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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday received two honours at the Silver Jubilee Awards of Independent Newspapers, in what is described as a recognition of his administration’s performance, particularly in urban development.

The awards—Outstanding Independent Governor and Best Independent Governor in Urban Renewal (2025)—were presented at a ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary.

The awards were determined through a combination of public voting and rigorous assessment by a jury and the organisation’s board, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said.

He congratulated the recipients and disclosed that further activities to mark the silver jubilee would continue later in the year.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme, described the awards as a reflection of the administration’s impact since assuming office in 2023.

Speaking with journalists after the event, Onyeme said, “It is very evident to all Nigerians, especially Deltans, that our governor has significantly changed the narrative since assuming office in 2023.

“Today, he stands out as one of the best governors in the area of urban renewal. The impact is visible and undeniable.”

He pointed to ongoing infrastructure development across the state, noting that Delta, as one of Nigeria’s most urbanised states, has witnessed rapid transformation within a short period.

According to him, projects such as flyovers in Ughelli, Warri, Effurun, and Enerhen Junction have improved traffic flow while enhancing the functionality of major urban centres.

Onyeme also disclosed that the administration had delivered about 300 kilometres of roads in the past year, describing it as a major step towards addressing infrastructure deficits.

“When organisations carry out independent assessments and recognise this administration, it does not come as a surprise. The results speak for themselves,” he said.

He added that the recognition would serve as motivation for the government to sustain its development efforts.

“We have not rested, and we will not rest. We were elected to serve the people of Delta State, and we remain committed to that promise. The more responsibility we are given, the more we will deliver,” he said.

The deputy governor further noted that Oborevwori remained focused on leaving a lasting legacy, driven by what he described as a strong commitment to service.

“His desire is to ensure that before he leaves office after his second tenure, the difference will be clear and undeniable. He aims to set a standard that future administrations must strive to meet or surpass,” he added.

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to withdraw its recent directive to broadcasters, describing it as unlawful and repressive.

SERAP, in a letter dated April 18 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the directive “represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression”.

It urged Tinubu to ensure that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and the NBC “immediately withdraw the unlawful “formal notice “which threatens sanctions against broadcast stations and presenters on vague and unjustified grounds”.

SERAP also called on the government to immediately abstain from imposing prior censorship on broadcast stations and Nigerian journalists and allow them to freely carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

The organisation argued that key provisions cited by the NBC were inconsistent with constitutional guarantees of free expression.

“The Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law protect both the absolute right to hold opinions and the qualified right to express ideas of all kinds. Journalistic opinion is protected expression,” SERAP said.

It further criticised restrictions on presenters’ conduct, noting that, “a blanket prohibition on the expression of ‘personal opinions by anchors and presenters’ amounts to an impermissible restriction”.

According to SERAP, the use of vague standards such as “professionalism” opens the door to abuse.

“The NBC’s reliance on an undefined and subjective standard of ‘professionalism’ introduces vagueness and opens the door to arbitrary enforcement,” it said.

The group warned that the threat of sanctions could have a chilling effect on the media, discouraging critical journalism and public debate.

“The imposition of punitive measures based on vague and broadly defined infractions creates a chilling effect on broadcasters… and undermines democratic discourse,” the letter stated.

SERAP also raised concerns about the timing of the directive ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NBC’s Formal Notice undermines Nigerians’ democratic rights to receive diverse information, hear competing political viewpoints, and engage in open debate,” it added.

The organisation gave the federal government 48 hours to act, warning that it would pursue legal action if its demands were not met.

The NBC had issued a formal notice on April 17, 2026, citing a rise in unprofessional conduct and warning that it would enforce strict compliance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, including sanctions for violations.

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The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of an Islamic cleric allegedly captured in a viral video placing a ₦2 million bounty on a pastor accused of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.

The association warned that failure by security agencies to act swiftly could trigger reprisals and threaten public peace in northern Nigeria.

Chairman of the association, Joseph John Hayab, made the demand in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday.

Hayab described the development as a dangerous act of incitement capable of worsening religious tensions in the region.

He expressed concern that a religious leader, who should ordinarily promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, was allegedly involved in actions capable of destabilising society.

The cleric noted that the association had consistently advocated peace, stressing that its commitment was for the collective good and not a sign of weakness.

He urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

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Hayab warned that failure to act decisively could embolden lawlessness and escalate tensions across communities.

He also called on Islamic leaders across the country to openly condemn the alleged action and distance themselves from any form of violence carried out in the name of religion.

According to him, silence from moderate voices could embolden extremism and deepen divisions within society.

The NCA chairman stressed that placing a bounty on an individual’s life undermines the rule of law and violates the sanctity of human life.

Citing Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he noted that every Nigerian has a guaranteed right to life, except in execution of a court sentence following lawful conviction.

“There is no monopoly of violence. The fact that we choose peace should not be taken for granted,” he said.

Hayab, however, urged restraint among all parties and advised citizens to channel grievances through lawful means rather than taking the law into their own hands, reaffirming the association’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and respect for fundamental human rights.