DSS Tenders Apology To NUJ Sokoto State Council Over Assault On Its Member

The Sokoto state Command of the Department of State Services DSS has apologized to the Nigeria Union of Journalist NUJ over the alleged assault on its Secretary, Muhammad Nasir Bello.

The apology was conveyed by a high-level delegation comprising three Deputy Directors of the Service and the Chief Detail of the Sokoto State Government House, who visited the state NUJ leadership to express regret over the incident.

During the visit, the delegation stressed that it was never the intention or directive of the Service to humiliate, intimidate or harass any journalist carrying out legitimate professional duties.

Speaking to news men shortly after the DSS visit, chairman of the NUJ Sokoto Council,Muhammad Usman Binji said that on Tuesday NUJ demanded an investigation into the assault on its council Secretary, Muhammad Nasir Bello, by personnel of the DSS attached to the State Government House.

He explained that the NUJ also demanded justice for the victim, Muhammad Nasir Bello, a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria NAN, who was assaulted while covering a solidarity rally in support of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ahmed Aliyu and other All Progressives Congress APC candidates in the state.

The DSS assured the union of measures to prevent a recurrence and reaffirmed the DSS’s commitment to strengthening its cordial relationship with the media.

The Chairman who accepted the apology however, emphasised that the safety, dignity and freedom of journalists must be respected at all times, particularly in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

Kebbi Govt Dismisses ADC’s Allegations Over Land Demolition

Kebbi State Government has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) linking it to the demolition of a property around Azbir Hotel, along in Birnin Kebbi, describing the claims as false, misleading and politically motivated.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, stated this during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, thr state capital attended by media aides to the Kebbi State Governor.

Ahamed BK accused the opposition party, ADC of repeatedly resorting to unsubstantiated allegations, deliberate misinformation and distortion of facts in what he described as an attempt to discredit the Kebbi State Government and generate unnecessary public controversy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He explained that the incident was essentially a private land ownership dispute which had been mischievously presented by some ADC supporters on social media as an action carried out by the state government against an opposition-owned property.

According to him the subsequent developments and documentary evidence presented by Alhaji Umaru Mohammed Gulumbe, a businessman claiming ownership of the disputed property, established that the matter was a civil dispute between private individuals as the documents presented, according to the Commissioner, was a Certificate of Occupancy bearing the signature of former Governor Adamu Aliero.

The Commissioner further explained that Gulumbe had formally reported the alleged trespass to the Police and petitioned the Ministry of Lands and Housing as committees were constituted to investigate the matter examined the competing claims and confirmed ownership of the disputed plot in favour of Gulumbe.

Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK categorically maintained that the Kebbi State Government neither initiated nor participated in the demolition, stressing that the government had no involvement in the private dispute. He described attempts to associate the administration of Governor Idris, with the incident as a calculated effort to mislead the public and tarnish the government’s image.

He expressed concern that despite the emergence of information clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident, the ADC had not publicly retracted its allegations or offered an apology to the state government.

He maintained that political differences should never become an excuse for manufacturing allegations or misleading the public on matters that can be established through lawful procedures.

NIPR Kano Congratulates Sanusi Bature On Successful Screening By KNHA As Commissioner

… Describes Nomination as Recognition of Professional Excellence

The Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kano State Chapter congratulated he Director-General, Media and Publicity Directorate, Government House, Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on his successful screening by the Kano State House of Assembly following his nomination by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for appointment as Commissioner.

A statement issued by the chapter’s Chairman Aliyu Yusuf described this development as demonstration of considerable commitment to the ideals and professional standards of public relations, contributing to the development of government communication and the advancement of the profession.

The Chapter also commended the State lawmakers for the quick legislation, screening and endorsement of the nominee.

The statement acknowledged Governor Yusuf for recognising professional experience and institutional contributions in the nomination process.

As a professional body, the NIPR Kano State Chapter considered the development an encouragement to public relations practitioners and other professionals to remain committed to excellence, integrity, professionalism and service to society.

The members prayed to Alhaji Bature Dawakin Tofa success on his new assignment, and expressed confidence that his wealth of experience in media, information management and public communication will continue to contribute to public service delivery in Kano State.