By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has raised alarm that 85 per cent of crimes committed against journalists worldwide remain uninvestigated and unpunished, describing the trend as an unacceptable level of impunity. Guterres stated this on Sunday, 3 May, 2026 in his message to mark World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, where he highlighted growing threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists across the globe, while urging stronger protections for media professionals. He emphasised that press freedom remains a fundamental pillar of democracy, noting that the media plays a critical role as…
Author: Khadijah Olowode
By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola The Lagos State Safety Commission has sealed no fewer than 12 facilities, including hotels and shopping malls, over persistent non-compliance with mandatory lift and elevator safety regulations. The enforcement, carried out Thursday, 30 Apri,l,2026 across key locations in Lagos, notably Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1 and parts of Ikeja followed repeated failures by property owners and managers to register their elevator systems for inspection, maintenance and safety monitoring as required by the state government. In a statement, the commission said the clampdown became inevitable after sustained disregard for regulatory directives. It noted that several of…
The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) has called on MultiChoice to immediately suspend the 2026 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 9 May, 2026 at Eko Hotels & Suites, in honour of Nigerians and other African nationals who have recently fallen victim to xenophobic violence in South Africa. FOSAD expressed deep outrage and concern over the disturbing wave of attacks targeting Nigerians in South Africa, describing the ongoing violence as inhumane, barbaric, and a gross violation of human dignity and African solidarity. “In recent weeks, social media platforms have been flooded with…
By Hassan Gimba The Arbiter I was in Makkah on the third of December last year for Umrah and to seek healthcare. And perhaps to run and rest from a political endeavour I willingly jumped into with both feet, even though wide-eyed. By February 10th I was through and was planning to return to Nigeria on the 20th of the month. My intention was to start the Ramadhan that commenced on the 18th there. I informed the airline, which rescheduled my return ticket accordingly. Man always proposes. And you must as long as you are alive. But like it or…
By Segun Adewale in Bauchi A son of Yau Shehu Darazo, Special Adviser, Political and Inter-Governmental Affairs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Arc. Usman Ya’u Darazo, has officially accepted the call by stakeholders, youths, and political supporters across the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency to contest for the House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2027 elections. This was disclosed by his political associate, Khamis Musa Darazo Sunday, who stated that the decision came after extensive consultations and growing pressure from constituents who believe Arc. Usman Ya’u Darazo possesses the leadership qualities and political experience needed to deliver effective representation for the…
The familiar saying, “the reward for good work is more work,” appears to resonate strongly among residents of Somolu, as growing calls emerge for the return of Hon. Abiodun Orekoya to the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2027. Across the constituency, stakeholders and community members have continued to express satisfaction with the lawmaker’s performance since his election in 2023, citing his legislative contributions, grassroots engagement, and commitment to human capital development as reasons for their renewed support. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Orekoya has been actively involved in legislative processes aimed at strengthening governance and promoting…
By Oluwole Solanke PhD, FCIB Introduction A leadership title in higher education often arrives with applause, ceremony, and a sense of achievement. Offices change, responsibilities expand, and influence grows. Yet beneath all the prestige lies a quiet but profound truth, one that every thoughtful leader must confront early: the institution you lead is not yours. Universities, polytechnics, and colleges are not personal empires. They are living legacies, built by visionaries, sustained by scholars, and entrusted to leaders for a season. Within their walls reside not just classrooms and offices, but ideas, values, histories, and futures waiting to be shaped. To…
A development advocate and grassroots mobiliser, Marcus Adedini, has formally declared his intention to contest the House of Representatives seat for Ife Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections. Adedini’s entry into the race follows his purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination and expression of interest forms, signalling what he described as a decisive step toward deepening public service and advancing community-driven development across Ife land. Positioning himself as a candidate rooted in grassroots engagement, Adedini highlighted years of involvement in community-focused initiatives spanning education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and social welfare. According to him, these efforts reflect a…
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Press Freedom Day, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong call for zero tolerance against attacks on journalists, warning that press repression poses a direct threat to democracy. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said a free and independent media remains the “lifeblood” of any democratic society. In a statement commemorating the 2026 observance, he stressed that press freedom is not a privilege but a fundamental right guaranteed under Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations. Ojukwu underscored the intrinsic link between a vibrant…
Abuja is set to become the centre of a critical global conversation as policymakers, climate experts and peacebuilding practitioners converge for the 2026 Peer Learning Forum on Peacebuilding and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Processes, opening on May 5 at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The three-day forum, co-hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the NAP Global Network, is drawing participants from across Africa and beyond at a time when the intersection between climate change and conflict is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. From the shrinking Lake Chad Basin to farmer-herder tensions worsened by erratic rainfall, Nigeria itself sits at…