Category Nigeria News

Chief Dan Agbese, a veteran journalist, prose stylist, author, and co-founder of the storied Newswatch weekly magazine, passed away in the presence of President Bola Tinubu.

Agbese, who was the Awan’Otun of Agila town in the Benue State ALD, reportedly passed away on Monday at the age of 81 in Lagos.

President Tinubu described Agbese’s passing as a painful and profound loss for Nigeria’s media industry and the nation as a whole in a statement released on Tuesday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanugu.

The President claimed that Agbese and his Newswatch colleagues helped to set the stage for a new era of investigative and interpretative journalism in Nigeria, changing the way the media is conducted, and establishing ethical and courageous reporting standards.

Dan Agbese was a “institution” as opposed to just a journalist. His pen influenced the perceptions of the public, bolstered democratic discourse, and gave rise to a new generation of media professionals.

He acted with integrity, courage, and steadfast devotion to the pursuit of truth and justice in his service to Nigeria. His influence on the development of the contemporary Nigerian press will endure in perpetuity.

“I’m in mourning along with his family, particularly his wife, his children, and the media community as well. May the noble calling of journalism in our country be guided by his legacy, the President continued.

A Titan of Truth,

The passing of Dan Agbese, a pillar of contemporary journalism in Nigeria and a tireless supporter of a free press, is deeply saddened by his own actions, according to Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation.

By co-founding the ground-blazing Newswatch magazine, which became a defining institution in our nation’s life, Agbese was a titan of truth whose legacy laid the groundwork for enlightened public discourse, Idris said in a statement on Tuesday.

He, in fact, fought for the principles of courage, intellectual integrity, and unwavering support for press freedom, which are the foundation of a vibrant democracy. He held power accountable and committed himself to the cause of nation-building through his sharp “No Holds Barred” column and lifetime of work.

Agbese’s passing comes at a time when the Tinubu administration is deeply committed to promoting the principles he fought for, including stronger citizen engagement and free speech.

Therefore, I mourn him with both grief and gratitude for a legacy that has profoundly altered the discourse in our country.

His family, coworkers, and the media fraternity all express my sincere condolences.

Dan Agbese was a “giant,” and his significant contributions will continue to pave the way for Nigeria. May his soul be peaceful forever.

Dan Agbese graduated from Columbia University in New York and the University of Lagos, respectively, for degrees in mass communication and journalism. He was also the former General Manager of Radio Benue and the former editor of The Nigeria Standard and The New Nigerian.

Up until April 2010, Agbese was one of the founding members of the innovative weekly news publication Newswatch in Nigeria.

After Tokyo warned Japanese visitors to be cautious in the country amid a diplomatic row, Beijing on Tuesday pledged to “protect the safety” of foreigners in China.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo might engage in military action in any attack on Taiwan sparked the conflict.

China, which claims Taiwan as a part of its territory and has no intention of removing its democratic island with force, was furious at Takaichi’s comments.

Read more about Japan’s warning about safety amid the Taiwan row.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning responded to a question about the law-enforcement warning to Japanese visitors.

The comments were made as Masaaki Kanai, the top official in Japan’s foreign ministry for Asia-Pacific affairs, and Liu Jinsong, the country’s top foreign minister, discussed Takaichi’s remarks in Beijing.

Mao claimed that during the discussions, Beijing and Tokyo had reiterated their “strong protest.”

China again lodged a strong protest against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s erroneous remarks about China during the consultations, according to Mao.

Mao added that Tahiti’s statements “fundamentally damage the political foundation of China-Japan relations” and that “takaichi’s fallacies seriously violate international law and the fundamental standards governing international relations.”

After the talks with Liu shortly before 2:00 pm (0600 GMT), Kanai left Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The deserted hostel where 25 schoolgirls were abducted as a result of a deadly attack on a Kebbi secondary school has now been captured in photos.

The chaos left behind after gunmen stormed the dormitory on Sunday night is captured in the images of the now-quiet building, which show scattered belongings and empty bunk beds.

Witnesses claimed that the attackers lacked standing and panicked the neighborhood.

CSP Nafiu Abubakar, a spokesman for the police, noted that Makuku was shot while attempting to protect the girls and that he was abducted and killed.

Read more about Bandits abduct 25 schoolgirls and murder the vice principal in a vicious attack on a Kebbi school.

He claimed that vigilantes, soldiers, and police tactical units have been deployed and are now searching nearby forests for students.

Ahmed Idris, governor’s chief press secretary, claimed that Umar Tafida, Deputy Governor, had been dispatched to assess the situation on the governor’s behalf.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris issued a directive to security agencies to locate and rescue the girls safely, along with the Federal Government’s condemnation of the attack. Residents and parents are concerned as the search continues.

Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, has issued an Executive Order mandating the payment of all pending pensions, gratuities, and other related entitlements to verified state pensioners.

Yusuf Sanda, the governor’s top press secretary, made the announcement in a statement.

The governor’s commitment to the welfare of retired workers who diligently served the state is reflected in the statement.

“Taraba State must honor those who gave their lives to the public service. Their respect for one another is a moral obligation, according to Kefas, and we must do the same for them.

Read more: Tinubu Tells Judges Justice Must Never Be For Sale.

He added that a special outreach team would be stationed in every local government district, ward, and village to find pensioners who are incapacitated and still alive, to ensure they would be able to obtain their benefits without difficulty.

No administrative bottlenecks were tolerated while the Governor’s office was being given instructions to submit weekly compliance reports, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The Vice-Principal’s death was claimed by the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and 25 students were abducted as a result of the attack, which the Federal Government has condemned.

The Federal Government stated in a statement released on Monday that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had given clear instructions to locate, rescue, and safely return the students and that the perpetrators had been brought to justice.

The government expressed deep concern and support for the children’s families, saying it felt the same way about them and was still working to get the girls released.

President Bola Tinubu has once more stated that the State has a solemn duty to protect all Nigerians, especially those who attend school.

Also read: Bandits Abduct 25 Schoolgirls, Kill Vice Principal In Deadly Attack On Kebbi School.

The government condemns the abhorrent killing of school officials who were performing their noble duty and the reprehensible attack on innocent students.

Our security and intelligence agencies have received clear instructions to locate, rescue, and safely return the students, as well as to ensure that the criminals are brought to justice. At the end of this goal, the Federal Government will not step back.

“We reassure Nigerians that the top priority is always going to be strengthening internal security.” To better prevent these attacks and respond to threats with greater speed and precision, the federal government is updating its military, policing, and intelligence capabilities.

Through ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Nigeria is also strengthening its cooperation with regional partners to protect our borders and combat terrorist and criminal networks. The statement read in part reads, “We urge the public to remain calm and assured.”

When gunmen stormed the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state on Sunday night, the students reportedly were evacuated.

According to sources, Malam Hassan Makuku, the vice-principal of the school, was killed before the attackers abducted several schoolgirls.

The wife of Maga, the slain Vice Principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, has described how her daughter escaped during the deadly attack that resulted in the abduction of 25 schoolgirls.

The family was sleeping when the attackers broke into their home around 3:30 a.m., according to Amina Hassan.

“We were sleeping around three in the morning when I heard footsteps behind our window,” I said. I then attempted to alert my husband by letting him know that our outdoor items are being destroyed by animals. There was a bang on our door before I realized it, she said, and it was forcefully opened.

According to Mrs. Hassan, they initially believed there was an animal cause the disturbance.

“So I called my husband to let him know that the animals have invaded our home and are systematically destroying our belongings.” We became aware that they were robbers carrying guns and not animals as soon as he erupted.

We began to have issues with them. Then one of them shot my husband with his gun as he pulled it out. She said, “Then they dragged me by my hand outside the house.”

She continued, “I told them to leave me alone because they have murdered the father of my children and are requesting that the children sleep,” and that I would not go with them.

Mrs. Hassan claimed that her daughter intervened during the conflict.

When my daughter came out, I was still arguing with them. Then they took her with them, leading them to the hostel, and then they left me.

Then they instructed her to recline so they could also shoot her. She then instructed them to “I should lay down so that you can shoot me.” They responded “yes.”

She then requested that they let her leave to unwind. They then opened the door and saw other girls, causing my girl to lose her mind, she said.

The wife of the vice principal claimed that by removing this distraction, her daughter was able to escape.

She was able to escape into the bush by doing that. It was already morning by the time she returned, she said.

Abduction of schoolgirls

Shortly after leaving the staff quarters, the bandits stormed the school hostel.
Malam Hassan Makuku, vice principal, was killed, and 25 students were abducted.

Witnesses claimed that the attackers lacked any resistance and feared the neighborhood.

During the invasion, Makuku allegedly was shot while attempting to protect the students.

CSP Nafiu Abubakar, a spokesman for the Kebbi Police, confirmed the Vice Principal’s abduction and murder.

He claimed that vigilantes, soldiers, and police tactical teams had been deployed.
He claimed that they were pursuing attackers’ arrest and rescue in nearby forests.

He claimed that the gunmen stormed the school and removed 25 students.

Deputy Governor Senator Umar Tafida was dispatched to assess the situation, Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris claimed through his chief press secretary, Ahmed Idris.

He claimed that security briefings were being given to the governor while he was away.

The attack was denounced by the federal government. According to information minister Mohammed Idris, security forces were instructed to track down the students and ensure their safe rescue.

He claimed that Bola Tinubu, the president, held the state’s top priority to protect students.

Residents continue to mourn Makuku’s passing while defending his students. As the search for the missing girls continues, parents are concerned.