National News
Nigeria not a war zone – FG

Nigeria not a war zone – FG
The Federal Government says in spite of Nigeria’s security challenges, the country is not a war zone and is safe for investment.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this on Friday in Lagos at the Platform Capital Forum, organised by UNICORN Group.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the forum is an assemblage of major investors, start-ups and early-stage companies in technology and innovative ideas from across the globe.
Addressing the global audience, the minister said there was a lot of de-marketing going on in Nigeria, particularly outside the shores of the country.
“If you read about Nigeria, from outside the shores of the country you will think Nigeria is truly a war zone.
“I am glad that some of you have been in Nigeria for days and you can attest to the fact that indeed we have challenges in some parts of the country but Nigeria is not a war zone.
“Nigeria is not a country where Christians are persecuted by Muslims or where one ethnic group is being dominated by the other.
“Nigeria is safe for investment,’’ he said
Mohammed admonished de-marketing the country to refrain from the act, saying “we do not have any other country than Nigeria and no matter what challenges we have we must make it work’’.
He noted that in spite of the challenges facing Nigeria, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was doing its best to reposition the country.
On insecurity, the minister said normalcy was returning to the North East with terrorists being degraded, and the focus is shifting to rehabilitation and rebuilding.
“Boko Haram is severely degraded and ISWAP leadership has been eliminated and is floundering
“No fewer than 51,000 terrorists surrendered in the first three months of this year alone
“We are also tackling banditry with the same vigour with which we have taken on Boko Haram and ISWAP, and it is a matter of time for bandits to be decimated too.
The minister said the administration had re-geared the economy to domestic production and made the nation less vulnerable to external shocks.
He said that economic growth was, however, not where the government wanted it to be owing to adverse global headwinds – the commodity slump, pandemic, and war in Ukraine –.
“The fundamentals of our economy are now on a stronger footing for future growth.
“Heavy investment in infrastructure is set to unleash Nigerian growth, connect communities, and lessen inequality across the country,’’ he said.
Still, on the administration’s scorecard, the minister said corrupt politicians were being removed without fear or favour and the 2016 Whistleblowing Policy had yielded several billion in recoveries within Nigeria.
He said looted funds from past regimes were being returned and channelled to infrastructure development
Mohammed, however, said it was disappointing that some of the recovered funds were still being blocked.
“Western governments should be helping us recover our money, not blocking it.
“Past funds have been returned, and then go towards infrastructure.
“Governments proclaim they want to return, but then tie it up in endless bureaucracy for reasons unclear to the government,’’ he said
Dr Akintoye Akindele, Chairman of UNICORN Group, thanked the minister for coming to the event, saying that there were lots of investment opportunities in Nigeria.
Akindele said with massive potential and innovative ideas, Nigeria could overcome its challenges,
He, therefore, enjoined the people to speak and write positive things about the country rather than go around to de-market it.
NAN reports that the highlight of the event was the tour of the campuses and various incubation hubs in the establishment.
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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