Category: The Nation – Nigeria

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has dismissed allegations by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) that the ruling party is denying opposition candidates access to campaign venues and billboard spaces across the country.

The APC official who spoke on condition of anonymity described the allegations made by the NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director during a live television broadcast on Monday as ‘pure gibberish’ arguing that they lacked specific details and verifiable evidence.

The ruling party chieftain said he found no state names local government areas or specific agencies in the allegations to substantiate claims that opposition parties were denied access to campaign venues or advertising spaces.

‘Someone sent the allegation to me on WhatsApp and I read it from head to toe’ the APC official said.

‘It just says NDC makes an allegation that we are denying them access to venues and billboards. Where? In Delta State? In Lagos? Or in Abuja? There is no information no context and no specific location. My brother it is hard to dignify this kind of nonsense.’

On whether the APC was ensuring a level playing field for political parties ahead of the forthcoming elections the official said billboard advertising operated on commercial terms with parties competing for available spaces.

He argued that the APC did not exercise physical control over all advertising locations across the country and maintained that the ruling party also had to pay to secure billboard spaces.

‘APC is a political party contesting election and we are not in physical control of all advertising territories across Nigeria’ he said.

‘The idea that APC is denying people space-what level? We are looking for billboards just as they are and we are paying for billboards just as they are. We are all in the same market trying to market our platforms.’

The NWC member also criticised what he described as the opposition’s tendency to make broad accusations without providing specific details saying such claims risked drawing political parties into unproductive exchanges.

The NDC’s allegations and the APC official’s response come amid preparations for the next general elections.

‘If you make an allegation it must be noted if you didn’t provide any specific case state location or names’ he added. ‘Otherwise we get stuck in an endless cycle where someone comes to say ‘they beat our people today’ and we reply ‘oh we didn’t beat your people today.’ That’s childish and joking.’

He challenged the NDC leadership to present concrete verifiable complaints with relevant state authorities or ministries before expecting an official response from the ruling party.

‘If they bring up a credible allegation our party will respond’ the official concluded. ‘If you say that in a specific state you tried to get a billboard in a particular place and a specific ministry denied you after writing to them then we can verify with that state and ministry to answer appropriately. But this blanket idea of ‘they are denying us space’ without any context-their statement is not a statement; it is just gibberish.’

The APC chieftain’s reaction followed an earlier appearance by NDC National Publicity Secretary Osa Director on ARISE TV on Monday where he accused the APC of trying to frustrate his party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections by blocking access to event spaces and outdoor billboard placements.

The director insisted during the interview that the NDC had repeatedly struggled to secure locations for its public events despite fulfilling payment obligations adding that the party was forced to hunt for alternative sites.

‘This is the fourth venue we are paying for. We kept this one under wraps until just a few hours ago when we issued the press release only for us to be called that the political marauders have come and said they are the owners of the land so we should take back our money’ the Director alleged.

He added that despite operational hurdles and alleged restrictions on billboard bookings the NDC would not be intimidated into keeping its message from Nigerian voters.

‘Nigeria belongs to us all. Nobody owns Nigeria. We fought; we used our life and sweat and blood to fight for this democracy we are enjoying today’ the NDC spokesman said. ‘So who is that person to tell me that I will not have a right to exercise my freedom of speech and freedom of assembly?’

England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Gerd Mller Trophy for his sensational 2025-26 campaign for club and country becoming just the second player in history to win the prize twice.

Since its inception in 2021 the Gerd Mller Trophy is awarded to the player with the most goals scored across a singular campaign. Named after the late German legend Gerd Mller.

The 33-year-old scored a total of 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England last season crowning him as the sport’s top goalscorer in the 2026 Ballon d’or ceremony.

Kane’s goals helped Bayern Munich add another Bundesliga title to their trophy cabinet. The defending German champions also won the DFB-Pokal and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) yesterday said a newly suspected Ebola case reported in Rivers State tested negative.

At a briefing on Nigeria’s response it said the monitoring of contacts linked to the index case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was ongoing.

NCDC said: ‘A newly suspected case reported in Rivers State has tested negative for Ebola disease.

‘The only confirmed case recorded in the FCT remains in isolation and is receiving treatment. No deaths have been recorded.

‘Contacts identified have risen to 53 including healthcare workers and household members and are being followed up for 21 days.’

NCDC Director-General Dr Jide Idris said investigations were ongoing to establish the source of infection and trace the confirmed patient’s movements before she was diagnosed.

The 53 contacts comprise 44 people at a health facility and nine others identified during further investigations.

The additional contacts include three household members three healthcare workers at a university teaching hospital the patient visited before arriving at the facility where her infection was identified and three members of the team that collected her samples.

Idris said the number could change as investigations progressed and more people who might have been exposed to the virus were identified.

Health officials are interviewing the contacts to establish whom they have interacted with and determine whether additional people need to be monitored.

Those without symptoms may be monitored at home with their temperatures checked twice daily while anyone who develops symptoms will be assessed promptly and isolated where necessary.

Idris urged those identified as contacts to cooperate with public health officials stressing that being listed did not mean they had contracted the disease.

Financial assistance considered

The NCDC chief said the government was considering financial assistance of N100000 weekly for the 53 contacts to cushion the effects of isolation on their businesses and families.

He said some of those being monitored had complained that the restrictions were affecting their livelihoods and family responsibilities.

Idris however indicated that the proposed assistance would require coordination with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration which could take over the process.

He urged state governments to prepare for similar situations should the outbreak require restrictions that affect the livelihoods of people placed under monitoring.

On the confirmed patient Idris said her condition had improved while tests on her husband had returned negative.

‘The husband has been with the wife. The husband is negative. They travelled together to various places so the travel history is still unfolding to give us a clear picture’ he said.

He explained that the patient arrived in Nigeria without symptoms making it difficult to detect the infection through routine screening.

‘It was in reviewing the history that we started hearing about the case. Because she was symptomless there was no way it could be tested at that point’ he said.

The NCDC DG said the national incident management system had been activated to coordinate the response involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare the NCDC FCT health authorities other government agencies and technical partners.

He said the agency had stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) and was expecting additional supplies for healthcare facilities and states managing suspected cases and contacts.

‘We have PPE right now we have stocks we are getting in more and we are prioritising for close contacts where they are very necessary’ he said.

Idris stressed that protective equipment must be appropriate to the duties being performed noting that healthcare workers treating patients require different levels of protection from those carrying out other tasks.

On diagnostic capacity he said Nigeria had identified about 12 laboratories capable of testing for Ebola including the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja and the Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology in Lagos.

According to him laboratory readiness is being strengthened through additional reagents consumables and technical support while genomic sequencing is ongoing to help establish the relationship between the virus detected in the patient and previously identified strains.

He cautioned however that not all laboratories had the biosafety infrastructure and expertise required to handle Ebola samples.

Idris said the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak had no approved vaccine although vaccine candidates were undergoing clinical trials.

He added that any potential treatment must comply with established clinical and regulatory protocols.

He urged healthcare facilities to strengthen infection prevention and control measures maintain a high index of suspicion and report suspected cases promptly.

Healthcare workers he said should implement protective measures immediately when they encounter a suspected case rather than wait for laboratory confirmation.

The NCDC chief also advised Nigerians to avoid misinformation and rely on verified updates from authorised health agencies.

He urged the public to practice regular hand hygiene avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of suspected cases and promptly report possible exposure or symptoms.

‘Our immediate priority is to identify and follow up all contacts protect healthcare workers provide appropriate care and prevent transmission into the wider community’ he said.

Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Dr Jean Kaseya had said the index patient was born in Uganda and arrived in Abuja with her husband on October 3.

The husband is a diplomat with the Switzerland Embassy in Nigeria.

Kebbi strengthens border surveillance

In Kebbi State the government has intensified measures to prevent the possible importation and spread of Ebola.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr Zaki Abubakar Zaki disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

He said the ministry through its Department of Public Health had strengthened disease surveillance and screening of travellers at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Birnin Kebbi and designated land border entry points across the state.

Passengers arriving at and departing from the airport are being screened at designated gates to facilitate the early detection of suspected cases and identify travellers exhibiting symptoms consistent with Ebola.

Similar screening measures have been introduced at three land border entry points in Bagudo Kamba and Arewa local government areas.

Zaki said the measures were designed to ensure the prompt identification of suspected cases timely referral for medical assessment and implementation of appropriate public health interventions to minimise the risk of transmission.

He added that the ministry had supplied PPE to all general hospitals across the state to strengthen infection prevention and control.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents through proactive surveillance stronger border screening and coordination with relevant health authorities and stakeholders.

It urged residents and travellers to remain vigilant cooperate with health officials and promptly report suspected symptoms to the appropriate authorities.

Lagos steps up surveillance

The Lagos State Government also intensified disease surveillance and preparedness following the confirmation of the imported Ebola Bundibugyo virus case in Abuja saying no suspected case had been detected in the state.

Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi said the state was strengthening surveillance public awareness and collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure early detection and a prompt response to any suspected case.

In a statement Abayomi said the Ministry of Health had conducted an assessment and strategic engagement with airport management Port Health Services and other aviation and public health stakeholders at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos.

He said the engagement focused on passenger screening information sharing infection prevention and control and coordination of emergency response measures.

The ministry is also intensifying public enlightenment on the symptoms transmission and prevention of Ebola Virus Disease.

Abayomi urged residents to remain calm but vigilant warning that Ebola is a severe disease that can be fatal.

He said the virus spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of infected people showing symptoms contaminated materials and the bodies of people who have died from the disease. Transmission may also occur through contact with infected animals.

Symptoms may appear between two and 21 days after exposure and include fever severe weakness headache muscle pain sore throat vomiting diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Unexplained bleeding or bruising may also occur.

He advised people who develop symptoms particularly after possible exposure or travel from an area with active transmission to seek prompt medical assessment.

The commissioner noted that early Ebola symptoms could resemble malaria and other common illnesses urging residents to avoid self-medication.

He added that under Lagos State’s fever-management policy people with fever should undergo a malaria rapid diagnostic test before taking antimalarial drugs.

Those who test negative should be assessed by a healthcare professional for other possible causes.

Residents were also advised to wash their hands regularly avoid contact with the bodily fluids of sick people and potentially contaminated materials and stay away from sick or dead wild animals.

Abayomi urged travellers arriving in Nigeria particularly from areas reporting Ebola transmission to cooperate with Port Health Services provide accurate travel and health information when requested and comply with public health guidance.

Anyone who suspects exposure to the virus should contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

Residents can report suspected cases or exposure concerns through the state’s emergency numbers 112 or 767 or contact the Directorate of Epidemiology Biosecurity and Global Health on 0802 316 9485.

Abayomi said the government would continue to monitor developments strengthen its response capacity and provide updates as necessary.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has published the voter register on its website ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission has asked Nigerians to use the publication to submit observations on the register noting that it is processing claims and objections arising from the earlier display of the register at the registration level.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Mohammed Haruna the commission noted concerns from Nigerians and other stakeholders about making the register accessible through its online platform.

The statement read ‘The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to provide an update on the display of the Preliminary Register of Voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

‘In accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2026 the Commission conducted the physical display of the Register at Registration Areas nationwide from 9th to 15th October 2026 providing registered voters the opportunity to inspect their particulars and submit claims and objections as prescribed by law.

‘The Commission has taken note of the concerns expressed by Nigerians and other stakeholders regarding the desirability of making the Register accessible through its online platform in addition to the physical display already conducted.

‘Accordingly and in furtherance of its commitment to transparency accessibility and public confidence in the electoral process the Commission has decided to make available on its online platform https://display.inecnigeria.org the same Preliminary Register of Voters earlier displayed at the Registration Areas.

‘This additional measure complements the physical display already undertaken and is intended to facilitate wider public access to the Register.

‘Meanwhile the Commission continues to process claims and objections arising from the exercise in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 preparatory to the certification and publication of the Final Register of Voters on 15th December 2026.

‘The Commission appreciates the continued interest and constructive engagement of Nigerians and stakeholders and reiterates its commitment to transparency accountability and the faithful implementation of the Electoral Act 2026 in delivering credible elections.’

Billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu has gifted Afrobeats rapper Zlatan Ibile wedding presents following his traditional marriage.

The rapper whose real name is Omoniyi Raphael shared the gifts on his Instagram story on Monday two days after his traditional wedding to his partner Davita Lamai on Saturday October 24.

The gifts arrived in Heirs Holdings-branded packages with handwritten notes reading ‘Zlatan well done’ ‘Our wife’ ‘Congrats’ and ‘Zlatan.’

Elumelu’s signature initials TOE were also boldly inscribed as the sender’s sign-off.

Appreciating the gesture Zlatan thanked the billionaire businessman on his Instagram story tagging his handle with a love emoji.

The couple announced their wedding date in a video posted on October 8.

Their traditional wedding featured Edo-inspired outfits to honour Davita’s heritage followed by a second look in coordinated Yoruba attire.

Several personalities attended the ceremony including Davido Seyi Vodi Young Jonn Iyabo Ojo Papaya Ex Lil Kesh and Teni.

Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Dr. Adewole Adebayo has urged the media to ensure balanced coverage of political parties and their candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adebayo who made the call yesterday during a meeting with reporters in Abuja stressed the need for independent impartial and responsible reporting on issues affecting Nigerians.

He urged the media to give adequate attention to insecurity poverty corruption and democratic governance while providing different sides an opportunity to present their views.

According to him fair coverage of political parties and their candidates will enable Nigerians to access diverse opinions and make informed electoral choices.

He urged media houses to ensure that their coverage did not create the impression that only a few candidates were relevant in presidential elections.

Adebayo said the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had important roles in promoting credible elections adding that responsible reporting was essential to the democratic process.

He also urged the organisations to ensure that commercial interests did not compromise fair coverage of political parties and their programmes.

Reflecting on the SDP’s history Adebayo recalled the annulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by the party.

He said the experience reinforced the party’s commitment to democratic governance and the right of Nigerians to choose their leaders through credible elections.

Adebayo urged political parties to present clear policy proposals to address the country’s challenges while the media should provide adequate platforms for public discussion of their manifestos.

The SDP candidate said the party’s vision was anchored on the principle that the primary responsibility of government was to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

According to him the SDP had published its 2027 presidential manifesto – Farewell to poverty and insecurity – in English Hausa Igbo and Yoruba as well as other languages to make its policies accessible to a wider audience.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his historic re-election for a record fourth term declaring Nigeria’s readiness to expand its strategic partnership with Brazil across critical sectors of both economies.

The President said Lula’s renewed mandate presented a fresh opportunity to consolidate the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Brazil particularly in trade investment agriculture energy manufacturing and technological development.

In a congratulatory message he personally signed on Monday in Abuja Tinubu described the Brazilian leader as a friend and expressed optimism that his electoral victory would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

‘I congratulate my friend President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on his re-election for a record fourth term.

‘Your renewed mandate offers an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and Brazil dating back to 1961’ Tinubu stated.

The President emphasised the strategic importance of cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil as two influential countries of the Global South stressing the need for stronger economic integration and collective action in addressing emerging global challenges.

According to him both nations occupy important positions in their respective regions and possess enormous potential to influence economic development international cooperation and the advancement of developing economies.

‘As two leading nations of the Global South we can promote economic integration and advance our shared interests in a rapidly changing global order’ he said.

Tinubu identified trade and investment agriculture and food security energy oil and gas manufacturing science and technology education aviation and cultural exchange as priority areas in which his administration would seek expanded cooperation with Brazil.

‘I look forward to expanding cooperation in trade and investment agriculture and food security energy oil and gas manufacturing science and technology education aviation and cultural exchange’ the President declared.

He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening multilateral engagement with Brazil particularly in advancing common priorities affecting Africa South America and other developing regions.

The President said stronger collaboration between the two countries would contribute to the pursuit of shared economic and diplomatic interests within the evolving international system.

‘I affirm Nigeria’s continued commitment to working with Brazil to strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance shared priorities in Africa South America and across the Global South’ Tinubu said.

He concluded by extending the goodwill of the Nigerian government and people to the Brazilian leader as he prepares for another term in office.

‘On behalf of the people of Nigeria I wish you a successful new term in office’ the President said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution Benjamin Kalu on Monday confirmed that 24 State Assemblies have passed the bill.

The National Assembly may give the bill final passage when it resumes plenary between Tuesday and Thursday after receiving responses from the states.

While two third majority of the 36 states are required to pass a constitutional amendment bill 12 other states are yet to pass the bill.

Kalu said on his verified X-handle that the passage of the bill by 24 state Assemblies will bring policing closer to the Nigerian people.

Kalu said’ the State Police Bill has now been approved by 24 State Houses of Assembly. A major milestone for Nigeria’s security architecture and constitutional reform.

‘State Police will bring policing closer to the people improve local intelligence gathering speed up response to threats and let states design security strategies for their own unique challenges.

‘I commend the State Houses of Assembly for their commitment to this historic process and I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his leadership and support for this reform.

‘I urge the State Assemblies to extend the same support to the other constitutional amendment bills that will be transmitted to them’.

States that has passed the bill include Adamawa Delta Edo Kwara Nasarawa Ogun Osun Enugu Anambra Imo Ekiti Kebbi Akwa Ibom Oyo Plateau Rivers Taraba Zamfara Bayelsa Benue Cross River Abia Yobe and Kaduna.

The 12 states that are yet to pass the bill as at 2.00pm on Monday October 26 2026 are Lagos Ondo Ebonyi Kogi Niger Borno Gombe Bauchi Jigawa Katsina Kano and Sokoto.

The Baptist Academy Old Students’ Association (BAOSA) has unveiled seven legacy projects at its alma mater committing resources to rehabilitating laboratories improving campus security and restoring the school’s green environment as the institution marked its 171st Founder’s Day.

The projects undertaken by different sets of old students include the renovation of the Physics and Chemistry laboratories rehabilitation of the Home Economics and Agricultural Science laboratory installation of solar lighting across the school premises and the commissioning of the BAOSA Garden.

The association also unveiled a redesigned school badge and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a proposed lecture theatre medical clinic and preparation room.

BAOSA Global President Olumide Ajomale said the interventions were aimed at addressing infrastructure deficiencies improving the learning environment and preserving the institution’s heritage.

He said the renovation of the laboratories was necessary after years of inadequate maintenance while the installation of solar lights would improve security and visibility within the premises particularly during power outages.

Ajomale said the landscaping and tree-planting initiative was also designed to restore the greenery that once characterised the school and promote environmental consciousness among students.

‘When we were in school this was a massive green land’ he said urging students to appreciate nature and understand the importance of protecting the environment.

The BAOSA president stressed that the association’s commitment to Baptist Academy extended beyond physical infrastructure to include scholarships mentoring skills development and character formation.

He disclosed that the association had awarded prizes and scholarships worth millions of naira through its annual activities supporting students with disabilities and those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to him BAOSA also sponsors initiatives to strengthen students’ public-speaking and debating abilities including the Have Your Say debate competition organised by BAOSA UK.

‘Our intervention goes beyond money. It goes beyond the physical infrastructure. It’s wholesome and we’re proud to be able to do this’ Ajomale said.

He said the association was determined to preserve the school’s 171-year history and ensure that its legacy continued to inspire future generations.

As part of the heritage preservation effort he disclosed that the school’s heritage room would be developed further with historical documents graduation programmes and other memorabilia documenting the institution’s evolution and the achievements of its alumni.

He also highlighted the BAOSA Order of Excellence established to recognise former students whose academic accomplishments professional achievements leadership and service to society reflect the institution’s ideals.

Ajomale said the initiative would expose current students to the achievements of distinguished alumni and encourage them to pursue excellence.

The President of the Lagos East Baptist Conference Revd Matthew Olawale Awujoola who represented the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Revd David Olusola Idowu commended the alumni for investing in their former school.

He said sustained alumni involvement could help bridge infrastructure gaps strengthen academic development and provide students with role models to emulate.

‘If we have this replicated all across the land through our schools by our old students I am very sure that education will greatly increase in Nigeria’ Awujoola said.

He described the intervention as an expression of generosity love for humanity and commitment to national development adding that the presence of accomplished alumni could encourage younger students to embrace discipline perseverance and good character.

The cleric expressed optimism that the investments would significantly improve Baptist Academy over the next decade and urged students to uphold the values exemplified by the association.

The school’s Principal Mr Solomon Ajagunmo said the projects would contribute to improving teaching and learning assuring the alumni that the management would maintain the facilities and protect the investments.

He also highlighted the institution’s academic performance disclosing that some students had recorded nine As in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in previous years while the school recorded seven As and two Bs last year.

He noted that about 85 per cent of students secured admission into universities in Nigeria and abroad after completing their studies.

Ajagunmo expressed the school’s commitment to raising academic standards deepening moral instruction and character development.

Zonal Administrator of Baptist Mission Schools Lagos Zone Mrs Titilayo Amune described alumni interventions as critical to restoring the standards associated with established schools.

According to her contributions from former students went beyond buildings and equipment to include scholarships mentoring and other forms of educational support that might otherwise be difficult to provide.

Amune said such initiatives could instil a culture of generosity and responsibility in younger students encouraging them to support future generations when they became successful.

‘If every old student does what BAOSA is doing now then you have a lot of differences in our schools especially old schools’ she said.

She urged BAOSA members to sustain their unity and commitment expressing hope that their capacity to support the institution would continue to grow.

The Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has begun a week-long programme marking its 50th anniversary.

As part of the week-long celebration scheduled for Monday October 26 to November 1 2026 the Council will lay the foundation for a 750-capacity hall donated by the Senator representing Ogun West and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.

The council also announced plans to launch Iwe Irohin Online organise a Walk for Press Freedom and honour distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to journalism and national development.

Speaking in Abeokuta at a press conference to herald the anniversary Chairman of the council Akinwale Olanrewaju said the anniversary themed ‘Truth Trust and the Press – Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Confidence in Journalism’ was designed to reflect on the union’s contributions to press freedom while addressing challenges confronting the profession.

He said the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Lecture slated for Thursday October 29 at the Iwe-Irohin Centre Abeokuta will be one of the major events.

According to him the first female Accountant-General of the Federation Oluwatoyin Madein will deliver the keynote address while the panel session will feature the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Reuben Abati; former Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Yusuf Olaniyonu; and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Kalejaiye.

Other panellists include former Ogun NUJ chairman Femi Shodunke and Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni.

He said the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on Ogun State’s historic position as Nigeria’s cradle of journalism and its enduring role in promoting democratic values and defending press freedom.

He added that other activities lined up for the celebration included the National Association of Women Journalists Day a free music concert community outreach to Opeji thanksgiving services and an awards ceremony

The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 31 at the Telemedicine Hall Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta while the celebration will conclude with a thanksgiving service at Victory Life Bible Church on November 1.

Earlier the chairman of the anniversary planning committee Emmanuel Oke said the programme was structured to combine professional engagement with sports entertainment community service and recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions to journalism and nation-building.

Oke called on journalists media stakeholders and members of the public to join the celebration describing the Golden Jubilee as an opportunity to reflect on the past assess the present and consider the future of journalism in Ogun State and Nigeria.