The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed shock and outrage at the “reckless and violent” statement made by Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Minister, Nyesom Wike, against Channels Television journalist, Seun Okinbaloye.

Wike had during a media chat last week said if it were possible, he could have broken his television screen and shot Okinbaloye, following the journalists’ comments about the evils of one party system of government.

NUJ noted that the minister’s statement constitutes a direct and unacceptable attempt to intimidate and silence the press, thereby gravely undermining press freedom and the foundational principles of democracy in Nigeria.

The union explained it had deliberately delayed issuing a statement on the matter, holding a sincere belief that Wike would, upon reflection, demonstrate immediate remorse and promptly withdraw his dangerous comment.

However, it said that the regrettable absence of any such retraction or apology strongly suggests that the statement was not a momentary lapse but rather a deliberate and intentional act designed to intimidate.

“This calculated silence deepens our concern and reinforces the perception that the threat was intentional,” the NUJ said in a statement signed by Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi National President.

“This incendiary comment from a high-ranking government official is not only deeply disturbing but also creates a climate of fear for journalists striving to uphold their professional duties.

“It sends a dangerous message that critical reporting will be met with hostility and threats of violence, which is entirely antithetical to the spirit of a free and open society.”

The NUJ said it unequivocally demands an immediate and unreserved apology from Wike for his “reprehensible” remarks.

“Furthermore, we call upon the Federal Government to swiftly and unequivocally condemn this threat, demonstrating its commitment to protecting journalists and safeguarding the independence of the media.

“It is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to ensure that journalists can perform their essential role without fear of reprisal or harm.

“We urge all media organizations, civil society groups, and advocates for democracy to stand in solidarity against this blatant attack on press freedom.

“The safety and security of journalists are paramount to a healthy democracy, and any attempt to stifle their voices must be met with a unified and resolute response,” the statement added.

Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign after a fast-spreading measles outbreak is suspected of killing more than 100 people, mostly children, in what may be the country’s most lethal wave of the disease in recent history.

The campaign, which began on Sunday, comes amid more than 7,500 suspected measles cases since 15 March, according to health ministry data.

More than 900 of these cases have been confirmed – a sharp increase from 2025, when just 125 measles cases were recorded over the entire year, local media report.

While Bangladesh has long vaccinated children against the highly contagious disease, the recent outbreak has exposed gaps in its programme, raising concern.

“Vaccines are foundational to child survival,” Rana Flowers, the Unicef representative in Bangladesh, said in a statement on Sunday, adding that the current measles outbreak was “putting thousands of children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, at serious risk.”

In Bangladesh, a nation of 170 million people, routine measles vaccines are given to children as young as nine months old.

But Shahriar Sajjad, deputy director of the Health Department, said that about one-third of those infected in the recent outbreak were under nine months old.

The infections of these young infants “who are not yet eligible for routine vaccination, are especially alarming”, said Flowers from Unicef.

On top of routine vaccinations, Bangladesh conducts special measles vaccination campaigns every four years.

But these campaigns haven’t gone according to plan.

There have been no special measles vaccination campaigns since 2020, first because of Covid then because of the “political situation”, Sajjad said.

Bangladesh experienced political upheaval in 2024, when massive anti-government protests toppled its long-ruling leader Sheikh Hasina. An interim government took over after Hasina’s ousting, and only in February this year did the country elect a new government.

A measles vaccination campaign was supposed to be held in April this year, “but it did not happen”, Sajjad said.

A health official said procurement issues had led to a shortage of vaccines, including for measles.

Many in Bangladesh have blamed the vaccine shortages on the former interim government, which oversaw a new vaccine procurement system.

But measles resurgences “are typically the result of these accumulated gaps rather than a single factor”, Unicef said in its statement.

“Bangladesh has a strong history of high immunisation coverage, but even small disruptions can lead to the gradual accumulation of immunity gaps over time.”

Along with international partners like Unicef and the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign for measles and rubella, a milder disease with similar symptoms to measles.

This campaign, which started on Sunday, will be rolled out across 30 upazilas – sub-districts in Bangladesh – and targets more than 1.2 million children between six months and five years old.

The campaign will prioritise “children who have missed routine immunisation and are most vulnerable to severe illness and complications”, according to Unicef.

There will also be a particular focus on Dhaka, the densely populated capital, and Cox’s Bazar, home to crowded Rohingya refugee camps, Unicef said.

Besides the vaccination drive, health authorities are also publishing infographics that teach people how to identify and prevent measles. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease, which can lead to severe complications and death.

Common symptoms include: High fever, sore, red and watery eyes, coughing and sneezing

In 2024, an estimated 95,000 people were killed by measles around the world – most of them children under five years old, according to the WHO.

Measles can be prevented through vaccination – but according to the WHO, 95% of the population has to be vaccinated in order to stop the disease from spreading.

Over the past two decades, the number of global measles cases and deaths resulting from the disease have fallen sharply.

There were 11 million cases of measles worldwide in 2024 – a significant decrease from 38 million in 2000, according to the WHO.

But the organisation has warned about a resurgence in parts of the world as vaccination rates fall. In 2024 and 2025, the world saw the highest number of measles outbreaks in more than 20 years, according to medical journal The Lancet.

Cases of measles have risen in some countries in Asia and Africa, as well as in Europe, the US and the UK, where there is growing scepticism against vaccines, especially after the pandemic.

In February, an outbreak of measles in some schools in north London prompted health authorities to remind parents to vaccinate their children.

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), has taken over the collection of mineral royalties from mining sector operators across the country.

This was the outcome of a meeting between the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake and the NRS chairman, Dr.

The decision was based on the new tax laws, which empowers NRS to administer all federally collectable revenue and account for the same.

A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser to the NRS chairman, indicated that the decision, effective January 1, 2026, was contained in a joint statement endorsed by both Alake and Adedeji.

The statement reads in part: “Following the enactment of the laws by President Bola Tinubu on 26 June 2025, the administration of mineral royalties, effective January 1, 2026, has transitioned to NRS.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development continues to serve as a vital technical partner, providing mineral pricing data, geological information, and industry coordination in support of the royalty process.

“Both institutions have agreed to work closely together to ensure that operators are well-informed, and that the new royalty framework is implemented in a way that supports the growth and development of the solid minerals sector.”

The statement also indicated that there would be a joint nationwide sensitisation programme for operators in the sector, particularly to guide royalty filing and payment as spelt out under the new tax laws.

It said further, “The new royalty regime will also see the development of a modern, end-to-end digital royalty administration system. At the same time, joint technical sessions shall be held regularly to coordinate and resolve issues that may arise.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and NRS wish to assure mining operators and the public that both institutions are fully aligned and committed to working together to implement the new royalty framework in a manner that is orderly, transparent, and supportive of the mining sector.

“Operators are encouraged to continue meeting their filing and payment obligations as required under the new tax laws, and to participate actively in the forthcoming sensitisation programme.”