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Stop fake news to combat insecurity-group charges FG

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By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

A non governmental organization, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has charged the Federal Government to shift attention to addressing insecurity in the country by tackling fake news by suspected criminals.

The group was reacting to the fake news and false report carried on the social media claiming that Bishop Mathew Kukah’s House, Cathedral and N1 billion Catholic Pastoral Centre were set ablazed by Islamists in Sokoto on Saturday.

In a statement signed by the MMWG national coordinator, Ibrahim Abdullahi, and released on Sunday, the group informed that the report has since been denied by Bishop Kukah himself in an official disclaimer signed by his Director of Communications at the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Rev. Father Pascal Salifu.

It added that the military and security agencies have also denied the report, and therefore, described it as not only false, but “irresponsible and highly condemnable.”

While calling on the military and other security agencies to advance their operations from reactive to proactive onslaught against terrorists, bandits, insurgents and kidnappers, the group called on President Bola Tinubu to scrap the Federal Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy if its managers, including those in its agencies cannot technologically pick purveyors of fake news through their postings.

Describing purveyors of fake news as terrorists who should be arrested and prosecuted promptly, MMWG said the circulated video about Sokoto Catholic Diocese attack was recorded three years ago and has no bearing with the fake report they circulated.

The group noted that the federal ministries, departments and agencies were established to tackle problems facing the masses, failure of which they risk their continued existence.

It added that the Anti-Cyber Crimes Act, 2015 that was further amended in 2024 by the National Assembly is sufficient to deal with unpatriotic and destructive elements posting fake news to promote insecurity in Nigeria, lamenting that strong legislations that could checkmate fake news are available to punish culprits but arrests are not made.

While not ruling out political motives for spreading false reports, MMWG believes that politicizing insecurity is high unpatriotic and destructive, calling for urgent steps from Federal Government to stem the tide by ordering arrest of criminals whenever they commit the crime.

The group said all Northern states like Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Kwara and others that have porous borders with neighbouring countries must be secured by the military and other security agencies to ward-off continued insecurity “while the known habitat of criminals terrorising innocent citizens must be smashed and terrorists killed to put a stop to insecurity we are facing in Nigeria.”

“Unless we promptly arrest and prosecute posters of fake news and false reports, insecurity will persist in Nigeria (God forbid),” it stated.

It would be recalled that the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto had in official disclaimer signed by its Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Pascal Salifu denied the setting ablaze of Bishop Kukah’s house, Cathedral and N1 billion Catholic Pastoral Centre by Islamists in Sokoto.

“We wish to inform the general public that this information is totally false.

“The Bishop’s residence, the Cathedral, and the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sokoto remain safe, intact, and fully operational.

“This video started circulating in the wake of the brutal murder of Deborah Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, in Sokoto, May 2022. This is the work of persons committed to causing havoc in our society.

“The Bishop expresses gratitude to the military and state security agencies who responded immediately the video started circulating,” the statement reads, adding that “Sokoto remains calm and peaceful.”

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NUJ FCT Raises N5.01m Trust Fund for Late Chairman’s Children …265 members raised N5.01m to secure education, welfare of Osadebamwen’s three children

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Former FCT,NUJ Council chairman ,late Comrade Patrick Osaretin

By Our Correspondent

In a bid to ensure a good welfare package for its departed members and their families, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has raised and formally presented N5,010,000 to the family of its late former Chairman, Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, for the education and welfare of his three children.

The Trust Fund, raised through voluntary contributions by 265 members of the NUJ FCT Council, was formally presented to the family on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Abuja, at a solemn ceremony attended by members of the Council’s Executive, Chapel Chairmen and their executives, former and present leaders of the Union and other stakeholders.

The initiative followed the sudden death of the former Council Chairman, with the NUJ FCT Council mobilising members and well-meaning individuals to establish a dedicated fund to provide sustained support for the children he left behind.

The Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, who was represented at the ceremony by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Yahaya Ndambabo, expressed deep sadness over the loss of the former Chairman while thanking God for the successful and peaceful interment of the late journalist and union leader.

In her opening remarks, the Chairman said the Council had remained steadfastly involved with the family since the tragedy occurred.

“Since the unfortunate passing of our former Chairman, the NUJ FCT Council has remained present and on ground. We have continued to mobilise our members and well-meaning stakeholders to support his children, and today, we are gathered to formally present the outcome of that collective effort.”

Comrade Ike disclosed that the N5.01 million was contributed by 265 members as of September 7, 2026, describing the gesture as a reflection of the strong bond of solidarity within the Union.

She stressed that the money was not a general donation but a dedicated Trust Fund strictly meant for the education and welfare of the three children.

“This fund is strictly for the education and welfare of these three children. Our responsibility does not end with raising the money; we must also ensure that it is properly administered and preserved for the purpose for which it was raised,” she said.

The Chairman further urged the family to ensure that the fund was administered transparently and responsibly, with the best interests of the children as the overriding consideration.

Presenting the dummy cheque on behalf of the Council Chairman, Vice Chairman Yahaya Ndambabo commended Madam Sarah Augustine, the younger sister of the late Chairman and representative of the family, for her commitment to the welfare of the children.
Ndambabo acknowledged the sacrifices she had made in caring for the children even while their parents were alive and urged her to continue providing them with the love, guidance and support they require following the previous loss of their mother, and now their father.

Responding on behalf of the family, Madam Augustine, speaking in an emotion-laden voice, expressed profound appreciation to the NUJ FCT Council leadership and members for standing firmly by the family since the death of the former Chairman.

“You did not abandon us when this tragedy happened. You stood by us, supported us and continued to show that these children are not alone. On behalf of the family, I sincerely appreciate the Chairman, the leadership and every member of the NUJ FCT Council.”

She disclosed that she had already received notification of the N5,010,000 payment into the designated account (Her account ), even as the formal presentation of the dummy cheque was taking place.

“Even as we are standing here for the formal presentation, I have already received the notification confirming the payment of N5,010,000. This is a huge responsibility, and I promise that we will continue to do our best to ensure that the fund is used for the education and welfare of the children, as intended,” she said.

The presentation marked another significant demonstration of the NUJ FCT Council’s commitment to the welfare of its members and their families, reinforcing the principle that the bonds of unionism extend beyond the workplace and remain strong even in times of grief and loss.

The initiative also serves as a lasting tribute to the memory of Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, while providing a practical foundation for securing the future of the three children he left behind.

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Obong Nse Ufia Sympathizes with Hon Nse Ndoh over Mother-in law’s demise,Urging ĥim to remember her good virtues always

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‎By Emmanuel Ikpe
‎
‎Obong Nse Ufia, the Abai Uyo has seriously sympathized with the Personal Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor
‎Representing Ward 1, Uyo Local Government Area, Hon Nse-Abasi Ndoh over the death of his mother-in-law who have been laid to rest in a Christian way at the weekend.
‎
‎Speaking on behalf of Nature Control 2 and Company Limited, Obong Nse Ufia noted that it was saddened to receive message of the demise of his friend and brother, Nse Ndoh “it is sad to hear that your beloved Mother-in-law, Late Madam Christiana Etim Ekong had passed away to the world beyond.

‎It is believable that you have missed such a close personality and it is a known fact that you will never meet her again on this planet Earth”.
‎
‎While observing that God is the author and finisher of all things, Obong Nse Ufia added that, “Since it is appointed for one to die and there is nothing one can do now to bring her back to life as ordained by God the creator. It is on this note that I urge you to live by the reality that God giveth and God taketh.

‎While pleading that Hon Nse Ndoh accept this condolence in good fate, Obong Nse Ufia implored him to let the good virtues, love and the mother in law words of advice while alive be their guiding light at this moment and to always remember her by living a life worthy of emulation which she was known for and as your mother-in-law.

‎”Take heart my brother, my prayers are with you, your family and all those that she left behind, let love and unity bind you all together, that she maybe proud of you all in her eternity. Once again, accept my condolences please and may her soul rest in peace”, says Obong Nse Ufia, the Abai Uyo Local Government Area.

‎

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IPOB nofifies UN, public of inauguration of 4th Administration with Chris Nwaogu as leader

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By Our Correspondent

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Tuesday evening notified the public that every major member of the United Nations Security Council has been formally and officially notified of the lawful dissolution of the 3rd Administration of the Directorate of State and the inauguration of the 4th Administration headed by Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ.

A statement by IPOB’s media and publicity secretary Emma Powerful said that a copy of the IPOB Code of Conduct — the supreme and binding constitutional instrument that governs every member, officer and structure of the movement, has been placed before every notified government and authority to guide their full understanding of this civilised, orderly and constitutionally mandated transition of power.

The statement oartly reads, “In particular, the Code of Conduct vests exclusive authority in the Supreme Leader under the relevant provision:

“The power to appoint, suspend or dismiss erring Principal officers vest exclusively on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu except and to the extent he clearly and expressly delegates that power to any other principal officer.”

“In strict accordance with this provision, the Supreme Leader exercised his exclusive power to appoint, suspend, dismiss and dissolve. This decision is final, irrevocable and admits of no review, veto or negotiation.

“In addition to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a total of 72 countries and territories have been duly and formally informed of this transition. These include Israel, Italy, Germany, Canada, Kuwait, Switzerland, South Africa, Brazil, Ghana, Russia, South Korea, Austria, India, Malaysia, Venezuela, Japan, Spain, France, Finland, Norway, Australia, and many others across all continents.

“The new Directorate of State under Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ is now the only legitimate and recognised channel through which IPOB conducts its international affairs.

Emphasizing the ‘Critical Notice On Documents and Political Interests, the group said that only official documents, letters, representations and communications endorsed and signed by Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ, Head of the Directorate of State, shall be recognised for purposes of asylum applications, political engagements, diplomatic representations or any other interest concerning IPOB family members worldwide.

It added, “Any document, letter or representation purporting to come from IPOB or its Directorate of State that is not endorsed by Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ is hereby declared a certified fraud. Perpetrators, collaborators and anyone who presents or relies on such fraudulent documents before any government or authority anywhere in the world will be subjected to the full force of the law — both within and outside Biafraland. There will be no safe haven.

“Special administrative procedures have been fully deployed with respect to the suspension and sacking of Collins Chineduh. Both the German Federal Foreign Office and the German Federal Ministry of the Interior have been formally notified and furnished with copies of the letters of termination and suspension.

“The name of Mazi Abraham Ogbenna has been duly forwarded to the appropriate German authorities for recognition as the new National Coordinator for Germany and no other. Similar notifications and actions are being extended to other jurisdictions as required.

“Both legal and administrative measures are already underway to recover all IPOB assets, funds, properties and resources around the world that were under the control or influence of the dissolved 3rd Administration. No stone will be left unturned. Those who think they can dissipate or conceal movement resources do so at their own extreme peril.”

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