News
STANLEY MSHELIA: REQUIEM TO THE PEN GENERAL
STANLEY MSHELIA: REQUIEM TO THE PEN GENERAL.
By: Inuwa Bwala
In 1993, when I was a contributor on Network Africa/Focus on Africa programme of the BBC, I went to the Lake Chad Basin in search of details, following a deadly encounter between Nigerian troops and a splinter of Chadian rebels, around the area.
I returned to Maiduguri to file the report, but was denied the use of the Government House telephone, which most correspondents relied upon to send reports.
I was frustrated on the queue at NITEL which was the only available alternative then.
I retired to the NUJ on Lagos street almost defeated, when Stanley Mshelia and his good friend Mohammed Ahmed, now of the University of Maiduguri met me.
Stanley suggested the use of a private line in the residence of a friend, who was working with NITEL.
He took me to the house in the GRA, but cautioned me that, the report could cause trouble for me if I reported exactly what he saw in the copy.
I took the risk and went ahead, after giving his friend’s telephone line to my editor in Bush House to call me back for voice over.
The story actually landed me in Military detention, for nine days and Stanley was available for me, to get out.
The NUJ house on Lagos Street was not only a rhendezvous for journalists it was a giant intellectual warehouse. It was there, that, most journalists; including those with offices outside, develop ideas of how to build their reports.
Every one of us would come up with his or her own lead to a particular story from the same event.
For the correspondents, we often look for the sensational angle, and for the government own media houses, they often prefer the promotional angle.
Stanley Mshelia belonged to the latter, but was a blend in professional news judgement. Although older in age and on the job, he was somehow a blend between the two generations of journalists in Maiduguri during the military regency.
Knowing that, NTA where he worked would not tow some lines of reportage, Stanley could give a beautiful sensational opener to those of us who preferred that angle and go back to take his report from the Govetnmental house style.
After giving a fantastic opener, he would equally give a caveat, that we should avoid trouble.
We often satirically conduct ourselves as mock troops, given the regimented mentality of the Military, who were then in Government. Stanley treated even the younger ones as his compatriots and joking gave orders in the fashion of the military, which earned him the nick name “General.”
And when he was sure we had beaten the dateline for submission of stories to our various media houses, Stanley would lead the way to any of the relaxation spots, where we further debate the suitability of the various leads we gave the stories of the day.
On the tube, Stanley Mshelia was the man with the baritone voice. Most reporters could file reports, but Stanley was often preferred to voice over their reports.
He was the notable voice on NTA at 7 and most network reports from the Maiduguri center.
We had been friends since our days at the Federal Low-cost in Maiduguri, culminating into our days in journalism.
We were both circumstantial politicians, having been conscripted from journalism into image makers.
I was the pioneer occupant of the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Governor of Borno State and Stanley took over from me. But even when I was there, we were running the office together, as he gave me very useful insights and connections in the electronic media.
I recall that, even when I left and our bosses were at loggerheads, Stanley still visited me in Kaduna and we did many things together as professional colleagues.
Immediately he retired, he briefly joined me in National Trail newspaper, which I founded.
Beyond these, we have been together on so many professional committees and had always offered each other useful inputs from professional angles. I dare say that, he was a dedicated and passionate professional and his demise remains a great loss to me, to journalism and to Borno state.
Adieu the pen generalisimo.
End
Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have rescued eight passengers, including a serving soldier, who were abducted by armed robbers along the Jos–Makurdi road at Rafin Sanyi in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, when the victims were travelling in an ash-coloured Sharon.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of OPSH Sector 6, deployed at Sopp community, swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the criminals.
Seven of the eight passengers were rescued on the spot, while the eighth victim, identified as Corporal Munyal Abdullahi of 3 Division Garrison, was initially taken away into the surrounding highlands by the assailants.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the soldier, attached to 73 ST Brigade Fire Unit as a driver, had just dismounted from duty and was travelling to Abuja without an official pass to deliver yet-to-be-confirmed items for a relative.
The abductors contacted the rescued victims via phone numbers, demanding a ransom of N60 million for the soldier’s release.
However, following a coordinated search-and-rescue operation by OPSH troops in collaboration with other team, the soldier was successfully rescued and reunited with the other victims.
Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road
Zulum wins northeast governor of the year award
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has been conferred with the Northeast Governor of the Year Award. The award presentation was conducted at the Progressive Digital Summit Dinner held over the weekend in Abuja.
The maiden digital summit, 2025, celebrates exemplary stewardship and innovative governance across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The award was received by Zulum’s Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, who expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the governor and the entire Borno State government.
“This honour is a testament to the relentless efforts of Governor Zulum in transforming Borno into a land of hope and progress. His leadership has inspired a new wave of resilience and development in the face of challenges,” Bundi stated.
Bundi reiterated that such honour will serve as vital motivation for Governor Zulum to push even harder for the betterment of the northeast. “This recognition will fuel the resolve of our amiable governor to work tirelessly to ensure that the dreams of our people become reality, and that our region continues on the path of sustainable growth and peace,” Mr Bundi affirmed.
Hon. Bundi was accompanied by SSAs to the Governor, Abdullahi Yusuf and Dogo Mohammed Shettima, Dr Ibrahim Wujema, Goni M. Tar, Bulama Mohammed Bukar, among other Borno participants at the summit.
Zulum wins northeast governor of the year award
News
NGO Says Taiwan Representative in Nigeria Has No Diplomatic Recognition in Line with One-China Policy
NGO Says Taiwan Representative in Nigeria Has No Diplomatic Recognition in Line with One-China Policy
By: Michael Mike
A non-governmental organization, SINOAFRIK Media Documentation and Development Network, has expressed concern over the misrepresentation of a recent visit by Andy Liu, the Head of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, to Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu as a diplomatic visit.
The organisation, in a press statement on Monday signed by its Executive Director, Austin Maho, said the portrayal of the visit as a diplomatic engagement between Taiwan and Nigeria is misleading and does not reflect the realities of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
SINOAFRIK stated that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China, and the Taipei Trade Office in Lagos operates as a non-diplomatic entity. It stressed that Nigeria does not recognize any entity referred to as the “Taiwanese government.”
It added that: “Any implication of bilateral collaboration with such an entity is seen as contradictory to Nigeria’s longstanding foreign policy, which has been grounded in mutual respect for the One-China Principle since its adoption in 1971.”
According to the statement, the One-China Principle asserts that there is only one China, with Taiwan being an integral part of it, and recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. This position is reinforced by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 from 1971, alongside historical documents such as the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation.
SINOAFRIK reiterated that the One-China Principle has been the foundation of Nigeria-China relations for over five decades.
“At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, Nigeria and China elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, where Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Principle and its opposition to any form of Taiwan independence,” the statement noted.
The organisation pointed out that the People’s Republic of China has been a vital partner in Nigeria’s development, contributing significantly to key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, technology, trade, and human capital development. It said Nigeria is China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding $20 billion annually.
SINOAFRIK urged the Nigerian media and the public to avoid terms like “Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria,” “Taiwanese government,” or “Embassy of Taiwan in Nigeria,” as these terms imply the existence of “two Chinas” and are inconsistent with Nigeria’s foreign policy.
“The media must uphold objectivity, fairness, and accuracy in their reporting,” the statement added.
NGO Says Taiwan Representative in Nigeria Has No Diplomatic Recognition in Line with One-China Policy
Army troops rescue eight passengers including serving soldier abducted along Jos–Makurdi road
Zulum wins northeast governor of the year award
NGO Says Taiwan Representative in Nigeria Has No Diplomatic Recognition in Line with One-China Policy
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