By David Torough, Abuja

The Management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the passage of the newspaper’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief, John Danusa Ocholi. 

Ocholi, a veteran Sports Journalist died yesterday afternoon after a protracted illness.

His death comes four days after the Newspaper lost its Politics Editor, Mike Odiakose after a brief illness. Odiakose is yet to be buried.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of the Newspaper, Dr Cletus Akwaya in a statement last night said the family confirmed the demise of the foremost journalist.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the demise of our colleague, our pioneer Editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, John Danusa Ocholi”, Akwaya wrote in the statement adding “ we shall  miss him dearly”.

The Publisher said “Ocholi was a very dedicated person to the cause of the paper. He was the pioneer Editor, who did quite a lot to take the paper off the ground from inception and remained steadfast through difficult times in the bid to nurture the paper to maturity” Akwaya said.

“We are grateful to God for the gift of Ocholi, who was a team player, motivator and mentor, always full of smiles to reduce tensions in times of difficulties” the Publisher further stated.

He said the Management would await further information from the family on the unfortunate incident.

An indigene of Dekina LGA of Kogi state, Ocholi joined Daily Asset at inception as pioneer Editor in 2017. He was promoted to Managing Editor and then Deputy Editor- in- Chief, the position he held until 2023 when he had health challenges, which made him proceed on sick leave.

He joined DAILY ASSET from Daily Pilot where he worked as Editor of the Weekend Pilot and Deputy Editor of the Daily Pilot. He joined the Nigerian Pilot from Verbatim Magazine, where he served as Editor.

A graduate of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, 1983,

Ocholi began his journalism career with The Voice Newspaper in Makurdi, Benue State as Sports Reporter. He rose to the position of Sports Editor before he voluntarily resigned and joined Champion Newspapers in Lagos as a Sports Journalist. He rose through various positions and eventually became Editor of the highly respected Sporting Champion, Nigeria’s most respected weekly Sports Newspaper in the 1990s in the stable of Champion Newspapers Group.

In 2002, when the acclaimed South African soccer magazine Kick-Off launched its Nigerian edition, Ocholi was appointed to assist the head editor, Kunle Solaja.He later became the Magazine’s Editor before it stopped production.

 He also worked at the Newswatch Magazine as Associate Editor and Head of Sports Desk, where he wrote very impactful stories on Nigerian sports and anchored highly celebrated interviews for the famous magazine.

In the course of his career, he covered major international sporting events including Many editions of the Senior and junior Football   World Cups, African Cup of Nations (AFCON), international Club engagements, Commonwealth Games amongst others. He was clearly one of the nation’s most renowned Sports journalists.

 In 2010, he was selected as a key member of the official Media Sub-Committee appointed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to oversee Nigeria’s media contingent and operations during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

A community development enthusiast, he was elected as the pioneer president of the Igala Journalists Forum

He left behind his wife and children.

By David Torough, Abuja

Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with DAILY ASSET Newspaper following a visit by a delegation from the bank to the newspaper’s corporate office in Abuja.

The delegation, which arrived from Lagos, was led by the Head of Media and Internal Communication, Fidelity Bank Plc, Adebowale Banzi.

The visit was aimed at appreciating DAILY ASSET for its support over the years, while exploring ways to further deepen collaboration and strengthen the relationship between the financial institution and the newspaper.

The Editor, David Torough, who received the delegation on behalf of the management of DAILY ASSET, expressed the newspaper’s appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a strong professional relationship with the bank.

Torough assured Fidelity Bank of the newspaper’s continued support through accurate, objective and responsible journalism, noting that DAILY ASSET would continue to provide a credible platform for showcasing the bank’s activities, initiatives and contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.

He said the newspaper remained committed to reporting issues in a balanced and professional manner while highlighting developments and initiatives capable of contributing to national growth.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to exchange ideas on areas of mutual interest and explore avenues for further collaboration.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has vowed to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, assuring the bereaved families that the findings of the investigation will be made public.

Bago gave the assurance on Sunday at a special Fida’a prayer held at Tunga Central Mosque, Minna, in honour of the deceased.

He said the state government would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and establish the identities, ages and circumstances of all those detained at the facility.

“We are not going to take anything for granted. We are going to probe deeply so that we can get to the real causes of these deaths,” the governor said.

According to Bago, preliminary information indicated that some detainees were already in custody before the latest arrests of suspected illegal miners. He said the investigation would therefore examine who was detained earlier, who was subsequently arrested and the circumstances surrounding each death.

The governor said medical and forensic investigations, including autopsies, were being undertaken to establish the cause of death. Possible explanations previously identified include overcrowding and suffocation, as well as exposure to hazardous substances associated with mining, although the final cause remains under investigation.

24 NSCDC Personnel in Custody

The development has also triggered disciplinary action within the NSCDC.

The Corps said 24 personnel of its Niger State Command linked to the incident had been taken into protective custody at its national headquarters in Abuja for interrogation and administrative disciplinary proceedings.

The NSCDC initially announced the detention of 21 personnel but later added three more, bringing the number to 24.

According to the Corps Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, the personnel were taken into custody on September 17 and would be made available to the Presidential Independent Investigation Committee and other investigative panels.

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said the Corps would ensure due process, transparency and accountability, adding that personnel found culpable would face internal disciplinary measures and prosecution where warranted.

The Corps has also ordered its flag to fly at half-mast across all formations for three days from Sunday, September 20, as a mark of mourning and institutional remorse.

Falana Demands Criminal Prosecution

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called for a speedy criminal investigation and prosecution of anyone found responsible for the deaths.

Falana urged the Attorney-General of Niger State, Nasiru Mu’azu, to direct the state police command to investigate the incident and ensure that suspects indicted by the investigation are prosecuted by the state Ministry of Justice.

He also called for detention facilities across the country to comply with internationally recognised standards, particularly those relating to accommodation, ventilation, sanitation, healthcare and humane treatment.

Falana said the Niger incident underscored the need for authorities to establish individual responsibility where criminal wrongdoing is found, rather than allowing the matter to end solely with administrative sanctions.

The Federal Government has meanwhile constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and has said the probe will be comprehensive, transparent and unhindered.

Government Announces Support for Families

Bago also announced that the Niger State Government would provide palliatives and other assistance to the families of the deceased.

The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Faruq Bahago, is expected to supervise the distribution, while assistance will also be extended to survivors still receiving treatment in hospitals.

The governor appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and refrain from violence while the investigation continues.

He said the 24-hour curfew imposed in Minna following unrest triggered by the deaths would be lifted after Sunday night, allowing residents to return to normal activities.

Mining Activities to Face Tighter Controls

Bago further announced plans to enforce a ban on mining activities within residential communities, saying the location linked to the incident was not designated for mining.

He said the government would strengthen responsible-mining regulations and use its legal powers to prevent further illegal mining in residential areas, while engaging stakeholders in the mining sector.

At the Fida’a prayer, Islamic clerics prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, comfort for their families and peace in Niger State and Nigeria.

The prayer was attended by government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, relatives of some of the deceased and other sympathisers.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.