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STILL ON THE SOWORE, SAHARA REPORTERS’ DIATRIBE.
By: Inuwa Bwala
Even with the ethical degeneration in journalism, a good journalist would seek to reflect the what, where, when, who and how, as the basic ingredients of a good story.
I also expect stories to be attributed to reliable and verifiable outlets, or risk credibility crisis.
I have read Sahara Reporters’ highly opiniated and faulty portrayals of situations in Borno and I have also read so many responses to the allusions made against the Government of Borno State, and by implications, the Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
It is not in my place to speak for the Government nor the Governor, but I find it necessary to scratch the surface of the ethical breaches in the said report, and perhaps caution on the need for professionalism by people who parade themselves as journalists.
Of course, Nigerians are not strangers to the place of Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters: which he publishes, in the annals of journalism, but to brazenly stand facts on the head, without subjecting same to test, may have crossed the ethical red line and there is the need for caution.
There would not have been the need for rebuttals, but as witnesses to the facts of the true situation of things, one can understand the general anger of citizens and the attendant responses.
The report in question, besides failing to satisfy the basic nuances of journalism, smacks of prejudice against the Government under the leadership of Proffessor Babagana Umara Zulum.
I have not read in it, a statement from security agencies or the government reflecting the other side.
It is needless to state that, given the volatile security situation in Borno and the noticeable innitiatives of the Government to end the menace, the report is not only misleading but entirely negate the facts on ground, nay the spirit of citizens.
Journalism goes beyond sitting down somewhere, and relying on assumptions ostenssibly from pure political mischief makers, in the name of exclusives.
It us doing journalism more harm, to rely on assumptions rather than facts, in reporting a volatile area like Borno.
Quite contrary to the assertions contained in the report, one can confidently say that the said order from Governor Zulum for the arrest of minors protesting under the guise of #EndBadGovernance, were never given, rather, it was a spontaneous response by security agencies, to the apparent hijack of the protest for mischief.
It is a known fact that, those arrested in recent times, were youths, who have self styled themselves as Malians: copying terrorists styles, akin to the situation in Mali.
They were deeply involved in various social vices, including drugs, robbery, rape, abductions and even killings.
The group was an emergent gang that had been causing mischief in Maiduguri by harassing innocent residents.
The chlampdown on them was a big relief to residents of Maiduguri generally. Infact the media had been awash with reports of the atrocities of the group, and I am aware of several appeals made to the Governor, to take decisive steps to put an end to their activities.
On the issu of heavy spending on counter insurgency efforts, it does not seem the report derive facts from records.
I had expected the report to capture figures of the expenditure by the state, on the dis-armament, dis-orientation and re-intergration of repentant Boko Haram members.
But even without that, one may be tempted to ask, which option is more important? Using the Borno model of DDR, which has been acknowledged internationally, as one of the most effective approaches to ending the insurgency, or allowing the insurgents to continue their atrocities?
Having been in Borno since the start of the ibsurgency places people like me in a better position to admit that, with the pragmatic approach of the Borno state Government, in recent times, there is relative peace and stability.
Any journalist in Maiduguri, who have seen all the sides to the conflict, should be responsible enough to say, that, it is not an anathema if the state government spends fortunes to achieve peace.
I am aware of a law banning vandalism and political thuggery in Borno. Complaining about those caught vandalising Government property, amounts to supporting the action. Except if otherwise, Sower has a stake in the trade, I do not see anything wrong in sanctioning those who engage in the act.
I do not want to suspect that, Sowore and Sahara Reporters have an axe to grind with the Government or the Governor. It presupppses therefore, that development journalism should define the approach and not lend our pages to mischief.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has joined Nigerians in celebrating Former Governor Jonah Jang, fondly called Baba Jang, as he clocks 82 years.
In a glowing tribute, Dogara described Baba Jang as a visionary leader whose life and service remain a beacon of hope for generations. He noted that Jang’s tenure as Governor of Plateau State was marked by courage, foresight, and an unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and development.
“Baba Jang’s life is a testimony of service and sacrifice. He invested in infrastructure, strengthened institutions, and worked tirelessly to foster unity in Plateau State. His leadership was never about personal gain but about building lasting foundations for progress,” Dogara said.
He further emphasized that Jang’s integrity, resilience, and mentorship have shaped leaders across Nigeria, adding that his legacy continues to inspire beyond the boundaries of Plateau State.
“As he celebrates 82 years, we honor him not just for the offices he has held, but for the enduring impact he has made on countless lives. Baba Jang remains a statesman, a father figure, and a model of quality leadership,” Dogara added.
The tribute underscores Baba Jang’s enduring influence in Nigerian politics and governance, highlighting his role as a leader whose footprints on the sands of time cannot be erased.
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), maritime experts and policy advocates has raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s maritime boundary management and the allocation of offshore oil wells, calling for urgent intervention by the Federal Government.
The concerns were presented on Thursday in Abuja during a civil society roundtable where the coalition leader, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, addressed stakeholders and unveiled the communiqué issued after a recent verification mission to Nigeria’s offshore maritime corridor bordering Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
The communiqué followed a technical fact-finding and verification exercise conducted at sea on February 28, 2026, focusing on Nigeria’s offshore hydrocarbon blocks OML 114, OML 115 and OML 123 as well as the maritime boundary areas involving Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
Dr. Nwambu explained that the mission involved maritime governance stakeholders, mapping professionals and public policy experts who undertook physical observation of the maritime corridor, technical mapping verification and consultations with relevant authorities.
According to the coalition, the mission sought to independently verify the status of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries, offshore hydrocarbon entitlements and the implications of administrative and regulatory decisions affecting the Cross River maritime corridor.
ICJ Judgment Clarified
Presenting the findings, the coalition noted that the 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) between Nigeria and Cameroon ceded only specific settlements in the southern Bakassi Peninsula — Atabong, Akwabana and Archibong Town — to Cameroon.
The coalition stressed that several areas often assumed to have been ceded were not included in the ruling.
“The Cross River Estuary and the western Bakassi peninsular islands of Dayspring I and II, Abana and Kwa Island were not ceded under the ICJ judgment,” the communiqué stated.
The group further emphasized that Nigeria still maintains maritime boundary continuity between the Cross River Estuary and the Akwayefe River Estuary based on the ICJ cartographic evidence and the physical geography of the region.
Dr. Nwambu also clarified that the Cross River Estuary remains Nigeria’s natural maritime gateway to the Atlantic Ocean and provides Cross River State with direct offshore access.
Questions Over Boundary Management
A major concern raised by the coalition relates to the actions of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in implementing the Offshore/Onshore Dichotomy Abrogation Act using what it described as a temporary implementation map.
According to the communiqué, the baseline drawn from Tom Shot into the Cross River Estuary effectively closed the estuary’s mouth to the sea, thereby rendering Cross River State non-littoral.
The coalition warned that this development raises serious constitutional, economic and national security concerns.
It further criticized the NBC for failing to demarcate the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime boundary more than two decades after the ICJ ruling, stating that continued reliance on the temporary map could jeopardize Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
The report also alleged that the situation has effectively resulted in the ceding of about 780 hectares of maritime waters within the Cross River Estuary toward the Akwayefe River Estuary to Cameroon.
Oil Wells and Revenue Concerns
Beyond boundary issues, the civil society coalition raised alarm over oil revenue allocation and the management of transboundary oil fields.
According to the findings, the failure of relevant institutions to brief the President on key inter-agency reports could prevent Nigeria from exploiting 49 identified transboundary oil wells located within OML 114 in the Cross River Estuary.
The coalition also raised concerns over alleged financial irregularities relating to the Ekanga and Zafiro transboundary oil fields jointly developed by Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
It alleged that more than ₦33 billion may have been approved from the Federation Account in favour of Akwa Ibom State without clear presidential authorization.
The group further questioned whether revenues from the Ekanga and Zafiro fields — estimated at over $8 billion — had been properly remitted into the Federation Account.
Call for Presidential Intervention
To address the concerns, the coalition recommended several urgent measures, including a presidential review of the 2024 and 2025 inter-agency oil verification reports affecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
It also called for the proper demarcation of the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime boundary in line with the ICJ judgment and the establishment of a Presidential Special Investigation Panel to probe the alleged loss of Nigerian maritime waters.
Other recommendations include a forensic audit of revenues from the Ekanga and Zafiro oil fields, investigation into the alleged ₦33 billion payment approvals, and diplomatic engagement with Cameroon to develop transboundary reservoir agreements.
The coalition also urged the Federal Government to restore and recognize Cross River State’s littoral status based on the geographic and legal status of the Cross River Estuary.
National Security Implications
In its concluding remarks, the coalition warned that the issues uncovered during the verification mission have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s territorial integrity, maritime sovereignty, national security and oil revenue accountability.
Dr. Nwambu called on the President to treat the matter with urgency, stressing that transparent management of maritime boundaries and offshore resources remains critical to Nigeria’s economic stability and geopolitical standing.
The communiqué was jointly signed by representatives of the coalition of civil society organizations, maritime policy experts, technical observers and economic governance accountability groups.
News
Nigerian Youth Storm National Assembly Demands Access to Present Dishonourable Award to Senator
Nigerian Youth under the leadership of Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to present Senator Olajide Ipinsagba with the Most Dishonourable Senator of the year award.
EUYI previously threatened to present the Senator with the award, citing a plethora infractions and unwholesome dealings especially with his legislative aids and associates.
The group urged the Senate President to grant them access to the hallowed chambers to make the presentation as wake up call to other public servants.
Addressing the press at the National Assembly complex, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince disclosed that they had gathered as early as 7 am at the National Assembly gate only to discover that the Senate is not sitting and that the embattled Senator was absent despite prior information.
“We’re angry that Senator Olajide Ipinsagba has refused to show up and collect his award for his dishonourable conduct especially as it pertains the exploitation and underemployment of Nigeria youth under his office
“How can a Senator be paying his legislative aid 30,000 naira when the national minimum wage is 70,000 Naira? Is he the only one that needs money? Is it not wickedness to treat unemployed Nigerian youth like that?”, he queried.
The group vowed to go ahead and present the award to the Senator in person, be it in the Senate Chambers or his house. We shall however not give the award to anybody but the senator due to the “seriousness of his offense”
Dogara Celebrates Baba Jang at 82, Hails Him as a Visionary Statesman
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