The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, Ray Ekpu, has revealed how the assassination of the publication’s founding Editor-in-Chief, Dele Giwa, prompted his young son to abandon his dream of becoming a journalist.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ekpu made the revelation on Monday during the presentation of the book Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos.

The book features a collection of Giwa’s writings published in Daily Times, Sunday Concord and Newswatch.

Giwa was assassinated on October 19, 1986, after a parcel bomb delivered to his residence in Ikeja, Lagos, exploded during the military regime of former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993.

Recounting his relationship with the late journalist, Ekpu explained that their families lived in the same duplex in Ikeja and shared a close relationship.

He disclosed that his five-year-old son had admired Giwa and often expressed his desire to follow in his footsteps by becoming a journalist. However, the tragic incident changed the boy’s mind.

According to Ekpu, his son informed him just days after Giwa’s assassination that he no longer wanted to pursue journalism because he feared suffering the same fate as the late editor.

Recalling the conversation, Ekpu said, “My five-year-old son used to tell me that he would like to be a journalist like Daddy Uncle Dele. But a few days after Dele’s assassination, my son came to me and said, ‘Daddy, I have changed my mind.’

“I asked him, ‘You changed your mind about what?’ He said, ‘I don’t want to be a journalist anymore.’ I asked him, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘I don’t want to be killed like Uncle Dele.’”

The veteran journalist noted that the incident demonstrated how even a young child could understand the dangers associated with the profession following such a tragic event.

Ekpu added that his son eventually pursued a different career, far removed from journalism.

He said, “Today, the guy works in a different profession far away from journalism.”

Beyond the personal impact of Giwa’s death, Ekpu expressed disappointment that four decades after the assassination, efforts to secure justice for the slain journalist had remained unsuccessful.

He recalled how members of the Newswatch team worked for years with their lawyer and friend, the late human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi, to pursue the case.

However, he lamented that their efforts were thwarted by what he described as “the forces of oppression.”

Expressing his frustration over the unresolved murder, Ekpu said the team had reached a point where they could only entrust the matter to God.

He stated, “So, at this point, all we can do is to leave the criminals who assassinated our partner, friend and brother in the able hands of God Almighty because the good Lord says vengeance is mine.”

Popular Nigerian comedian and skit maker, Sabinus, has expressed worry over the state of affairs in Nigeria, questioning why citizens continue to face criticism when they speak up about governance and accountability.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The comedian shared his concerns in a social media post, where he highlighted what he described as the contradictory treatment of Nigerians who either demand good governance or choose to stay out of political matters.

According to Sabinus, citizens who call on the government to perform better are often told to mind their business, while those who choose not to get involved are equally subjected to insults.

He questioned when Nigerians would unite to demand accountability and insist on receiving the rights and benefits they deserve from those entrusted with political leadership.

In his words, “A lot is going on in this country and we’re just keeping quiet. 💔🤐 You demand for good governance, they tell you to mind your business. You try to mind your business, they still insult you. When are we going to come as one and demand for what we’re being owed?”

Meanwhile, Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has acknowledged the economic difficulties Nigerians are experiencing.

He stated that every generation inherits a country with existing challenges but also has a responsibility to make decisions that will improve the lives of future generations.

Seyi maintained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had chosen to confront Nigeria’s longstanding problems, arguing that its decisions were intended to create a better future for younger Nigerians.