WAFFI TV | Feature

Tompolo Honoured With Living Legend Award At Congress Newspaper/TV 4th Anniversary

High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo and renowned as a foremost national leader of the Niger Delta, has been presented with the prestigious Living Legend Award during the 4th anniversary celebration of Congress Newspaper/TV, held recently in Warri, Delta State. Tompolo, who serves as Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, emerged winner of the award following a nomination and overwhelming votes secured through an online poll organised by the media outfit. During the ceremony at TM Hotel, Airport Road, Warri, last Thursday, the management of Congress Newspaper described Tompolo as an “uncommon breed and a rare gem,” citing his unwavering dedication and transformative contributions to the Niger Delta. They noted that the Living Legend Award is a fitting recognition of Tompolo’s selfless service, relentless efforts to curb oil theft, and his role in promoting peace and stability across the region. Participants at the event lauded Tompolo’s leadership and commitment to national development, emphasising that his ability to unite diverse communities has had a significant impact on Nigeria’s economic growth. They expressed delight over the recognition, describing it as a well-deserved honour that reflects Tompolo’s enduring legacy and positive influence in the Niger Delta and beyond

7/14/2025, 4:27:24 PM

Court Bars Rivers Sole Administrator From Inaugurating Appointees

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed Chairman and members of the Rivers State Services Commission. The court directed that the planned swearing-in be put on hold pending the outcome of a suit challenging the appointments. Justice Frank Onyiri issued the order after hearing and adopting the final written addresses from all parties involved. The suit was filed by the previously appointed Chairman and members of the commission who were installed by the suspended state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. These aggrieved former officials approached the court after they were removed from office by Ibas, claiming their suspension was unlawful. Justice Onyiri, on Monday, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and adjourned the matter to September 29 for judgment. The claimants—Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenem Wisdom Jerome, and three others—argue that the Sole Administrator lacks the legal authority to remove them, as they were duly appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly. They emphasized that their appointment letters were properly issued by the Governor after confirmation records had been sent to the Clerk of the House. In an affidavit sworn by the suspended Chairman, Reverend Ben, the claimants insist that the Sole Administrator overstepped his powers by suspending them and attempting to install new members. The defendants in the case include Sole Administrator Ibas, the state’s Accountant General, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and eleven others.

7/14/2025, 3:57:46 PM

Ex President Buhari’s Funeral Set For July 15 In Daura

The late former President Muhammadu Buhari will be laid to rest on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. According to the schedule, his remains will arrive by 12 noon, with burial rites set to commence at 2:00 p.m. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda confirmed this on Monday during a press briefing in Katsina, following discussions with the late president’s family and close associates in London regarding the funeral arrangements. Buhari passed away on Sunday at a hospital in London after battling a prolonged illness, sparking nationwide mourning and tributes from political, religious, and ethnic communities. Expressing profound grief, Governor Radda described the former president as a “national icon” whose legacy will forever be remembered in Nigeria’s history. “We pray Almighty Allah to grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannatul Firdaus,” Radda said. “On behalf of the government and people of Katsina State, we extend heartfelt condolences to the Buhari family, to all Nigerians, and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this monumental loss. May Allah give us the strength to bear it.” The governor added that the Katsina State Government, in collaboration with federal authorities and the late President’s family, is working to ensure a befitting and dignified farewell for the former Head of State. Buhari served as Nigeria’s military ruler from 1983 to 1985 and returned to power as a democratically elected President in 2015, serving two terms until 2023. His leadership style, austere lifestyle, and anti-corruption stance made him a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape for over four decades. Final rites are expected to be attended by top government officials, diplomats, political leaders, and dignitaries from within and outside the country.

7/14/2025, 2:09:40 PM

Nigerians Mourn As Ex president Set For Burial In Daura

It was a somber day for Nigerians on Sunday after news broke of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari. WAFFI TV reports that President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, announced the tragic news on Sunday evening, revealing that the former leader died in London, United Kingdom, following a brief illness. Although Buhari’s family has not disclosed the exact cause of death, reports suggest he had been battling blood cancer (leukemia) before his demise. Since the announcement, tributes have poured in from across the globe, with Nigerian politicians from both the ruling party and the opposition mourning the loss of the elder statesman. The late president’s remains are currently being flown back to Nigeria, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials. Buhari is scheduled to be laid to rest today (Monday) in his hometown of Daura. Recall that after completing his second term and leaving Aso Rock on May 29, Buhari retired to Daura to tend to his cattle. However, on February 25, 2025, he relocated to his Kaduna residence—a move some linked to the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections. Following his death on Sunday, hundreds of mourners gathered outside his Kaduna residence to pay their last respects. Among the first visitors was former Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu. Security in the area has been significantly tightened: two military gun trucks have been stationed at strategic points near Buhari’s home, with armed soldiers patrolling the streets. Vehicular movement has been restricted, and security personnel are discouraging loitering around the neighborhood. Similarly, security measures have been heightened in Daura ahead of the burial.

7/14/2025, 7:04:57 AM

Oil~Rich Ogbe Ijoh Threatens Shutdown Over Alleged INEC’s 'Rigged' Ward Delineation

In a strongly worded press briefing held today, leaders and representatives of the oil-producing communities of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area have raised the alarm over what they describe as deliberate manipulation and injustice in the ongoing fresh delineation of Registration Areas and Electoral Wards by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The communities, which host strategic oil assets including Ajuju/Batan, Odidi I & II, Egwa II oil fields and flow stations, as well as Ikeremor manifold and Ugbanabubou oil field, alleged that three National Commissioners of INEC have hijacked the delineation process and are working to suppress the political voice and representation of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom. Addressing journalists, community leaders recalled that on July 7, 2025, they had earlier drawn attention to the “gross injustice” in the proposed allocation of only two (2) out of nineteen (19) Registration Areas to Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, despite what they claim is verifiable evidence from National Population Commission (NPC) data and INEC’s own field reports showing Ogbe-Ijoh accounts for over 40% of the population and landmass of Warri South West LGA. Despite their earlier appeals, the communities say the trio of National Commissioners—whose identities were not disclosed—continue to act with impunity, disregarding both population data and fieldwork conducted by INEC operatives in July 2024. According to the briefing, these commissioners have not visited the field themselves but are imposing ward allocations that favour less populous ethnic groups, some of which have been allegedly awarded as many as nine and five electoral wards respectively. “These officials are deliberately frustrating all legitimate efforts to address the glaring imbalance. They have ignored the facts, bullied INEC staff who were involved in the field work, and even introduced fictitious communities to inflate figures in favour of others,” the statement reads. The Ogbe-Ijoh delegation further claimed that several INEC workers with accurate field knowledge have faced threats of dismissal, reassignment, and other forms of intimidation from the commissioners, who they accuse of executing a private agenda that undermines the constitutional integrity of INEC. The group reminded the public that the Supreme Court had previously ordered a fresh delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, citing the lack of credible population data and unequal representation in the previous arrangement. Ironically, the current process, according to them, is “even worse than what existed before the court ruling.” The statement continued: “It is shocking and disheartening that public officials sworn to uphold transparency and fairness are the same ones now compromising the credibility of INEC. Their actions are not only discriminatory but are also capable of destabilizing a fragile region that is vital to Nigeria’s oil economy.” In a final appeal, the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Oil Producing Communities issued three major demands: Immediate removal of the three National Commissioners from any further involvement in the delineation exercise for Warri South West LGA. Full reliance on the NPC population data, settlement records, and INEC’s actual field reports—rather than arbitrary figures—for the ongoing delineation. A shift of the review process away from the current group of commissioners, to ensure a neutral, law-abiding outcome in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines. The communities also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser to intervene promptly, warning that failure to address their concerns may lead to disruption of oil and gas activities in the area. “We are peaceful people, but our patience is running out. If this injustice is not addressed, we may be left with no other option than to shut down the oil facilities in our communities,” they concluded. The press briefing was signed by Deacon Clement Tekedor, Chief Samson Oyimi, Emmanuel Kusimi, and Hon. Johnbull Aniyanghan, speaking on behalf of the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom Oil Producing Communities.

7/13/2025, 4:10:15 PM

Buhari Rejected N10m Food Budget As President~ Garba Shehu

Former President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly lived modestly during his eight-year tenure, often eating simple meals like beans and pap. This was revealed by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, in his newly published book, Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience. According to Shehu, shortly after Buhari assumed office in 2015, he instructed that a proposed meal budget of ₦10 million be cut down, reflecting his preference for frugal and healthy living. Shehu said: “When they told him N10 million was needed, he screamed and demanded it be reduced. ‘Look at my table, what do I eat? How much does it cost?’ “Most of the things he ate were very basic foods that are recognizable and associated with, and consumed by, the lower strata of Nigerian society — tuwo (dough-like dishes made from grains), pap, akara (bean cake), beans, wheat, plenty of salads, poultry, and mutton.”

7/13/2025, 12:44:24 PM

Constitution Review: Kaduna, Kano Demand New State, 26 LGAs

Kaduna and Kano States have put forward ambitious reform proposals during the North West Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution, calling for genuine federalism, resource control, the establishment of additional administrative units, and stronger grassroots participation. The hearing, held on Saturday at the Gen. Hassan Katsina House in Kaduna, gathered stakeholders from Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States, including civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and government officials. Represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, criticised the current highly centralised federal structure, arguing that it hinders development and distances citizens from governance. “Our current arrangement does not reflect the principle of subsidiarity,” he said, calling for a constitutional framework that allows states full control of natural resources within their territories and the right to legislate on local matters. He also pushed for the creation of state police, noting that his previous advocacy in the 9th Senate was hindered by political disagreement. “Security cannot be national if it is not local. Kaduna is ready to support constitutional amendments to establish state police,” he stated. Governor Sani further demanded independence for the judiciary, INEC, and anti-corruption agencies, and advocated for affirmative action to enhance women’s political participation. He also called for formal constitutional roles for traditional rulers, whom he described as “vital actors in grassroots governance.” Kano State, in its submission, demanded the creation of a new state and 26 additional local government areas to increase its current LGAs from 44 to 70. The submission was presented by Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. “We strongly advocate for restructuring and align with the national call for the creation of more states, provided they meet the criteria of Section 8 of the Constitution,” Gwarzo said. Kano State also called for full constitutional autonomy for local governments, recommending amendments to Sections 2(2), 7, and 162(5) to formally recognise and strengthen LGAs as an independent tier of government. The state supported the creation of state police but emphasised the need for clear jurisdictional boundaries between federal and state security agencies. Additionally, Kano proposed establishing a National Council of Traditional Rulers to advise the federal government and shield traditional institutions from political interference. On fiscal restructuring, Kano advocated reducing the Federal Government’s revenue allocation from 52.68% to 40%, while increasing the shares for states and local governments to 35% and 25% respectively to foster equity and balanced development. The state further reaffirmed its commitment to gender equity by backing legislative measures to enhance women’s participation in politics and governance. Meanwhile, Katsina State, represented by its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Fadila Mohammed Dikko, outlined reform proposals centred on fiscal federalism, strengthening institutions, and promoting inclusive governance.

7/13/2025, 12:40:04 PM

Immigration, Prison Service, NSCDC Begin 2025 Recruitment

The Ministry of Interior, Nigeria, has announced that recruitment into its agencies will begin on Monday, 14th July 2025. In a statement posted on its official X page, the Ministry named the agencies as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Fire Service (NFS), and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). “Interested and qualified candidates are to register through recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng,” the statement reads in part. It also advised interested candidates to visit the Ministry of Interior website for further information on the application process, requirements, and other relevant details.

7/12/2025, 12:22:01 PM

Ekanpou Blasts ‘Brown Envelope’ Journalism, Urges Cultural Revival To Build Strong Institutions

Renowned writer and publisher, Enewaridideke Ekanpou, has sounded a stern warning to Nigerian journalists and privileged individuals, accusing them of weakening national institutions and stifling critical journalism needed to build a better society. Delivering a keynote address titled “Journalists as Killers of Strong Institutions and the Society as Killers of Awakening Journalism” at the fourth anniversary celebration of Congress Newspaper/TV held at TM Hotel, Warri, Ekanpou argued that strong institutions are the pride of any nation because they combat corruption and drive development. However, he lamented that many institutions remain weak due to the actions of journalists who have abandoned critical and investigative reporting for “brown envelope” journalism and financial inducements. “It is the worst form of betrayal in journalism for a journalist or newspaper to take dictation from certain individuals based on financial inducements,” Ekanpou declared. “Such journalists lose the moral authority to demand accountability.” He praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to build strong institutions, citing the revitalisation of the Niger Delta’s upstream sector through TANTITA’s anti-oil theft campaign and the Presidential Amnesty Programme’s new direction under Chief Dr Dennis Otuaro. At the state level, he noted Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE agenda as being in alignment with the federal government’s Renewed Hope agenda. Despite these institutional reforms, Ekanpou stressed that journalists must do more by reviving editorial integrity and embracing “awakening journalism” that holds the powerful accountable. He condemned the growing practice where newspapers alert individuals about critical articles to solicit hush money, labelling it “barbaric APROKO journalism.” Drawing inspiration from Ernest Sissei Ikoli, the pioneering Nigerian journalist who used his platform to influence constitutional reforms in colonial times, Ekanpou urged modern journalists to rediscover their watchdog role. He also highlighted the need to strengthen indigenous spiritual and cultural institutions, arguing that cultural erosion was historically used by colonial masters to subdue Africans. “Before we build strong institutions, we must first rebuild and strengthen our cultural and spiritual foundations,” he said, quoting Lord Macaulay’s infamous 1835 address that advocated cultural destruction as a means of control. Ekanpou criticised wealthy Nigerians for neglecting indigenous newspapers, noting they often seek them only for defensive stories during scandals but spend lavishly on adverts in bigger national dailies. This imbalance, he warned, threatens the survival of smaller, grassroots media outlets essential for community-focused journalism. He also cautioned against “frivolous awards” given to undeserving recipients, arguing they damage the credibility of media organisations and weaken institutions further. He concluded by calling for a “mutualist partnership” where privileged individuals support journalism financially—not to buy silence, but to empower journalists to bark fearlessly against corruption and maladministration. “Journalists need you to survive. You need journalists to watch over a significant part of your life. Without this synergy, figurative death stalks both,” he concluded. The anniversary event gathered media practitioners, cultural advocates, and community leaders, who echoed calls for a return to fearless, culturally grounded journalism as a foundation for building stronger institutions in Nigeria.

7/11/2025, 7:30:56 PM

Villa Rat Invasion Story Was A Cover For Buhari’s Illness~ Garba Shehu

Former Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has admitted that the story about rats invading the Presidential Villa was a deliberate fabrication to divert attention from Buhari’s health issues. In his newly launched book, “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesperson’s Experience,” unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja, Shehu explained that he invented the rat invasion narrative to shift public focus away from mounting concerns about Buhari’s health and ability to lead. Before Buhari returned to Nigeria on August 19, 2017, following nearly three months of medical treatment in the UK, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, had accused the government of replacing Buhari with a Sudanese clone named Jibrin. After Buhari’s return, skepticism persisted among some Nigerians, who questioned whether it was truly the President or the alleged clone. Suspicion deepened when the Presidency announced that Buhari would work from home instead of his office at the State House, sparking further debate over his health and capacity to govern. In Chapter 10 of his book, titled “Rats, Spin and All That,” Shehu detailed how the situation became particularly worrying after Buhari’s Social Media aide, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted that the President had resumed duty but would be working from home. Shehu narrated, “So in the few hours of the president’s return, I picked up a conversation in the office of the CoS, where the chief, a few principal officers and the permanent secretary sat over lunch, a damage to a cable was noticed and it needed fixing. “Someone speculated that rats may have caused that damage, given that the office was unused for a long time. “When the surge in calls for explanation of why the president would be working from home, if truly he had recovered his health and fit for the office came, I said to the reporters that the office, which had been in disuse, needed renovation because rats may have eaten and damaged some cables.” Shehu recalled that the story about rodents invading Nigeria’s Presidential Villa and damaging furniture and the air conditioning system went viral, even ranking among the top five news items on the BBC World News bulletin. The ex-presidential spokesperson in the book continued, “With reporters wanting to know more, the number of calls increased, with some, including the BBC Hausa, interrogating me on the type of rats we had in the Villa that could eat wire cables. “To get them (journalists) off my back, I referred them to the strange rats that invaded the country in the 1980s during the rice armada that came here aboard ships bringing the commodity from Southeast Asia. “As was known of them, in their destructiveness, those rats ate just anything anyone could imagine. Many critics disagreed with me, saying that we were covering up the president’s ill health. Some people had a good laugh over the narrative, and an insignificant few believed me. “At a later meeting, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo asked me why I had toed that line of story. “I said to them that the choice I made was deliberate: I wanted the discussion to shift, to move to any other issue besides the president’s health and his ability to continue in office as the leader of the country. In my view, that spin succeeded. Both of them disagreed, saying that this was well off the mark.”

7/11/2025, 4:49:54 PM

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