News
20,000 Dump Broom for Umbrella in Akwa-Ibom, Including Campaign DG


No fewer than 20,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have dumped the broom and taken shelter under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party in the state.
Led by the Director General of the APC State Campaign Organization, Chief Sunny Udom, the APC members condemned what they called the precarious condition into which their party has plunged the country, and vowed to work hard to return PDP to the Aso Presdiential Villa in Abuja in 2019.
At a reception in honour of the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, and wife Martha, organised by youths of the old Abak division comprising five local government areas, Chief Udom said that APC’s house was not in order and as such the party stood no chance in the next elections in the state.
“I brought these people, I came from APC; APC does not have a candidate, I was the Director General of their Campaigns and I know that their house is not in order,” he said at the event, yesterday.
Chief Udom maintained that, they were deceived into APC because of the change mantra of the party and insisted that the change they brought was retrogressive.
“We heard about change but the change turned out to be from frying pan to fire. At least let us come back to the frying pan, the umbrella is a very good symbol,” he said.
He revealed that he and his people were under obligation to support the governor who is married to a daughter of the Old Abak division, maintaining that the Governor has served the state well.
Among those who surrendered their brooms to be received back into the party were former chairman of Abak local government area, Arc. Okon Obot, who spoke on behalf of other decampees; former House of Representatives member, Chief Nkereuwem Dan; other former local government chairmen; and ward coordinators of APC.
Speaking at the occasion, the leader of the youths, Prince Akpan Ikim, spoke of their resolve to deliver their 200,000 votes for the Governor’s re-election, saying that his youth-friendly policies and programmes have met their expectations.
Prince Ikim said the youths had always craved for a leader with passion to build industries and create job opportunities for them, adding that Governor Emmanuel has not disappointed them.
Speaking, Governor Emmanuel appreciated the people of Old Abak Division for the honour and endorsement of his candidature.
He promised to continue his industrial drive in the state, through the provision of critical infrastructure to in the state.
Chairman on the occasion and National Legal Adviser of PDP, Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem, said that his people in Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Oruk Anam and Ukanafun have all agreed that the Governor was the best for the state and was fulfilling his campaign promises.
Enoidem said for peace and unity to be upheld, then Mr Emmanuel has to complete his second term for Eket Senatorial District. He also announced that his people have also declared their support for the second term of Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Messages of goodwill from Senator Akpabio and Mrs Ekemini Umoh, among others, were also received at the ceremony, which also feature symbolic presentations to the first family.
•Part of the crowd at Friday’s reception for Governor Udom Emmanuel by youths of the old Abak Division
[3:31 PM, 3/24/2018] Media at Award: Committee Submits Report on underage voting
The Committee set up by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the allegations of underage voting during council elections in Kano has submitted its report.
The committee, according to a statement issued by INEC Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, submitted it report to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday.
It quoted Mr Ahmed Nahuche, Chairman of the committee as saying that diligent and wide consultations with stakeholders were made by the committee.
The committee was inaugurated by INEC in February 2018, to investigate the allegation of underage voting which was maliciously linked to the Voters’ Register in Kano.
Nahuche said that in carrying out the assignment, the committee consulted with critical stakeholders through visitations and interactive sessions.
“The stakeholders’ interactive sessions included civil society organisations, political parties, print and electronic media organisations as well as security agencies.
“The committee in the course of consultation and interactive sessions received a number of pictures, video clips, reports, documents and presentations from the stakeholders`.
“It immediately embarked on thorough review and analysis of these materials in order to ascertain the actual connection with KASIEC LGA elections.
“The committee also examined the social media reports of pictures and video clips that triggered the outrage and the alleged participation of underage persons in the KASIEC LGA elections as a key area of focus for the investigation.
“The pictures and video clips were thoroughly analysed by the committee,” he added.
Nahuche advised that the State Independent Electoral Commission’s (SIECs) and Political Parties be encouraged to work towards improving electoral logistics to enhance the credibility of their respective processes and procedures.
He urged political parties to observe best practices for the sustenance of democracy.
Receiving the Report, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, commended the Committee for discharging the assignment diligently.
Yakubu reiterated that the Commission was committed to ensuring that the voter register was purged of ineligible persons.
“The credibility of the voter register is very important to the Commission; (and) that the outcome of the investigation, in the interest of transparency would be shared with the general public”. (NAN)
News
70% of Christians killed in 2024 are African – Group
ORJI ISRAEL reports that the group accused ANC of maintaining silence on religious persecution, while deepening ties with ideological extremists in Tehran


Recent reports indicate that over 4,400 Christians were murdered for their faith last year, while over the past decade, jihadist violence has driven 16 million Christians from their homes, millions of which are African citizens.
This is according to global Christian charity, Open Doors, which also confirms that for every five Christians, one will face persecution in Africa specifically.
Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List reveals the top 10 most dangerous countries for Christians are dominated by Islamic states in the Middle East and Africa, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Nigeria. A more detailed UK Parliament briefing recently noted that 70% of Christians killed in 2024 were indeed in Africa.
Over the last six months, the brutality against Christians in Africa has escalated to alarming levels, with a series of devastating attacks across the continent. Just last month, ISIL-affiliated rebels stormed a Catholic church in Komanda, DRC, murdering close to 50 worshippers, including women and children. That same month in Mozambique, Islamic State fighters captured and beheaded six Christians from Natocua village, just across South Africa’s border. A month earlier, in June 2025, armed militants in Nigeria massacred nearly 200 Christian civilians in Yelwata village.
“What we are witnessing is not random violence or isolated attacks. It is a deliberate, coordinated campaign by jihadist networks to wipe Christianity from vast regions of Africa and the Middle East,” says SAFI spokesperson, Bafana Modise. “These acts of terror are the early stages of a genocide against Christians, and history will record who spoke out and who shamefully looked away. Tragically, the ANC has chosen the latter.”
This silence is even more damning in light of last week’s news that South Africa’s military chief, Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya, met with Iranian Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami in Tehran to discuss deepening military and strategic ties, when Iran remains one of the world’s most notorious persecutors of Christians.
A recent report by the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI) warned that Pretoria’s deepening ties with Tehran has compromised South Africa’s democratic foundations by defending Iran at the UN and IAEA, downplaying its human rights abuses, and potentially benefitting from covert support, including speculation around the ANC’s repayment of a multi-million-rand debt shortly after filing the ICJ case against Israel.
“These atrocities are not just crimes against individuals; they are part of a war against the freedom of religion itself,” Modise warns. “This is religious genocide, and it is gaining momentum as it edges closer to South Africa’s borders.”
Instead of defending religious freedom, the ANC government has remained silent. It has issued no meaningful condemnation or rallying call to protect persecuted Christians: “The ANC has done nothing to defend the rights of Christians,” says Modise. “Instead, it has squandered South Africa’s moral standing on discredited genocide charges against Israel – the one country in the Middle East where Christians live in safety and equality.”
This betrayal is even more unforgivable in a nation where 80% of South Africans identify as Christian. Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, but the ANC, once the global champion of human rights, has made its bed with regimes and groups that have used Islamic law to suppress and destroy those freedoms.
“The ANC’s alliances make it clear: they have abandoned South Africa’s Christians, choosing friendship with the very forces driving this campaign of genocide,” Modise concludes. “Silence in the face of such evil is complicity, and the ANC is guilty of both. They have aligned themselves with Jihadist Islamic ideology, without further thought.”
We call on every pastor, every congregation, and every believer to demand that the ANC account for its indifference and betrayal. The blood of persecuted Christians cries out from across the African continent. If South Africa will not stand with them now, the day may come when their fate becomes our own.
News
Government Should Support Media with Tax Incentives, Relief on Import Duties – Soneye
….Media Sustainability: Soneye Advocates Tax Reliefs, Independent Fund for Journalism


Former Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Mr. Femi Soneye, has called on the Federal Government to support the Nigerian media with targeted incentives, including tax reliefs and import duty waivers on essential media tools.
Soneye made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday after receiving the NUJ FCT Excellence in Corporate Communications Award, conferred on him by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
The NUJ leadership, led by Chairperson Grace Ike, alongside the Deputy Chair, Secretary-General, and other executives, described Soneye as a consummate professional who has distinguished himself with tact and excellence in the communications field.
In his remarks, Soneye noted that while the Nigerian media remains one of the most vibrant in Africa, it continues to grapple with systemic challenges that weaken its effectiveness.
“The Nigerian media remains one of the most vibrant in Africa, but it also faces systemic challenges, financial, political, legal, and technological that weaken its effectiveness. The government can play a supportive role by granting tax incentives or relief on import duties for newsprint, broadcast equipment, and digital infrastructure,” he said.
He also urged the Federal Government to establish an independent media development fund to support investigative journalism, community radio, and newsroom innovation, drawing parallels with models in South Africa, the United States, and Canada.
The award underscores Soneye’s long-standing contributions to journalism and corporate communications, as well as his advocacy for a stronger, independent, and sustainable Nigerian media.


… GFD Executive Director emerges chapter Vice Chairperson*
The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has elected a new executive council at the close of its flagship Lagos PR Fest 2025, reinforcing its commitment to professionalism, innovation, and societal impact.
In elections supervised by NIPR Registrar, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue, Samuel Ayetutu emerged as Chairman, while Eniola Mayowa was elected Vice Chairman in a closely contested race.
Other members of the executive include Secretary Samuel Adeyemi, Assistant Secretary Rita Ali-Nock, Public Relations Officer Ogochukwu Okeke, Financial Secretary Bassey Nta, Treasurer Olabamiji Adeleye, Welfare Officer Funmilola Akintola, and Ex-Officio Provost Marshal Quadri Adeleke.
In his acceptance remarks, Ayetutu pledged to drive professional standards, promote inclusiveness, and foster collaboration among members to enhance the chapter’s influence locally and nationally.
This year’s PR Fest, themed “Urban Farming for Food Security: The Role of Communication”, convened communication professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore innovative strategies for tackling food security through effective public engagement.
Over the years, the Lagos PR Fest has evolved into a leading platform for advancing the role of public relations in societal development, with the 2025 edition underscoring the Institute’s mission to position communication as a driver of sustainable development in Nigeria.
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