NEWS
Why we Can’t Sanction Erring Media Houses on Code of Ethics – Press Council

The Nigeria Press Council says it is constraint from sanctioning media houses and practitioners violating Code of Ethics for journalists in the country because of crisis among stakeholders in the industry.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Francis Nwosu made this known in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the executive secretary was reacting to complaints received by the council against headlines and stories by certain media houses in negation of the code of ethics.
Nwosu said that although the publications were found to be sensational, incisive and unprofessional as well as infringements on the corporate existence of the country, the council was constraint from sanctioning the erring media houses and practitioners.
“Appropriate sanctions are necessary to correct this trend but the council cannot do anything in that regard because of the crisis with the major stakeholders.
“I am talking about the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
“They have refused to send members on the Board of the Council and until we form a board, it is almost impossible for the council to intervene in such issues regarding applying sanctions to erring media houses,’’ he said.
Nwosu explained that the council could not unilaterally impose sanctions against erring practitioners except a board was in place.
He said the function of the council was to collate complaints against media houses or practitioners, summon a meeting of the board and present the cases, “while the board reviews the cases and issues sanctions when necessary.’’
He said the composition of the board was more of stakeholders in the industry including representatives of the Council, NPAN, Guild of Editors, NUJ, Journalism Training Institutions.
In the absence of the board, Nwosu said the council had resorted to moral suasion by drawing the attention of the media and the general public to these infringements.
He therefore solicited the support, understanding and cooperation of the National Assembly on the review of the establishing Act of the Council to address the lacuna.
The Executive Secretary commended the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for intervening in the crisis among the stakeholders in the industry.
He said with the intervention of the minister, the council had constituted a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve the lingering problem between the council and its major stakeholders.
“We met in Lagos, had serious talks and set the motion for resolving our grievances.
“What we are waiting for is the final convener of the meeting so that every section of the media can table their grievances and find a way to resolve the crisis out of court,’’ he said.
Mrs Stella Jibrin, the Executive Director, Research and Documentation of the council, who gave insight into the crisis said it started in 1999 when the decree establishing the council was amended.
“As soon as the decree was amended, NPAN took the Federal Government to court and it won at the High Court.
“Upon filing an appeal against the judgment of the lower court, the government won at the Court of Appeal and now NPAN has gone ahead to the Supreme Court.
“Along the line, boards were constituted but the Guild of Editors, NPAN and NUJ refused to send their representatives on the board.
“If you do not have a quorum, you cannot have a constituted board to function,’’ she said.
Jibrin confirmed that the council was working on resolving the case out of court and very soon there would be a stakeholders meeting. (NAN)
NEWS
Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.
“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.
Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.
“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.
“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.
He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.
“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.
The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.
“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.
“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.
NEWS
C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.
Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.
The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.
Bassey Otu.The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.
She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.
“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.
‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’
Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.
According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.
“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.
Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.
Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.
NEWS
Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.
The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.
Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.
The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.
This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.