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Bwala Interview Stir: Sowunmi Advises Officials To Get Media Training.
Former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Segun Sowunmi, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the interview between presidential aide Daniel Bwala and international journalist Mehdi Hasan.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a commentary titled “When Spokespersons Falter: Lessons in Strategic Communication: The Bwala/Mehdi Meltdown,” Sowunmi stressed the need for thorough professional communication training for government representatives to strengthen their ability to deliver messages clearly, manage crises, and encourage transparency.
He argued that weak communication skills can damage the government’s reputation and erode public confidence.
According to Sowunmi, improving communication capacity would help public officials present policies more clearly, respond effectively to public concerns, and project a stronger image of governance.
He emphasised that for spokespersons, every word, tone, gesture, and reaction forms part of the narrative through which both local and international audiences judge a government.
Sowunmi stated that recent interview performances by presidential representatives have revived debate about the professional standards expected of spokespersons in today’s complex media environment.
He noted that facing experienced global interviewers such as Hasan goes beyond a routine media appearance and instead becomes a critical test of narrative control.
Sowunmi explained that effective spokespersons are rarely spontaneous performers, adding that communication experts often reference the “10,000-hour rule,” popularised by Malcolm Gladwell, to illustrate the level of consistent practice required to master demanding professions.
He added that seasoned communicators know how to steer difficult or provocative questions without appearing evasive.
According to him, many rely on structured communication strategies sometimes described as a “4+1” model — four supporting arguments built around one central message that repeatedly redirects the discussion to the administration’s key policy priorities.
Sowunmi further highlighted discipline as a defining trait of professional spokespersons, noting that effective communicators avoid the temptation to speak merely to satisfy a narrow political base.
He also stressed the importance of situational awareness, explaining that each media platform has its own style, every interviewer employs a distinct questioning method, and audiences expect a particular tone.
He said proper preparation therefore involves understanding the confrontational nature of certain interviews, anticipating possible lines of questioning, and crafting responses that remain calm while advancing the government’s position.
Sowunmi added that non-verbal communication also plays a significant role in effective messaging.
He noted that tone, pitch, speaking rhythm, posture, and controlled gestures are not superficial details but important tools that strengthen credibility, as audiences often judge confidence and authority through these cues even before considering the content of a response.
He concluded that the key lesson for governments should be institutional rather than personal, stressing that strategic communication must be treated as a professional field that requires training, mentorship, and continuous preparation.
Sowunmi pointed out that many successful administrations invest heavily in communication strategy units, message simulation exercises, and media coaching to ensure their representatives are fully equipped for challenging interviews.
He added that in an era where a single interview can spread globally within minutes, the performance of a spokesperson is no longer a minor aspect of governance but a crucial part of statecraft.
An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.
Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.
Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.
According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.
He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.
“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.
The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.
Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.
He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.
Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.
The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.
Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.
He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.
Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.
Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.
In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.
The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.
However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.
Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.
When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
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