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NHRC Gives Human Rights Media Award to ThisDay Correspondent
NHRC Gives Human Rights Media Award to ThisDay Correspondent
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has given ThisDay correspondent, Michael Olugbode its 2025 Human Rights Media Award.
Also awarded in a special recognition marking its 30th Anniversary are
Falmata Daniel of Premium Times and Emeka Amafor of TV 360. UNHCR and Dorothy Njemanze Foundation were also awarded for their contributions to human rights.
In a citation, Michael Olugbode was described as “a veteran Nigerian journalist whose career spans more than twenty-five years of dedicated service, distinguished reportage, and unwavering commitment to truth and public accountability. A graduate of Business Administration, he began his professional journey with the Nigerian Tribune, where he was employed as a business correspondent.
“His career took a defining turn when he joined ThisDay Newspaper, one of Nigeria’s leading national dailies. Michael was posted to Maiduguri at a time when the Boko Haram insurgency was intensifying, and it was there that he produced some of his most impactful work.
“He covered the insurgency and its devastating humanitarian consequences with rare courage and empathy, bringing national and international attention to the plight of affected communities.
“Following the relative easing of the crisis, Michael was redeployed to Abuja, where he now covers major beats including Foreign Affairs, the Interior Ministry, and several strategic agencies and parastatals. Among these is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), where he has distinguished himself as one of the Commission’s most consistent and accurate chroniclers. His reportage on human rights issues is marked by depth, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to factual accuracy.
“Michael is widely respected for his professionalism, consistency, and ethical approach to journalism.
“He is known for syndicating NHRC stories across multiple platforms, ensuring wide visibility and public engagement. His dedication to promptly delivering credible reports, as well as his habit of ensuring his beat is fully covered even in his absence, reflect his exceptional work ethic and sense of responsibility.
A hardworking and principled journalist, Michael Olugbode has contributed immensely to strengthening public awareness on governance, humanitarian issues, institutional accountability, and human rights in Nigeria.”
Michael Olugbode was also described as one of Nigeria’s most respected journalists.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Tony Ojukwu at the occasion commemorating its 30th anniversary and 2025 International Human Rights Day, said:
“As Nigeria’s National Human Rights Institution, we recommit ourselves today to the mandate that has guided us for 30 years to protect, promote, and enforce the rights of all persons in Nigeria.
“This Year’s event is a special one. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Institution. Hence, we proudly celebrate 30 years of service to humanity since our establishment in 1995.”
He explained that International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on 10 December to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948.
He added that it serves as a global call to action to uphold everyone’s fundamental rights, dignity, and freedom from discrimination.
This year’s International Human Rights Day is themed ‘Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials’.
According to the United Nations, the theme is necessary to re-emphasise the values of human rights as a unifying solution to the challenging and uncertain times.
NHRC Gives Human Rights Media Award to ThisDay Correspondent
Farmers, herders fail to reach settlement over farm destruction in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Efforts by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) to broker a peaceful settlement between farmers and herders over an alleged farm destruction incident in Kwatas Village, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, have ended without an agreement.
The incident followed a report of farm destruction recorded on Aug. 31, 2026, in the community.
According to a military situation report, troops of Sector 5, OPEP, intervened at about 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 and initiated efforts to resolve the dispute amicably between the affected farmers and herders.
However, both parties were reportedly unable to reach a compromise on the terms for settling the matter.
Consequently, the case, alongside the confiscated cattle, was handed over to the Keystone Bokkos Division for further necessary action.
The intervention is part of ongoing efforts by Operation ENDURING PEACE to prevent disputes between farming and herding communities from escalating into violence and to promote peaceful resolution of local conflicts.
Security personnel continue to monitor the situation to maintain calm and prevent any possible reprisal or escalation in the affected communities.
Farmers, herders fail to reach settlement over farm destruction in Plateau
Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
The two men, identified as Jidda Modu, 20, and Kaka Kawu, 21, surrendered at about 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 1 to troops of Headquarters Sector 3 deployed at Charlie 4, Monguno town.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrendered terrorists handed over two AK-47 rifles, eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two magazines.
Other items recovered from them included five mobile phones — Infinix, Tecno, Samsung, Redmi and a Tecno button phone — as well as one pair of earbuds, a power bank, a Zenith Bank ATM card, a memory card and a USB cable.
The troops also recovered two head warmers and one bag from the men.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the two were among a group of about 10 ISWAP members who reportedly left a terrorist camp at Arinna Chiki with the intention of surrendering to the authorities.
The surrendered individuals and the recovered items have been taken into the custody of Headquarters Sector 3 for further action. Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
The two men, identified as Jidda Modu, 20, and Kaka Kawu, 21, surrendered at about 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 1 to troops of Headquarters Sector 3 deployed at Charlie 4, Monguno town.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrendered terrorists handed over two AK-47 rifles, eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two magazines.
Other items recovered from them included five mobile phones — Infinix, Tecno, Samsung, Redmi and a Tecno button phone — as well as one pair of earbuds, a power bank, a Zenith Bank ATM card, a memory card and a USB cable.
The troops also recovered two head warmers and one bag from the men.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the two were among a group of about 10 ISWAP members who reportedly left a terrorist camp at Arinna Chiki with the intention of surrendering to the authorities.
The surrendered individuals and the recovered items have been taken into the custody of Headquarters Sector 3 for further action.
Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
Berom Militia shoot five cows in Plateau, troops move to prevent reprisal attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have intensified patrols around communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State following an attack on cattle by Berom Militia
The incident occurred at about 9:47 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Jong Village, Ropp District, where the troops responded to a report of an attack on cattle.
According to a 12-hourly situation report covering 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 1 to 6:00 a.m. on Sept. 2, troops arrived at the location and discovered that five cows had been shot by unidentified gunmen.
Three of the animals reportedly died at the scene.
Following the incident, troops deployed across the general areas of Jong, Nyerwai and Dorowa Babuje to prevent possible reprisals and maintain peace among communities in the area.
The deployment is aimed at containing tensions and averting any escalation that could result from the attack.
Meanwhile, routine patrols are ongoing across the Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area to safeguard schools, communities and other critical national infrastructure.
Berom Militia shoot five cows in Plateau, troops move to prevent reprisal attack
Farmers, herders fail to reach settlement over farm destruction in Plateau
Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
Berom Militia shoot five cows in Plateau, troops move to prevent reprisal attack
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