Gunman identified in deadly Michigan State campus shooting
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The BROADCASTSTAR of the MONTH……Flipping the Script
It’s no longer news that the 7th edition of the supposed annual Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) is long overdue as its last edition was held 4 years ago[2016] and in Abuja to be precise. This is not unconnected to circumstances beyond the organisers, CrystalPearl Communications, control. And when it seemed the coast had cleared for the 7th edition of NBMA, the deadly Coronavirus struck! However, as the world battles the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19, and all hands on deck for the 7th Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards, which is expected to be held very soon, there is a twist to the NBMA! 578 Views
Suspected herdsmen kill 16 persons in Benue
Suspected herdsmen yesterday killed 16 persons in an early morning attack on Ebete community in Agatu Local Council of Benue State. The Guardian learnt that the 1.30 a.m. invasion also left scores injured. An eyewitness, Daddy Seni, whose father was slain alongside his siblings, said he was called on phone by his dad while heading for fishing in the neighboring Aloko settlement.According to him, on arriving home, he saw his father in his pool of blood screaming, “my son, do no bother about me and your siblings again. Ours have finished. We cannot survive these gunshots. Run for your dear life and tell others about this.” The council chairman, Alhaji Oyigocho, who confirmed the incident, stated that he and his entourage, including security personnel, heard the assailants speak Fulani language while fleeing the scene after perpetrating the act. Oyigocho appealed to government to urgently come to the aid of the people and contain further onslaughts.His words: “This is happening at a time Nigerians are preparing to elect new leaders in this Saturday elections. If the situation continues, it will disorganise so many things. “My people have never taken laws into their hands despite provocations from herdsmen. They had in the past taken over farmlands in most parts of Agatu.”The council boss said of the 16 casualties, three were Jukum hunters while two others are currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained. The Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Major-General Adeyemi Yekini, was doubtful of the casualty figure.“I received a report this afternoon (yesterday) that some people were killed in Agatu by suspected armed bandits. We have sent a patrol team to the general area where the incident happened. “Though the location is in Benue, it can better be accessed through Loko in Nasarawa State,” he said in a statement.In a similar vein, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has neutralised dozens of terrorists when its fighter jet bombarded a Boko Haram camp at Arboko village in Borno State. Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in a statement yesterday in Maiduguri, said the aerial strikes were launched after an intelligence platform established the presence of insurgents in the border town with Cameroun. He said: “The fighter jet of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has decimated a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) camp and neutralised some of their fighters at a settlement called Arboko in Borno State.” On how the terrorists were eliminated, Daramola hinted: “The operation was conducted on February 18, 2019 while a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha.Jet and an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform were providing close air support to troops of 82 Brigade, Nigerian Army.“During the operation, the ISR aircraft spotted a group of BHT fighters within Arboko village and vectored the Alpha Jet to engage their camp.” 474 Views
Why Mama Taraba resigns as minister, quits APC
The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan has resigned her appointment in the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. Alhassan, popularly called Mama Taraba was on Thursday disqualified to run for governorship election in Taraba State in 2019 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She stated her reasons in alleged letter below: I write with a lot of respect to inform Mr President of my decision to resign my appointment as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Your Excellency may wish to recall that I joined the APC in 2014 along with other members of the then new PDP, contested the 2015 governorship election as the flag bearer of the APC and to the Glory of God, you graciously nominated to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your Excellency Mr President may wish to be reminded that I went through all the screening processes (security, medical and national assembly) as required by constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria after which I was cleared and approved as fit and proper for appointment as minister. Mr President, you therefore graciously appointed and swore me in as minister in November 2015. Mr President may also wish to recall that I wrote to notify you of my intention to again contest for governor of my state in forthcoming 2019 election under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and you again graciously blessed my intention and wished me well through a letter personally signed by Mr President which I appreciate and will forever cherish. Sir, I purchased the APC nomination forms and went for the party’s screening on Thursday, the 20th of September 2018 along with ten (10) other contestants for the governorship of my state, Taraba. I, with your permission, proceeded to Taraba on the 23rd of September 2018, to prepare for the presidential and governorship primaries then scheduled for the 25th and 29th of September 2018 respectively. While preparing for the primaries in Jalingo, I received with the shock and dismay that I was disqualified and not cleared to contest for the 2019 governorship by the National Working Committee of the party (APC). No reason was given for my disqualification. Mr President may wish to be also informed that I had always been a very committed and loyal party member and was at no time queried or admonished for any wrongdoing or unconstitutional behaviour. Up to the time of writing this letter, no reason is given by the party for my disqualification to contest election under the APC. It is for the above reasons sir, that I feel grave injustice was done to me by the party (APC), therefore my decision to leave the party and also resign my appointment as minister. If I am not qualified to contest election in the APC, I feel I am also not qualified to remain a minister in an APC government. May I at this point thank, appreciate and express my profound gratitude to Mr President for the honour, rare privilege and lifetime opportunity you gave me to serve under your great and credible leadership. I learnt a lot (especially patience) under your leadership. Working with you in the last almost three years was great and has immensely improved my leadership quality, I will remain forever grateful for that, sir. May I also use this opportunity to thank his Excellency, the Vice President, from whom I have also learnt a lot and my colleagues, other members of the Federal Executive Council, the SGF and cabinet office staff for their fellowship and support to me both as minister and personally. May God Almighty reward them all, Amen. While wishing Mr President continued good health and thanking you again for the opportunity given to me, please accept sir, the assurances of my best wishes always and absolute loyalty to you as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you Sir. 816 Views
VP Osinbajo orders IGP Idris to reform notorious Police unit
Since last year, numerous Nigerians have taken to social media to accuse officers of the unit of several misconducts ranging from harassment, extortion, assault to extra-judicial killings. This has led to relentless calls for the unit to be completely scrapped to ease the fears of Nigerians who live in dread of the unit. In a statement issued by Osinbajo’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, the Acting President ordered the IGP to shut down the unit “with immediate effect”. The statement read, “Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Acting-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, has directed the Inspector General of Police to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any unit that will emerge from the process, will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more. “The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Humanitarian Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. The operatives should also bear proper identification any time they are on duty. “In the meantime, the Acting President has directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Committee that will conduct nation-wide investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress.” While speaking at a town hall meeting at the launch of National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, Clinics in Ibadan, Oyo State on June 26, 2018, Osinbajo had disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari was concerned with the operations of SARS and had already ordered a review of the unit. The vice president further said the unit cannot be scrapped but be rehabilitated to curb the atrocities of the bad eggs. End SARS campaign When the earlier calls for the scrapping of the unit grew in December 2017, IGP Idris ordered the reorganisation of SARS’ operational roles and activities. Under the reviewed arrangement, state Commissioners of Police were installed as overall heads of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide. The IGP also ordered for all SARS personnel nationwide to undergo a new training program to be organized in collaboration with some civil society organisations, local and international NGOs, and other human rights organisations. Despite the reorganisation, the calls to scrap the unit resurfaced again this year with the unit still operating with impunity that mostly targeted Nigerian youths. 473 Views
You are part of the challenges we are facing now – Tinubu fires at Obasanjo
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday said that he was confident President Muhammadu Buhari would win the 2019 elections. Tinubu made the statement in Lagos while addressing party members at a stakeholders meeting of the state chapter. He said that the president had acquitted himself as a leader so far inspite of the challenges of governance. The APC leader condemned what he called the frequent attacks on Buhari-led administration by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He said that the criticisms of Obasanjo were in bad faith, pointing out that he could not stop Nigerians from re-electing the president. “Our president, President Muhammadu Buhari has done well, he deserves another term, and we will support him to win because he is our man. “Forget about Obasanjo’s letter and his frequent attacks on our president, he cannot stop the president because Nigerians would re-elect him. “Obasanjo has spent his own time; he should leave Buhari alone and face his business because he cannot tell us who to vote for. “He is part of some of the challenges we are facing in the country today, because he did not lay the right foundation when he was president,” he said. Tinubu added that the exit of some members from the APC would also not stop the re-election of President Buhari. The chieftain said that the party was unshaken by the defections and was on course to recording victories in the 2019 election. Tinubu said that the results of the Kogi, Katsina and Bauchi bye elections, in which the APC was victorious, were a precursor to the pattern of the general elections. “I congratulate the winners in the election and their victory is proof that our party is getting more popular by the day. “Those who want to defect can defect, that is their problem. APC remains unshaken and these people will know the reality in the election,” he said. He commended the National Chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomole, saying members were pleased with what he was doing in the party. He said that the direct primary system was good for democracy, and the party would adopt it to conduct its primaries. Tinubu urged members to play by the rules in electing candidates at the primaries. He urged the members to mobilse others to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards as that was necessary for victory in 2019. 475 Views
INEC demands N6bn to feed policemen during 2019 general election
The demand was made in the budget for the general elections presented to the House of Representatives by the commission on Wednesday, August 15, The Punch reports. Surprised by the figure, the lawmakers have asked the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, to defend it the amount requested. 441 Views
Rivalry between government and lawmakers hampering Nigeria’s progress – Rep
A member of the House of Representatives, Sunday Katung (PDP-Zangon Kataf/Jaba), has blamed undue rivalry between the executive and National Assembly for the slow pace of development in the country. Katung made this known on Wednesday, August 15, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Zonkwa, Kaduna state. The lawmaker attributed the rivalry between the two arms of government to “selfish interests” thereby depriving the larger society the opportunity to reap dividends of democracy. He expressed regret that the two arms of government were not paying enough attention to germane issues bordering on the collective interests of Nigerians, but more with matters that only benefit them. Katung called on stakeholders come together to tackle the problem including the security situation in the country in the overall interest of the Nigerian people yearning for progress. The lawmaker assured his constituents of quality representation at all times and urged them to support him with suggestions and ideas that would make his work more relevant to their yearnings and aspirations. He said his priorities for the constituency included skills acquisition for the teeming unemployed youth, computer literacy and sports development among others. The Presidency has denied reports that the Electoral Act amendment bill passed by the National Assembly was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari. The senior special adviser to the president on National Assembly matters, Ita Enang, said the bill which was passed by the lawmakers on on July 24 and transmitted to President Buhari on August 3 is still awaiting the President’s assent. 484 Views
Breaking: Kenyan Godfrey Kiprotich, Wins #AccessBankLagosCityMarathon
The winner of the 2018 edition of the #AccessBankLagosCityMarathon has emerged. He is Kenyan athlete, Godfrey Chirchir Kiprotich. The 32 year old former IAAF World Half Marathon Champion finished first at two hours eight minutes. He takes home $50,000 prize money. Congrats to him! 544 Views
Call For Nominations As NBMA Goes To Ibadan!
That the annual Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) has shifted base from Lagos is like stating the obvious. It actually makes no news that the Capital City, Abuja was the first stopover for NBMA’s moving train. It was fun, frills and thrills when the 6th edition was held in 2016 at the Capital city of Nigeria. As the annual Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) gathers momentum, this is to invite nominations for the seventh Edition scheduled for May 2018. The deadline for all award nominations/ self nominations is February 28, 2018. However, the highly anticipated 7th Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) is to be held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The choice of Ibadan is important as it is a city with many firsts. 503 Views
BEHOLD! Winners at 6th Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA)
It was fun, frills and thrills on Saturday February 27, 2016, as broadcasters from South-West, South-East and Lagos stormed the Grand Ballroom of Barcelona Hotel, Abuja for the much talked about sixth edition of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards. His Excellency, Honorable Rotimi Amaechi, the honorable minister for Transportation bagged Most Media Friendly Politician while veteran broadcasters, Olusesan Ekisola and Mani Onumonu were inducted in the Nigerian Broadcaster Hall of Fame. The event that was chaired by the Honorable minister for Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, saw elder Sunny Okogwu honored for his immeasurable Contributions to the development of the Nigerian media industry and his excellence in public service and unwavering involvement in corporate social responsibility. However, Dr Ahmed Tijjani who has been playing the role of patron, was confirmed as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards. The vent was hosted by the famous TV celebrity couple Isaac and Nneka Moses. The super duo of Goge Africa fame was also inducted in the Nigerian Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Below is the full list of winners at NBMA 2015. A-TELEVISION STATION/CHANNEL CATEGORIES 1-Best TV Station of the Year (NATIONAL – TVC 2-Best TV Station (REGIONAL) (Viewer’s Choice) – ITV (Benin) 3-Best TV Channel (Viewer’s Choice) – Liberty TV 4-Best Indigenous TV Channel (Viewers Choice) () – Liberty TV (Hausa) 5-Best Entertainment Channel (Africa) (Viewer’s Choice) – WAP TV 6- Best TV Station with the widest coverage – NTA 7-Best Entertainment Channel (International) (Viewer’s Choice) a- Planet Radio TV (PRTV) 8-TV Channel with Best News coverage – TVC News (Nigeria/Africa) 9-TV Station with Best Creative Innovation – Ancient of Days TV 10- TV Channel with Best Station Imaging. – EbonyLife TV 11-TV Channel with Best Coverage of Live Events – Channels TV 12-Best New TV Station/Channel. – Wazobia TV 13-Most Watched TV Channel of the Year (Viewers Choice) – TVC B-RADIO STATION CATEGORIES 1-Best Radio Station (Lagos) -Radio Continental 2-Best Radio Station (North) – WE FM (Abuja) 3-Best Radio Station (South-West) – Splash FM (Ibadan) 4-Best Radio Station (South-East) – Radio Sapientia (Onitsha) 5-Best Radio Station (SOUTH-SOUTH) – KU FM (Benin) 6-Radio Station with Best News Coverage – (National) – Hot FM 7-Radio Station with Best News Coverage – (North) – Nigeria Info (Abuja) 8-Radio Station with Best News Coverage – (South-West) – Space FM (Ibadan) 9-Radio Station with Best News Coverage – (South-East) – Magic FM (Aba) 10-Radio Station with Best News Coverage – (South-South) – Wave FM (Port Harcourt) 11-Best New Radio Station Criteria: Station must be relatively new and be regarded as innovative and fast-rising. Radio Station with Best Creative Innovation – Lagelu FM (Ibadan) 12-Radio Channel with Best Station Imaging. – City FM 25003 13-Radio Station with Best Creative Innovation -Inspiration FM (Ibadan) C-INDIGENOUS RADIO STATION CATEGORIES 1-Best Indigenous Radio Station (South-West) (Yoruba/Pidgin) (Listener’s Choice) (Criteria: Listenership and coverage) – Fresh FM (Ibadan) 2-Best Indigenous Radio Station (North) (Hausa) (Listener’s Choice) – Freedom Radio (Kano) 3-Best Indigenous Radio Station (East) (Igbo/pidgin) (Listener’s Choice) a- Odenigbo FM,(Obosi) D-NEWSCASTERS CATEGORIES 1-Best Newscaster (TV) Male Sam Odion Bello (AIT) 2-Best Newscaster (TV) Female – Azeezat Olaoluwa (TVC) 3-Best TV News Reporter Best Mbiere (Independent Television) 4-Best Radio Newscaster (English) Male -Abdolfatai Otori (Kapital FM Abuja) 5-Best Radio Newscaster (English) Female -Enoh Ogbevire (Nigeria Info FM PH) 6-Best Newscaster Pidgin/Igbo -Ben10 – Wazobia FM PH 7-Best Newscaster Yoruba – Kola Ladoke (Splash FM,Ibadan) 8-Best Newscaster Hausa – Salisu Umar Abdullahi a.k.a Salinger E- PAY SATELLITE/DIGITAL TELEVISION 1-Best Pay Satellite/Digital TV channel provider – CONSAT 9-Pay Satellite/ Digital TV channel provider with Best Technical Innovation -StarTimes F-BACKROOM CATEGORIES 1-Best Voice-over Artiste – Collins Teke (Inspiration FM, Ibadan) 2-Producer of the Year – Nneka Luke (Democracy In Practice on Liberty TV) 3-Cameraman of the Year – Godwin Nwachukwu (TVC) 4-Best Studio Engineer – Rasheed Oniyangi (Liberty TV) 5-Best Programme Director – Tope Oshin Ogun (Tinsel) 6- Best Visual Editor – Oladimeji Peter Solomon (TVC) G-OAPs/BROADCASTERS CATEGORIES 1- Presenter Extraordinaire. (Viewers /Listeners Choice) – Yinka Ayefele (Fresh FM, Ibadan) 2- Nigerian Broadcaster of the year (Male) (People’s Choice) – Dapo Aruwajoye- TVC 3- Nigerian Broadcaster of the year-Female. (People’s Choice) -Abimbola Oloko (LTV 8) 4- African Broadcaster of the Year –Male (People’s Choice) – Jake Okechukwu Effoduh 5- African Broadcaster of the Year –Female – Peace Hyde (Ghana) 6- Sexiest On-Air Personality- Male (Viewers /Listeners Choice) – Terry Ikumi, (Kapital FM,Abuja) 7- Sexiest On-Air Personality-Female – Gloria Maduka H-Late Ambassador Segun Olusola Categories (NBMA 1st Grand-Patron) 1- Actor of the Year – Alex Okubo (AY crib) 2- Actress of the Year (Viewers Choice) – Iretiola Doyle (Dowry 3- Artiste of the Year-Male – Olamide 4- Artiste of the Year-Female – Yemi Alade 5-Humanitarian Award- – Maryam Awaisu (Sickle Cell Awareness) 6-Entertainment Writer of the Year – Victor Akande (The Nation Newspaper) 7- Newspaper/Magazine of the year The Punch Newspapers I- CAMPUS/ONLINE CATEGORIES 1- Best Campus Radio Station – GOuni Radio (Enugu) 2- Best Campus Radio Presenter – Hyginus Ezeamadi (UnizikFM) 3- Best Online Radio Channel – Unleashthe80s 4- Best Online TV Channel d- Pulse TV (Nigeria) 5- Website/blog of the year – Saharareporters J-TV PROGRAMMES CATEGORIES 1- Best Entertainment program on TV – Hitlist N Cruzzing 2- Best TV Series i-Drama – Super Story ii- Comedy – Do Good 3- Best Talk Show on TV – Rubbin’ Minds 4- Best TV Reality Show – Tecno Own The Stage 5- Best Brands/Business/ Food/Technology programme on TV (Viewer’s Choice) – The Money Show (AIT) 6- Best Sports program on TV – Sports Splash (LTV 8) 7- Longest Running TV Programme of the year. – News Line (NTA) 8- Best Kiddies/Youth Programme of the Year TV – Nnena and Friends (WapTv) 9- Best TV Community Access programme. (Viewer’s Choice). – On The Street (TVC) K- RADIO PROGRAMMES CATEGORIES 1- Best Community Access programme on Radio. (Viewers /Listeners Choice). – Kubanji Direct (Radio Continental) 2- Best Radio Program Presenter (s) Educational/Health/Human Interest – Sweet Mandy ( Here & …
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