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Stakeholders, Union Leaders Honor Ex-President Isiguzo

Published

1 day ago

February 14, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

… as NUJ President Yahya assures Media Enhancement Bill Underway

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya, has called for unity among journalists across Nigeria to collectively transform the media landscape.

Speaking at a reception organized in honor of the immediate past NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, in Abuja, Yahya emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing the challenges within the profession, particularly in the areas of remuneration and media protections.

“We are all here to support someone who has paid his dues. I sincerely appeal to all of us to work together towards changing the narrative by developing new strategies that will elevate our union, especially concerning the remuneration of Nigerian journalists,” Yahya stated.

He announced plans to establish a committee focused on designing a fresh media enhancement bill, which would involve a wide range of stakeholders, including the Guild of Editors, the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and international NGOs.

“We will incorporate everyone, including sister organizations and NGOs aligned within our thematic areas” he explained. “Together, we will take this initiative to the National Assembly. We have identified some members who are ready to sponsor this bill. With their support, we will change the narrative.”

Yahya assured that members of the National Assembly are ready to support the effort and expressed optimism for a future where journalists enjoy better protection and recognition.

Also speaking at the event, the immediate past President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, commended Yahya’s leadership and reflected on his own tenure.

“One good thing is that this is taking place before my very eyes” Isiguzo said.

He noted that Yahaya had successfully continued many reforms that began during his presidency.“

Reflecting on the upcoming media enhancement bill, Isiguzo expressed optimism that this time the initiative would succeed.

“We failed in the past because we thought we could do it alone,” he explained. “But this time, we have key media stakeholders coming together to say, ‘This is our project.’ With the involvement of organizations like the International Press Institute and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, we have a real chance to make it happen.”

Isiguzo further stressed the urgent need for a legal framework to protect journalists in Nigeria. “It’s sad that today, there is no law in Nigeria specifically protecting journalists,” he lamented. “We’ve been pushing for necessary legislation, and I’m confident we’ll have it soon.”

He underscored the importance of unity within the NUJ and pledged continued efforts to improve conditions for journalists across the country. “Our prayer is that you will succeed, and by the time your term ends, there will be a peaceful transition once again,” he added.

Vice Presidents of North Central, Adeiza Momohjimoh, South West, Ronke Samo and North East, Zare Baba praised Isiguzo’s leadership, insisting that the former president laid solid foundation for the present administration to thrive.

“The President is very kind, homely, and loving. He is a true father and leader who goes out of his way to guide and support you,” she said. “He’s a man of integrity, reliable and trustworthy. You can give him anything about yourself and rest assured.”

“Dr. Chris Isiguzo is a unique individual, a man of his word who walks the talk. Although he is not God, he is someone who has protected everything entrusted to him with great care. We may not have much to offer, but you have impacted our lives. We will make you proud,” Samo noted.

Present at the event was the first female Deputy National President of the NUJ Dr Bimbo Oyetunde, National Chairperosn of NAWOJ Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, Chairman NUJ FCT Comrade Grace Ike, NAWOJ Chairperson FCT, VP’s, Zonal Secretaries, Community Leaders, Union Stakeholders, Friends and well wishers who all hailed the virtues of Dr Christopher Isiguzo MFR .

Related Topics:chairman community Nigeria Nigerian president

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President Xi Pledges Stronger Ties with Africa at AU Summit

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Chinese President, Xi Jinping has congratulated African countries on their achievements, even as he reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting development In the continent.

President Xi in a message communicated through a letter to the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, acknowledged Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, eemphasising how the AU has played a key role in promoting regional unity and tackling challenges. He praised Africa’s progress and wished its nations continued success in their pursuit of economic growth and stability.

Reflecting on China-Africa relations in 2024, President Xi highlighted the success of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which strengthened ties between the two regions. He emphasized China’s readiness to work with African leaders to implement key projects that will benefit both sides.

China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and remains a major investor in infrastructure, energy, and industry. Chinese companies have contributed to projects like the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, solar power plants in South Africa, and hydroelectric facilities in Zambia. By the end of 2023, China’s direct investment in Africa exceeded $40 billion.

Looking ahead, 2025 marks 25 years of FOCAC and China plans to introduce further trade benefits, infrastructure investments, and development programs aimed at boosting Africa’s economic transformation. Initiatives like zero-tariff treatment, improved transport networks, and new livelihood projects are set to create more opportunities for African nations.

Despite global uncertainties, President Xi reaffirmed China’s unwavering support for Africa, pledging continued cooperation based on mutual respect and shared benefits. He emphasized that China will always stand by Africa as a reliable partner in its modernization journey.

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EFCC Arraigns 11 more Chinese over Alleged Internet Fraud in Lagos

Published

8 hours ago

February 15, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February 14, 2025, arraigned 11 more Chinese and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for fraud.

The defendants are: Li Niu, Xiao Qinyun, Fu Zheng Yang, Xiao Yi, Bei Bei Linde Jun, Li Hang, Huan Livo, Wang Wei Tong Mo Ying, Gao Yang, Zebin Chen and Yuan Zhibin.
They are part of the 792-member syndicate of alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024 by officers of the EFCC in a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation.”

The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyber-terrorism,
cybercrimes, possession of documents containing false pretence, advance fee fraud and identity theft.

The charge against Jun reads: “That you, BEI BEI LINDE JUN, (Female), adult and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED sometime between the 28th of November, 2024 and 10th of December, 2024. at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems which were organized to destabilize the social and economic structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when you secretly procured and employed several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer related fraud, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.,) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015 (As amended).”

Niu’s charge reads: “That you, LI NIU sometimes in 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourabe Court, had in your possession documents where you represented yourself as “LISA’ and that you are a female from Singapore, a representation which you knew or ought to have known is false and you thereby committed and offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, F.S. Mohammed, A.M. Dambuwq and N.C. Mutfwang asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a Correctional Centre.

Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till March 14 and 21, 2025 for trial, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.
efcc.gov.ng

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Igbos angry over teaching only Yoruba language in Lagos-owned schools, threaten to sue Sanwo-Olu’s govt

Published

8 hours ago

February 15, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Igbo Women Assembly, a pressure group, has vowed to drag the Lagos government to court over its legislation for the exclusive teaching of the Yoruba language in state-owned schools.

IWA national president Nneka Chimezie disclosed this at a news briefing in Umuahia on Thursday.

IWA is affiliated with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation

Ms Chimezie said the group was worried over such legislation in a cosmopolitan state as Lagos.

According to her, such a law is improper because the government knows Lagos harbours many other tribes.

“They should make it open: Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba – should be taught,” she said.

The IWA president, however, hailed the Yoruba for preserving their language.

She called on the Igbo sons and daughters to join IWA in the campaign to stop the Igbo language from going into extinction.

She said the group would organise an event to celebrate the Igbo Language on February 21 to commemorate the United Nation’s Mother Tongue Day.

Ms Chimezie said the event, which would be held in Umuahia, would bring together many prominent sons and daughters of Igboland to discuss the way forward for the language.

“We are coming together to talk about our language, rub minds to see how we can stop our language from going into extinction.

“We are going to have a roundtable, after which we will come up with a communique,” the IWA president said.

She called on Governor Charles Soludo to checkmate the activities of Agunechemba – a vigilance group and stop the extra-judicial killings in Anambra.

“When they make arrests, they should hand the suspects over to the police for proper investigation and prosecution rather than killing them.

“Agunechemba has no right to arrest and kill, and there have been too much blood-letting and killing of our youths in the South-East,” Ms Chimezie said.

(NAN)