Connect with us

News

Nigerian Police Grill FIJ Board Of Trustees Chair, Declare Award-winning Journalist, Fisayo Soyombo Wanted

Published

on

 

 

 

FIJ recently exposed irregularities in the country’s customs service personnel and the invitation could be connected to that.

 

The Nigeria Police Force has asked the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) Board of Trustees, Bukky Shonibare to produce the medium executive director and editor-in-chief, Fisayo Soyombo.

 

FIJ recently exposed irregularities in the country’s customs service personnel and the invitation could be connected to that.

 

Mrs Shonibare mentioned this while narrating what she faced when she honoured the initial invitation by the police in Abuja on the same matter, FIJ reports.

According to her, ‘Fisayo is willing to honour the police invitation if invited and clarified that the award-winning journalist is not on the run as assumed by the police.

Advert

 

She said, “The investigator closed his iPad, put his hands on the table and said, well we need to speak to ‘Fisayo. You need to produce ‘Fisayo. So I said, if he said I need to produce ‘Fisayo, that sounds like you have tried to get ‘Fisayo or you’ve invited him and he did not come, so you need me, in whatever capacity, to go and produce him.

“So, I had to clarify that ‘Fisayo was not on the run; it is not like they had invited him and he didn’t come. So, he asked when I could come with ‘Fisayo. I asked if he was inviting me again. He said, yes, but I had to return with ‘Fisayo.

“So, I told him we have to get back to ‘Fisayo and to know when he’ll be available to come, and when he’s around; ‘Fisayo is not running. He took the statement in and came back outside and asked us to come see the deputy director. He had exited at some point into the questioning.

“So, they took us in and he said, madam, how was it? I told him that questions were asked, and questions were answered. He asked if I was treated well, and I said that was subjective. He then said that he could see we were being careful and all of that, that we could be friends. He was doing everything possible to be nice and playful.

“He asked why FIJ was not like another specific non-profit organisation.

“The deputy director said that he was friends with this non-profit organisation. He said that they would go to do their research and bring the information to the police. ‘So, why are we publishing our work?’ he asked. ‘Why don’t we bring some findings to them and settle things amicably?’

“I told him that FIJ is the Foundation for Investigative Journalism. That’s the work that we do. We’re not another befriending non-profit bringing stories to them. We don’t work that way. Our job is to publish stories.”

News

Emir Sanusi Seeks Compensation, Reallocation of Demolished Eid Ground Stalls

Published

on

 

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has appealed to the Kano State Government to compensate traders affected by the demolition of shops at the Filin Idi market in Kofar Mata, Kano, and reallocate stalls to enable them to resume their businesses.

Professor Ibrahim Muazzam Mai Bushira disclosed this during a special prayer session organised by traders affected by the demolition at the Eid Ground in Kofar Mata, where participants prayed for divine intervention and government assistance to alleviate their hardship.

According to Mai Bushira, the Emir has written to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, requesting compensation for the affected traders and appealing for measures to address the economic losses they have suffered following the demolition.

He expressed hope that Almighty Allah would reward the Emir for his intervention and urged Governor Yusuf to consider the demands of the traders to enable them to rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods.

Mai Bushira said the demolition had caused severe hardship among traders, many of whom depended on their shops as their primary sources of income. He added that some affected individuals had reportedly died, while others had developed high blood pressure following the destruction of their businesses and the resulting economic difficulties.

He explained that the prayer session was organised to seek Allah’s intervention in their predicament and pray for the restoration of their livelihoods, noting that the destruction of the shops had adversely affected the lives of many families who depended on the market for survival.

Advert

Speaking at the gathering, Professor Ahmad Muhammad of the Federal University, Dutse (FUD), described Kano as a major commercial centre and called on the Kano State Government to pay attention to the plight of the affected traders and the economic implications of the demolition.

Professor Muhammad also appealed to international entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities to support the development of the market, stressing that the destruction of the shops had resulted in substantial financial losses running into billions of naira.

He urged the government to consider establishing a modern market at the location, arguing that the Filin Idi market was not merely a trading centre for Kano but also an important commercial destination for traders from different parts of Nigeria and across Africa.

According to him, the market provides livelihoods for more than one million people, directly and indirectly, making its reconstruction and rehabilitation important to the economic well-being of Kano and its trading community.

The professor further stressed the need for a sustainable solution that would enable displaced traders to return to business, restore commercial activities and protect the economic interests of the large population that depended on the market.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the affected traders’ association, Auwal Said Umar, expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah and Emir Sanusi II for their support and intervention in the traders’ situation.

Umar said many of the affected traders were currently unable to engage in their usual commercial activities because their shops had been demolished, leaving them without the means to sustain their businesses and families.

He disclosed that the market previously had about 700 blocks of shops before the demolition, adding that many traders lacked the financial capacity to reconstruct their businesses without assistance from the government.

The association chairman said the government had allocated 75 stalls for reconstruction but appealed for an increase in the number to accommodate more affected traders and enable them to return to their businesses.

Umar called on the Kano State Government to provide additional support, stressing that the existing allocation was insufficient to address the needs of the large number of traders who lost their shops during the demolition.

The traders urged the government to work with their association and other relevant stakeholders to develop a lasting solution that would provide adequate trading spaces, restore commercial activities and ease the economic hardship caused by the demolition.

Continue Reading

News

Gombe flags off the disbursement of the second batch of the AGILE Conditional Cash Transfer

Published

on

 

Gombe State Government has flagged-off the distribution of ATM cards to Adolescent Girls in public schools under the Conditional Cash Transfer,CCT of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE Project.

Speaking at the flagging off of the disbursement at Government Junior Secondary School Malamsidi central in Kwami Local Government area, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari said the disbursement of the CCT is part of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s zeal and passion for the girl child education in the state.

Advert

She said the concept is also geared towards supporting parents to cater for their children to remain in schools up to completion of their secondary education.

Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari then assured the students that the government will continue to bring more educational policies that will further support students to pursue education with ease.

Earlier, the project coordinator of the AGILE, Dr. Amina Abdul noted that with the disbursement of the second cohort of the conditional cash transfer, the project was able to record significant improvement in enrollment and retention of students in schools across the state.

The project coordinator therefore urged parents to utilize the funds judiciously through supporting the education of their children.

Continue Reading

News

‎China, Nigeria Mark Friendship with Joint Cultural Mural

Published

on

 

‎A colourful mural celebrating both China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day has been unveiled at an overseas project site, serving as a vivid symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations.
‎
‎The artwork, jointly produced by Chinese and Nigerian staff, features builders dressed in traditional Chinese costumes and Nigerian ethnic attire holding hands and dancing together.
‎
Above them, fireworks and white doves of peace illuminate the sky, while the inscription “10.1” highlights the dual significance of October 1, the China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day.
‎
‎On the left side of the mural, ancient Chinese architecture, red lanterns and auspicious cloud motifs showcase Chinese heritage.
‎
On the right, red earth, coconut palms and African drums reflect Nigeria’s cultural identity. Flowing ribbons weave across the painting, symbolising unity and shared destiny.
‎
‎Project officials described the mural as a “living testament” to cooperation at the frontline of development. They said it embodies mutual trust and support as workers from both countries overcome challenges together.
‎
‎The initiative underscores cultural integration and partnership, with both sides pledging to continue working hand in hand to strengthen ties.
‎
“Celebrating two festivals as one, we march forward with one heart,” a statement read, emphasising the commitment to write new chapters of friendship along the path of cooperation.
‎
‎The mural, rooted in the overseas project site, stands as a reminder of the brotherly bond between China and Nigeria, and the shared vision of building together for a brighter future.

Advert

Continue Reading

Trending