Headline

Edo Deputy Governor To Media Practitioners: You Benefit Most If Democracy Is Sustained

Published

4 years ago

December 20, 2021

Joseph Kanjo, Benin

… ‘We Are Breeding New Journalism’ – NUJ Chairman

Edo State deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has disclosed that the media would benefit most if demorcacy is sustained in the country, adding that if the military comes back to power everyone including the media would feel the heat.

Comrade Shaibu who disclosed this in Benin on Monday while hosting journalists at his annual breakfast with media practitioners at his residence, said the media, being a catalyst for democracy, has a very critical role to play in governance.

While urging journalists to abide by the rules of engagement by balancing every story written, Shaibu admitted that him, being the Deputy Governor of the state was as a result of an investigative journalism carried out by an NUJ member when he was detained during the military junta.

According to him, “I have also use myself as an example on what a professional journalism is and what a true whistle blower is.

“I am deputy governor today courtesy of a member of Nigeria Union of Journalists that had to go out to declare that ‘some persons have been detained for over a month, while the military claim no one was left in detention. so if you say nobody is left in detention, that is no true, some persons are still detained in the prison,’ he listed the names.

“Your pen can help to repair; your pen can help destroy. It will benefit you most when democracy is sustained. This is because if those military come back, you and I would be in trouble.

“Your role is very critical; your role is very vital. And just like we all know, if you don’t play that role well, a lot of things would be damaged; a lot of things will spoil. Government will not be put on its toe to know that things are going wrong,” he said.

While commenting on the new Edo NUJ executive, the Deputy Governor expressed optimism that the Alenkhe-led executive would take the council to an enviable heights.

Earlier in his remarks, chairman, Edo NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, declared a new breed in the council.

He urged Edo State Government to partner with the NUJ with a view to building a synergy that would benefit both parties.

“We want to build a new NUJ. The idea of giving us fish is over, we want us to be taught how to fish.

“Come to the press centre and see the expanse of land their and see how you can develop a portion for a choice project.

On the need for a stable power supply at the NUJ premises, Alenkhe made this demand, ” Your Excellency, Osoma power plant should be extended to the NUJ as it to NBA and other places.”

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Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.