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Obasanjo world’s most documented president —Foundation

The founder and president of Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation (BLERF), Mr Nyaknno Osso, on Wednesday said that former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo is the world’s most documented president of his era.
He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a visit by the leadership of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), FCT chapter on his 70th Birthday at BLERF Centre in Abuja.
According to Osso, who served as the Special Assistant on Library, Research and Documentation to Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, the former president is globally documented because of his leadership role in Africa.
He said the octogenarian, who served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as president from 1999 to 2007, has hundreds of publications, including books and journals about him.
“In the course of working with Obasanjo, at a certain time I counted over 320 books, and journals on him.
“No American president had that kind of record, no British Prime Minister or any other nation had that kind of documentation.
“I have visited about 550 libraries both in Nigeria, Africa, the UK, and in the U.S because I have passion for books, records and history.
“Every country we travelled to, the President would say go to major libraries or the documentation centres , ask for things on Nkrumah, Mandela, and myself and I would always get materials on him.
“I believe Obasanjo is the most informed African alive, apart from being documented, he is versed and dynamic and once he sets his mind to do something, he will do it.
“He is a thinker who tries to find new ways of doing things and I think every president should be humble enough to consult with him because he has contacts all over the world,” he said.
Osso, who also served as the pioneer Executive Secretary/Project Coordinator of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Foundation (OOPLF), said BLERF was conceived to be a historical and biographical repository for Nigerians.
He said as he clocks 70 years, plans were underway to open the centre as a one-stop research point for scholars, historians, journalists, and researchers who wanted comprehensive and accurate information about Nigeria.
“Before now, we have only been giving our information online but henceforth, we are going to open it up for people to come and do research.
“Researchers, historians, diplomats, whatever information they want we have it here and that is why we need support from the government, corporate bodies and individuals.
“I have collected information for the past 52 years from all over the world, and they are here in books and written forms and that is why we want to digitise them.
“I am now 70 years old and have put my energy into doing things to develop Nigeria, and I think it is time for my country to support me, “ he said.
Earlier, Chukwudi Eze, Chairman of ANA, Abuja, who led the delegation on the visit, lauded Osso for his passionate commitment to nation building.
“I have known the president of BLERF as a friend and have seen him engage the challenges of his life, and I have seen him overcome them.
“You cannot work for Obasanjo if you are not good, you cannot last eight years with him if you are not good ,and this man has been part of his team now for 25 years,” he said.
NAN reports that BLERF is acclaimed as the first-in-Nigeria biographical information database built to showcase the nation’s history, achievers and heroes dating from 1861.
Its founder and president is acknowledged as the pioneer of mass media research and documentation in Nigeria following his groundbreaking publication in 1990; “Newswatch Who’s Who in Nigeria”.
The publication was the first-ever authoritative, comprehensive Biographical Encyclopedia in the country.
(NAN)
News
15 huts razed, one injured in renewed Jukun-Tiv violence

A fresh outbreak of ethnic violence between the Jukun and Tiv communities has erupted in Taraba State, with suspected Jukun militias launching an early-morning attack on Dekeh Village along the Wukari–Kente Road.
According to security sources available to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
About six armed assailants stormed the village, opening fire indiscriminately and setting 15 huts ablaze. The attack forced residents to flee in panic, leaving behind food items, including yam seedlings, which were destroyed in the blaze.
One resident identified as Mdue Saaondo, sustained gunshot injuries during the assault. He was rescued by a joint team of police and military personnel and transported to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Wukari for medical treatment.
The Taraba State Police Command has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have also scheduled a security meeting with the Wukari Local Government Traditional Council as part of efforts to restore peace and encourage dialogue between the Tiv and Jukun communities, who have long-standing disputes over land and territorial claims.
“Patrol and surveillance operations are ongoing to forestall further violence and ensure stability in the area,” police authorities stated.
The incident adds to the growing list of violent clashes that have plagued southern Taraba in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the communal tensions.
News
2025 U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles zoom into quarter-final after draw with Kenya

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked a place in the quarter-final at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after playing out a 2-2 draw against Kenya.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side finished second in Group B with five points from three games.
The Atlas Cub of Morocco top the group with seven points after beating Tunisia 3-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Kenya started the game strongly, and deservedly took the lead after six minutes.
Nigeria defender Emmanuel Chukwu handled the ball inside the box, and after initially awarding a free kick to Kenya, the centre referee pointed to the spot following consultation with VAR.
Captain Kevin Wangaya Colly slotted the ball past Ebenezer Harcourt to give the Rising Stars the lead.
The Flying Eagles fought back seven minutes later with Lillestrøm striker Kparobo Arierhi netting after he was put on through on goal by Simon Cletus.
Nigeria dominated the game in the second half but failed to test the Kenyan goalkeeper.
Kenya took the lead for the second time in the game through substitute William Nwangi on 68 minutes.
Nwangi lashed home Humphrey Kegengo’s free kick from inside the box.
Daniel Bameyi, however, converted from the spot to hand the Flying Eagles a share of the spoils.
News
Trump announces judicial nominees, accuses US court of obstruction

United States President Donald Trump has announced a fresh slate of judicial nominees in a series of posts on Truth Social on Tuesday.
The president, who has repeatedly expressed frustration over what he sees as judicial obstruction, followed up on Wednesday with a post criticising the judiciary for allegedly preventing him from carrying out the mandate of the American people.
The Republican leader, whose second-term agenda has encountered multiple judicial roadblocks, wrote: “Our Court System is not letting me do the job I was Elected to do.
“Activist judges must let the [Donald] Trump Administration deport murderers, and other criminals who have come into our Country illegally, WITHOUT DELAY!!!”
Trump named Maria Lanahan, Missouri’s Principal Deputy Solicitor General, as a nominee for a judgeship on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He praised her as “a true patriot” in a post on Tuesday.
The 78-year-old also nominated Judge Cristian Stevens to serve on the same court, describing him in another post as “a Great Patriot.”
The announcements came a day after a federal appeals court declined the Trump administration’s request to revoke temporary legal status from hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Cubans living in the United States.
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