NEWS
Adebayo Inaugurates Endowment/Welfare Fund for NUJ Warri
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
A renowned Journalist and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lawal Iyanda Farms Limited, Sola Adebayo has floated a Welfare Endowment Fund for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents Chapel.
At the presentation ceremony, Adebayo called on practicing journalists to make friends in the course of their practice and sustain the relationships.
He advised journalists to be dedicated and always uphold the tenets of the profession.
“As journalists, keep your friends. Journalism is a tool that makes you come in contact with people, therefore, make friends and sustain the relationship.
“Develop core friendship and don’t sacrifice the ultimate for the immediate. I appeal to all of you to be responsible,” he said.
The renowned Journalist recalled that the target for the project which commenced on Oct.1, 2024 was N10 million.
He, however, expressed joy that the process was able to hit N25 million.
Adebayo expressed gratitude to his friends, associates and well-wishers for the success of the project.
Presenting the dummy cheque of N25m on behalf of Adebayo, Rt. Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, member representing Warri Federal Constituency urged the public to imbibe the culture of giving.
The lawmaker who was highly elated noted that ability to impact on people’s life was significant because a person would be remembered for his/her impacts and legacies.
‘Adebayo has been a very good friend and we have been relating well. What we are doing here today is significant in the sense that it has to do with humanity.
Ereyitomi called on members of the Chapel to ensure the fund was used judiciously to encourage the donors.
“When we see that this fund is put into judicious use, we will be encouraged.
“Now that Adebayo has used this platform to impact, we expect that it will trickle down, to encourage us to do more. Not only for this profession but for others who also want to impact on humanity,” the lawmaker said.
Also speaking, Hon. Ben Etenabene, member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency said that the project has not ended but is a work in progress.
Etenabene recalled his relationship with Adebayo while he was the Chairman of PENGASSAN at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI),
He said that Adebayo is a controversial but compassionate journalist who stands for the truth and kindness at all times.
The lawmaker noted that money is a source of joy but could also cause serious problems and urged the members to ensure it was judiciously managed.
He averred that governments at all levels in the country had not shown concern for the welfare of the media in spite of their roles in shaping the society through agenda setting and others.
On his part, Hon. Donald Ojogo, member representing Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State and a journalist by profession described journalism as a door opener.
Ojogo expressed gratitude to Adebayo for the noble gesture and urged members to always uphold the ethics of the profession.
The former South Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune recalled that Warri used to operate like a state within a state.
Chairman, NUJ, Delta State Council, Churchill Oyowe urged the chapel to ensure the money does not cause division among members, but rather, it should be revolving for the benefits of all.
In his opening remark, Victor Okpomor, Chairman, NUJ, Warri Correspondents Chapel said that the initiative kick-started on Oct. 1, 2024.
Okpomor described Adebayo as always a leading light who had transformed journalism practice in Warri in particular, Delta and the country in general.
He, on behalf of the Chapel, expressed gratitude to Adebayo for the noble gesture.
NEWS
Uba Sani Attends Christmas Carol, Maulud to Strengthen Muslim-Christian Unity
By Nasir Dambatta
Governor Uba Sani has once again underscored his commitment to fostering unity among Kaduna’s diverse religious communities, attending both the 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol and a Maulud celebration in Zaria within the same week.On December 21, the Governor graced The 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol at ECWA Goodnews Church, Narayi Highcost, an event organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna Chapter.
The Carol, an annual tradition, brought together Christians from across the state in a celebration of joy, love, and togetherness. Governor Sani’s presence at the event highlighted his inclusive leadership and his efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony in a state known for its rich religious diversity.Shortly after, on December 22, Governor Sani attended a Maulud celebration in Zaria, organized by the Fityanul Islam group. Maulud, which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is a time for reflection, prayer, and communal unity. The gathering in Zaria was attended by numerous dignitaries and religious scholars who reflected on the Prophet’s teachings of compassion, tolerance, and peace—values that resonate deeply with the Governor’s vision for Kaduna.Observers said the Governor’s presence at both events was a powerful reminder of his dedication to fostering peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the state. “Through these actions, Governor Uba Sani is leading by example, demonstrating that religious celebrations and dialogue can serve as a foundation for a united, progressive society.”, one of the observers said.NEWS
Abuja Stampede: Wike Directs Free Treatment for Victims
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.Wike gave the directive in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Saturday.
No fewer than 10 people including children lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries to the stampede, during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by the church. The sad incident occurred around 6:30 a.m on Saturday.Wike said that the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.The minister, who commiserated with the victims, also directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.Describing the incident as “painful”, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.He commended the Police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, saying, “the promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable.”In a related development, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), equally commiserated with the victims of the stampede.The acting Director General of the department, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement said that nine out of the 10 injured persons earlier taken to Maitama District Hospital, have been treated and discharged.Mohammed also appealed to organisations that intended to give out food items to the less privileged to involve security agencies or FEMD for adequate planning to ensure safety of beneficiaries.He also advised the use of coupons and segregation of the beneficiaries into groups to avoid crowd and rowdiness that could lead to stampedes.Similarly, the Police Command in the FCT has ordered organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals to notify the police when planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the territory.In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said that the notification was to enable the police to deploy adequate security measures for public safety.According to her, failure to comply with the directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from negligenceMeanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.Adejobi explained that the warning came in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distributions. (NAN)NEWS
NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)