Author: Kwara Reporters

The International Press Centre (IPC), with support from the European Union under the EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN programme), yesterday convened an engagement session with print and online media operational leaders in Kwara State.The meeting, held in Ilorin, also brought together the state executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and leading media practitioners from both print and digital platforms.Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, in his remarks, underscored the importance of the media in Nigeria’s democratic growth.“The EU-SDGN project has six components, and the media is privileged to be at the heart of Component 4.…

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with police operatives and local hunters, have commenced a clearance operation in Awi Forest, Omu Aran, Kwara State, following an attack by suspected bandits that resulted in the destruction of 23 motorcycles belonging to vigilantes.The incident occurred on September 10 when about 50 vigilantes mobilised to the forest after receiving reports of bandit activities in the area. A gun duel reportedly ensued, forcing the vigilantes to retreat.A security source disclosed that upon their return, the vigilantes discovered that 23 motorcycles parked at the edge of the forest had been set ablaze, allegedly by…

Nigeria ranked 95th, 97th, 128th and 73rd, among a total of 174 countries, low in quality of representation, rights, rule of law and participation, respectively.An intergovernmental organisation, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), on Thursday, revealed that “democracy around the world has weakened, with most countries declining in their performance, while freedom of the press suffered its most far-reaching fall in 50 years.”Exposing how democracy has recently fared, the agency explained that its report, the 2025 Global State of Democracy (GSoD) survey, was conducted on 174 countries, aged 50 and above, using indices that measure national performance…

The Kogi government has restated its commitment to implementing the ban placed on compulsory customised textbooks and notebooks in schools in the state.The state’s commissioner for education, Wemi Jones, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) on Friday in Lokoja.The meeting was a follow-up on government’s ban on incessant graduation ceremonies in basic and secondary schools across the state, on Sept. 3.At the meeting, Mr Jones commended the NAPPS’ contributions to the growth and development of the state education sector.He stressed that the move aims to reduce the financial burden…

Nigeria, on Friday, joined 141 other countries to endorse the New York Declaration on the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine at the UN headquarters in New York.Applause rang out in the UN General Assembly Hall as countries endorsed the declaration on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and implementation of the two-state solution with Israel.The New York Declaration is the outcome of an international conference held in July at UN Headquarters, organised by France and Saudi Arabia, which resumes later this month.The General Assembly comprises all 193 UN Member States and 142 countries voted in favour of…

The Bauchi State government has dismissed a teacher, Emos Joshua, over alleged sexual harassment.Mr Joshua is a principal assistant education officer at the Government College, Azare.Saleh Umar, the information/public relations officer (IPRO), Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (CSC), said this in a statement on Thursday in Bauchi.He said the commission approved the dismissal during its 32nd plenary held on September 11.Mr Umar said the action of the dismissed officer contravened 0327 (xxviii and xxix) of the sexual harassment of the Bauchi State Public Service Rules.“The disciplinary action was taken against the officer after general disciplinary procedures had been exhausted as…

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 65-year-old man, Chibuike Azubike, for allegedly parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos.”He was apprehended alongside three alleged accomplices while attempting to stage an unlawful unveiling ceremony.The arrest comes against the backdrop of growing ethnic tension, particularly among youths on various social media platforms, who exchanged banters over Azubike’s planned installation.Azubike, said to be an indigene of the Obodoukwu Ancient Kingdom in the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested with Chief Chibuzor Ani (57), Chief Martins Nwaodika (65), and Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi (41).The four are currently being held…

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Jumoke Oduwole says Nigeria is actively transitioning from an oil and gas-dependent economy to a diversified, export-oriented one.She made this remark at the Nigerian-Poland Economic Forum on Thursday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.Ms Oduwole, represented by Gertrude Orji, director of investment promotion at the ministry, noted that the forum served as a vital bridge between Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, and Poland’s innovative economy.She stressed that the shift toward economic diversification was well underway.“This is guided by robust policies such as the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the Nigeria Industrial Revolution…

Tension gripped the Gbugbu Community in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State after armed men abducted the owner of Yashashi Pure Water Company in a daylight raid on Thursday.Residents said the attack, which happened while people were going about their normal activities, has deepened fears that insecurity is fast spreading into the state.“The gunshots scattered everywhere. People ran for safety; some even abandoned their shops,” one eyewitness recounted. “The bandits did not touch anyone else. They came only for the factory owner and took him away.”The latest incident adds to growing anxiety in rural Kwara, where communities increasingly…

Suspected bandits have killed one person and carted away hundreds of cows when they attacked a Fulani settlement in Bokungi near Tsaragi in the Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.The incident, according to the reports, happened last Tuesday night when the residents of the community were said to be sleeping.It was gathered that the suspected bandits, who were said to be heavily armed, stormed the area around midnight and began shooting to disperse residents.During the raid, according to sources close to the taown, the bandits reportedly shot dead one Alhaji Mumini’s eldest son, Muhammadu, who was said to have…