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Northern leaders back control of social media
- Allege #EndSARS protest was hijacked to topple Buhari administration
Northern leaders made up of influential people such as state governors, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, top traditional rulers and senior political officers, among others rose from a crucial meeting Monday on the state of the nation with a resolution backing the plan by the Federal Government to censor the social media use.
The Ministers of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has been championing the campaign for the control of the social media by the Federal Government, insisting that its platforms are being used to spread fake news and subversive information.
His counterpart at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, also said on Monday that the FG contemplated shutting down the social media space during the recent nationwide EndSARS protest, saying the protest brought home the dangers of fake news.
The northern leaders, who also reaffirmed their commitment to the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of Nigeria, alleged that those pushing for superlative agitations and other change-regime actions outside the ballot box hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protests to further their separatist agenda.
Members of the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, attended the meeting.
Their meeting presided over by the northern governors forum’s Chairman and Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lalong, was attended by governors of Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara and Zamfara States.
The governors of Kogi and Kano states were represented by their deputies.
The leaders, in a communiqué issued after the meeting, decried “the devastating effect of the social media in spreading fake news,” and called for a “control mechanism and censorship of the social media practice in Nigeria.”
The communiqué read by Lalong frowned on “the subversive actions of the #EndSARS change protest” and declared support for a united and indivisible Nigeria.
“The meeting rejects and condemns the subversive actions of the #EndSARS change protest,” it said, adding, “The superlative agitations and other change-regime actions outside the ballot box soon take advantage of the peaceful protests to push for their separatist agenda.”
They applauded the major reforms going on in the police force even as they pledged to support President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed.
It also drew attention to the need to protect the FCT against unwarranted and destructive protests.
“The meeting raises attention on the need to keep a strict watch on the Federal Capital Territory to guide against unwarranted and destructive protests to safeguard critical assets of the nation,” it said.
The leaders said they had resolved to support the police to serve the country better and called for the building of trust between the people and the police.
They commended the National Assembly and the presidency for being proactive in addressing the issues raised by the #EndSARS protesters across the country.
They also expressed concern over the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and called for an amicable resolution of the issues to enable students to resume their studies.
The northern leaders called for engagement with other critical stakeholders such as religious leaders, the business community, and youth leaders, resolving to set up two major engagement committees – namely Committee on Roles of Traditional Rulers Membership, headed by the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Sidi Muhammad, and Committee on Youth and Civil Societies headed by the Emir of Zazzau (Zaria), Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli, which are to commence work immediately.
They commended the role of religious leaders, such as the Ulamas, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), for their positive interventions in resolving the #EndSARS conflicts.
The leaders called for collective efforts in addressing the lingering challenges of the North, especially the Almajiri system, insecurity, illiteracy, poverty, and others.”
The Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase; and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, attended the meeting.
Others were the Minister of Information and Culture; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Mohammad Bello.
News
FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday at a clinic in London of protracted illness related to lukemia.
The public holiday is in addition to the seven days of national mourning earlier declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the break in a statement released on Monday through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary. Magdalene Ajani,
Tunji-Ojo said the holiday is a gesture of respect for Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and development.
“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation,” the minister said.
This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld.”
Tunji-Ojo asked Nigerians to use the day to promote peace, patriotism, and national unity in line with Buhari’s vision.
FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
News
Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
Two Nigerian-born billionaires, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have been named in Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants.
The list features 125 billionaires from 41 countries, who collectively make up 14% of all billionaires living in the U.S. and control 18% of the country’s total billionaire wealth.
Top on the list are three South Africans, including Elon Musk ($393.1bn, Tesla, SpaceX); Patrick Soon-Shiong ($5.6bn, pharmaceuticals), and Rodney Sacks ($3.6bn, energy drinks).
They are closely followed by Ogunlesi, with a net worth of $2.4 billion, ranked 77th and recognized for his success in private equity, while Awotona, known for founding scheduling software company, Calendly, sits at 106th with a $1.4 billion net worth.
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Other African-born billionaires on the list include Haim Saban from Egypt ($3.1B, TV and investments); Marc Lasry from Morocco ($1.9B, hedge funds); and Bharat Desai from Kenya ($1.6B, IT consulting).
Forbes noted that a remarkable 93% of them were self-made, having built their fortunes primarily in industries such as technology and finance.
The growing number of immigrant billionaires, up from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025, reflects a shifting demographic and reinforces what Forbes describes as the “immigrant mindset”: a blend of resilience, innovation, and the drive to seize opportunity that continues to shape America’s economic landscape.
Forbes also released a list of top 10 America’s richest immigrants to include Elon Musk, net worth: $393.1bn; Sergey Brin, net worth, $139.7bn; Jensen Huang, net worth, $137.9bn; Thomas Peterffy, net worth, $67.9bn; and Miriam Adelson & Family, net worth, $33.4bn.
Others are Rupert Murdoch & Family, net worth, $24bn; Peter Thiel, net worth, $21.8bn; Jay Chaudhry, net worth, $17.9bn; Jan Koum, net worth, $16.9bn; and John Tu, net worth, $14.1bn
Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
News
Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
The power of the President to unilaterally appoint Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be whittled down in a constitutional review proposal.
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is currently considering the proposal to bring the National Judicial Council (NJC) into the process.
According to a report by PUNCH, the amendment seeks to reduce the influence of the executive arm by enhancing the transparency and impartiality of INEC leadership appointments.
This proposed shift follows long-standing calls for electoral reform, including the recommendations made in 2007 by the late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammadu Uwais, who led the Electoral Reform Committee.
The Uwais-led panel had advised that the NJC, rather than the President, should be responsible for nominating INEC board members, and that the commission’s funding should come directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to safeguard its autonomy.
Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that the proposed change was a positive development.
“It is a welcome development. It is one of the many good recommendations on how to insulate the position of whoever is chairman of INEC from political and executive pressures, as well as curing the deep-seated impression that ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tune.’”
Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, echoed this support, though he raised concerns about the NJC’s neutrality.
“The proposal by the National Assembly to amend the constitution to involve the NJC in the appointment of the INEC chairman is in line with Justice Uwais’ recommendation because over time, we have seen how presidents appointed their protégés and cronies, including people with a clear partisan background, into INEC.
“It is because of this that YIAGA Africa called it institutional capture, that is, INEC captured by the executive arm.
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“Is the NJC independent enough to manage the appointment of the INEC chairman in view of the fact that the CJN has overbearing powers in determining the members and the composition of its members?”
While backing the intention behind the reform, Itodo advocated a more inclusive approach.
He said, “I don’t know if this proposal to have the NJC manage the appointment process is a welcome development or if it would inspire confidence on the part of Nigerians.
“It is good to remove the power of appointing the INEC chairman from the President, but is it possible to set up a multi-stakeholder committee to manage this process and then send nominations or those who successfully passed the interview process to the National Assembly for screening before appointments by the President?
“There has to be a way of ensuring that whoever is responsible for any action in the appointment value chain is independent, so that we don’t have partisan people getting appointed to the electoral commission.”
Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, also supported the involvement of the NJC, suggesting it could help rehabilitate the image of the judiciary.
“If the National Assembly can amend the constitution to allow the NJC to have a say in the selection process of the INEC chairman, it will be a good development. It will enhance the integrity and credibility of the NJC because Nigerians are beginning to question the character of the judiciary. Nigerians are losing confidence in the judiciary because of their perception of injustice perpetrated by that arm of government.
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“Hopefully, NJC members who will be involved in selecting the INEC chairman, as well as the Commissioners, will help the image of the judiciary. Our constitution does not allow partisan persons to head the electoral commission, but successive presidents have been ignoring this constitutional provision. So, NJC members who are expected to be non-partisan would assist in selecting a good person to head INEC,” Rafsanjani said.
Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
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