Responsible Reporting Key To National Security — NUJ, NSA Directorate

 Responsible Reporting Key To National Security — NUJ, NSA Directorate

The Directorate of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has sought collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to promote responsible reporting, curb misinformation and strengthen public awareness of issues relating to critical national infrastructure.

The delegation made the appeal during a familiarisation visit to the NUJ National Secretariat, where discussions centred on the role of journalists in protecting critical infrastructure, promoting national security and ensuring that the public receives accurate and verified information.

The delegation expressed concern over the spread of misleading information, particularly reports involving telecommunications and other service providers, noting that inaccurate or unsubstantiated claims could misinform the public and undermine confidence in the country.

The Director, Air Vice Marshal Effiom, who led the delegation, urged journalists to uphold professional standards by conducting thorough investigations and verifying information before publication or broadcast. He also called for the development of NUJ-led guidelines to guide media coverage of telecommunications and other critical service providers.

Responding, the NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, appreciated the delegation for recognising the Union as a strategic partner in advancing national security and the public interest.

Yahya assured the delegation of the Union’s willingness to collaborate with the Directorate, stressing that responsible journalism remains essential to national development, public enlightenment and the promotion of the country’s collective interests.

He expressed the NUJ’s commitment to supporting initiatives that would strengthen professional journalism and position journalists as agents of positive change in the media industry and the country at large.

Also speaking, the NUJ National Secretary, Mr. Achike Chude, emphasised the need for a clear framework to guide the proposed collaboration. He highlighted the importance of structured engagement between the Union and the Directorate, as well as capacity-building programmes to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills required to report effectively on critical national assets, infrastructure protection and related security issues.

The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of mutual cooperation, with a shared commitment to promoting accurate, ethical and responsible journalism in support of national security and the public interest.

Grassrunners JNR, Eko United ignite AFH Pre-season Tournament in Sagamu

 

Grassrunners JNR, Eko United ignite AFH Pre-season Tournament in Sagamu

Grassrunners JNR and Eko United open the African Football Holding (AFH) Pre-season Tournament in Sagamu on Thursday at 9 am., setting up an intriguing football contest. 

The opening Matchday 1 fixtures of the tournament, tagged 'Good Football, Great Futures', will be held at FC Ebedei Stadium in Apele.

Sunshine Stars, FC Ebedei, Eko United, Dokkal Khairu, Grassrunners JNR, Crown FC, Stormers SC, Ebedei Sports College, Grassrunners FC and Ikorodu City FA will compete in the 10-day event, running from October 15th to 24th.

The AFH pre-season tournament is for teams in the Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nationwide League One (NLO), giving them a chance to prepare adequately for the new season in their respective divisions. 

Five hours later, FC Ebedei and Sunshine Stars will bring the MatchDay 1 Group A schedule to a close with a blockbuster clash. 

Tunde Shamsudeen, lead of the AFH Pre-Season Tournament Organising Committee, said, "After more than a month of planning, the kickoff is a few hours away. 

"‎The unique thing about the tourney is that all teams will get 360 minutes of football in total in the group phase to put their players through their paces and instil the tactical blueprint they want for their teams, before qualification to the final phase. This makes the tourney highly competitive. 

"The eventual winner and runners-up of the maiden edition of the tourney will cart away a whopping N2m as prize money, while runners-up get N1m.

"There is also an Italian giant gold trophy for winners and medals for the two finalists.

"Top European scouts will be on hand to pick standout players for lucrative foreign deals abroad. "

However, the Main Organising Committee (MOC) has adopted a group-phase format to determine qualification for the tournament. 

Under the revised format, teams in both groups will each play four matches, in line with the approved fixtures and schedule.

At the end of the group-stage matches, the team with the most points at the top of each group will qualify for the final. 

The two group winners will then meet in the grand finale to determine the tournament champion. The final is scheduled for Saturday, October 24.

Five-Star Falcons Demolish Comoros To Book Morocco Clash

 

Five-Star Falcons Demolish Comoros To Book Morocco Clash

 

The Super Falcons produced a clinical second-leg display on Tuesday, defeating Comoros 5-0 in Ikenne to secure a 7-0 aggregate victory in the second round of the 2028 Olympics Women’s Football Tournaments qualifiers.

 

Following a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen’s side controlled proceedings early. Gift Monday came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute after breaking through on goal, but her attempt to round the Comoros goalkeeper was botched. Nigeria suffered a setback in the 28th minute when skipper Rasheedat Ajibade was forced off following a heavy collision. Folashade Ijamilusi was introduced as her replacement.

 

The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute. Uchenna Kanu, who scored the second in Friday’s 2-0 win, capitalized on a defensive error by the Comoros goalkeeper, intercepting the ball and squaring it to Toni Payne, who slotted home from close range.

 

Eguavoen made a tactical change at the interval, replacing Gift Monday with Blessing Okpe. The substitution yielded immediate dividends as Nigeria intensified their onslaughts in the second half. In the 58th minute, Ijamilusi delivered an accurate cross into the penalty area for Kanu to double the night's scoreline with a firm header. Kanu thought she had added another three minutes later, but her effort off an Ijamilusi cross was disallowed for offside.

 

The hosts added a third in the 63rd minute. Okpe beat two Comoros defenders on a driving run down the flank before cutting the ball back to Payne, who netted her second of the evening. Three minutes later, Ijamilusi notched another assist, whipping in a delivery for Kanu to head home her second of the match and third of the fixture in the 66th minute.

 

Nigeria earned a penalty in the 71st minute when Okpe was brought down inside the box. Christy Ucheibe stepped up to convert the spot-kick, placing the Super Falcons five goals ahead. The technical crew utilized all remaining options late in the second half. Jennifer Echegini and Kanu made way for Suliat Abideen and Shakirat Moshood in the 81st minute, while Fatimah Soliat replaced Payne in the 87th minute.

 

With a 7-0 aggregate victory across on both legs, the Super Falcons advance to the next round of the qualifying campaign, where they will face Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses.

 

Hardship: NLC Demands Fresh Minimum Wage Talks, Fuel Price Cut

 

Hardship: NLC Demands Fresh Minimum Wage Talks, Fuel Price Cut

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to reduce the price of petrol, renegotiate the national minimum wage, and address other pending labour demands, or face industrial action.

The decision was contained in a communique issued after a joint meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) and Central Working Committee (CWC) held at the Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House, Abuja, on October 7, 2026. The meeting, presided over by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, deliberated on what it described as the existential threats facing Nigerian workers and the masses.

According to the Congress, the current economic hardship occasioned by soaring inflation, naira depreciation and high cost of living has rendered the current national minimum wage worthless. The NLC therefore demanded that the government commence renegotiation of a new living wage before the end of October 2026. It also reiterated its call for an immediate reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), tax relief and wage awards for workers.

The ultimatum, which takes effect from Friday, October 9, 2026, also requires the government to implement the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) on February 5, 2026, and the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council (JPSNC). The NLC is specifically asking that petrol price be returned to what it was at the signing of the current minimum wage in 2024.

The Congress warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated period would compel it to take remedial steps as directed by its relevant organs. It called on all affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and prepared for decisive action against anti-people policies.

Olowu, AIG Ewah Forge Security Alliance, Push Stronger Intelligence Network Across Osun, Oyo

 

Olowu, AIG Ewah Forge Security Alliance, Push Stronger Intelligence Network Across Osun, Oyo

KUTA — The Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Hammed Adekunle Oyelude Makama, Tegbosun III, CON, has urged the newly deployed Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo, AIG Bassey S. Ewah, psc(++), FCAI, MSPSP, to prioritise the rebuilding of public confidence in the police and strengthen security cooperation across Osun and Oyo States.

The monarch made the call on Thursday when he received the AIG at his palace in Kuta, Osun State, during a high-level engagement focused on security, community policing, traditional institutions and peaceful coexistence.

Oba Makama described AIG Ewah as an experienced and knowledgeable security professional, urging him to maintain the character and integrity for which he is known as he assumes responsibility for policing coordination across the two states.

The monarch said the AIG's arrival in Osun should provide an opportunity to further restore confidence between residents and security agencies, particularly following concerns surrounding security and public trust before and after elections.

According to him, the police must remain accessible to the people, stressing that effective policing depends significantly on information-sharing and cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve.

He used the proverbial expression that “the bush does not shake without a cause,” urging citizens to speak up whenever they notice suspicious developments or security concerns.

Oba Makama also called for stronger working relations between the police and the Osun State Government, noting that peace and security require cooperation among government, security agencies, traditional institutions and citizens.

The monarch said the AIG's position carries significant responsibility because decisions and standards established at the zonal level would influence policing across the state commands under his jurisdiction.

He therefore expressed confidence that AIG Ewah would provide the leadership required to strengthen security ahead of future electoral activities.

‘Our Doors Are Open’ — AIG Ewah

Responding, AIG Ewah assured the people of Osun and Oyo States that his administration would operate an open-door policy and welcome constructive criticism from members of the public.

“Our doors are open. There is no protocol to see us. We are ready to receive criticism, but constructively. It will help us to bring out the best in us,” the AIG said.

He urged the Commissioners of Police in Osun and Oyo States to maintain open channels of communication with the public, encouraging residents to report security concerns directly to the appropriate authorities.

According to him, information supplied by members of the public would be treated seriously, while the identities of informants would be protected.

The AIG stressed the importance of a strong police-community partnership, noting that effective policing cannot be achieved without public cooperation and reliable information.

“I look for a very strong synergy between the police and members of the public. That relationship is underpinned by my abiding respect for traditional institutions. Without them, we cannot police well.”

AIG Ewah also acknowledged the cooperation extended to his predecessors, including former Zone 11 AIG Fasuba, and said he was bringing his operational experience from the North-East to his new assignment.

He noted that his previous responsibilities in the North-East, including Maiduguri, Borno and Yobe, had exposed him to complex security challenges and provided him with experience that could contribute to policing in Zone 11.

He said his administration would work closely with traditional rulers, stakeholders and political actors to promote peace and stability across Osun and Oyo.

The AIG advocated “politics without bitterness,” urging political actors to put partisan differences aside when political contests are over and return to peaceful coexistence as members of the same society.

He said, irrespective of political differences, Nigerians remained connected by their common humanity and should not allow politics to destroy relationships or threaten peace.

AIG Ewah's remarks come against the backdrop of his recent assumption of office as the head of Zone 11, which comprises the Osun and Oyo State Police Commands. 

The engagement at the Kuta palace therefore provided an early platform for the new zonal police leadership and the traditional institution to reinforce a shared commitment to intelligence-led policing, public confidence, community partnership and peaceful coexistence across the zone.