NEWS
Police Confirms Death of DCP Umar, Channels TV staff, Arresting 54 suspects

By Gom Mirian Abuja
The Nigerian Police forces has early hours of Tuesday confirmed that protest turns violent by the members of the Islamic Movement (Shiites) yesterday leads to the death of its Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, FCT Command as well as 11 Shiites members killed.
The confirmation was made in a statement issued by the force public relations officer, DCP Frank Mba, while in a separate statement the President of the Shiites media forum Ibrahim Musa confirmed the deaths of their members.
Mba also noted that two Assistant Superintendents of Police and a staff of Channels Television, Precious Owolabi, sustained serious injuries, with the Shiites Spokesperson Musa claiming that 30 of their members were wounded in the fracas.
Unfortunately, the Staff of Channels TV could not survive and was later confirmed by the Chairman of NUJ FCT Chapter Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, to have died from the injuries .
“Channels TV reporter Precious Owolabi shot in the stomach during today’s Shi’ite Muslim, Police clash in Abuja is dead,” the statement read.
In response, President Muhammadu Buhari, has summoned the security chiefs for an emergency meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu briefed the President on the development.
DCP Umar was killed by the protesters while trying to prevent the hostile action of destruction of property at the axis of the Federal Secretariat and three arms zone.
Consequent of the violence, security was beefed up at the Force headquarters to prevent reprisal attacks over the arrest of scores of the protesters who are demanding the release of the spiritual sect leader, Sheik Ibraheem El Zakzaky.
Part of the Police Statement read: “Another violent protest by members of the El-Zazakky group involving over three thousand (3000) of its followers took place today, 22nd July, 2019 at about 12:30pm within the Central Business District of Abuja.
“The heavily armed protesters defying all sense of decency violently attacked innocent citizens and Police personnel on duty.”
“In the process, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command, DCP Usman A.K Umar, was shot and fatally injured by the protesters.
The officer who was immediately rushed to the hospital died moments later while receiving treatment. “
“Also, two Assistant Superintendents of Police and a Staff of Channels Television sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment. The violent protesters also razed down a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Response Post close to the Federal Secretariat, Abuja and two vehicles.”
“Meanwhile, the Police have arrested 54 suspects in connection with the incidents. The suspects are undergoing interrogation and will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.”
Mba also stated that the IGP Adamu, while commiserating with the family of the late DCP, condemns the incident and warns that Enough-is-Enough as the Force and the nation at large will not continue to suffer losses on account of reckless and lawless persons and groups in the society.
In a related development, the President of IMN Media Forum said 11 people of their members were confirmed dead and at least 30 others seriously injured “as the police attack a peaceful Free Zakzaky protest march in the FCT, Abuja”.
Musa said the trouble started when the police prevented the group who are on a peaceful protest from accessing their way to the federal secretariat.
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.