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Why IPI Nigeria gave SSS DG, Oluwatosin Ajayi, Commendation Award

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Why IPI Nigeria gave SSS DG, Oluwatosin Ajayi, Commendation Award

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has explained the rational behind the award to the Director General of the Department of State Security, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

In a statement justifying the commendation award to Ajayi, the committee said: “Since his appointment as Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) in late August 2024, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has demonstrated an unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.

“Unlike in previous years when the SSS was notorious for serial harassment, intimidation, and arrests of journalists, the agency under Mr Ajayi’s leadership has shown remarkable restraint, professionalism, and openness to dialogue. Conflicts between the Service and the media are now resolved amicably, through engagement rather than coercion.”

It cited few examples to illustrate this transformation to include:

“Barely hours into his tenure, one of our colleagues, Adejuwon Soyinka, was intercepted and detained in Lagos. Within hours of IPI Nigeria bringing the matter to his attention, Mr Ajayi directed the Lagos Command to release the journalist immediately.

“For decades, our member Lanre Arogundade had suffered humiliating treatment at Nigeria’s borders, having been placed on the SSS watchlist since the 1980s. Despite years of advocacy, previous assurances that his name had been removed turned out to be untrue. Shortly after assuming office, Mr Ajayi received a formal complaint from IPI Nigeria and acted swiftly—permanently deleting Mr Arogundade’s name from the watchlist.

“In the Order Paper case, the SSS arrested a staff member of the newspaper following an inaccurate report alleging the Service invaded the National Assembly to facilitate the removal of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Once notified, Mr Ajayi immediately ordered that the detained journalist be granted administrative bail. Through constructive engagement, the matter was later resolved, all charges filed in court were withdrawn, and the case was closed.

“There was also a case involving one of our colleagues who became entangled in a personal matter unrelated to journalism. He was arrested alongside an associate. Acting on humanitarian grounds, we sought the DG’s intervention. Mr Ajayi obliged and ordered his release.

“In February 2025, the SSS contacted IPI Nigeria, accusing several media organisations of publishing falsehoods about its role in the Lagos Assembly crisis. Though understandably aggrieved, the DG worked patiently and collaboratively with us to resolve the dispute. The agency provided evidence that it had been invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the complex, and the matter was amicably settled without confrontation.

“In October 2025, without any prompting from IPI Nigeria, Mr Ajayi ordered disciplinary action against officers involved in the arrest and detention of two journalists from Jay 101.9 FM, a private radio station in Jos. He subsequently caused the SSS to issue a formal apology to the journalists and their organisation.

“For these and other reasons, we are honouring Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi today. We do so not only to acknowledge his commendable press freedom credentials but also to encourage him to do even more, and to inspire other officials, institutions, and organisations to emulate his example.”

Why IPI Nigeria gave SSS DG, Oluwatosin Ajayi, Commendation Award

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Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

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Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

By: Zagazola Makama

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Wednesday visited Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area, scene of a recent bandit attack, where he admitted the incident and pledged decisive action to secure the release of those abducted.

The governor, who commiserated with the victims and their families, described the Jan. 18 attack on three churches in the community as painful and unacceptable, assuring residents that his administration would intensify efforts to restore lasting peace in the area.

Sani said the state government would work closely with the military and other security stakeholders to ensure the safe return of all captives and prevent a recurrence of such attacks.

He appealed to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), a native of Kaduna State, to support the establishment of a military base in the area to enhance security and deter criminal elements.

The governor also announced plans to construct an access road to Kurmin Wali, establish a Primary Health Care centre, and provide other social amenities to improve living conditions and strengthen government presence in the community.

Addressing international and local journalists who accompanied him to the village, Sani said his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State.

Residents of Kurmin Wali thanked the governor for the visit and pledged their cooperation with the government to help secure the release of the abducted persons and sustain peace in the area.

Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

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The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

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The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

By: Yahaya Wakili

His Royal Highness the Emir of Tikau in Yobe State, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II, has called on the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, to carry everybody along in the emirate for the development of the nation.

The royal father made the appeal today at his place in Sabon Garin Nangere while receiving the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu. He said the creation of emirates is a great development for the nation.

“As we know, there was a very strong relationship between the Gamawa and Tikau emirates, and these will continue existing, and we share a boundary with them, and there was something that was raised between us and them, and anything that affected them affected us directly.” The Royal Father said.

According to Mai Tikau, the most cases we have are the conflicts between the farmers and the herders from time to time. Sometimes they will enter our territory, and sometimes we will enter their own, adding that, for the issue of the border, we hope with your coming as the new emir of Gamawa, this problem will be solved.

Speaking earlier, the emir of Gamawa, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, said they were at Tikau Place to express their appreciation to the royal father, the emir of Tikau, for his support given to us since we emerged as the new emir of Gamawa.

He said, “Immediately His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Hon. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad Kaura, created this emirate. Mai Tikau is the first person who sent a delegation to Gamawa to congratulate us.”

The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

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Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum

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Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum

By: Yahaya Wakili

The former Minister of Police Affairs and Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, has paid a surprise visit to Hafsatu Gimba Ahmed Memorial School in Potiskum, where he was warmly received by the students and the school management.

During the visit, the former minister distributed educational materials and foodstuff to the pupils and commended the school’s leadership for its commitment to quality education.

Adamu Waziri moved from classroom to classroom, where he engaged directly with students in a cheerful and fatherly manner and charged them to take their studies seriously, noting the importance of reading as a key to personal and national development.

He commended the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, the publisher/editor-in-chief of NEPTUNE PRIME, for his dedication to education and community service as a whole, adding that what Dr. Hassan Gimba has done here is not just building a school but building a legacy.

Earlier, the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, ably represented by the school’s management, thanked Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri for his generosity and continued interest in youth development and described the visit as a major encouragement to the school and the community hosting it.

“This gesture underscores Adamu Maina Waziri’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders even beyond his years of public service.

The highlight of the visit concluded with a group photograph and heartfelt appreciation from students, many of whom said they were inspired by the former minister’s humility and kindness.

The former minister of police affairs was accompanied by Dr. Zainab Boni Haruna, Engr. Abubakar Adamu Waziri (alias Cargo), Hon. Umar Khali, ADC state party chairman, Hon. Lawan Mammadu Kori, and Dr. Mamu Muhammad, among others.

Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum.

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