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Ijaw Unity Takes Centre Stage As IYC Western Zone Partners IPF

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A group photograph of IYC Western Zone executives and IPF members at the meeting held in. Warri, Delta State on Thursday, August 29.

The unity and development of the Ijaw nation took the centre stage as Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone sought a partnership with Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IFP) on Thursday, August 29, 2014, in Warri Delta State.

Speaking at the meeting, the IYC Western Zone chairman, Comrade Nicholas Igarama said the Council needed the media partnership with IPF to foster growth and unity in the Ijaw nation.

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“We need the support of this great Ijaw indigenous media body to help jingle and report the activities of the IYC Western Zone effectively to the world’‘, he added.

According to him, the role of the media in nation building and development cannot be overemphasised, noting that the members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum reportage cannot not be ignored at a time when the Ijaw nation needs thorough media awareness that would highlight issues of environmental degradation, infrastructure decay, marginalisation, pollution from gas flaring by International Oil companies (OICs) and other forms of injustices meted on the Ijaw nation by successive administrations.

He revealed that the media partnership between IYC and IPF would be beneficial to both organizations and the Ijaw nation at large.

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READ ALSO: Treat Ijaw As Integral Part Of Akwa Ibom, IYC Tells Umo Eno

‘Our effort has yielded tangible results, including the successful remediation process on Bomadi Road. I appreciate the IPF support and collaboration, which has strengthened our bond and synergy. Let’s continue working together to achieve our goals and drive positive change in our community,” he appealed.

Responding on behalf of members, the National President, IPF, Comrade Austin Ozobo thanked the IYC Western Zone chairman for the initiative.

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He stated that the IYC and IPF are both pursuing Ijaw developmental agenda, and as such, any move that would enhance a positive result would be applauded.

‘That IYC and IPF may sound differently with acronyms, but they both have similar visions and goals of Ijaw development with different methods of approaches, ” he said.

Emphasising that ”as far as the 9th Western Zone IYC pursues issues of Ijaw interest, IPF would be ready to work with the body.”

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He warned that IPF would not join the IYC organization that derails from the tenets of Kaiama declaration.

 

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NBA Drags IGP Egbetokun To Court Over Tinted Glass Permit Policy

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, challenging the legality of the Nigeria Police Force’s tinted glass permit policy.

The lawsuit, instituted on Wednesday, September 2, 2025, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, comes months after the IGP introduced a directive requiring motorists to apply for and renew tinted glass permits annually through a digital platform, for a fee.

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In a statement released Friday, the NBA described the policy as unlawful, unconstitutional, and lacking transparency. It also raised concerns that proceeds from the exercise were being paid into a private account rather than the Federation Account.

“Despite the extension of enforcement to October 2, 2025, several motorists have reported harassment and extortion by policemen at checkpoints on the basis of this policy,” the association said, warning that it infringes on citizens’ rights to privacy, freedom of movement, and dignity.

READ ALSO:Ex-gov Ohakim, IGP, Others Win Fundamental Rights Suit

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The NBA also questioned the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act of 1991, a military-era law under which the police has anchored the policy, stressing that it may not meet constitutional tests required in a democratic society.

The action was filed by the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), led by Prof. Paul Ananaba (SAN) and Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun (SAN). The association vowed to pursue the case “to a logical conclusion.”

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

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THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION CHALLENGES THE LEGALITY OF THE POLICE TINTED GLASS PERMIT POLICY OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

One of the key resolutions of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association at its pre-conference NEC meeting held on the 23rd day of August 2025 in Enugu is that the NBA should challenge the legality of the Nigeria Police Force tinted permit policy in court.

READ ALSO:IGP Launches Safe School Initiative In Bauchi

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In April 2025, the Inspector General of Police purportedly introduced a policy which mandated members of the Nigerian motoring public to apply for and obtain annual motor tinted glass permits from the Nigeria Police Force for a fee. The Inspector General of Police in the same month purportedly launched a digital portal (http://possap.gov.ng) through which the application for tinted glass permits were to be processed. We are being informed that the portal and the policy are to be managed by a private vendor, and there is no indication that the funds generated from the enforcement of the purported policy will go into the Federation Account.

The Inspector General of Police initially pegged the date of commencement of the enforcement of the Policy to the 1st day of June 2025, but subsequently extended the date to the 2nd day of October 2025.

Despite the fact that the date of commencement of the enforcement of the purported policy has been extended to the 2nd day of October 2025, there have been several reported cases of harassment and extortion of citizens by the Policemen in checkpoint duty on the basis of this same Policy, thus raising serious concerns of threats to and violation of citizens’ fundamental rights to dignity of human person, right to privacy, right to freedom of movement and the right to own movable property guaranteed as by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

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Furthermore, the introduction and proposed enforcement of the tinted glass permit Policy has raised several other genuine concerns, including the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act (Decree 1991), a military-era law under which the Police has sought refuge. A critical scrutiny of the Act would confirm concerns that the legislation may be unable to satisfy the test of a law reasonably justifiable in a democratic society under Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution as to justify reliance on it to deprive citizens of their rights to privacy and free movement.

READ ALSO:NCAA Petitions IGP Over KWAM 1’s Unruly Conduct In Abuja Airport

Moreover, the fact that the legislation does not make provision for renewal of tinted glass permits or payment of fees for renewal are serious issues which clearly reveal that the Policy lacks statutory foundation.

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Furthermore, that payment for the permit is being made into a private account: PARKWAY PROJECTS Account No: 4001017918 raises serious concerns of transparency surrounding the utilisation of funds realised from the exercise, given that the account is neither domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria nor associated with the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Against the above backdrop, the Nigerian Bar Association, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) has on Wednesday the 2nd September 2025 instituted a public interest action before the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025 between: The Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor essentially challenging the legality of the tinted glass permit policy.

The NBA-SPIDEL, under the leadership of its Transition Committee Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN and the Section’s Public Interest Litigation Committee, chaired by Mr. Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, SAN, whose proactive efforts were responsible for the accomplishment of this task, have been directed to pursue this litigation to a logical conclusion.

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Peju Ogunmola’s Family Breaks Silence On Cause Of Son’s Death

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The family of veteran actress, Peju Ogunmola, has spoken out for the first time following the passing of the actress’ only son, Sola Ayomikun Omobolanle, dismissing rumours about the circumstances of his death.

Tribune Online reports that Ayomikun, the 24-year-old son of Ogunmola and her husband, comic actor Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Aluwe, died on September 2, 2025.

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Shortly after the news broke, unverified reports surfaced online alleging that his death was linked to a bathroom accident — claims the family has now categorically denied.

In a statement signed by Yemi Amodu on behalf of the Ogunmola family, they clarified that Ayomikun passed away in a hospital in Ibadan after a brief illness, not from any accident.

READ ALSO:Veteran Actress, Peju Ogunmola, Loses Only Child

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The statement read: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved son, Sola Ayomikun Omobolanle, a jewel, a precious child, and a rising star whose light shone brightly and touched many lives.

“We wish to clearly state that Sola did not pass away as a result of any bathroom accident, contrary to false reports being circulated online. He was briefly unwell and, during this period, received first-class medical care. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he peacefully answered the call of his Creator.”

The family further condemned the speculation surrounding his death, describing it as painful and disrespectful.

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READ ALSO:The Only celebrity I Have Ever Had A Crush Is Davido – Peju Johnson

“These misleading stories, suggesting that Sola died from a fall in the bathroom without help, are entirely false. They not only dishonour his memory but also bring unnecessary pain to his loved ones,” the statement added.

According to the family, Ayomikun has since been laid to rest at Eternal Rest Home in Ibadan, surrounded by relatives and close friends.

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They also expressed appreciation for the support received during their period of mourning:

At this time of grief, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we have received from family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort. We pray that no family will ever have to endure the pain of untimely loss. May the Almighty grant Sola eternal rest and grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

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NUPENG Tanker Drivers Announce Strike Over CNG Trucks Dispute

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The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that its Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch will begin an indefinite strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, following unresolved disagreements over the planned deployment of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for nationwide product distribution.

The union said it is concerned that the new system could displace thousands of its members from their current roles in the oil and gas transport sector.

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In a statement jointly signed by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union noted that several meetings with industry stakeholders did not yield a resolution.

According to the statement, recent recruitment of drivers for the CNG trucks under new terms of engagement heightened tensions. NUPENG expressed concern that these terms may exclude drivers from joining existing unions in the oil and gas sector.

READ ALSO:NUPENG Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Brutalization Of NLC President, Others

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The union described such a policy as inconsistent with labour rights and called on relevant government agencies to intervene.

By this statement, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, its regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to urgently wade into this matter,” the statement read.

NUPENG further warned that if the issue is not addressed, the planned strike action would affect the lifting and distribution of petroleum products across the country.

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The union appealed to Nigerians to understand and bear with any inconveniences that may arise during the industrial action, insisting its action is aimed at protecting the welfare and rights of its members.

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