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BBC opens applications for 2025 Komla Dumor Award

Abdullahi MURITALA
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BBC opens applications for 2025 Komla Dumor Award

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has announced applications for the 2025 Komla Dumor Award, celebrating outstanding journalism in Africa.

Now in its 10th year, the award honours the legacy of Komla Dumor, a distinguished Ghanaian broadcaster and former BBC World News presenter known for his commitment to telling authentic African stories.

The Komla Dumor Award celebrates excellent African journalists who demonstrate exceptional storytelling skills, delivering compelling and original African stories with depth, accuracy, and insight.

The winner will receive a three-month placement at the BBC headquarters in London, gaining skills and experience across various BBC News platforms.

Applicants must be living and working as journalists in Africa, with excellent journalism skills, including digital and social media. Broadcasting experience is preferable, and candidates should have a strong on-air presence and the ability to pitch original African story ideas. Fluency in English is required.

Applications are open until March 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM GMT.

To apply, visit the application page here.

Senate suspends Natasha for six months despite court order

Mustapha USMAN
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Senate suspends Natasha for six months despite court order

THE Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, despite an interim order from a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Senate from investigating her recent actions.

The court, presided over by Obiora Egwuatu, had on March 5 issued an injunction stopping the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from proceeding with its probe.

The ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team.

However, the Senate went ahead with the investigation and, based on the committee’s findings presented by Neda Imasuen, voted to suspend the Kogi Central lawmaker for violating Senate rules. 

The suspension, expected to take effect from March 6, means that the female lawmaker will be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises and her office will be locked. 

The punishment also extended to her salaries and those of her legislative aides being withheld for the duration of the suspension.

The Senate further ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan will not be allowed to represent Nigeria in any official capacity while serving the suspension. 

The committee noted that she might submit a written apology, which could lead to a review of the suspension.

The decision followed deliberations on the committee’s recommendations, presented by Imasuen, which found that the suspended lawmaker’s actions amounted to a total breach of Senate rules.

Background

The crisis began on February 20, when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested a reassignment of her Senate seat without prior notice. 

She resisted the change, calling it an attempt to silence her, while Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, justified the move, citing Senate rules and party affiliations.

Her protest led to a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who ordered the sergeant-at-arms to remove her from the chamber.

This led to the Senate unanimously referring her to the Ethics Committee for disciplinary review, which later recommended her suspension.

Amid the dispute, in an interview on Arise Television, she accused Akpabio of making repeated sexual advances toward her, which she said she rejected. 

She alleged that her refusal was the reason behind their frequent clashes at plenary sessions.

According to her, some of Akpabio’s love proposals were made with her on the phone and face-to-face in her husband’s presence. She further alleged that she had all the evidence for her claims.

Although the Kogi senator, on Wednesday, March 5, submitted an official petition regarding the sexual harassment and abuse of office by Akpabio, the Ethics Committee threw out the petition, citing key procedural oversights that allegedly undermined the petition’s legitimacy.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, resubmitted the petition, shortly before her suspension.

Video does not show Atiku dancing at Wizkid’s concert

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA
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Video does not show Atiku dancing at Wizkid’s concert

AN X user, @Innocent_Zikky, has posted a video showing a man dancing at a party with a claim that it shows former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, dancing at a music show hosted by the Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly called Wizkid.

He posted the video with a caption thus: “You remember when Atiku attended Wizkid’s show?“

The post has garnered over 320,000 views with more than 7,000 likes, over 600 reposts and over 300 bookmarks as of March 5, 2025.

Similarly, another X account, @MachalaDoctor, also posted the same video with another caption that read:

“Former vice president of Nigeria Atiku Vibing to Wizkid in his Tottenham concert.”

The post has also gained some traction on the X platform.

CLAIM

Video shows Atiku Abubakar dancing at a Wizkid concert.

Screenshot of the viral post

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING, as the man in the video is not Atiku Abubakar while the Wizkid concert was held in July 2023 and not recently.

Our fact-checker ran a keyword search with “atiku at wizkid concert” on the X platform and the results show that the same X account had earlier posted the video in May 2024 and again in June 2024.

Another X user, @shegzedon, also posted the same video in June 2024 with another misleading caption that read: “Atiku at Wizkid’s Tottenham concert.”

The video was attributed to the Wizkid concert, “More Love, Less Ego,” which was held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England on July 29, 2023. There’s no publicly available record that shows that Atiku attended the concert.

Further analysis of the man’s facial features in the video revealed that he is not the former vice president. Atiku Abubakar has a narrow, slightly elongated nose, whereas the man in the video has a broader nose.

Additionally, Atiku is taller, while the man in the video has a stockier physique. The man’s appearance also suggests he is younger, in contrast to Atiku, who is already 78 years old.

Atiku Abubakar, former Nigerian Vice President.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows Atiku Abubakar dancing at a Wizkid concert is MISLEADING; the man in the video is a completely different person while the Wizkid concert was held in July 2023 and not recently.

This report is republished from the FactCheckHub

Senate committee proposes 6-month suspension for Natasha

Bankole ABE
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Senate committee proposes 6-month suspension for Natasha

THE Senate is weighing a six-month suspension for its member representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This followed an investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Neda Imasuen, on the lawmaker’s recent altercation with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

According to Channels TV, the committee recommended a six-month suspension for Akpoti-Uduaghan, effective March 6, 2025, due to alleged violations of Senate rules.

The recommended penalties include closure of her office, denying her access to the National Assembly premises; withdrawal of her salaries and those of her legislative aides; and prohibiting her from representing Nigeria in any official capacity as a senator during the suspension period.

The committee has also provided Akpoti-Uduaghan with the option to submit a written apology, which may lead to a review of her suspension.

The Senate is expected to vote on the proposal, which, if upheld, would effectively strip the female lawmaker of all legislative privileges for the duration of her suspension.

Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has once again submitted a petition alleging sexual harassment from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan re-submitted her petition signed by her constituents during the plenary on Thursday, March 6.

When asked if the issue was already in court, Natasha said ‘no’. As per procedure, she was instructed to formally submit the petition, which was then sent to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for further investigation.

The committee was given four weeks to conduct its probe and report to the Senate.

The ICIR reported that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions on Wednesday set aside Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier petition against Senate President Akpabio, describing it as “dead on arrival.”

The committee, led by its chairman, Imasuen, cited key procedural oversights that allegedly undermined the petition’s legitimacy.

Imasuen, during a probe session on Wednesday, March 5, explained that the petition was not properly endorsed because Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, signed it herself, an action he claimed directly conflicted with established Senate procedures. 

Imasuen further noted that the issues raised in the petition were already before the courts, rendering them subjudice and outside the Senate’s purview. 

The committee expressed regret over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s absence during the session.

“We waited, and unfortunately, she is not here. I hope that before we conclude this procedure, she will join us,” the lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, the investigation into her alleged violation of the Senate rules was against the backdrop of the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court issued an order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from continuing the disciplinary hearing.

The presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu, issued the order on Wednesday, March 5, following an ex parte application filed by counsel for Akpoti-Uduaghan.

However, the committee chairman stressed that his team acted within its mandate. He explained that “every petition is referred to us by the entire Senate, and the committee has the authority to deliberate on such matters.

The ICIR reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the first sexual harassment petition against the Senate President on Wednesday, March 5.

The submission of the petition followed the female lawmaker’s accusation that Akpabio made sexual advances towards her severally during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, February 28.

She said her stance towards the advances was the reason for her incessant conflicts with the Senate President at plenaries within the National Assembly Complex.

The ICIR further reports that her planned suspension is not unconnected with her refusal to accept a change in her seat, which led to a heated argument between her and the Senate President.

FAAN gives reason for shutting Akure Airport

Bankole ABE
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FAAN gives reason for shutting Akure Airport

THE Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed that it shut down the Akure Airport as a result of damage done to the facility by windstorm from a heavy downpour around the state capital on Monday, March 3.

The rain reportedly destroyed terminal building, critical equipment, staff quarters, and other strategic places at the airports.

In addition to the airport, the rainstorm destroyed houses, schools, and church buildings in several communities in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

Communities, including Eleyewo, Ilu-Abo, and Bolorunduro were severely affected by the disaster.

In a statement on Thursday, March  6, signed by its spokesperson Obiageli Orah, FAAN apologised to passengers for any discomfort the development might have caused them.

It said a team of engineers had been deployed to the airport to assess the damage.

“FAAN regrets inconveniences caused by the natural occurrence and is working assiduously to ensure that normal flight operations are restored. FAAN promises to remain customer-driven while providing quality services,” the organisation stated.

According to residents, the heavy downpour that lasted for hours started around 6:30 p.m and damaged homes, vehicles, shops, and other valuables.

The Akure Airport was immediately shut down by FAAN after the rainstorm on Monday.

Consequently, many passengers were left stranded at the airport.

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Zelenskiy joins EU Summit as bloc revs aid for Ukraine

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Zelenskiy joins EU Summit as bloc revs aid for Ukraine

EUROPEAN leaders are set to agree on boosting defence spending and reaffirming support for Ukraine at a summit on Thursday, March 6, following Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid to Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was invited to meet with the leaders of the EU’s 27 member states at the summit being held in Brussels.

The meeting comes amid significant defence policy shifts, driven by concerns that Russia, emboldened by its war in Ukraine, could target an EU country next.

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Trump administration’s outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin has sparked fears across Europe that the continent could no longer depend on U.S. support for its security.

French President Macron said on Wednesday, February 5, that his country was open to discussing extending its nuclear arsenal’s protection to European partners during a national address.

“I want to believe that the United States will stand by us. But we have to be ready if that is not the case,” Macron  said.

He stressed that Russia had become a threat to all of Europe.

“Faced with this world of danger, remaining a spectator would be madness,”.

This came after Friedrich Merz, who seeks to become Germany’s next chancellor, called for talks on expanding nuclear sharing on Tuesday, March 4.

The ICIR reported that the European leaders announced their plan to draft a peace plan for Ukraine on Monday, March 3, which would be presented to the United States.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the move as a crucial step for Washington to offer security guarantees — a demand Kyiv considers essential to ending its conflict with Moscow.

The development followed a meeting at the White House, where Zelenskiy clashed with Trump and was eventually ordered out of the Oval Office.

Following the clash, on March 4, Trump ordered a suspension of all U.S. military aid to Ukraine. The following day, on Wednesday, March 5, the US also paused intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Trump is planning to temporarily revoke legal status for some 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war, potentially putting them on a fast-track to deportation.

A senior Trump official and three other sources told Reuters on Thursday, March 6, that the move, expected as soon as April, would be a stunning reversal of the welcome Ukrainians received under Joe Biden’s administration.

 

 

 

Abducted Benue varsity students freed after eight days in captivity

Mustapha USMAN
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Abducted Benue varsity students freed after eight days in captivity

THREE students abducted from Joseph Sarwuaan Tarka University of Agriculture, Makurdi, formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, have been released after spending eight days in captivity. 

The Benue State Police Command confirmed in a statement by its spokesperson, Anene Sewuese, on Thursday, March 6, that the victims, who were whisked away from the university campus by unidentified assailants, had been freed.

“On /3/2025, following continuous trail of the kidnappers, the victims were released at about 21:34hrs and are currently receiving medical attention at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

“While investigation is ongoing, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP. Steve H. Yabanet FCID, psc (+) commends all officers that have been involved in the operation, particular the IGP Intelligence  Response Team from Abuja and other security agencies in Benue State for their commitment to this investigation,” part of the statement read.

The ICIR reported that the three students were abducted from campus on Tuesday, February 25, by gunmen.

According to reports, the abduction occurred around 8:30 pm, as the students were moving from their hostels to the area designated for reading in the North Core section of the campus.

The incident sparked protests on campus, with fellow students rallying and marching around the campus with tree branches to demand immediate action from the university authorities.

Consequently, the university management granted a one-week mid-semester break and directed that all students vacate their hostels by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26.

In an internal memo titled “Security Situation on Campus,” issued on Wednesday and signed by the Registrar, John David, the school also announced that the inaugural lecture scheduled for February 26, had been postponed indefinitely. 

“The inaugural lecture scheduled for today, February 26th, 2025, is postponed indefinitely. In solidarity with the students and parents of the abducted students, the university management has granted a one-week mid-semester break to all students to adequately address the security challenges on campus.

“Consequently, all students are to vacate their hostels by 4:00 pm today, Wednesday, February 26th, 2025,” the memo added.

The abduction came amid a chain of insecurity in Benue State, which has seen a spate of kidnappings in recent years. 

In a similar incident in August 2024, over 20 medical and dental students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos were abducted in the state while en route to Enugu for an annual conference. 

The students were subsequently released a few days later. Confirming the release to The ICIR in a chat on Saturday, August 24, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command said the students were rescued on Thursday, August 23. 

MFWA offers story grants on digital public infrastructure

Abdullahi MURITALA
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MFWA offers story grants on digital public infrastructure

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has announced story production grants to support journalists in Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. 

The initiative aims to foster the creation of in-depth and impactful stories on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPGs).

 Journalists who have compelling story ideas on DPI and DPGs, especially those that can spark public discourse or influence policy decisions, are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must present a story idea that highlights issues related to digital public infrastructure and its societal implications. In addition, they must submit a letter of support from their media organisation, confirming the outlet’s commitment to publish the final work.

Successful applicants will receive grants averaging USD 300, with the exact amount depending on the complexity and potential impact of the story. Accepted story formats include print (newspapers and online), broadcast (radio and television), and documentaries.

To apply, journalists must submit a detailed story pitch outlining the topic, approach, potential sources, and expected outcomes. Applicants should also provide a breakdown of their budget and upload a signed consent letter from their media house.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first deadline set for March 20, 2025.

Interested journalist can submit their pitches here

Trump threatens to eliminate Hamas

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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Trump threatens to eliminate Hamas

UNITED States (US) President Donald Trump has issued what he described as a “final warning” to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza.

“Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is over for you,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday, shortly after meeting eight freed hostages at the White House.

Trump vowed that he would provide Israel with “everything it needs to finish the job,” warning that “Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”

Trump’s warning came just hours after the US confirmed it was holding direct negotiations with Hamas regarding hostages and the Gaza ceasefire.

The U.S. had long refrained from direct contact with the Islamist group, which launched a cross-border attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking a devastating Gaza war that Gaza health officials said had claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives.

Trump’s warning reflects his “hell to pay” threat ahead of his return to the White House on January 20, which was followed by the ceasefire and hostages deal in mid-January that he took credit for before then-President Joe Biden left office.

In response, the Palestinian Mujahideen military group in Gaza condemned Trump’s warning, accusing his administration of intending “to proceed as a partner in the crimes of genocide against our people.”

“Trump’s threats today clearly reveal the ugly face of the United States of America and show its lack of seriousness and its renunciation of the agreement it mediated,” the group said.

However, Hamas has not commented on Trump’s threats yet.

The U.S. State Department designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997.

 

Natasha’s sexual harassment petition against Akpabio dead on arrival – Ethics Committee

Mustapha USMAN
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Natasha’s sexual harassment petition against Akpabio dead on arrival – Ethics Committee

THE Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has set aside Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing it as “dead on arrival.”

The committee, led by its chairman, Neda Imasuen, cited key procedural oversights that allegedly undermined the petition’s legitimacy.

Imasuen, during a probe session on Wednesday, March 5, explained that the petition was not properly endorsed because Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, signed it herself, an action he claimed directly conflicted with established Senate procedures. 

“The petition that she (Natasha) presented today is actually dead on arrival; it runs contrary to order 40, sub-section 4, which states that no senator may present to the Senate a petition signed by him or herself. Since that petition was signed by her, it will not be entertained by this committee,” the committee chairman said.

Imasuen further noted that the issues raised in the petition were already before the courts, rendering them subjudice and outside the Senate’s purview. 

The committee expressed regret over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s absence during the session.

“We waited, and unfortunately, she is not here. I hope that before we conclude this procedure, she will join us,” the lawmaker said.

Meanwhile, the investigation into her alleged violation of the Senate rules was against the backdrop of the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court issued an order preventing the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from continuing the disciplinary hearing.

The presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu, issued the order, on Wednesday, March 5, following an ex parte application filed by counsel for Akpoti-Uduaghan.

However, the Senate Ethics Committee chairman stressed that the committee was acting within its mandate. He explained that “every petition is referred to us by the entire Senate, and the committee has the authority to deliberate on such matters.

The ICIR reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President on Wednesday, March 5.

After announcing her decision to formally present the allegations as a petition before the Senate, Akpabio granted her permission to proceed.

The Senate subsequently referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, directing it to review the matter as soon as possible.

The submission of the petition followed the female lawmaker’s accusation that Akpabio made sexual advances towards her severally, during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, February 28.

She said her stance towards the advances was the reason for her incessant conflicts with the Senate President at plenaries within the National Assembly Complex.

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