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Nigeria Promises to Strengthen Cultural Ties with Other West African Countries

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Nigeria Promises to Strengthen Cultural Ties with Other West African Countries

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has promised to strengthen cultural ties with other West African countries in pursuant of its policy of promoting cultural diplomacy.

The promise was made on Tuesday in Abuja
by the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa during United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) sponsored event “Sharing Experiences and Good Practices in Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in West Africa”

At the event which drew participants from other West African countries, Musawa said:
“Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, in our pursuit of promoting cultural diplomacy, I stand here today to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to strengthening cultural ties with your respective countries.”

Musawa who was represented by one of her Advisors, Roshan Nanayakkara said: “We recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership in harnessing the full potential of our cultural assets and creative talents. This forum serves as a platform for us to explore new avenues of cooperation, exchange best practices, and forge lasting partnerships that will benefit our nations in the long run.

“It is my firm belief that by working together, pooling our resources, and sharing our expertise, we can achieve remarkable outcomes that will benefit not only our nations but the world at large.”

Musawa added that: “I wish to thank UNESCO, a key partner and supporter of Nigeria in all of our cultural endeavors, for convening this extremely important event. I use this opportunity to invite each and every one of you to join us on this transformative journey towards the emergence of Africa’s cultural renaissance, leading the charge from West Africa.

“Let us seize this moment to strengthen our cultural bonds, ignite our creative energies, and pave the way for a future filled with hope, inspiration and prosperity. Together, we can build a world where art, culture and creativity serve as catalysts for positive change and unity.”

In his remarks, Director UNESCO Dakar regional Office, Mr. Dimitri Sanga the meeting was convened to share experiences and good practices about living heritage in the West Africa subregion.

Sanga, who was represented by the UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, said: “Indeed, this is one of UNESCO’s role: to serve as a platform for exchange, dialogue, capacity-building and networking for its Member States.”

He noted that: “This workshop is also a valuable opportunity to strengthen South-South collaboration in this field, and to ensure better protection of cultural heritage in all its forms, throughout the African continent. In addition, it is important to emphasize that the promotion of the ICH and associated creativity can help generate some opportunities for the communities and individuals, contribute to sustainable development and build peace.

“This is one more step towards achieving the sustainable development goals and the 2063 Agenda: “the Africawe want”.

He said: “This meeting is in line with UNESCO’s Phare Priority Africa program and the declaration of UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022. This meeting is therefore a prelude to MONDIACULT 2025 to make the voice of African countries heard, particularly the one of West Africa countries.”

He noted that: “As you already know, MONDIACULT is a major event during which the 194 member states of UNESCO work together to define the global agenda for culture. The next edition will be held in Barcelona during the second semester of 2025, by which time I hope that all the States Parties will have ratified the key Culture UNESCO conventions and particularly the 2003 Convention concerning the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage that brings us together today.”

Nigeria Promises to Strengthen Cultural Ties with Other West African Countries

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Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

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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

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Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

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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

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NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

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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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