Peter Obi raises concerns over press freedom in Nigeria amid new broadcast regulations
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced concerns regarding press freedom in Nigeria, stating that the country is "drifting dangerously" due to recent regulatory actions affecting broadcast media. In a statement on his X handle, Obi described developments around broadcast regulation as "very troubling," linking his worries to a recent National Broadcasting Commission NBC notice issued before the general elections. He emphasized that a free and responsible media is crucial for accountability and should not be seen as an adversary by any administration. Obi warned that attempts to regulate or intimidate journalists would weaken democracy, asserting that institutions serve the people, not governments. His comments follow an NBC advisory cautioning broadcast stations about professional and ethical breaches, including expressing personal opinions as fact and imbalanced reporting. The commission also warned of sanctions for violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as the 2027 general elections approach, stressing the need for fairness, neutrality, and professionalism. Obi argued that focus should be on governance issues like insecurity, economic hardship, and declining public confidence rather than controlling media narratives. He expressed solidarity with media organizations, stating, "Nigeria does not need stronger control. Nigeria needs stronger institutions."
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Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced his intention to support the education of Michael Offorkaile, an Abia-born student who scored 367 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, placing him fifth nationally. Governor Otti congratulated Offorkaile, his parents, and the management of Grundtvig International Secondary School during a reception at his office. He stated that the state government values such achievements and vowed to support Offorkaile's future academic pursuits. The Governor directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to finalize the details of the support and instructed the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Dodoh Okafor, to coordinate with the family. Otti emphasized that the state would continue to celebrate excellence and expects Offorkaile to achieve further success. The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, mentioned that the Governor had requested her to find and bring the student for recognition. The Principal of Grundtvig International Secondary School, Mr. Ige Bello, and Offorkaile's father, Mr. Odinaka Offorkaile, expressed that they were not surprised by his performance due to his consistent academic excellence and thanked the Governor for the recognition. Michael Offorkaile thanked Governor Otti for the support and recognition, praising his leadership and committing to continue performing well and inspiring others.
Must ReadHeads of State of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS have signed an Intergovernmental Agreement for the proposed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline AAGP at the ECOWAS Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This agreement provides sovereign backing for the project, which aims to connect Nigeria鈥檚 gas resources with markets across West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco, and Europe. The AAGP, jointly promoted by NNPC Limited and Morocco鈥檚 Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines ONHYM, is planned to span nearly 6,900 kilometers along the West African Atlantic coast. It is expected to transport 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, supporting electricity generation, improving energy access, and driving industrialization. The project will also create an energy corridor linking the West African coast to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline. The agreement follows approval at the 66th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Summit in Abuja in December 2024 and a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Morocco. The next steps include signing by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, followed by the establishment of the Pipeline Higher Authority in Abuja and the AAGP Project Company in Casablanca to oversee implementation. Significant preparatory work, including Front-End Engineering Design studies and environmental assessments, has already been completed. The project, initiated under the shared vision of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and
Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin retd., a former Chief of Defence Staff, has praised the Department of State Services DSS for its strategic role in the recent release of 46 teachers and pupils abducted in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Petinrin stated that while other security agencies received public recognition, the DSS's intelligence efforts, which he described as crucial, largely went unnoticed. He explained that the abductees were released by their captors after the DSS identified and traced the kidnappers' relatives, whose videos were then sent to the kidnappers. Petinrin commended the DSS for maintaining professionalism and silence despite not being publicly acknowledged for its contribution. He emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering as the foundation of successful military operations. He also praised President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi for their restraint in handling the operation, noting that their decision to avoid immediate military action prevented potential casualties. Suspected members of Jama鈥檃tu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, known as Ansaru, attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, killing a teacher and abducting pupils and teachers. The victims were released after several weeks in captivity.