News
Enugu Gets three High Court Judges


The Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Tuesday swore in Honourable Justices Linda Chiama Okibe, Veronica Chinyere Ajogwu and Esther Nnena Alukwu as Judges of Enugu State High Court.
Hon. Justice Okibe until her elevation was the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Enugu, while Hon. Justices Ajogwu and Alukwu were Chief Magistrates (Grade 1) of the state’s Judiciary.
Swearing in the new Judges, Gov. Ugwuanyi said that the action was taken in response to the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) communicated to him through the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Chairman of the Council, Hon. Mr. W.S.N. Onnoghen, which recommended three persons out of the eight candidates shortlisted by the Enugu State Judicial Service Commission, for appointment as High Court Judges in Enugu State.
The governor, according to his SA (Media) Louis Amoke, noted that the appointment of the new Judges came as a “welcome relief to the Enugu State Judiciary especially in the face of the current dearth of Judges in the state”, however, pleaded with the NJC to consider the recommendation for more appointments to “enable us fill the many vacancies that currently exist in the Enugu State Judiciary”.
While congratulating the new Judges on their deserved appointments, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed confidence that they will approach their new responsibilities with due dignity, integrity and commitment.
Presenting the new Judges to the governor for swearing in, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Emehelu in her address stated that the Jurists were appointed by the NJC after “a long and rigorous exercise” carried out by the Enugu State Judicial Service Commission in their nominations.
Hon. Justice Emehelu added that the Enugu State Judicial Service Commission in nominating the Judges for appointment considered several qualities in line with the provision of Rules 3 and 4 of the NJC Guidelines.
The Chief Judge disclosed that the considerations were “Sound knowledge of the law; seniority at the bar and bench; geographical spread; good character; reputation; consistent adherence to professional ethics, and satisfactory and consistent display of mature judgment in the office as a Chief Registrar or Chief Magistrate”.
She emphasized that consideration was also given to the Local Government Areas in the state that had no serving Hon. Judges, attesting that the three new Judges “have over the years gathered a lot of experience on the bench which they will bring to bear at the higher bench of the High Court”.
Hon. Justice Emehelu therefore thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his contribution towards the appointment of the Hon. Judges, saying: “Let me before presenting them to His Excellency for swearing in put on record that this event could not have been possible but for the provision of the facilities which are preconditions for appointment of Hon. Judges”.
According to her, “this is the first time in over twenty (20) years that furnished accommodations are provided for newly appointed Hon. Judges in Enugu State. We also thank him for his resolve to reposition the Judiciary of Enugu State for effective, efficient and quick dispensation of justice notwithstanding the paucity of funds and other competing sectors”.
Responding on behalf of the new Hon. Judges, Hon. Justice Okibe thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi, the state’s Chief Judge, the National Judicial Council (NUJ) and the state’s Judicial Service Commission, etc for the elevation and promised that they will discharge their duties creditably and with the fear of God.
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.
-
Energy3 days ago
President Tinubu Commissions WAGL’s 40,000 CBM LPG Vessel in South Korea
-
News2 days ago
70% of Christians killed in 2024 are African – Group
-
News3 days ago
Government Should Support Media with Tax Incentives, Relief on Import Duties – Soneye
-
Finance1 day ago
Tinubu Launches Personal Income Tax Calculator to Improve Compliance, Fairness
-
Hospitality1 day ago
Gov. Mbah and the Rebirth of Hotel Presidential
-
Hospitality2 days ago
Excitements in Enugu as Gov Mbah Unveils Reconstructed Hotel Presidential
-
Agriculture2 days ago
Niger State to End Direct Supply of Live Cows, Launch Meat Processing for Southwest Markets