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State creation will not be based on sentiment – Senator Ekong Sampson
From Hassan Taiye
As the clamour for creation of new states in the country gathers momentum, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Ekong Sampson has made it clear that there will be no sentiment as due process must be followed.
Speaking with some journalists at the National Assembly, Senator Ekong said “the issue of state creation in Nigeria goes beyond emotion. It’s an issue that touches on law, on history, on the wishes of a people. And that is what we are concerned with as a legislature, that a number of dynamics must be looked at.
He said at the end of the day, lawmakers found a rich interplay of history and law. “So, what we are concerned with as a legislature is adherence to procedure and due process.
In the clamour for state creation, it is critical that due process be followed and that a number of dynamics be looked at beyond the emotions, beyond the sentiments, beyond the clamour. So I think that’s just what I consider.
According to him, the 10th National Assembly is prepared to break the jinx that only the military that has been able to create states. “You know, Parliament can do anything. We are saddled with a number of responsibilities and we have powers that are quite vast. But in doing that, you must look at the provisions of the Constitution.
“That’s why I said that it’s a rich interplay of law and history. You must look at the Constitution. You must look at the dynamics of our various communities. You must look at the depths and the weights of the aspirations. But principally, it’s an interplay of law and history, largely.
He said the clamour for states in Nigeria has come a long way. Using the example of his area, he said “I come from an area where we had the COR state movement, historically; Cross River, Ogoja, and Rivers.
“So I’m familiar with the dynamic politics of state creation in Nigeria. But as we clamour for more states, we also have to look at the matrix of developments. You know, the matrix of history and the evolving circumstances in the country. There have been clamour, I agree, in some parts, but due process has to be followed. As a legislature, we are concerned with that adherence.
Senator Ekong Sampson who only looked at the broad principles that underpin the clamour, the said going into the nuances was beyond his template for now.
…hails former chairman Garba on impactful tenure
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Vice Chancellor of the University of ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has congratulated members of the newly elected Executive Committee of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Mr Biola Azeez, the State Editor of the Nigerian Tribune newspapers.
In a congratulatory message to the new NUJ leaders, Prof. Egbewole also lauded the immediate past Chairman, Mr Abdulhakeem Garba of Channels Television for successfully handing over to a successor.
A statement made available to news men in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Saturday by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, expressed the Vice Chancellor’s delight over the outcome of the election, saying that the peaceful conduct of the election and the absence of any rancour in its aftermath have shown the Correspondents’ Chapel as truly the flagship crop of journalists in Kwara State.
Prof. Egbewole also said that this development has further raised the public rating of the Correspondents’ Chapel, whose members constitute the crux of the membership of the elite UNILORIN Accredited Press Corps (UAPC).
While wishing the new exco members a successful and impactful tenure of office, the Vice Chancellor expressed the hope that the new NUJ officials would carry every member of the Union along to justify the confidence reposed in them.
End
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
In a smooth transition of leadership, Biola Azeez, the Kwara state correspondent of the Tribune newspapers, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.
Azeez’s emergence by affirmation marks the end of the tenure of the Mallam AbdulHakeem Garba-led executive committee, ushering in a new leadership phase for the elite body of journalists covering the state.
Also elected by affirmation were Ibrahim Alege of TVC as Vice Chairman, Sikirat Shehu of BusinessDay as Financial Secretary, and Afusat Agunbiade of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Treasurer. .
In the only contested positions, Mosunmola Ayobami of Western Post defeated Okufemi Akobi of AIT by 27 votes to 4 to become the new Secretary, while Oluseyi DaSilva of Arise TV triumphed over Taiye Joseph of Kogi Graphics in another closely watched race to bec the new Auditor of the Chapel.
The new leadership is expected to build on the achievements of the outgoing executive in promoting professional excellence and strengthening collaboration between the media and public institutions in Kwara State.
In his acceptance speech, Biola Azeez commended the immediate past executives of the Chapel on standard set, pledging that his administration would improve on professionalism and welfare of members.
He also said that efforts would be made to improve on relationship with government and other newsmakers in the state in order to perform more effectively and serve as watch dog of the society.
End.
Guinea-Bissau’s military authorities say they have foiled an alleged coup attempt aimed at subverting the country’s constitutional order ahead of next month’s general elections.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that several senior army officers were arrested for allegedly plotting to derail the electoral process.
The arrests were made on Oct. 30, just hours before the official commencement of campaigns for the legislative and presidential elections scheduled for Nov. 23, 2025.
Among those detained was Brig.-Gen. Daba Nawalna, also known as Dahaba Na Walna, the Director of the Cuméré Military Training Centre and a former President of the Military High Court.
Officials said he was apprehended at his residence in Bissau.
The development has heightened political tensions in the small West African nation, which has experienced several coups and attempted takeovers since independence in 1973.
The sources said that investigations were ongoing to identify other possible conspirators and ensure the safety and stability of the country ahead of the elections.
UNILORIN VC congratulates new NUJ Correspondents Chapel exco
Biola Azeez Emerges New Chairman Of Kwara NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel
Alleged Coup in Guinea-Bissau▪︎▪︎▪︎military arrests senior officers
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