News

Controversy Trails Edo NAWOJ As Majority Members Boycott New Executive Inuaguration

Published

6 years ago

December 3, 2019

… Slaughters Qualification On Alter Of Attendance

New executives to pilot the affairs of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State Chapter, for the next three years were inuagurated with majority of the members boycotting the inuaguration.

The inuaguration boycotted by the immediate past chairperson of Edo NAWOJ, Mrs. Flora Bossey, the present vice chairman of Edo Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mrs. Imelda Osayande, the present Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Edo NUJ, Mrs. Nafishetu Yakubu and other key stakeholders of the Association, was apparently without election.

Earlier, in a hitted debate yesterday, some of the aggrieved members partucularly those disqualified had called on chairman of the NUJ in Edo State, Sir Roland Osakue, to intervene on the impasse in the Association particularly disqualification of contestants on the ground of not meeting congress attendant requirement, adding that the registers presented were incomplete, photocopied.

The NUJ chairman, however, said NAWOJ issue was not in his purview, adding that the body has national body that decide for it hence all complaints should be channelled to the national body.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier before the inuaguration, chairman of the caretaker committee/credentials Mrs. Peace Ifidon accused the aggrieved members of deliberately stealing the hardcover note wherein a comprehensive congresses attendant was.

She said some person were hell-bent in frustrating her committee to make sure the committee fails but all their attempt were brought to naught.

She emphasised that the committee basically and strictly worked with the constitution of the NUJ hence those disqualified by the committee did not meet requirement regarding congress attendant as required by the constitution.

In her speech, the new chairman, Edo NAWOJ, Mrs. Adesuwa Ehimuan, assured women journalists in the state of running an open an inclusive administration.

She promised to set up a reconcilation committee to making sure that all aggrieved members come back so there will unity in the Association.

Recall that Info Daily had reported some days ago that some aggrieved members protested and alleged that there were plans to disqualified some contestants on ground of attendance, stressing that the registers were being manipulated and photocopied.

Speaking through Joy Musa, they alleged the attendant rigister being emphasised as cretaria for contesting the election was not complete, saying photocopy was presented rather than the original copy which according to them is more reliable and authentic.

She said most of the congresses held in the past dispensation were on ground of emergency, and that members were informed less than 24 hours, stressing that the immediate past secretary then failed to perform her duty.

The aggrieved members then accused NAWOJ/NUJ of compromising educational qualification by allowing some educational unqualified contestants.

“We say no to injustice! Apart from that, one of the contestants in the forthcoming election does not have result, she only presented NECO certificate. When she wanted to contest three years ago, she went to bring IIJ admission letter, she contested, now after three years, she want to contest so she went to Open University to bring admission letter from there, another admission letter, and you want to tell me she is qualified?

She never wrote a single exam at IIJ. Now, we have heard that she has written petition to Abuja that she has written all her exams and that she is waiting for her result and convocation, is that allowed in anywhere? Illegality will not be allowed in Edo NAWOJ. If that is allowed, I can go to Emaguero college to bring primary 5 pupil to contest the secretary position of Edo NAWOJ.

“We don’t want someone who does not have first degree, ND, HND but ‘certificate less’ to come and lead us in Edo NAWOJ. We will not allow it; it is an abberation. Manipulation of attendance to suit certain persons will not be allowed in this election. Somebody who do not have result, coming from the back door to contest election will not be allowed. What is right should be done by the NUJ, we are seeking for justice, she requested”, she said.

Info Daily has been keenly monitoring the crises and can authoritatively report that, when the list of contestants was first pasted on the notice board of the NUJ by the then Imelda Osayande led credentials committee earlier, some contestants were pasted with the maximum qualification of NECO accompanied by admission letters of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) and National Open University of Nigeria.

Imelda committee was dissolved and since then it has been ‘past and remove’ of contestants list on the notice board severally.

Out of the numerous lists pasted, Info Daily observed that at list two carried some contestants having maximum qualification of SSCE before such was expunged and a list carrying IIJ, Abuja was pasted.

The question, however, some of the Union members are asking is, where was the IIJ result when such contestants presented NECO or WAEC as their maximum qualification?

Another question begging for answer is, was it within the few months the crises lingered that such persons went to the school in question and acquired such result?

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.