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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
News
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation WUTAN DAJI have cleared several bandits’ camps, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered arms during clearance operations in Bauchi State.
Security sources said troops of 33 Artillery Brigade Garrison, in conjunction with elements of the Brigade Headquarters and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out the operation in Kumbodoro forest and Kumbodoro village.

According to the sources, the operation was led by the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu, as part of ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.
They added that several bandits’ camps, including Azuge camps, were cleared during the operation, while a number of the criminals were neutralised.
Items recovered include four skeletal rifles, four dane guns, two pairs of boots, three helmets, a power bank, a Startimes decoder, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, communication links, a jackknife, six mobile phones, arrows, radio chargers, ATM cards, photographs, identity cards, as well as several pairs of security agency uniforms and leg chains.

The sources further disclosed that eight kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.
They said troops are currently holding position within the Kumbodoro forest to consolidate gains from the clearance mission.
In a related development, the sources said troops deployed at Duguri, in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura village following information that the animals were roaming the area.

“The cows are suspected to have fled from bandits’ camps due to the ongoing operations and are currently in custody for further action,” the sources said.
They noted that troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, while operations continue to deny bandits freedom of action in the region.
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
News
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint security operatives under the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have raided a suspected herders’ camp in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering arms and ammunition.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:30 p.m. on April 12 along the IPO community axis by troops of 6 Division Garrison in collaboration with personnel of the Air Force, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Civil Defence Corps.
According to the sources, the raid targeted identified herders’ and cattle rearers’ camps in the area.
They added that items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four mobile phones.
The sources noted that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal possession of firearms and enhance security across the Niger Delta region.
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
News
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the establishment of a quarry centre in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, to accelerate infrastructure development in the state.
Zulum made this announcement on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House.

The 70 Howo trucks are designed to boost the operational capacity of the Ministry of Works and its supervising agencies. The trucks will enable the swift delivery of materials to sites and faster intervention on distressed roads.
According to the governor, the quarry centre will provide locally sourced materials including granite, gravel and sharp sand to support ongoing and future road projects, reducing dependence on external suppliers and cutting costs.
“We have achieved a lot in health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction among others. However, we still have challenges of constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities,” Zulum said.
“My administration has established a quarry plant in Pulka with a processing capacity of 120 tons per hour. The State Government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant”, he added.
According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity, most contractors are not willing to work in Borno.

“You know, no serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here”, the governor reinstated.
“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works, the capacity of Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA), the capacity of special projects, monitoring departments and other MDAs that are responsible for road construction.”
The brief ceremony was attended by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Engr Baware, BORMA Chairman, Engr Sadu Auno, the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr Bukar Gujubawu and other senior officials.
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
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