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IPOB: Catholic priest blasts Buhari, asks him to resign

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The Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, on Wednesday called on President Muhammad Buhari to resign his appointment saying that tension in the country was getting out of control with him not able to hold a grip on it.

The cleric, who is popularly known as Ebubemmonso, made the call in his country home, Umudioka, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, on the occasion of the 7th year celebration of his priestly ordination.

He said: “In actual fact, there is crisis in the country and President Muhammad Buhari is not in control of this country. People are dying on daily basis and I am not happy with it at all.

“There is indeed crisis in the country. I pray that our good Lord will salvage this country Nigeria. Even though those in authority are denying that there is political unrest in the country. I thank God, that God is answering our prayers. I believe that very soon all these frictions, fracas and crisis will come to an end.

“My message to President Muhammadu Buhari is let him resign honourably since he cannot control the country. Not only that, he is a tribalistic, sectional leader.

As you can see, his strength can no longer carry him. I am envisaging a situation where he will not be alive to complete the second term, if he comes out to campaign again.

“Let him find people who have the strength and capacity of managing the nation to carry on the baton. Nigeria is a big country and needs experts who have perfected in the political field to take control of the affairs Nation. President Buhari is not that man.”

Ebubemmonso said that the diverse interests of the Senate and Presidency have ignited confusion on the polity to the extent that “I don’t know what to believe.”

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of warming up for election rigging, saying that the party can never win election by vote counting.

While noting that “a government that is built on selfishness, nepotism and injustice does deserve to come back for a second tenure”, he said that people are not happy with the government.

“They knew that they under-performed. What of those promises that Muhammadu Buhari made to the nation before the election? None was accomplished. That, for me, makes this government one of deception. Running a government with deceit is very, very bad,” he added.

Rev. Fr. Obimma equally took a swipe at Ohanaeze Ndigbo, saying that though Igbo people were marginalised, their voices are not being adequately heard.

He demanded an unreserved apology from President Buhari to Ndigbo, particularly members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were prescribed for agitating for their right.

Obimma said: “IPOB was branded a terrorist group even when terror groups like Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram killing people were handled with kid gloves.

“Ohanaeze is representing a section which is the Igbos; let them come out and stand for Igbos, so the world and Igbos at large will know they are standing in for them.

“They can’t be answering Ohanaeze Ndigbo for nothing. I am not trying to say that they have not been making efforts but their efforts are not enough.

“IPOB came up as a result of poor governance and they are agitating that the Federal Government is marginalising them.

“Igbos have been undergoing marginalisation, that was the crusade of Nnamdi Kanu but he was suppressed and intimidated. I want to tell the Federal Government that you can never kill an ideology.

“I advise IPOB to go for peace even in their agitations, let their motto be love. Without mincing words, I stand here to tell the country that IPOB agitations are right. The agitations about the sovereign state of Biafra, about intimidation and suppression, they are right, so let Federal Government look into it.”

The cleric urged the Federal Government to look into the agitations of IPOB noting that it cannot simply end by shooting or killing them on daily basis.

“Buhari should register an apology to Ndigbo. How can innocent people who are agitating be proscribed?

“They are freedom fighters and Buhari proscribed them, brand them as terrorists whereas Boko Haram are killing people and nobody has ever proscribed them or branded them as terrorists, Fulani herdsmen are killing people on daily basis and nobody has ever proscribed them and brand them terrorists, but, agitating youths in the South East, my dear brothers were branded terrorists by her country Nigeria. Is this not outright intimidation,” he stated.

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NOA Tasks Media Practitioners to Probe Manifestos of Aspiring Political Office Holders

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Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director general of NOA
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director general of National Orientation Agency (NOA)

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has encouraged media practitioners to introduce probing of manifestoes of aspiring political office holders as part of their responsibilities to reshape the country from frivolous and unkept promises.

Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director general of the agency, gave the task while speaking a a panelist at the 9th annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), with the theme,’ Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospect’, held in Lagos

He pointed out that some of the so-called manifestos are not originally from those who presented but the party they belong to, and they end up subscribing to such manifestos, stressing that as media practitioners this should be probed.

‘Some people proposed manifestos which are not theirs, but party manifestos. They end up subscribing to their party manifestos. As journalists, we do not question manifestos, but populated airtime for other things’

He equally pointed out that the manifesto of the federal government is the manifesto that governed Lagos state, explaining that the National Orientation Agency(NOA) is to communicate government projects.

The Director General added that government require value documentation, recalling that before he joined the agency, he was among those who said it should be scrapped, but when he got there, he discovered that the staff there are committed

‘Before I went to NOA. I was among those who said it should be scrapped. It is not the Agency’s problem but a Nigerian problem. When I got there, I discovered that the staff there are committed

‘I am an agency under a Ministry. There is the problem of the need to have them buy into what I want to do. I am lucky to get the support of the president who is interested in the unity of the country’, he stated.

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Enugu State Govt Condemns Murder of Catholic Priest, Places ₦10 Million Bounty on Killers

…Commiserates with family, Catholic Church

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Peter Ndubuisi Mbah

The Enugu State Government has strongly condemned the gruesome murder of Rev. Fr. Mathew Eya of Nsukka Catholic Diocese by unknown assailants.

The government also commiserated with the late priest’s immediate family, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, and indeed the Catholic faithful in general over the tragic incident, which occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the government described the action as cowardly and cold-blooded.

Father Eya was said to have been shot dead by a group of assailants, who attacked and killed him along Alumona- Eha Ndiagu road in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu.

The government has, therefore, reiterated that security of lives and property remains its priority and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

It added that it would not spare any resources within its reach, including technology and credible intelligence to track down the criminals and defeat the remnant agents of evil in the state.

Consequently, the Enugu State Government has placed a ₦10 million reward for anyone with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Anybody with credible information about the perpetrators should quickly contact 07077451426. 

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IPI Raises Alarm over Rising Media Repression in Nigeria

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International Press Institute - IPI
L-R: President, International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed; Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace; immediate past Director, Digital Media, VON, Hajia Sani; retired News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) staff, Ameena Sani; Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu; and former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abdulwaheed Odusile, during a dinner organised on Saturday in Abuja by some members of IPI Nigeria in honour of Hajia Sani, who recently retired from VON.

The International Press Institute (IPI), a global body committed to protecting press freedom and the free flow of information, has raised concern over the recent cases of media repression in the country.

Mr Musikilu Mojeed, president, IPI Nigeria, raised the alarm at a dinner organised by the institute, to honour one of its members and a retired Director, Digital Media, Voice of Nigeria (VON) Hajia Hadiza Hussaina Sani in Abuja on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dinner was organised to honour the media icon for her dedication and service, after clocking mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

NAN also reports that the identical twin sister of the celebrator, Hajia Ameena Hassana Sani, equally retired meritoriously from the service of the agency (NAN) as a Director.

Speaking at the event, Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief, Premium Times, cited the recent “disturbing” instances of banning of live political programme in Kano State and the arrest of a journalist in Ekiti State.

“Akwa Ibom State Government recently evicted Channels TV crew, a journalist and a cameraman, from the press centre inside Government House, Uyo.

“The repressive action was taken, over the publication of a video clip, where the governor, eventually confirmed he is defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“A journalist with FIJ, Sodiq Atanda was recently arrested by the police in Ekiti State.

“A former “ThisDay” employee, Azuka Ogujiuba, was reportedly arrested and harassed by the Police for doing her job.

“Every single day you wake up, it is one form of harassment or the other against the media,” he said.

Mojeed, called for continued advocacy to protect press freedom and promote independent journalism.

He stressed that, efforts to protect journalists’ rights and promote independent journalism are crucial in Nigeria’s media landscape.

Mojeed said Sani’s retirement came at a critical time when the media sector in Nigeria is facing numerous challenges, including harassment, arrests, and censorship.

He noted Sani’s significant contributions to IPI Nigeria, including her role in organising its World Congress in Nigeria in 2018, as well as her subsequent active participation in various committees.

Mojeed appealed to the celebrator to continue advocating for press freedom and supporting the work of IPI Nigeria, emphasising that her expertise and experience are invaluable to the organisation.

The Director-General, VON, Mallam Jibrin Ndace, expressed gratitude to IPI Nigeria for recognising Sani’s contributions, stating that the gesture also reflected positively on the entire VON team.

He described Sani as a professional journalist who seamlessly transitioned from traditional journalism to modern digital practices, leading the digital department with innovation.

According to the DG, Sani’s leadership in the digital space, kept VON at the forefront of public media institutions and global competitiveness.

He commended her experience, passion, and love for journalism, which he said, enabled her to excel in her role and serve as a role model for younger journalists.

The VON DG emphasised that, “journalism is a marathon, not a sprint”, and Sani’s long-standing career is a testament to her dedication and commitment to the profession.

Mr Garba Shehu, s spokesman to late President Muhammadu Buhari, described the retirement of Sani as a significant loss for the organisation but a potential gain for other sectors of the journalism profession.

Shehu praised her, as “a strong and young professional with much to contribute to journalism”.

He highlighted her unique qualities, particularly her social responsibility, selflessness, and commitment to helping others to succeed.

According to him, Sani embodies the principles of servant leadership, a concept often touted by politicians but rarely exemplified.

“Her legacy as a role model for young journalists and a champion of socially responsible journalism will continue to inspire others in the field,” he said.

Abdulwaheed Odusile, former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), commended Sani’s dedication and expertise, which he said, have earned her recognition and respect in the industry..

On her part, Sani expressed gratitude to God and her family for their support throughout her 34 years career in public service.

While reflecting on the challenges and rewards of her time in service, she highlighted the importance of dedication, clear vision, and family support.

Sani emphasised the need for media professionals to adapt to new technologies and appreciate their impact on the industry and the society

She stressed that, telling a good story starts with understanding oneself and one’s audience.

Despite retiring from active public service, she assured to remain active in the media space, pursuing research, teaching, writing, and lecturing.

“It has been a very difficult, challenging, interesting and rewarding 34 years in service.

“It’s not easy. You have new and great ideas, but some people don’t understand, so they find it a bit difficult to agree with you.

“But if you are consistent, if you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, and you are dedicated and resolute, the sky is not the limit.

“I have pulled out from active public service, but have not retired. My brain is still exceptionally active, and I plan to utilise it.

“I’ll be doing a lot of research work and writing, and I won’t get tired of seeing myself in the media space,” she said.

NAN reports that Sani’s dedication to her work and her commitment to excellence have been hallmarks of her career, which started with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) before joining VON.

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