National News
IOM Applauds Nigeria’s Migration Reforms, Disaster Preparedness

IOM Applauds Nigeria’s Migration Reforms, Disaster Preparedness
** As VP Shettima calls for collaboration to tackle migration, ecological disruptions
By: Our Reporter
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has commended Nigeria’s significant strides in migration governance and disaster preparedness.
This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for enhanced partnership to address the humanitarian challenges facing crisis-affected regions across the country.

He said there was an urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the interconnected problems of climate change and migration across Nigeria, as they are directly linked to the economic well-being of the population.
Speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the IOM led by its Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, at the Presidential Villa, the Vice President called for practical and inclusive solutions to the complex intersection of migration, poverty, conflict, and ecological disruption.
“I have worked with the IOM for a long time, from my days as Governor in Borno State, and I must commend your remarkable interventions in supporting our people. But much more pragmatic and all-inclusive solutions are needed.
“I urge you to support us in the North Central, so we can have a win-win, workable solution that fosters unity and brings progress to our people,” VP Shettima said.
He decried poverty, illiteracy, and environmental degradation fuelling displacement and insecurity across several regions, saying, “There is an incestuous relationship between ecology and economy in sub-Saharan Africa.

“You cannot divorce the challenges of migration from climate-induced effects. Even the crises in the North-East, North-West and North-Central have direct links between poverty and violence,” he added.
Quoting civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Shettima added: “We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools. We are essentially one people with a common destiny, united by our common challenges. We have no business fighting each other. We should fight poverty, illiteracy, and gender disempowerment.”
He also urged the IOM to scale up support for gender empowerment and land reclamation efforts, particularly in areas affected by deforestation and displacement.
In her remarks, IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Sharon Dimanche, praised Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in migration governance and disaster preparedness, noting that the diversity of the country presents both challenges and opportunities for tailored interventions.
“Since I came to Nigeria, what I have seen is remarkable. Every state is different. It’s like one Africa wrapped into one country. We are particularly impressed with the launch of the State Action Plan on Floods and the Framework for Anticipatory Action for Nigeria,” Dimanche said.

She reaffirmed the IOM’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s durable solutions agenda, including through data provision, shelter support, climate resilience initiatives, and youth empowerment.
“As I take over office, we seek the government’s guidance on areas to focus. One of our key priorities is working to provide sustainable solutions and opportunities for people affected by crisis.
“I will like to request for a special initiative where we can co-work with your office and mobilise resources for more durable solutions to immigration, youth empowerment and climate resilience,” she stated.
IOM Applauds Nigeria’s Migration Reforms, Disaster Preparedness
National News
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
National News
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
National News
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
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