From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Abdullahi Ibrahim Idris, son of the Late Ex- Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris has announced that the remains of their deceased father will be laid to rest at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja today.

Abdullahi Ibrahim Idris who announced this Thursday night in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja, said that the Janazah Prayer Holds At Abuja National Mosque.

According to the statement “With deep sense of humility and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, we regret to announce the passing of our father, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, former Governor of Kogi State.

“He died in a hospital in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 20th September, 2026.

“The family wishes to announce that his body will arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday. Janazah prayer will be held at the Abuja National Mosque, followed by burial at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, according to Islamic rites. This is in accordance with his personal wish.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Governor of Kogi State, and all Nigerians for their prayers and show of love.

Tinubu Assures Investors of Policy Stability as Ogun Projects Attract $7bn

President Bola Tinubu has assured domestic and foreign investors of regulatory clarity, policy stability and a predictable business environment for long-term investments.

Tinubu gave the assurance in Paris during the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Ogun government and DP World.

The agreements cover the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone and Gateway Deep Seaport, with proposed investments exceeding $7 billion.

This is contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesperson, on Thursday in Abuja.

The President said the agreements represented a convergence of vision, expertise, capital and execution capacity to advance Nigeria’s maritime economy.

“The agreements before us bring together vision, expertise, capital and execution capacity,” Tinubu said.

He particularly welcomed DP World, describing it as one of the world’s leading port and logistics operators.

Tinubu assured investors of necessary regulatory and institutional support, while stressing that the government would hold all parties accountable for their commitments.

He described the projects as milestones in attracting foreign direct investment, expanding productive capacity and positioning Nigeria as a major maritime trade hub.

The proposed Ogun Waterside port will have a four-kilometre berth and 18-metre draft, enabling it to accommodate larger, deeper-draft vessels.

The port is expected to decongest Lagos ports, ease pressure on Apapa and Tin Can Island ports and reduce logistics costs.

It will also provide a competitive trade gateway under the African Continental Free Trade Area, serving a continental market of about 1.4 billion people.

The Blue Marine Special Economic Zone is proposed to cover 10,000 hectares, with the projects requiring initial investment exceeding $7 billion.

“At full development, the projects are projected to create more than 50,000 direct jobs and many additional indirect opportunities,” Tinubu said.

He added that the projects would generate substantial non-oil export earnings and strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity.

Tinubu commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun and the Ogun government for securing land and structuring the investment framework.

He said the state government had also helped reduce project risks, describing the arrangement as an example of cooperative federalism.

The President said the Federal Government would facilitate road, rail and power connectivity to support seamless implementation of the projects.

He also pledged to strengthen investment security, remove bureaucratic obstacles and work with Ogun to ensure effective project delivery.

Tinubu said the Blue Marine Special Economic Zone was attracting interest from global manufacturers.

He added that the Gateway Deep Seaport would provide critical infrastructure for the zone’s viability and support its industrial development.

“A port moves cargo; a port integrated with a special economic zone helps to build an economy,” the President said.

He said the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway would further support the corridor’s commercial viability.

According to him, the highway’s 28-kilometre Ogun section will link the zone and port with Lagos and Nigeria’s hinterland.

Tinubu said the projects would anchor a strategic corridor near the proposed Nigerian Navy Operating Base and Dockyard.

He added that the corridor would also connect with the OK LNG Project, linking the industrial cluster to Nigeria’s energy and gas-export ambitions.

Abiodun led the Ogun delegation, alongside Secretary to the state government, Tokunbo Talabi, commissioners and a representative of the host community.

Also present were Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Ayodele Oke; and NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho.

DP World Group Chief Executive Officer, Yuvraj Narayan, SkyKapital Managing Director, Karim Noujaim, and other investors and partners also attended the ceremony. (NAN)

The Kwara State Police Command has denied shooting a 23-year-old motorcyclist, Abdurasaq Lukman, during a stop-and-search operation around Oyun Bridge, Ilorin, saying he allegedly knocked down one of its officers.

The command said the incident occurred during a routine patrol and stop-and-search operation by its personnel on the highway leading to the Kwara State Polytechnic.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, following the circulation of a video on social media alleging that the motorcyclist had been shot by police officers.

The statement partly read, “The Command is aware of a video circulating on social media concerning an incident involving a Police officer and a motorcyclist around Oyun Bridge, Ilorin.

“The video has been accompanied by claims suggesting that the motorcyclist was shot by Police personnel.”

The command, however, denied the allegation, saying “no person was shot”.

According to the police, Lukman was riding at high speed when he allegedly knocked down Corporal Saka Azeez, one of the officers conducting the operation.

“Abdurasaq Lukman, aged 23, a motorcyclist on top speed, knocked down Corporal Saka Azeez, one of the officers on duty.

“The impact left the Corporal with serious head injuries and a fracture, while Abdurasaq Lukman also sustained minor injuries,” the statement added.

The command said other officers at the scene immediately took both men to a medical facility for treatment.

“Other officers at the scene immediately responded and conveyed both the injured officer and the motorcyclist to a medical facility for treatment.

“Abdurasaq Lukman was treated and discharged; he is presently in police custody aiding investigations.

“Corporal Saka Azeez remains under medical care and requires further medical examination and scans to ascertain the full extent of the head injury sustained,” the statement added.

The police urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said, “The Command appreciates the legitimate concerns of citizens regarding Police activities. Verifying information before circulation remains important to prevent unnecessary anxiety and misunderstanding.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Thursday, September 24, 2026, declare open the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Enugu.

The two-day conference, which is the flagship annual gathering of the Guild, will hold at The Dome, International Conference Centre, Opara Square Road, Enugu, beginning at 2pm on Thursday and continuing on Friday, September 25.

In a statement signed by the President and General Secretary of the NGE, Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, respectively, the Guild said Shettima would address editors and other participants on the conference theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” as well as the sub-theme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.

The Vice President is also expected to speak on other issues relating to democracy, elections, press freedom and national development.

The statement said Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, would also address the conference.

More than 500 editors from across the country, alongside government officials, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders, are expected to attend the conference, which will focus on critical national and global issues with significant social, economic and political implications.

The Guild said His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, would chair the conference, while former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, would deliver the keynote address.

Other speakers lined up for the conference include Professor Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, who will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.”

The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, will address the editors on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.”

On the second day, respected journalist, public speaker and former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, Martins Oloja as well as newspaper columnist and activist, Owei Lakemfa, will speak on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Professor Chinyere Okunna, will address the conference on “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance,” while the Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, Dr Richard Okoye, will speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”

Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University, Georgia, United States, Farooq A. Kperogi, will examine the conference sub-theme on artificial intelligence and disinformation, focusing on the detection and debunking of false information before, during and after elections.

The second day will also feature an Executive Session at 12:30pm, during which editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government agencies and parastatals on issues of national importance.

According to the Guild, the conference will provide a platform for editors and other stakeholders to examine practical pathways for strengthening democratic governance, promoting national development and advancing nation-building through responsible and responsive journalism.

The NGE said the gathering would also enable media leaders to interrogate the challenges confronting democracy and examine the role of the media in safeguarding credible elections, rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic values.

The statement said the Guild ANEC is supported by Enugu State Government, UNESCO, Craneburg, NNPC, Zenith Bank, NCC and others.