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NRC MD apologises to verbally assaulted journalist, names her Ambassador for Media Advocacy

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, has recognised journalist Ladi Balafor her resilience, professionalism, and dedication to factual reporting despite the verbal assault against her while covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor. Following the unfortunate incident, Dr Opeifa, on Sunday bestowed upon her
NRC MD apologises to verbally assaulted journalist, names her Ambassador for Media Advocacy

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, has recognised journalist Ladi Balafor her resilience, professionalism, and dedication to factual reporting despite the verbal assault against her while covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.

Following the unfortunate incident, Dr Opeifa, on Sunday bestowed upon her the honorary title of “Ambassador for Media Advocacy,” and publicly apologized to the Nigerian media for the assault on their colleague.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, Dr. Opeifa explained that his remarks were made under intense pressure while managing the crisis.

Ladi Bala, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, was reportedly subjected to unprovoked verbal attacks by Dr Opeifa while performing her official duties at the derailment scene.

The NUJ FCT Council had called Opeifa for his conduct, describing it as dehumanizing and a serious violation of press freedom.

But in his apology Opeifa said, “I wish to sincerely apologize for the regrettable remarks I made, which were directed at a seasoned journalist and reflected poorly on both the NUJ FCT and NAWOJ.

“Acting under pressure and in the heat of the moment while trying to ensure safety, I uttered some unkind words for which I take full responsibility.”

He explained that the derailment involved eight coaches and one locomotive, placing huge demands on his team to coordinate rescue efforts, inform the presidency and the public, and activate emergency procedures simultaneously.

On the day of the accident, the NRC’s newly revised emergency protocol was immediately put into action, engaging key agencies such as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Government, FCT Administration, and Nigerian military.

Dr Opeifa said there were 618 passengers onboard at the time of the derailment. Seven coaches and the locomotive were damaged, with around 20 passengers sustaining injuries, seven critically.

The NRC quickly provided replacement coaches to evacuate stranded passengers and began contact tracing using passenger manifests within 45 minutes of the crash.

“Some passengers had already traveled to nearby towns, but we managed to trace them by phone,” he added. “I personally visited at least seven injured passengers, including one who had made his way to Zaria.”

He also praised the swift response from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, police, local vigilantes, and other emergency personnel, whose actions saved lives.

Ambulances and medical teams were deployed by NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Government, and FCT Administration. Medical staff on the trains prioritized life-saving efforts at the scene.

Opeifa again apologised to Bala, acknowledging she bore the brunt of his earlier comments, saying, “To her, I offer my fullest apology. I also extend the same to the NTA, NAWOJ, and the wider journalism community.”

He described himself as a longtime advocate for human rights and trade unionism, recalling his history with the Campaign for Democracy, leadership in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at LASU, and involvement in the June 12 struggle.

“I have fought alongside journalists before; I am not their enemy,” he stressed.

NRC MD apologises to verbally assaulted journalist, names her Ambassador for Media Advocacy

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One of our finest police officers is gone – Makinde mourns Solomon Arase

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said the former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase was one of the finest police officers the country has ever produced. Makinde made said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on print, Moses Also. The statement was made available to DAILY POST on Sunday in
One of our finest police officers is gone – Makinde mourns Solomon Arase

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said the former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase was one of the finest police officers the country has ever produced.

Makinde made said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on print, Moses Also.

The statement was made available to DAILY POST on Sunday in Ibadan.

Our correspondent gathered that the news of the death of the former police boss was announced on Sunday.

Makinde while reacting, said Arase’s death has shown that one of the finest police officer has gone.

He described Arase’s death as a massive loss to Nigeria as he was until his death, one of the most resourceful retired IGPs.

“Retired IGP Arase’s death will leave a huge vacuum in the security sector, as he was one of the finest police officers in his days of active service and one of the retired Police Chiefs with experience and expertise that could have been useful to Nigeria in years to come.

“My relationship with him dates back to many years ago and his experience and expertise had proved useful to us in Oyo State at different points”.

One of our finest police officers is gone – Makinde mourns Solomon Arase

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CNPP, civil society groups demand judicial probe into NNPCL after Ojulari’s revelations

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations, CNCSOs, have called on President Bola Tinubu to launch a full scale judicial investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL. They said the call became necessary following recent revelations made by the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo
CNPP, civil society groups demand judicial probe into NNPCL after Ojulari’s revelations

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations, CNCSOs, have called on President Bola Tinubu to launch a full scale judicial investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.
They said the call became necessary following recent revelations made by the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.

Ojulari, in a meeting with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, on August 29, according to the group, exposed deep rooted corruption and operational decay within Nigeria’s refinery system particularly the Port Harcourt Refinery.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, and signed by CNPP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema and CNCSOs National Secretary, Ali Abacha, the two groups urged the president to urgently address what they described as a systemic rot in the oil sector.

According to them, Ojulari disclosed that the NNPCL had been losing between N300 million and N500 million monthly at its refineries, despite injecting nearly 950,000 barrels of crude oil of which, only 40% is reportedly processed. The poor performance, they said, reflects years of mismanagement and deliberate sabotage.

The statement also quoted Ojulari as revealing that the Port Harcourt Refinery’s so-called “old” and “new” units were designed to function as a single integrated system not separately, as previously claimed. This misunderstanding, allegedly sustained through strategic misinformation and neglect, has seriously hampered rehabilitation efforts.

While commending Ojulari’s courage and transparency, he described his disclosures as a validation of their long standing warnings about entrenched corruption under former NNPCL leadership.

“Efforts to expose these schemes in the past were met with media blackouts, intimidation, and suppression. profit claims made under Kyari were “absurd” and contradicted by soaring subsidy payments”,the groups lamented.

The coalition argued that Nigeria’s persistent economic hardship is inextricably linked to unchecked corruption within the NNPCL.

They insisted that unless the petroleum sector is fully cleansed, the country would remain mired in poverty, inefficiency, and dependency on fuel imports, calling for a comprehensive, independent, and transparent judicial inquiry into NNPCL’s operations from 2017 to 2023.

The group also asserted that the scale of alleged corruption is beyond the scope of conventional anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The groups further demanded the arrest and prosecution of Mele Kyari, citing unresolved allegations including fraudulent subsidy claims, shady crude swap deals, and missing oil revenue.

The CNPP said failure to act, would amount to a dangerous endorsement of impunity.

CNPP, civil society groups demand judicial probe into NNPCL after Ojulari’s revelations

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ADC criticizes police press statement after violent meeting in Kaduna

The African Democratic Congress has criticized the Kaduna State Police Command over its press statement, after the ADC political meeting which reportedly degenerated into violence and sporadic gunshots. DAILYPOST recalls that the ADC and other faction members held a political meeting on Saturday August 30, which degenerated into violence and sporadic gunshots. Following this, a
ADC criticizes police press statement after violent meeting in Kaduna

The African Democratic Congress has criticized the Kaduna State Police Command over its press statement, after the ADC political meeting which reportedly degenerated into violence and sporadic gunshots.

DAILYPOST recalls that the ADC and other faction members held a political meeting on Saturday August 30, which degenerated into violence and sporadic gunshots.

Following this, a press statement by the Kaduna State Police Command accused the opposition party of holding meetings without approval of security agent in the state

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the police press statement as baseless, asserting that the constitutional right to peaceful assembly supersedes any procedural notification to security agencies.

The party also faulted the Police press release, which they described as a “troubling attempt to pre-judge individuals and cast the opposition as lawless.”

The statement read, “When the Kaduna State Police Command issued its press release on the unfortunate disruption of the ADC meeting in Kaduna State, where our party leaders and members were attacked by armed thugs, we expected reassurance that justice would be done and that those responsible for the violence would be held to account.

“Instead, what we read was a troubling attempt to criminalise legitimate political activity, pre-judge individuals, and cast the opposition in the light of lawlessness.

“In a democracy, the right to assemble peacefully is guaranteed by the Constitution, not a State Police Command,” the statement emphasised.

The party further condemned the police’s threat to hold hotels and event centers liable for hosting political meetings without approval, labeling it an intimidation tactic that undermines democratic freedoms.

ADC also challenged the Kaduna police’s blanket suspension of “unauthorized gatherings,” calling it an overreach of authority that hands security agencies veto power over democracy itself.

“In this regard, the ADC rejects all attempts by the Kaduna State Police Command to drag our name into acts of violence that we neither organized nor condone. Our party remains committed to peaceful, issue-based politics,” the statement said.

“We therefore demand that the Kaduna State Police Command immediately revisit its statement, conduct a transparent investigation, and explain why its officers allegedly abandoned their duty when our leaders and members came under attack.”

The ADC accused the police of failing to protect party members who were attacked by armed thugs and attempting to unjustly criminalise legitimate political activities.

“Democracy is not a crime. Selective policing is. Still, we in the ADC will not be intimidated into silence. We also call on all citizens to reject the growing acts of violence and intimidation against opposition parties by the ruling APC at all levels.”

ADC criticizes police press statement after violent meeting in Kaduna

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Gov Okpebholo, Edo Speaker mourns ex-IGP, Arase

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, have mourned the death of Solomon Arase, the former Nigeria Inspector-General of Police. In a separate condolences message, the Governor described the late IGP as a patriotic Nigerian and an illustrious Edo son, whose contributions to the country’s security
Gov Okpebholo, Edo Speaker mourns ex-IGP, Arase

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, have mourned the death of Solomon Arase, the former Nigeria Inspector-General of Police.

In a separate condolences message, the Governor described the late IGP as a patriotic Nigerian and an illustrious Edo son, whose contributions to the country’s security architecture were immeasurable.

On his part, the Speaker said the late former Inspector General of Police was one of the Owan Nation’s greatest, finest, and brightest achievers.

According to the Governor, we have lost a great mind, a dedicated public servant, and an exceptional leader.

“Arase was a man of integrity and honour who served our nation with distinction, rising to the pinnacle of his career through sheer hard work and dedication.

“That his tenure as the 18th Inspector-General of Police was marked by significant reforms and commitment to professionalism and community policing.

“While we mourn his passing, we take solace in the fact that he lived a life of purpose, impacting positively on all who came in contact with him”, he said.

Okpebholo extended his deepest sympathies to the Arase family and the entire Nigeria Police Force.

The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed and for the Almighty God to grant his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

The Speaker, in his message, described as a great shock, the passing of a great leader, brother and Owan son, former Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.
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‎”I am devastated by his demise and it is indeed a black Sunday for the Owan Nation.
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‎”I pray for the soul to find eternal rest in God’s bosom, while God comforts the wife, children, family in particular, and the Owan Nation in general, which he served while in active service and retirement”, he stated.
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‎He noted that the Owan Nation is in mourning and prayed for God’s comfort.

Gov Okpebholo, Edo Speaker mourns ex-IGP, Arase

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Ohanaeze refutes report on 2027 presidency, says nothing stops Igbos from contesting

The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has refuted a press statement issued by the factional leader of its youth wing , Damian Okafor, urging the region to withdraw from contesting the nation’s 2027 presidency till 2035. Ohaneze condemned the report and reaffirmed that any Igbo individual is free to contest the 2027 presidential election,
Ohanaeze refutes report on 2027 presidency, says nothing stops Igbos from contesting

The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has refuted a press statement issued by the factional leader of its youth wing , Damian Okafor, urging the region to withdraw from contesting the nation’s 2027 presidency till 2035.

Ohaneze condemned the report and reaffirmed that any Igbo individual is free to contest the 2027 presidential election, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

In a press statement issued by the President General of the organization, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, stressed that the Ohaneze, is not a political party and has no authority to determine who should or should not run for political office.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has stated emphatically that any Igbo person can contest in the 2027 presidential election,”he declared.

Azuta Mbata further emphasized that any publication suggesting Ohanaeze has taken a position against an Igbo candidate running for president is false and should be ignored.

“Any publications to the contrary are fake news, did not originate from Ohanaeze Ndigbo and should be discountenanced by the entirety of Ndigbo,” he added.

The President General, in the press statement, reiterated that Ohanaeze is solely a socio-cultural body, not aligned with any political platform, stressing that any
Igbo person who belongs to a political party and wants to contest any elections whatsoever in 2027 is free to do so.

He encouraged Igbo politicians to continue participating in democratic processes through their respective parties.

“Ndigbo are advised to continue their lawful political activities in the various political parties of their choice and membership.”he further declared.

Ohanaeze refutes report on 2027 presidency, says nothing stops Igbos from contesting