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Mayaki Apologises To Igini, INEC, Others Over Unverified Publication

Published

5 years ago

December 25, 2020

Mr. John Mayaki, Chairman, Media Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19th governorship election in Edo State, has apologised to Dr. Mike Igini, Resident Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State, INEC, and Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, over his (Mayaki) publication he said has been unable to “pass integrity and credibility checks.”

Mr. Mayaki, a trained journalist and media consultant had, August 27th, in a build up to the Sepetember 19 governorship election in Edo State published a statement titled “APC accuses INEC REC, Mike Igini of colluding with Obaseki over secret night meeting” and with a rider: “REC left Governor’s residence with sacks of money,” wherein he raised the “alarm” that Dr. Igini held midnight meeting with Obaseki and consequently collected bribe from him.

Mayaki, who admitted that he was misled by his source and that he allowed his political interest to have taken better part of him in publishing the misleading press statement, in a latest statement titled ‘Mike Igini: I got it wrong, I apologise’ further admitted that the statement was not just embarrassing to him as a professional journalist but also proved fatally wrong and unable to pass credibility check.

According to the former Chairman, Media Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, he has scrutinised and and review his source, the story itself and also listened to the testimony of other credible persons on the statement and discovered it was a false.

The statement reads in part: “In the year ending, the 27th of August was the most unethical day for me. It was during the period of my assignment as the Chairman, Media Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19th governorship election in Edo state, that I released the above statement at about 5:27pm without cross-checking and interrogating my source. As a professional journalist, rather than base my judgement of the information from this source on its news value and public’s right to know the unbiased truth, I unfortunately allowed my political interest to motivate and take better part of me.

“I have taken time to scrutinise and review my source, the story itself and also listened to the testimony of other credible persons on this statement and the impeccable character of Mr. Mike Igini and have come to the conclusion and admission that something went wrong – my investigation and findings have now revealed that the story was not only untrue but unable to pass integrity and credibility checks.

“Being the chairman of the media campaign council, I took my assignment with a great dose of responsibility, privilege and honour. I appreciate the confidence and trust repose in me to serve in that capacity but for this source who thought he could advance my political interest with fake news and thinking propaganda could land us a win, this has proved wrong. This source did not only misled me to mislead the people but also to impugn on the reputation of Mr. Mike Igini and for which I am deeply embarrassed – I apologise.

“I agree, I was manipulated by this source and also complicit in the achievement of his goal because I failed to apply the simple rules of investigative journalist and logic to the allegations raised against one of the highly respected and reputable resident commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – as the statement was highly offensive and should not have allowed this source have a better part of me. I’m sorry and regret that I did.

“I failed by inadvertently allowing sinister forces, who were hellbent on destroying our institutions, to abuse our trust and use this to achieve their nefarious objectives. I will learn from these embarrassing moments and am determined to win back the confidence of my readers by putting in more hard work in whatever assignment under my supervision.

“I tender my profound apology to Mr. Mike Igini, the Governor of Edo state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Anselm Ojezua – whose names appeared in that statement and on whom the story touches directly.

“By extension, I apologise to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the inconveniences or embarrassment this statement has occasioned them as I hold Mr. Mike Igini in the highest esteem.”

Mr. Mayaki who said he has resolved to rewin the trust of friends, admirers and strive in carrying out his professional job by following the professional ethics and rules, noted that being human, he’s bound to err.

“I am thankful to my conscience for acknowledging this great mistake and am also glad I listened and also to learn. I resolve that I will do my best to re-win the trust of all friends and admirers, my readers and those I have offended with the said unfortunate “August” statement. Human beings make errors, I am human and I am no exception,” he added.

News

FG, UK Rally Support As 2 States, 150 LGAs Become Open Defecation Free

Published

4 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Editor

Following the declaration of about 158 Local Government Areas and two states as having achieved Open Defecation Free status, the Federal Government, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), and Self Help Africa have called for concerted efforts to sustain and scale up the achievement to other states.

They made the call on Sunday in Abuja at the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Systems Learning Forum organised by Self Help Africa WASH Systems for Health Project, funded by the UK government.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, in a keynote address, said that although, with the help of development partners, two states and 150 LGAs have been declared open defecation free, it is important that the progress is sustained; otherwise, it can vanish easily.

He said, “These milestones are worth celebrating, yet we must remain humble: victory in WASH is never final; it must be continuously maintained. Otherwise, progress can vanish faster than a bucket of cold water left in the Abuja sun.”

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, however, noted some of the persistent challenges in the WASH sector, including monitoring gaps, weak data reliability, and limited accountability.

He added, “Our WASH Information Management System (WASHIMS), although innovative, is not yet fully operational across all states and local governments. The WASHNORM exercise has not been conducted since 2021, creating data gaps that affect planning. In the WASH sector, no data is as dangerous as wrong data—both lead to poor decisions.”

He applauded the learning forum, saying it is an opportunity to pause and ask how to fully operationalise WASHNORM nationwide, as well as automate and institutionalise WASH norms, and also ensure that every investment is traceable, measurable, and accountable.

‘Scale up efforts to end open defecation, achieve sanitation target by 2030’
The Country Director of Self Help Africa, Joy Aderele, stated that through the support of FCDO, the organisation is implementing a five-year project named WASH Systems for Health Programme in West Africa.

The project, according to her, is aimed at strengthening systems, enhancing capacities, and reforming policies across the countries where it operates, including Nigeria and Sierra Leone, and enabling communities to continue thriving even after the programme ends in 2027.

She pointed out that through collaboration, ranging from government ministries driving reforms to local actors designing context-specific solutions, systems can be transformed, but she emphasised that much work remains.

She said, “Only 158 of more than 700 local government areas in Nigeria have achieved open defecation-free (ODF) status. This figure shows progress but also underscores the scale of the challenge.”

Aderele explained that the sessions will provide opportunities to share ideas, tackle barriers, and draw on practical insights, while also celebrating milestones with humility, recognising that future gains depend on the work being done today.

The representative of FCDO, Gill Fletcher, in her remarks stated that the WASH Systems for Health project is being implemented in six countries: Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Tanzania, Nepal, and Bangladesh, to drive systematic change to ensure sustainable and equitable WASH services.

She emphasised that WASH is not just a sector, but it is central to achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, improving health outcomes, advancing gender equality, unlocking economic growth, and is also critical to Nigeria’s national development agenda of reducing poverty and meeting global commitments.
(Guardian)

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Orders Withdrawal Of Police Guards From VIPs

Published

5 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to provide security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country.

In a statement released by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the administration said the police will henceforth refocus on their primary responsibilities instead of guarding individuals.

The directive, according to the statement, followed a high-level security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja with the heads of the police, army, Air Force, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The presidency clarified that, going forward, “VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”Africa Grain Supply

The statement added that many rural communities are underserved by police personnel, leaving residents vulnerable. It explained that the President wants to strengthen security nationwide by ensuring more officers are deployed back to local stations.

“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities,” it said, noting that Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers.

The federal government is also partnering with state governments to upgrade police training centres across the country.

Those present at Sunday’s meeting included Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

News

JUST IN: 50 Abducted Niger Catholic School Students Escape, Reunite With Families — CAN

Published

8 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Editor

At least 50 students kidnapped at the St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara local government, Niger State have reportedly escaped and reunited with their parents, bringing hope to families of the abducted victims.

Recall on November 21,2025 armed bandits stormed the school and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers bringing the total to 315.

The state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who is also the Proprietor of the school and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese gave the update in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori in Minna.

The chairman explained that the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.

“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.

” This is to notify the public that, as at Sunday 23rd November, 2025 we have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents. We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents, ” the statement disclosed”

“For the records, we now have Primary 251 pupils, 14 Secondary students and 12 teachers still with their abductors”.

”In the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non boarders”

“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total of 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors, ” the CAN chairman stated.

The cleric called on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as he assured of continous active collaboration with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims, ” Bishop Yohanna added..