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ActionAid Demands Justice For Journalists Killed In Pursuit Of Truth

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As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2023 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, IDEI, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Wednesday, demanded justice for journalists killed in pursuit of truth.

The demand was in a statement signed by the Country Director, AAN, Andrew Mamedu, whose 2023 commemoration focused on violence against journalists.

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According to Mamedu, media workers faced unlawful detention, harassment, or physical assaults while diligently covering Nigeria’s presidential and federal elections.

Every year since 2013, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) has served as a poignant reminder of the Journalists who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

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He said, ‘‘ActionAid Nigeria stands in solemn remembrance of the Journalists who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth.

“The commemoration of the observance this year focuses on violence against Journalists, the integrity of elections, and the role of public leadership. We reiterate our commitment to press freedom, and we raise our voice against the peril of impunity for crimes committed against Journalists.

“This year marked a significant general election, during which at least 14 Journalists and media workers faced unlawful detention, harassment, or physical assaults while diligently covering Nigeria’s presidential and federal elections. Days leading up to the polls were marred by further incidents, including attacks and unjust denial of access for Journalists covering election preparations.

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“The demolition of the DAAR Communication building in Rivers State was another blatant assault on press freedom and an affront to democratic principles. These incidents starkly underscore the challenges Journalists face in their mission to inform the public.

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“Regrettably, Nigeria is yet to witness the kind of just resolution for Journalists as exemplified by the landmark Amakiri v. Iwowari case of 1973. Tragically, cases like the killing of Precious Owolabi of channels TV, Bolade Fasasi of NAWOJ, Zakariya Isa of NTA, the infamous Dele Giwa’s murder, killing of Tordue Salem of Vanguard newspaper, Pelumi Onifade, reportedly killed by officials of the Nigerian police during the #EndSARS protests, and many others, remain unresolved.

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He also lamented that, “These incidents highlight a grim pattern where perpetrators of such heinous acts against Journalists go unapprehended, unprosecuted, and unpunished.

“We have also seen repeated cases of public officers being the perpetrators of these crimes against Journalists, such as the Agba Jalingo case where he was denied the chance to exercise his constitutional right to request bail on allegations of defaming a relative of a sitting governor.

“There have been instances where security officers from a state government house assaulted Journalists from Channels TV and Daily Post.

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“It is appalling that public office holders, particularly state governments, are among the major perpetrators of crimes against Journalists.”

He (Mamedu) called on President Bola Tinubu and State Governors to investigate and prosecute those who have violated journalists across the country in order to end the impunity.

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“ActionAid Nigeria demands that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all State Governors take a bold step to order an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into these incidents, with a fervent call for accountability.

“Such executive action would demonstrate the administration’s clear stand against impunity for crimes against Journalists and create a renewed sense of hope and confidence in the government’s dedication to upholding democratic principles and safeguarding the rights of Journalists.

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“The protection and well-being of Journalists are not negotiable; they form the bedrock of a free, informed, and democratic society.”

He also cautioned that, “As Nigeria approaches other off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States, the States’ government and security agencies must prioritise the safety and protection of Journalists covering the electoral activities.

“It is imperative that Journalists are afforded unimpeded access to cover election proceedings, safeguarding the principles of a free and informed electorate.’’
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Shock As Adeleke Employs Roadside puff-puff Hawker As Govt House Chef

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday shocked a female puff-puff seller during a rally in Osogbo by buying all her snacks with ₦50,000 and offering her employment as a chef at the Government House.

This happened when Osun public servants trooped out in their thousands in what they called an appreciation solidarity rally in support of the governor for his support and care since he took over state governance.

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It was observed that the governor, who sat in the bus, had sighted the woman who was among the crowd cheering him.

He immediately beckoned to the woman carrying a plastic container filled with puff-puff on her head and asked how much it would cost to buy all the snacks.

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The female hawker, who was visibly surprised and star-struck at the level of her proximity to the governor, found it difficult to even tell the governor how much she sold the snacks.

Surprisingly, Adeleke handed her a bundle of ₦50,000 to the cheers of the crowd.

The lucky woman knelt down in appreciation of the governor’s generosity.

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Excited onlookers quickly rushed to share the snacks in the plastic already purchased by the governor.

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The governor invited the vendor inside the vehicle where one of his officials questioned her academic background, and she revealed that she holds a Nigerian Certificate in Education.

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Adeleke further asked about the dishes she could prepare and instructed his aides to take her contact details for employment as a chef in the Government House.

Confirming the development, the Commissioner II at the Osun State Civil Service Commission, Olaniyan Taofeek, shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “The moment Gov. Adeleke turned the life of a puff-puff seller into a Government House chef.”

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A Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, also corroborated the incident in a post on X, stating: “Moment Governor Ademola Adeleke turned the life of a puff-puff seller to Government Chef… not only ₦50k but he invited her into his car and employed her as chef in the Government House.”

The Guardian correspondent, who was at the scene of the welcome rally, made efforts to interview the lucky vendor, but they did not yield as she was not allowed to alight from the bus throughout the event.
(The Guardian)

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Katsina Govt Revokes Licenses Of All Private, Community Schools

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The Katsina State Government has withdrawn the operating licenses of all private and community schools in the state, with effect from August 13, 2025.

The announcement came through a circular issued by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and signed by Commissioner Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa.

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The ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Sani Danjuma, released the document in Katsina on Saturday.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Kastina Commissioner Assassinated

According to the circular, the move is part of the government’s effort to strengthen quality assurance and standardization within the education sector.

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The withdrawal of licenses is aimed at ensuring that schools operate in line with approved standards and provide quality education to students,” Danjuma said.

The circular also outlined a review of fees for license application, registration, and annual renewal.

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“Owners of affected schools are required to obtain fresh licenses by submitting proof of payment to the ministry on or before September 30, 2025.”

The statement also added that school operators have been warned not to increase tuition or other charges without government approval.

The ministry further promised to issue additional guidelines soon, including categorization of schools and the revised fee structure.

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JUST IN: Oldest Missionary To Nigeria, Ruth Elton, Is Dead

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British-born Nigerian missionary, Ruth Elton, reputed to be the oldest missionary has passed on at the age of 91.

Ruth Elton, born 7 September 1933, was a British-born Nigerian missionary whose lifelong dedication to faith, healing, and revival left an indelible mark on communities across western and central Nigeria.

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It was learnt that Elton died on Saturday at Sharon compound, Alafia Bamin Quarters in Ilesa, Osun State.

She was the only daughter of Pa Elton and her remains have been deposited at the mortuary.

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Ruth Elton, daughter of Sydney Granville Elton (Pa Elton), who is referred to as one of the founding fathers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, had approached a Kaduna court and nationalised as a Nigerian.

At old age and despite the happenings in Nigeria, she still held in high esteem her father’s prophecies that although Nigeria could be known globally for corruption, it would only for a while as new dawn would beckon when the country would be known worldwide for righteousness and prosperity.

Elton moved to Nigeria in 1937 with her parents and served as a Christian missionary across Egbe, Okene, Koton Karfe, and other parts of Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun States.

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A naturalised Nigerian, having renounced her British citizenship in the 1970s, she embraced the country completely and became fluent in Ebira and Yoruba.

Elton, who remained single, believed that she had made a true mark in the country and apart from her missionary work, she saw her efforts in taming infant mortality, especially in Okene, Kogi State as a generational impact.

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Relating her experience on infant mortality in the country, Elton recently noted that many newborn babies had passed on due to lack of proper care and hygiene, adding that the practice of force-feeding babies contributed to the challenges, especially in the face of poor awareness.

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