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Press Freedom: IPI Nigeria Calls on New Acting IGP to End Police Harassment of Journalists

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has issued an urgent appeal to the newly appointed acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, urging him to make press freedom and the safety of journalists a cornerstone of his leadership.

IPI Nigeria, in a statement, urged Disu to immediately halt the harassment, intimidation, and attacks against journalists that marked the tenure of his predecessor, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.

Under Egbetokun’s leadership, journalists were reportedly harassed, unlawfully detained, and in some cases assaulted while performing their constitutional duties.

“The police, as a critical institution in a democratic society, have a constitutional responsibility to uphold the fundamental rights of all Nigerians, including freedom of expression and the press,” the organisation said in the statement signed by Musikilu Mojeed, President of IPI Nigeria, and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser.

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IPI Nigeria specifically urged the new police chief to end all forms of harassment, intimidation, and unlawful detention of journalists; review and withdraw pending cases targeting journalists for legitimate professional work; introduce a reorientation programme for police personnel focused on press freedom and human rights; and establish clear communication channels between the police and media stakeholders to prevent and resolve conflicts.

IPI Nigeria noted that persistent violations under the previous administration led to Mr Egbetokun being included in its “Book of Infamy,” a record of individuals and institutions whose actions or inaction facilitated attacks on press freedom in Nigeria.

The body urged Mr Disu to chart a different course and rebuild trust between the police and the media, emphasising that press freedom is essential for Nigeria’s democracy.

“A free and independent press strengthens accountability, enhances transparency, and supports law enforcement by responsibly informing the public,” IPI Nigeria said.

Concluding on a note of constructive engagement, IPI Nigeria emphasised that the roles of the police and the media are complementary, not adversarial. It reiterated its full readiness to work with the new police leadership to address concerns and promote a relationship built on mutual respect and shared democratic values.

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Kano Online Media Chapel Honours Gov Abba Yusuf with Excellence Award

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The Kano Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday honoured the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his administration’s unwavering support for the media profession and commitment to strengthening journalism in the state.
The award presentation ceremony was held at the Council Chamber, Government House, Kano, in the presence of members of the Kano State Executive Council and other senior government officials.
The honour was conferred on Governor Yusuf in appreciation of his administration’s sustained partnership with the Kano Online Media Chapel, particularly for facilitating the training of more than 50 online journalists on modern and ethical news reporting, digital journalism, fact-checking, and emerging media technology

Receiving the award, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed gratitude to the Kano Online Media Chapel for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to do more in advancing media development in the state.
The Governor commended members of the Chapel for their professionalism and contributions to promoting truth, public awareness, and responsible journalism. He pledged that his administration would continue to support the Nigeria Union of Journalists and other media organisations through capacity-building initiatives and policies that strengthen the journalism profession.
Governor Yusuf also urged journalists to uphold the ethics of the profession by ensuring accuracy, fairness, and objectivity in their reports, emphasizing that credible journalism remains essential to good governance, peace, and sustainable development.

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Presenting the award, the Chairman of the Kano Online Media Chapel, NUJ, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, said the recognition was a reflection of Governor Yusuf’s outstanding contributions to media development and his administration’s consistent support for journalists.
Dangambo noted that the Governor’s investment in capacity building has equipped members of the Chapel with modern reporting skills, enabling them to meet the evolving demands of digital journalism while promoting professionalism, accuracy, and ethical reporting.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor for recognising the critical role of online media in promoting transparency, public enlightenment, and democratic governance, describing the award as a symbol of gratitude from journalists who have directly benefited from the administration’s media-friendly policies.

 

Earlier speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, commended the Kano Online Media Chapel for its dedication to promoting responsible journalism and professional excellence. He described the media as an indispensable partner in democratic governance, stressing that credible and ethical reporting remains vital to informing the public and supporting government accountability.

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Tinubu’s Projects In The North Are Traceable-Kwankwaso

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The Forum of Federal Government appointees from Kano under Senator Bashir Garba Lado, has strongly challenged opposition Leaders to showcase what they have on stock that they will do better than President Tinubu clear Developmental Projects, rather than negative criticism.

Speaking in a released, the Spokesperson of the Forum of the Federal Government appointees, Dr Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, said, Wednesday that, overtime the opposition leaders of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and others have not clearly spelled out their missions to Government but rather everyday they go one criticizing President Tinubu whose Projects across the Country and the North is specific can be clearly seen.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is executing a massive portfolio of infrastructure and developmental projects across Kano and Northern Nigeria, valued at trillions of Naira, spanning highways, railways, power, and agriculture, which an be touched and seen not mare baseless opposition”, Kwankwaso notes.

In trying to highlight some of the projects, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, who is also the Executive Director Finance Hadejia Jammaare River Basin, fall under the “Renewed Hope” agenda, and in Kano alone there are more 30 of such projects.

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso believes that the Projects execution and the concern shown by the President on Kano and the entire North are worthy of given him heavy votes across Northern Nigeria that will secure his smooth 2nd Term in office.

He said that with the intervention of the President in Kano and other Northern Nigeria, he will have massive votes that awaits his reelection back to office comes 2027 in Kano and other Northern States.

He listed projects like the Kano–Kongolom Road, a major 132-kilometre, at N334 billion dualization and construction project aimed at connecting Kano with Jigawa and Katsina.

Similarly, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso explained that, the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, a Massive ongoing reconstruction utilizing durable continuous reinforced concrete pavement technology with added security enhancements like
In the same vein, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, a colossal 1,068-kilometre, six-lane economic corridor that will integrate a rail line in the median, greatly connecting Northern regions, been awarded by the President for his concern to the Northern Region.

Musa Kwankwaso hints that A 37.8-kilometre dual carriageway designed with multiple bridges to divert heavy industrial traffic away from the Kano metropolis that is Kano Eastern Bypass is ongoing and will soon be completed.

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Another giant project according Kwankwaso is the Kano–Maradi Rail Line, a flagship 284-kilometre rail project cutting through Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina, designed to ease the transportation of goods and connect Nigeria with the Niger Republic.

While on Economic growth the President is working on AKK Gas Pipeline, the 614-kilometre Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline aimed at boosting domestic gas supply, industrialization, and power generation in Northern states, adding that this projects is near been completed.

On Ecological and Agricultural intervention the President Tinubu ensure the execution of Jakara-Gogau-Zungeru Project, he approved N47 billion for this massive urban sewage and ecological drainage system in Kano metropolis to control flooding and improve sanitation.

He also created Dams & Irrigation: Multi-billion Naira federal interventions have been released for 16 dams in Kano State, including the Challawa Gorge and Tiga Dams, alongside the broader Kano River Project to support agriculture.

On Healthcare Revitalization, The federal government has continuously upgraded Federal Teaching Hospitals across Northern zones and revitalized thousands of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the IMPACT program.

Still for the loves of the North, just recently the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched the Energize Commercialize Nigeria (ECoN) initiative in Kano, converting research and creative ideas into commercially viable products to create jobs across the Northwest.

“While Northwest Development Commission: The federal government has finalized development and inspection operations for the commission’s projects and its permanent headquarters in Kano.”

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, notes that all these giant projects that are not merely on papers but they are lively going and anybody can touch and see them, shows the concern and love of the President Tinubu for the region.

He said, “President Tinubu should sleep with his two eyes closed because as per as reelection bid is concerned is a done deal and the North and Kano in particular will give him heavy votes that will quickly secure his victory”

Speaking on Peter Obi/Kwankwaso NDC Presidential Tickets, Musa Illiyasu, said that the contest is the most laughable in the recent Nigeria Political trajectory, because neither Obi no Kwankwaso have the regional recognition to win any election.

Further more, the Spokesperson of the Forum of the Federal Appointees, hints that, “Kwankwaso is flying a game with Peter Obi, because he is not sincere with their Projects”.

He added that, ” I can bet you, Kwankwaso is supporting a different Presidential Candidate, but sooner than later Nigerians would clearly see who is Kwankwaso and who did he stand with”.

The Forum Chairman Senator Bashir Garba Lado who is also the Adviser on National Assembly Senate, to the President, Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso and all other Members, expressed deep determination to ensure that after securing victory for President Tinubu, they also secure Victory for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, three Senators of Barau Jibrin, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, together with all the 24 House of Representatives seat and 40 Kano Assembly seats.

“No doubt, our determination to ensure the victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Senator Barau Jibrin, Kawu Sumaila, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and all the Reps Seats and House of Assembly is clear and by the will of God our mission will be actualize”, Kwankwaso said.

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Arewa Youth Groups Reject Kwankwaso-Obi 2027 Ticket, Insist On North-South Power Rotation Agreement

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The Arewa Youth Merger Group and the Hausa-Fulani Coalition have distanced themselves from reports that former Kano State Governor, Engineerr. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is being considered as running mate to Peter Obi. on the platform of the NDC. in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Musa Mujahid Zaitawa and made available to journalists in Kano, the group said its position followed a merger it entered into with the APC business groups, farmers, students, and other stakeholders from Northern Nigeria.

The group said the alliance was based on a 2015 agreement between the North and South-West on power rotation an 8-year term for each region.
According to the statement, part of the agreement was that the North would produce a Muslim Vice President from among the 19 Northern states. This, it said, informed the choice of Senator . Kashim Shettima from the North-East as Vice President.

The group recalled that in 2015, the North supported the South-West by delivering votes that brought Muhammadu Buhari from the North-West as President for 8 years, with Proffessor. Yemi Osinbajo from the South-West as his deputy.

After Buhari’s tenure, it added, the North again supported Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Southern Nigeria, and was given the Vice Presidency in return with Kashim Shettima from the North-East.
“As part of honoring the agreement, the positions of Secretary to the Government of the Federation and APC National Chairman were also zoned to the North,” the statement read.

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The group explained that under the current APC arrangement, all six geopolitical zones are represented:
Senate President from South-South, President from South-West, Vice President North-East, Deputy Senate President from North-West, and Speaker of the House of Representatives .
“This is to ensure that every zone feels carried along,” it said.

The Arewa Youth Merger Group said it cannot forget the role some Igbo elements played after independence when Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, were killed in the 1966 coup.
“We, the youth of Arewa, will not forget that pain. Kwankwaso is trying to bring it back by going behind the North to align with the Igbo, a move that will reduce the North to spectators in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The group described the office of Vice President as said by Kwankwaso in the other time is a like a “spare tyre” and insisted that it is almost the turn of the North to produce the President again after Tinubu completes his second term in 2031, in line with the power rotation agreement.

The group accused Peter Obi of showing hostility toward Northerners during his time as Governor of Anambra State, alleging that he expelled Northerners and ordered them to pay for residence permits. It also alleged that a mosque was demolished under his administration.
“In 2023, Peter Obi campaigned on religious lines, telling Christians to vote for him. He showed that Northerners did not matter to him,” the statement added.

The group said there was no reason for Kwankwaso to now go and bring Obi and ask Northerners to forgive the Igbo for the killings of Northern leaders, without an apology.
“If the Igbo want forgiveness for the 1966 killings of Arewa leaders, they must, through their Ndigbo organizations, formally seek pardon from the people of Arewa,” it stated.

The group reaffirmed its support for the ongoing Muslim-Muslim ticket of Tinubu and Shettima and said it will work for the same arrangement in 2027.

It said if there must be any alliance between the North and the Igbo, the Igbo must first respect the agreement made with the South-West in 2015. “Buhari did 8 years. Now it is the turn of the South to do 8 years until 2031. After that, if the North decides to support the Igbo, then an Igbo man can run for President with a Northern Muslim as Vice President,” the statement said.

The group warned that it will not allow Kwankwaso to use the North’s political capital for personal ambition and destroy the agreement between the North and South-West.
It added that it will soon organize a peaceful protest to the National Assembly and the Senate to make known the position of Arewa youths and promote national unity.

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