News
Stakeholders, Union Leaders Honor Ex-President Isiguzo
… 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 .
…hails emergence of Bawa as state chairman
The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District Senator Manu Haruna on Sunday donated five operational vehicles to Taraba Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to enhance its operations.
Manu also seized the opportunity to congratulate the state Chairman, Hon Abubakar Bawa when he visited the secretariat in Jalingo last Sunday.
The former State Deputy Governor expressed his congratulations to Chairman Bawa and the state working committee for their election, emphasizing the importance of unity and progress within the party. He commended their commitment to strengthening the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State.
In a generous move to enhance the operational capacity of the party at the grassroots level, Senator Manu donated five vehicles — one for each Local Government Area (LGA) party chapter in Taraba Central.
This donation is intended to facilitate better coordination and outreach efforts within the party.
Senator Manu praised Hon. Abubakar Bawa for his dedicated efforts to elevate the PDP in the state, asserting that Taraba will always remain a stronghold for the party.
In response, State Party Chairman Alhaji Bawa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Senator Manu for his thoughtful visit and generous donation. He acknowledged the impact of such contributions on the party’s progress and reemphasized the commitment of the PDP to serve the interests of the people in Taraba State.
By Francesca Hangeior
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has canvassed for greater efforts and commitments to the Federal Government’s aspirations to produce a workable legal framework for the country.
He charged the Committee put in place by the federal government to review, revise and consolidate the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, LFN, to double the efforts and commitments to deliver on the mandate at the appointed time.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, spoke on Monday in Abuja at the second retreat of the Committee put in place in October last year for the laws of the federation revision and reform.
The AGF while challenging the committee to be up and doing asked the members to remain united in purpose and steadfast in the resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of the nation’s aspirations.
He said the second retreat organized by the federal government was a strategic consolidation of the national law reform efforts and to provide an invaluable opportunity to come up with a better workable legal framework for the nation.
“Let me start by expressing gratitude to the Chairman, Co-Chairperson and members of the Committee for their selfless service and sacrifice, to ensure that this project is executed efficiently and effectively.
“The call to be part of this assignment is indeed a sacred that inevitably and positively affects the lives of individuals, government, businesses as well as citizens of this nation.
“The general purpose of law is to regulate human behavior by protecting lives and properties in society. The inauguration of the Committee on the 24th October, 2024 marked a historic milestone in our collective efforts to modernize, consolidate, and harmonize Nigeria’s body of federal statutes.
“The retreat successfully provides a clear framework for the structure and methodology of the revision exercise, oriented the 14 Working Groups tasked with reviewing specific legal subject areas, and fostered collaboration among key institutions and stakeholders on the project.
“Following the initial retreat, I wish to note that the Committee has recorded steady progress in its work.
“The Ministry has taken several measures to ensure that the assignment is delivered efficiently, including:training sessions for secretaries of the working groups to enhance documentation and coordination; technical meetings of the main committee and its various sub-committees; working sessions and deliberations among editors and reviewers; and ongoing technical collation of revised laws by the Secretariat.
“This second retreat is a strategic consolidation of our national law reform efforts and provides an invaluable opportunity to: review progress made since the first phase;
address any technical or structural challenges encountered during the collation process;
– Harmonize the output across working groups; and set the tone for the final stages of this important project.
“The next stage of the law review and consolidation process would include editing and proofreading the reviewed legislation, ahead of the final collation, production and printing of the laws of the federation.
“It is my conviction that these phases will be executed with even greater commitment by the Committee, with the support of stakeholders and development partners.
“I wish to commend the leadership of the LFN Committee, the Secretariat for its diligent coordination and day-to-day management as well as the Working Groups, Editors, and Reviewers, for their intellectual rigour and professionalism.
“Special gratitude to our development partners, particularly RoLAC, for standing firmly behind this national project.
“Let me urge all participants to use this retreat as a platform for robust engagement, peer learning, and practical collaboration.
“We must remain united in purpose and steadfast in our resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of our nation’s aspirations.
” I wish to express gratitude for your commitment to duty and I charge you to work in synergy and cooperation, in the overall interest of the nation”, the AGF said.
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has replied to the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the reason for relocating its Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.
Ibas faulted the reason cited by the NBA, describing it as misleading and uncharitable.
The Sole Administrator stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, and sent to newsmen.
He said while the NBA reserves the right to choose a venue for its conference, the association had yet to address the issue of the refund of the hosting rights paid by the state government for the conference.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
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