the need for round-the-clock security and protection of public spaces across the country before, during, and after the Easter festivities. Commissioners of Police (CPs) and their supervising Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) have been instructed to deploy personnel and operational assets to areas deemed vulnerable within their respective areas…

FactCheckAfrica, a leading fact-checking initiative under the umbrella of Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, has recently forged a strategic partnership with Stanford University, a prestigious academic institution based in the United States. This collaboration aims to introduce a comprehensive digital media literacy curriculum to Senior Secondary Schools throughout Nigeria(With 50 schools to serve as Pilot in Kwara State). This significant milestone follows FactCheckAfrica’s collaboration with the Deliberative Democracy Lab, Stanford University, to develop a curriculum tailored to combat disinformation and misinformation effectively. Alice Siu, a distinguished senior researcher and Associate Director of the Deliberative Democracy Lab, highlighted the importance of…

Nigerian Muslim pilgrims who had previously made payments for the 2024 Hajj trip to Saudi Arabia are now requesting refunds following the directive from the country’s Hajj Commission to pay an additional N1.9 million. Earlier in December 2023, the commission had set the pilgrimage fare at N4.9 million per pilgrim, based on an exchange rate of N897 to a dollar. However, on Sunday, the commission announced an increase in the fare by N1,918,032.91, with a deadline of March 28, 2024. The news of the fare hike has caused distress among intending pilgrims, with many expressing their inability to afford the…

The Osun State Government has initiated the formation of a Cybercrime Action Committee in response to the growing concerns over fake news and cyberbullying within the state. In a statement released on March 24 by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, it was announced that the Committee’s objective is to implement and enforce laws pertaining to cybercrime, cyberbullying, and the dissemination of false information. This move is particularly timely given the increasing hostility observed on social media platforms between followers of the state’s dominant political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC),…

UDEME, an initiative of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), has selected 21 journalists across Nigeria and Ghana for its inaugural Social Accountability Fellowship. The six-month fellowship programme commenced with a two-day virtual workshop from 19 to 20 March for all selected applicants, who are full-time employees of reputable media organisations. According to the UDEME Project Manager, Ijeoma Okereke-Adagba, the 2024 accountability fellowship aims to build the capacity of journalists in Nigeria and Ghana to identify red flags in budget line items and unique patterns in contract awards that violate local procurement laws. “This year’s focus will be…

In a formal letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), transparency advocates have raised concerns regarding the operations of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Secretariat under the leadership of Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji. The letter, signed by Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, National Coordinator of Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, and Adebayo Titus, Program Officer of Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA), emphasizes the urgent need for an independent and comprehensive probe into the NEITI Secretariat’s activities. The advocates highlight the recent 2023 EITI Validation exercise, which revealed Nigeria’s decline from a…

—Event to Precede Further Empowerment by Rep. Shagaya on Tuesday. In a significant act of generosity and community support, the Salman Shagaya Foundation, led by Alhaji Sheriff Shagaya, has initiated its Ramadan Cash Relief Empowerment program. This initiative successfully disbursed financial aid to 1000 grateful recipients across the state, with the ceremony held at the Honourable Muktar Shagaya Constituency Office in Ilorin. This initiative represents a crucial part of the foundation’s commitment to alleviating hardship during the holy month of Ramadan. Alhaji Muftau Akanbi Oke, the NGO’s Director General, highlighted the foundation’s dedication to impacting lives positively, stating, “The Ramadan…

Beki Mashood Abdulquadri In the annals of Kwara State’s history, one name stands out as a beacon of hope and progress, illuminating the path towards a future where agriculture reigns supreme, and prosperity knows no bounds. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the people’s governor, has embarked on an unprecedented journey to transform the state into the nation’s food hub, setting a remarkable precedent for agricultural development and economic prosperity. With unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, the governor has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector and uplifting the lives of farmers across the state. Through strategic partnerships and innovative policies,…

In an effort to combat the growing crisis of climate change, Saudat Abdulbaqi, an Associate Professor from the Mass Communication Department at the University of Ilorin, has called upon media practitioners to intensify their coverage of climate actions. The appeal came during her speech at a Climate Change Journalism Workshop, an event co-organized by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, DA news, and Sobi FM’s chapel of the Kwara State Council of the NUJ, hosted at the Sinclair Hotel in Ilorin. Abdulbaqi emphasized the vital role of journalists in addressing the issue of climate change across various reporting beats. Highlighting…

Adisa-Jaji Azeez, an investigative reporter and fact-checker, has been selected as one of the outstanding journalists for the Creative Storytelling Fellowship program, organized by Accountability Lab, Nigeria. The 6-month fellowship, set to begin in April 2024, aims to engage journalists in producing compelling stories that highlight integrity within society. Blessing Anolaba, the Storytelling Development Officer of Accountability Lab, made the announcement, emphasizing that Jaji’s application was notably impressive among other highly competitive pool of candidates. “This six-month-long fellowship program focuses on writing compelling stories about integrity. We believe in the power of storytelling to inspire, educate, and drive change. We…

Youth leaders, students, educators, religious leaders, traditional rulers and Civil Society Advocates across North Central and Nigeria gathered in Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria, on February 22nd for a significant event aimed at advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) – Quality Education. Organized by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), in collaboration with the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the Youth Consultation Caucus on Agenda 2030 provided a platform for robust discussions and strategic planning to address the challenges hindering the realization of quality education for all. The event commenced with an…