General News
Yahaya–Jingir working for his pocket –Kwankwaso
The Vice-Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on the Federal Government to call Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya-Jingir, to order over his recent anti-Christian statement.
Kwankwaso, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, said the cleric was “only working for his pocket”.
NAN reports that Yahaya-Jingir had, at a recent event in Kano State while canvassing support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, described Christians as “infidels”.
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, however, said such views do not represent the position of the majority of northern Muslims.
He described Yahaya-Jingir’s comments as “inappropriate and capable of deepening religious and political divisions in the country”.
He appealed to the federal government as well as the wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu who, he said, is not only a Christian but a pastor, to intervene and caution the Islamic cleric.
According to him, the continued propagation of such views is not in the interest of national unity.
“I believe it is not correct. What Malam Yahya-Jingir is saying is not correct, and it will only succeed in further dividing the country,” Kwankwaso said.
He urged the Islamic cleric to reconsider his position, stressing that Christians and other non-Muslims are Nigerians with equal rights, including the right to vote and participate in the country’s political process.
The vice-presidential candidate described the religious rhetoric targetted at non-Muslims as also a poor political strategy, as the electorate comprise Muslims, Christians and adherents of other faiths.
Kwankwaso said that the comments were particularly concerning because Yahaya-Jingir is a respected religious figure whose pronouncements could influence public opinions.
He noted that he had personally enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Islamic cleric in the past and had respected him for many years.
“I have a lot of respect for him but I do not know what happened, especially from 2023 to this period, for a leader at that level to come out and make such statements,” he said.
The former governor also commended Christian leaders who recently engaged President Bola Tinubu on issues affecting Nigerians, including hunger, insecurity, poverty and unemployment.
He said that religious leaders should speak truth to power irrespective of their political affiliations or personal preferences, adding that their intervention could help the government in addressing pressing challenges.
Kwankwaso urged Muslim leaders to similarly engage the president constructively and draw his attention to the difficulties confronting Nigerians.
The former governor, who described himself as a moderate Muslim, stressed the importance of religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and responsible leadership.
Reflecting on Kano’s political history, he recalled how the 2003 election campaign was dominated by debates around the implementation of Sharia which, he said, created significant religious tension.
He said that some politicians at the time promised that the implementation of Sharia would automatically address social and economic challenges, including unemployment, education and access to marriage.
Kwakwanso said that the experience later demonstrated that political rhetoric centred on religious identity could not substitute for effective governance.
He said that the people of Kano had since become more focused on practical issues, including education, security, employment and improved living conditions.
The former governor cited the 2023 Kano election as evidence that voters were increasingly concerned about governance rather than religious slogans.
He listed the major concerns of northern communities today to include insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, poverty and the education of young people.
“Kano is a wrong place for such a campaign. The people of Kano are very clear. What they want is how to send their children to school and get a good life,” he said.
Kwankwaso appealed to Christian leaders not to be overly worried by Yahaya-Jingir’s comments, assuring them that the views did not reflect those of the majority of northern Muslims.
“I want to appeal to the Christian leaders that that opinion is not the opinion of the majority of northern Muslims. I don’t think they should worry about themselves. We are in a position to handle the situation,” he said.
He urged political and religious leaders to avoid statements capable of inflaming religious sentiments, saying that Nigeria needed unity and responsible leadership to overcome its current challenges.
Kwankwaso said that the country had moved beyond the period when religious slogans could easily mobilise large sections of the electorate, adding that Nigerians were increasingly demanding tangible improvements in their lives.
He called on Yahaya-Jingir to reconsider his position and work toward messages capable of promoting peaceful coexistence rather than division.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate said Nigeria’s political leaders must recognise that the country belonged equally to Muslims, Christians and other religious groups and that no section should be made to feel excluded.
He stressed that the overriding responsibility of political and religious leaders should be to protect national unity and promote the welfare of all Nigerians.
Kwankwaso said responsible leadership required listening to people at all levels and responding to concerns about hardship, insecurity, unemployment and poverty.
He urged Nigerians to reject any attempt to exploit religious differences for political advantage, saying that the country could only achieve meaningful development through unity and cooperation.
The former governor added that northern Muslims should not be collectively associated with statements that could undermine peaceful relations between communities and faiths.(NAN).
By Omoniye Ahire
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Delta State Command, has charged private security practitioners under ALPSPN across Delta State to uphold high standards of professionalism and strict adherence to regulatory standards in the discharge of their duties.
The State Commandant, Chibedu Igbo delivered this charge during an interactive stakeholders’ meeting with the leadership and members of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Delta State Chapter, at the Command Headquarters in Asaba.
Addressing the security practitioners, Commandant Chinedu emphasized that private guard companies play a vital role in complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies in maintaining law and order, safeguarding life and property, and protecting critical national assets across the state.
To ensure effective operational synergy and maintain industry standards, the Commandant highlighted several key mandates and operational guidelines which includes but not limited to the following:
He said that all private guard companies (PGCs) operating within Delta State must ensure full renewal of operational licenses, complete registration, and regular audit of their personnel database, and warmed that any unlicensed PGC operating under invalid permits will not be tolerated.
He used the occasion to inform security operators on the plans to conduct thorough background checks and biometric profiling of all managers, guards and prospective guards prior to mitigate internal security breaches.
On intelligence sharing, Commander Igbo urged ALPSPN members to use communication channels for timely intelligence reporting to the NSCDC, enabling swift proactive measures against criminal activities.
He advised private security firms to prioritize regular training programs in conflict resolution, crowd control, and emergency response for their field personnel.
He also clarified all matters on branch operations of PGCs, applicable fees and issues on Notification of Change of Directors.
Commandant Igbo reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance for unregistered and illegal private security outfits, warning that intelligence operations will commence soonest to identify, seal off, and prosecute defaulting operators in accordance with the Private Guard Companies Act.
In response, the Chairman of ALPSPN Delta State Chapter, Prof. Emmanus Odikaesieme expressed appreciation to the NSCDC for its continuous oversight, guidance, and support, assuring the State Commandant of their unwavering commitment to professionalism, regulatory adherence, and strategic partnership to ensure maximum security across Delta State.
In his remarks, the head of PGC Department (Domestic Security Services) DCC E.E Peters urged the practitioners to look into the general welfare of their guards especially Remuneration which is not expected to be less than minimum wage and uniforms. He hinted that, having been briefed by the regulator (NSCDC) Enforcement drive will commence soonest.
The family of retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Frederick Ichako Omunu has announced that he will be laid to rest on Thursday, December 17, 2026, in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, following his death at the age of 83.
The burial programme, jointly announced by the Omunu family of Uruto Quarters and the Omoba family of Urude Quarters, will feature a vigil Mass on December 16 and a funeral Mass on December 17 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ozoro.
Retired ACP Frederick Ichako Omunu died in 2026 at the age of 83.
His burial is scheduled for December 17 in Ozoro, Delta State.
A vigil Mass will hold on December 16 at 4:00 p.m.
The funeral Mass is scheduled for December 17 at 10:00 a.m.
The deceased will be buried at his residence on Uruto Road, Ozoro.
The family has invited relatives, friends and well-wishers to the funeral ceremonies.
According to the funeral announcement, the vigil Mass will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, NDC Road, Ozoro.
On Thursday, December 17, the deceased’s body will leave General Hospital, Ozoro, at 7:30 a.m., with a brief stopover at his family compound.
The funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along NDC Road, Ozoro.
Omunu to Be Buried at His Ozoro Residence
Following the funeral Mass, Omunu will be laid to rest at his residence at No. 80 Uruto Road, Uruto Quarters, Ozoro. The family stated that the interment ceremony would be restricted to family members.
A reception for guests will subsequently hold at the field of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, along NDC Road, Ozoro.
The family described the deceased as a father, grandfather, brother and uncle, inviting relatives, friends and well-wishers to join them in honouring his memory.
The burial announcement was signed by family representatives Henry Omunu, Editor, Trumpet Newspaper and Benedict Omunu.
By Our Reporter
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family disclosed his death in a statement published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday.
“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness,” the post reads.
“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports circulating on social media that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
The rumours intensified in June after a video showing the actor looking frail went viral, prompting concerns among fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Responding to the speculation at the time, Duru released a video on Instagram in which he described the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his primary and secondary education in the Central African country before moving to Nigeria for university education.
He gained admission to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru began his acting career in 1989 when he featured in Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko. However, the role did not immediately establish him as a prominent figure in the Nigerian movie industry.
His breakthrough came in 1995 following his appearance in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe. In the film, he played the character Ahanna, a role that helped raise his profile in Nollywood.
Throughout his career, Duru earned several awards and honours in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry.
He was named a United Nations ambassador of peace for his positive influence on young people.
In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Beyond his acting career, Duru was married to Adokiye, whom he wed in 2003. Their union produced four children.
The family suffered a major loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
Duru’s death marks the loss of an actor whose career spanned several decades in Nigeria’s film industry.
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