News

‘I’m Journalism Ambassador,’ Says Shaibu As He Commissions Edo NUJ Correspondents Chapel’s Secretariat

Published

4 months ago

December 19, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has described himself as an ambassador of the journalism profession, saying if not for journalists he would have been dead and forgotten.

He, therefore, vowed to “do everything and anything for the growth of journalism and journalists anywhere I am.”

Shaibu, who made these assertions at the commissioning of the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, reiterated his commitment to the growth of the journalism profession anywhere, anytime.

Dignitries who attended the commissioning ceremony include: Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor represented by Dr. Uzoya Okuogbosun; Senator Matthew Urhoghide represented by Mr. Paul Nobore; Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Chairman, NUJ, Edo State council; Mr. Femi Johnson, Zonal Director, Nigerian Television Authority among others.

“I want to identify with you and to say that I am your member; I am a member, and I will always do everything and anything for the growth of journalism and journalists anywhere I am.

“I am your ambassador anywhere I am. This not because of politics, but because of what you have done to save my life in the cause of doing your work.

“I wouldn’t have been deputy governor today if I am not alive. A journalist that could investigate and write a report, saved my life in the hands of the the military.

“So, you can see why anytime you invite me, even if it is difficult, I must show up. Because, that is the only way I can appreciate you and show that whatever you are doing, you should keep it up,” he said.

Shaibu who is aspiring to be the next governor of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), boasted that he had made several sacrifices to make sure things work in Edo, just as he expressed his determination to make sure Edo becomes first.

Shaibu said: “I am determined to make sure that good governance is seen, felt and touched.

“I am also determined to make sure that in all things, Edo must be first, and I am determined to strengthening institutions.

“I came into politics because I felt that we should have an egalitarian society. I came into politics to make institutions stronger, because that is the only way we can have that society of our dream.

“Institution does not know the rich, strong, and the poor, it takes care of all strata of life. That is what I am standing for, that is my calling to joining politics.

“That is why I have sacrificed a lot of things to make sure the institution works.

“I even sacrificed my personal entitlement to make sure this institution works, and in the coming weeks I will give a stewardship of what I have done as deputy governor from 2016 to date.”

His his brief speech, the Chairman, Edo NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, while reiterating the council’s support to the chapel, declared that Edo NUJ remains an indivisible body.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Chairperson, Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Mrs Nefishetu Yakubu, said the decision to move to the new secretariat was fuelled by the need for a more spacious and serene environment, especially for “our members who are duly accredited journalists working in national newspapers with head offices outside Edo State.”

While noting that the new secretariat is not an alternative to the Edo NUJ Press Centre, which is home to all journalists, Mrs. Yakubu said the new secretariat “merely symbolises our commitment to providing a comfortable and productive workspace for our members.”

“It’s a testament to our unwavering dedication to the principles of journalism and the pursuit of excellence,” she added.

News

EFCC Boss Appoints Chief Of Staff, 14 Zonal Directors

Published

39 mins ago

April 27, 2024

Editor

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has appointed Michael Nzekwe as his Chief of Staff.

This was as he also appointed Zonal Directors for each of the 14 Zonal Commands of the commission.

Nzekwe who is a lawyer and former Commander of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the anti-graft agency, is described as a “topnotch investigator” in a statement released by the Commission’s Head of Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Saturday.

He has served in various departments in the Commission, including the Legal and Prosecution Department, Department of Operations (now Department of Investigations), Department of Internal Affairs (now Department of Ethics and Integrity), Servicom, and Asset Forfeiture Department.

“A seasoned administrator, he has attended several trainings and courses home and abroad, including the Advance Defence Intelligence Officers Course organised by Defence Intel Agency, DIA. The appointment takes immediate effect and he has assumed duties,” Oyewale said.

Meanwhile, the statement said Olukoyede, in his restructuring and repositioning of the EFCC, equally upgraded all the zonal commands of the Commission to the status of Departments, with each of them headed by a Director.

To this effect, 14 new Directors have been appointed to head each of the zonal commands. Additionally, to bolster and fortify the security architecture of the Commission, the Security Unit of the EFCC has been upgraded to a Department with a seasoned officer appointed as Director, Security and Chief Security Officer.

A new department has also been created in the Executive Chairman’s office and it is headed by the former Makurdi Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Friday Ebelo, who also doubles as Director and Coordinator, Special Duties at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.

The former Department of Internal Affairs has been renamed Department of Ethics and Integrity and minor reshuffling effected in some Departments at the headquarters.

“Olukoyede says that the ongoing restructuring is meant for the repositioning and strengthening of the EFCC to deliver on its assigned mandate optimally.”

News

Why I Hate Mohbad More In Death – Naira Marley’s Associate

Published

45 mins ago

April 27, 2024

Editor

Law Lee, an associate of embattled singer, Naira Marley, has made a snide remark about the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly called Mohbad.

Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Law Lee expressed his level of hatred for Mohbad.

His statement came after Portable tackled Zinoleesky, on social media for acquiring a Ferrari despite not having a hit song.

According to him, the hatred for the deceased increases every day even after his death.

He explained that Mohbad’s alleged disparaging remarks about fellow artist Oniyide Azeez aka Zinoleesky led to a public confrontation towards him on social media by a controversial artist, Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable.

He further stated that if Mohbad had not made negative remarks about Zinoleesky, Portable wouldn’t have made such a move.

He wrote, “Every day my hatred for Mohbad keeps increasing even after his death …. If not for all those miscap about zino na why this @portablebaeby get mind dey sub am .. Fooooooooooool.”

A former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022.

The Lagos State Police Command had, on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.

A probe into his death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, among others.

The duo’s had before their arrest faced criticism for allegedly mistreating Mohbad before his passing in September 2023.