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The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has described the death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, fondly known as ‘Sommie’, a news anchor and reporter with Arise News through a robbery attack as stark reminder of the dangers Nigerians face daily in their homes and on the streets.

The NGE said this in a statement by its President, Mr Eze Anaba and General Secretary, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, issued on Tuesday while expressing sadness over the death of news anchor, lawyer and reporter.

The Guild described the death of the 29-year-old broadcaster in an armed robbery incident at her Katampe, Abuja residence on Monday, Sept. 29 as ‘senseless’.

‘By Somtochukwu’s untimely death, journalism has lost not just a good professional, who was committed to shedding light on important issues and giving voice to the voiceless but also one who represented the future of journalism in the country.

‘The loss of this dedicated journalist from an armed robbery incident. We cannot help but reflect on the issue of insecurity that plagues our nation.

‘The rising cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and other violent crimes, have created an environment of fear and uncertainty for both citizens and professionals like journalists,’ the NGE stated.

The guild consequently called on the Federal Government to expedite action, in addressing the root causes of insecurity and take measures to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.

According to the NGE, those responsible for Maduagwu’s death must be fished out by security agencies and made to face the full weight of the law.

‘At this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with Arise News and the broadcast journalism community.

‘We pray that the memory of this talented young journalist who died at her prime, inspire excellence in journalism, even in the face of adversity.

‘May the memory of this vibrant journalist be a blessing to all who knew her,’ it added

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in Owerri, Imo State, blasted those peddling allegations of religious genocide in the country, saying no religion is under siege.

He said the allegations were unfounded and misleading, as citizens focus more on harmony and shared prosperity.

The President noted that Nigerians, after 65 years of Independence, had grown to appreciate religious and cultural differences and explore the advantages of diversity in terms of educational, economic, and other productive gains.

President Tinubu allayed fears of religious intolerance in the country at the unveiling of a book on the 10 years of the APC government in Nigeria. It was authored by the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma.

President Tinubu commissioned the Owerri-Mbaise-Umahia road, the Assumpta Twin flyover, and the Emmanuel Iwuayanwu Convention Centre.

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, two former APC Chairmen, Adams Oshiomhole and Umar Ganduje, governors of APC States, and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, attended the commissioning of the projects and the book launch.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Senate President, former Senate Presidents, Sen. Pius Anyim Pius, and Sen. Ahmad Lawan, were also at the event.

Others include the founding Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba, as well as traditional and religious leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, student unions, and market associations.

President Tinubu told the crowd at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Convention Centre: ‘Let me also say this clearly, Nigeria is a proud, sovereign nation built on the faith and resilience of its people. Here, no faith is under siege, no community is excluded. Our churches, mosques, and traditional shrines stand side by side – not as rivals, but as symbols of the unity that binds us.

‘We must never allow outsiders to tell us who we are or sow division among us. We are Nigerians, and we will stand together. Nigeria will not accept lectures from those who seek to profit from our divisions. No one loves this country more than Nigerians themselves, and no one will define us except us.

‘Our duty is to stand guard over our unity, protect every citizen, and continue to prove to the world that our diversity is not our weakness, but our strength and when Nigeria stands united, no falsehood can prosper against her. So help us God,’ he added.

On the impact of the All Progressives Congress in running Nigeria since 2015, President Tinubu said: ‘Nigeria is no longer where it was ten years ago. We promised a change, and I can confidently tell you the worst is over.

‘Ten years ago, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), came into power on the wings of change. Nigeria was at a crossroads. A break from the old order was not only desirable; it had become inevitable to steer our nation away from collapse.

‘Under President Muhammadu Buhari, our party began stabilising Nigeria. We invested heavily in infrastructure, pushed back terrorists, and instilled accountability in public finance. Were there challenges? Yes. Were mistakes made? Yes. But no one can deny that the direction of Nigeria changed for good,’ he added.

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‘APC may not be perfect, but we are purposeful. And we will not allow Nigeria to return to the wasted years of drift,’ the President said.

‘We are not yet where we want to be, but we are no longer where we were. We are building a Nigeria that values productivity above handouts and is a nation prepared for a sustainable future.

The President has a message for the critics of the APC administration: ‘And to those who today parade themselves as prophets of solutions, let me say this: those who wasted sixteen years had their chance. Nigerians remember the broken promises, the broken power plants, the broken roads and the attempts to usurp democratic institutions using corrupt practices and subterfuge.’

President Tinubu commended Governor Uzodimma for his scholarship documenting this decade of progressive governance.

‘Hope has given Nigeria a gift: a reminder that nations must write their own stories, and leaders must account for their stewardship.’

The President stated that the outlook for the economy had improved across various indicators.

‘I am honoured to stand here in Owerri, in the heart of the South-East, a land of industry, intellect, and resilience. I know there were times when this region felt left out. But under Renewed Hope, no part of Nigeria will be abandoned. The South-East is not on the margins; you are at the centre of our national rebirth.

‘Believing in true federalism and decentralisation, I have created regional development commissions to bring progress closer to the people. Nigerians have the right to hold leaders at every level (federal, state, and local) accountable. And as leaders, we have the duty to deliver,’ he added.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, thanked the President for the initiative of NELFUND, which had encouraged more underprivileged children to pursue their education in higher institutions.

‘Mr President, you have given hope to many young people through the Education funds you provide. You have invested in agriculture to provide food for millions of Nigerians.

‘On behalf of the entire National Assembly, we want to congratulate the performing governor,’ the Senate President said.

The Governor of Imo State, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, stated that the sub-national governments had consistently received increased allocations, enabling infrastructure construction and improving sectors such as education and health.

‘Mr President, we are grateful for your support. It is through your courage and bold policies that our economy is stabilised today. Most of the projects we undertake in Imo are made possible by the continuous funding we receive from time to time.

‘Your consistency in the political trajectory of Nigeria made it possible for the formation of APC, which became a force in the build-up to the 2015 elections. This inspired me to document all these remarkable efforts into a book titled ‘A Decade of Leadership in Nigeria’.

Prof. Benett Chima Nwanguma reviewed the book.

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday arraigned Samsideen Oladiti, 55, a prominent member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) popularly known as Shamelon, over the alleged murder of a dispatch rider.

Oladiti appeared before Ebute Metta Magistrate Court 2 following his arrest over assault and murder allegations.

According to the Lagos State Police Command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, Oladiti allegedly attacked a dispatch rider on Lagos Island on September 17, 2025, using a helmet and his fists, inflicting serious injuries. The victim was rushed to the hospital, placed on oxygen, and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Oluseyi added that the suspect had been linked to a prior violent incident on August 28, which also resulted in the death of another man. In that case, Oladiti allegedly struck the victim with a metallic ring to the head and face, causing severe injuries. Despite medical intervention, the victim was pronounced dead on September 17, and the body was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

The arraignment follows protests by sympathizers of the deceased at Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island, where two of Oladiti’s motorcycles were set ablaze, escalating tensions in the area.

The state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, personally responded to the unrest, ensuring order while the suspect was taken into custody.

Oladiti faces further investigation and prosecution as the Lagos State Police continue to probe his alleged involvement in violent crimes across the island.

US President Donald Trump has set a strict three-to-four-day deadline for Hamas to respond to his 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the 23-month war in Gaza.

Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, Trump said all other parties including Israel and Arab nations, have signed on, leaving Hamas as the last obstacle.

Trump warned that if Hamas rejects the proposal, ‘it’s going to be a very sad end,’ and pledged full US backing for Israel to act as it sees fit, without specifying the measures. ‘With Hamas, it’s very simple,’ he added. ‘We want the hostages back immediately and we want some good behaviour.’

The plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours of an agreement, and a phased Israeli troop withdrawal. It also demands Hamas disarm-an element the group has previously rejected without guarantees of Palestinian statehood.

Qatar, which hosts the Hamas political bureau, said the group is studying the proposal responsibly, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology for a recent strike on Qatari soil. Netanyahu, who supports the plan, has insisted Israeli forces will remain in most of Gaza.

The US-backed initiative faces internal challenges. Key Israeli ministers, including far-right hardliner Bezalel Smotrich, have criticised it, calling the plan a ‘resounding diplomatic failure.’ Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank have urged action, highlighting the urgency of the conflict.

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, has called on Lagosians, particularly traditional rulers, to preserve the state’s cultural heritage and historical records for the benefit of future generations.

The charge was made on Tuesday at an event to mark the 2025 International Archives Day with the theme ‘A Greater Lagos Rising: Preserving Our Past, Inspiring Our Future’, organized by the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) at Magodo, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, LASRAB Director-General, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana, stressed that archives are not just documents but ‘living testaments of identity’ that safeguard history, culture, and government accountability.

‘This occasion is not only a global call to recognize the world of archives and to shape our society but also a moment for us in Lagos State to reflect on our history, our journey, and heritage. Our records are not only a job for archivists; it is for every one of us. When we are able to preserve our records, the future generations will meet them,’ she said.

Ogunlana revealed that the Bureau recently published a book to make Lagos history more accessible to the public, while praising archivists as ‘protectors of our heritage’ who ensure voices from the past are not lost.

In his goodwill message, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iruland, lauded the DG for repositioning LASRAB over the past two years. ‘LASRAB is always in the news, and the International Archives Day is a day I reckon with. A lot must be done to promote it,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, described the Bureau as ‘a compass to the future we are building,’ noting that archives play a vital role in accountability and governance.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, emphasized that LASRAB was established to counter false narratives about Lagos’ history. He argued that the notion of Lagos being ‘no man’s land’ can only be corrected by preserving and showcasing its cultural and historical heritage.

Dignitaries at the event included members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Governor’s Advisory Council, traditional rulers, and cultural leaders such as the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, HRM Abiola Dosunmu, alongside White Cap Chiefs.

The International Archives Day, celebrated annually on September 30, is a global initiative to promote the preservation of archives, culture, and heritage.

The European Union (EU), through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has given ?26 million to support children displaced by violence in Plateau State.

The money will be used to provide food, school supplies, and other basic needs for children living in displacement camps in Mangu, Bokkos, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Bassa Local Government Areas. The project is part of the African Peace and Stability Programme.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by Mr. Dayi Timothy, thanked the EU and ECOWAS for the support.

He said peace and security are the government’s top priorities, adding that humanitarian aid and development must go hand in hand.

Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ube, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, explained that the EU funding will help restore dignity and hope to displaced children by meeting their food, education, and emotional needs.

She noted, ‘When we support children’s welfare, we also build peace and prosperity for the future.’

Other officials praised the EU and ECOWAS for focusing on women and children. They promised to continue working with partners to expand relief efforts and link them to long-term recovery.

Mrs. Julie Sanda, head of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, warned that without urgent help, many children risk losing their future due to displacement and lack of education.

Representing the displaced families, Mr. Malau Malan from St Gregory IDP Camp in Bokkos thanked the EU, ECOWAS, and the African Union. He promised that the funds would be used wisely and fairly to improve children’s lives.

A Nigerian national, Tochukwu Albert Nnebocha, 43, has been extradited from Poland to the United States to face charges of running an international fraud ring that swindled elderly Americans out of their life savings with a fake inheritance scheme.

Nnebocha made his first court appearance on Monday, September 29, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett in Miami. He had been arrested in Poland back in April following an indictment filed in the Southern District of Florida, and has remained in custody ever since.

According to U.S. prosecutors, Nnebocha and his associates spent more than five years masterminding a transnational inheritance fraud. They allegedly mailed personalized letters to senior citizens across America, claiming to represent a Spanish bank and informing victims they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from long-deceased relatives in Spain.

The catch is, before touching the bogus fortune, victims were told to pay upfront ‘fees, taxes and clearance costs’ to prevent government questioning. Many unsuspecting seniors fell for the scam, sending their hard-earned money into what investigators described as a complex web of transfers. Former victims in the United States were even tricked into serving as middlemen to forward the funds overseas.

Court filings say that no victim ever received a dime of the promised inheritance.

Nnebocha is now facing conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, alongside substantive counts of both crimes. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to 20 years. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge under U.S. guidelines.

Two other Nigerians linked to the fraud have already been sentenced. Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, extradited from Portugal, and Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, extradited from the United Kingdom, both bagged 97 months in prison earlier this year.

The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with help from the FBI, INTERPOL, Polish authorities and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

The U.S. Justice Department stressed that the case forms part of its wider campaign to shield American seniors from foreign-based scams – including romance fraud, fake lottery winnings, tech support hoaxes, and ‘grandparent scams’ where criminals pose as desperate relatives in need of cash.

Two principals of Ilugun High School in Elega, Abeokuta, Ogun State identified as Mrs Olukoga Alaba and Mrs. Olabisi Ladipo have been suspended by the state government indefinitely following death of a student linked to the school.

The Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in Abeokuta.

Arigbabu spoke while reacting to a viral video, where students were seen vandalising school properties.

The Commissioner explained that the principals representing the junior and senior schools respectively were suspended due to their involvement in the incident.

According to him, the principal of the junior school was reportedly involved in the collection of illegal fees, which led to a protest by the students.

‘In the ensuing protest, security agents were invited to calm nerves, which subsequently led to a melee.

‘We have all become aware of the unfortunate incident that took place at Ilugun High School (Junior), Elega. I stand before you this evening to confirm that, sadly, the incident did happen in the school.

‘First, let me on behalf of the state government express our deepest condolences to the parents and family of the deceased. We feel their pain and our prayers are with them at this difficult time.

‘However, our preliminary investigations have revealed a very disturbing twist; the young man who lost his life could not be confirmed as a bona fide student of the school.

‘He was identified by three different names, Babalola Ayomide, Salako Jimoh, and Afolabi Babalola.

‘Yet, none of these names appear in our official state education database, the OGSERA platform, which authenticates all school enrolments. This points to the likelihood of an illegal enrolment,’ he said.

According to the commissioner, an investigation confirmed that the principal of Ilugun Junior High school was involved in collecting illegal fees from students.

In response to the findings, the government has decided to suspend both the junior and senior principals of Ilugun High School.

He added that a thorough investigation would be conducted to get the immediate and remote causes of the unfortunate incident.

He disclosed that to stay informed about school activities, the government, through the Teaching Service Commission, has established a Whistleblower scheme to report illegalities, wrongdoings, and other misconduct.

He assured that the state government remains dedicated to ensuring free education for all school-age children, regardless of their location, gender, economic status, religion, or political affiliation.

A civil society group, the Alliance for Energy Stability and Economic Growth (AESEG), has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The group said Tinubu’s leadership has restored investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

In a statement by its president, Dr. Suleiman Garba Danladi, the group pointed to the recent deal where Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPco) and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) bought TotalEnergies’ 12.5% stake in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 118.

According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Shell paid $408 million for 10% while Agip paid $102 million for 2.5%.

Dr. Danladi said these transactions show growing confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector and praised Tinubu’s reforms.

‘President Tinubu’s reforms are bringing results.

Shell is strengthening its stake, Agip is showing commitment, and the regulator is protecting government interests. This progress needs continuity in leadership,’ he said.

The group also noted that last week, the NUPRC cancelled an $860 million deal involving TotalEnergies and Chappal Energies because of failure to meet financial obligations.

AESEG said this shows that only serious investors are now welcomed, which will boost revenue, jobs, and energy security.

Dr. Danladi highlighted the importance of the Bonga oilfield, Nigeria’s first deepwater project, which contributes greatly to crude oil output and foreign exchange.

He said keeping such assets in experienced hands will help Nigeria move towards producing 2 million barrels of oil per day again.

According to AESEG, Nigeria’s oil sector is at a ‘delicate stage’ where oil majors are leaving onshore but investing more in deepwater.

The group warned that changing leadership in 2027 could hurt investor confidence.

‘The oil majors are watching closely. They like the current reforms but also value stability. A change in 2027 could disrupt the progress,’ Dr. Danladi added.

AESEG stressed that Nigeria’s future growth depends on consistency, urging citizens to support policies and leadership that keep investor confidence strong.

The Lagos State Government has announced that it will be shutting down both private and commercial terminals and jetties from the 3rd of October.

This closure is in preparation of the upcoming E1 Championship, which is the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing tournament.

In a statement released, LASWA explained that the action will take place from Friday, the 3rd of October till Sunday, the 5th of October.

They explained that there will be a partial closure from Falomo bridge to Oriental Hotel from 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday. there will also be a total closure from Oriental Hotel to Mekwen Bridge between 10 am and 6 p.m.

LASWA further explained that the closure is to ensure the success of the tournament and ensure safety on the waterways and on the roads.

‘The waterways restriction is a vital safety and security measure to ensure seamless event operations, safeguard lives, and project Lagos as a world-class destination for international sporting events,’ the statement read in part.