NGIJ, NILDS Set Stage for Collaboration to Deepen Governance and Accountability

NGIJ, NILDS Set Stage for Collaboration to Deepen Governance and Accountability

The leadership of the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) recently paid a courtesy visit to the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen investigative journalism and deepen democratic accountability.

The visit focused on establishing a strategic partnership aimed at improving legislative reporting through training, joint research, policy dialogues, data sharing, and fellowship opportunities for our members. We also highlighted the Guild’s ongoing activities, particularly our Governance Assessment Visits across several states.

NILDS responded positively to our proposals, acknowledging the importance of collaboration between journalists and legislative institutions. The Institute expressed willingness to support capacity-building initiatives and consider our requests for a formal partnership.

We also formally notified NILDS of our planned Dele Giwa Memorial Annual Lecture and requested the use of their facility, as well as the participation of the Director-General as keynote speaker. These requests were well received and are being considered.

Overall, the visit was highly productive and marks the beginning of a promising collaboration that will create valuable opportunities for members and strengthen our collective impact.

Signed

President, NGIJ

BREAKING: Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly returned a staggering ₦4 TRILLION to the Federal Government — funds allegedly taken during his tenure.

BREAKING: Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly returned a staggering ₦4 TRILLION to the Federal Government — funds allegedly taken during his tenure.

Sources also claim he surrendered ownership of six banks linked to him.

That’s not all 👇

▪️ Former CBN Deputy Governor, Tunde Lemo, is said to have refunded $500 MILLION

▪️ Investigators reportedly uncovered $275 MILLION in an account tied to a 6-year-old boy, son of a former presidential aide

▪️ An additional ₦1.5 TRILLION traced to the same family

The probe, led by Jim Obazee, has allegedly recovered over ₦12 TRILLION so far — making it one of the biggest financial crackdowns in Nigeria’s history.

Meanwhile, NSA Nuhu Ribadu has warned that the current government inherited a deeply tr0ubled economy due to past l0oting.

~~Bello Isiaka (copied fb)

BREAKING: Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly returned a staggering ₦4 TRILLION to the Federal Government — funds allegedly taken during his tenure.

BREAKING: Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly returned a staggering ₦4 TRILLION to the Federal Government — funds allegedly taken during his tenure.

Sources also claim he surrendered ownership of six banks linked to him.

That’s not all 👇

▪️ Former CBN Deputy Governor, Tunde Lemo, is said to have refunded $500 MILLION

▪️ Investigators reportedly uncovered $275 MILLION in an account tied to a 6-year-old boy, son of a former presidential aide

▪️ An additional ₦1.5 TRILLION traced to the same family

The probe, led by Jim Obazee, has allegedly recovered over ₦12 TRILLION so far — making it one of the biggest financial crackdowns in Nigeria’s history.

Meanwhile, NSA Nuhu Ribadu has warned that the current government inherited a deeply tr0ubled economy due to past l0oting.

~~Bello Isiaka (copied fb)

BREAKING: Nigerian Troops Crush Terror Plot — 74 Militants Down, Drone Assault Foiled in Borno! Nigeria just witnessed one of the most decisive counterterrorism victories in recent months — and it sends a powerful message: the battlefield is changing, and so is the response.

BREAKING: Nigerian Troops Crush Terror Plot — 74 Militants Down, Drone Assault Foiled in Borno!

Nigeria just witnessed one of the most decisive counterterrorism victories in recent months — and it sends a powerful message: the battlefield is changing, and so is the response.

Between March 13–19, 2026, troops under Operation Hadin Kai engaged insurgent forces in a high-stakes confrontation around Mallam Fatori, Abadam LGA of Borno State — a region long considered a flashpoint in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.

What followed was not just a battle — it was a tactical statement.

The Clash: Terror Meets Resistance

According to Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, insurgents launched a coordinated, drone-assisted assault — a worrying sign of evolving tactics. These weren’t random attacks; they were calculated attempts to overwhelm military positions using aerial surveillance and possibly armed drone payloads.

But Nigerian forces were ready.

With precision ground response and decisive air support, troops repelled the attack, neutralized threats, and forced a chaotic retreat. What remained on the battlefield told the story:

74 terrorist bodies recovered

Multiple high-ranking commanders eliminated

Large-scale weapons cache seized:

38 AK-47 rifles

3 PKT machine guns

1 RPG launcher

Ammunition and tactical gear

The Bigger Picture: A Turning Point?

The involvement of drones marks a critical shift. Insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP are clearly adapting — leveraging technology to enhance their reach and lethality.

But this operation proves something even more important:

Nigeria’s military is adapting faster.

Under the strategic coordination of the Defence Headquarters and leadership voices like Edward Buba, operations are becoming more intelligence-driven, aggressive, and result-oriented.

This isn’t just about winning battles — it’s about breaking the backbone of insurgency logistics, leadership, and morale.

Operation Hadin Kai: Relentless Pressure

Operation Hadin Kai continues to intensify its footprint across the North-East. The latest success reinforces a clear trend:

Increased territorial control

Disruption of terror supply chains

Elimination of key leadership figures

Each operation chips away at the insurgents’ ability to regroup.

 What This Means for Nigerians

Let’s be clear — this is a major win, but not the end of the war.

Terror groups are weakened, not wiped out. Their shift to drone warfare shows desperation — but also danger.

However, victories like this:

Boost national morale

Strengthen military confidence

Signal progress toward long-term stability

Final Word: Momentum Is Building

Nigeria’s armed forces just proved that even in the face of evolving threats, discipline, coordination, and resilience win battles.

NGIJ urges unity, cautions politicians against divisive rhetoric ahead of 2027

The Nigeria Guild of Investigative Journalist (NGIJ) has called on Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence and warned political actors against exploiting religious and ethnic divisions as the country gradually approaches the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Friday to mark the 2026 Eid al-Fitr celebration, and jointly signed by its National President, Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan, and National Secretary, Rowland Olonishuwa, the Guild congratulated Muslim faithful on the successful completion of Ramadan.

The Guild noted that this year’s Ramadan coincided with the Christian Lenten season, describing the alignment as a “rare and powerful symbolism” that underscores shared values across faiths.

According to the statement, both periods called for reflection, sacrifice, discipline, and compassion, stressing that such common ideals should serve as a foundation for national unity.

“For weeks, across mosques and churches, Nigerians prayed, fasted, gave to the needy, and sought a better version of themselves. If we can endure hardship together in pursuit of spiritual growth, then we can certainly live together in peace,” the Guild said.

However, NGIJ expressed concern over rising tensions in the country, warning that differences are increasingly being weaponised, particularly along religious and ethnic lines.

The Guild emphasised that the lessons of Ramadan and Lent should not end with celebrations but must be reflected in citizens’ daily conduct, urging Nigerians to embrace patience, empathy, and truth in their interactions.

While addressing the political class, the organisation cautioned against early signs of divisive campaigning ahead of the 2027 elections, including the spread of misinformation and fear-based rhetoric.

“We are already seeing early signs of the familiar playbook, divisive rhetoric, calculated misinformation, and appeals to fear rather than reason. That path is dangerous and ultimately destructive,” the statement read.

NGIJ urged politicians, political parties, and aspirants to focus on issue-based campaigns, particularly on the economy, security, and governance, rather than resorting to identity politics.

It warned that power gained through division could undermine national stability, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford another election cycle that deepens societal fractures.

The Guild also reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and responsible journalism, pledging to continue challenging false narratives and exposing misinformation.

“A peaceful and informed society requires citizens who think critically and reject manipulation,” it added.

The statement concluded by describing Eid al-Fitr as not only a moment of celebration but also a test of collective responsibility, urging Nigerians to choose unity over division in the interest of national progress.

FIFA appoints African Referee for crucial 2026 World Cup Playoff fixtures in Mexico

FIFA appoints African Referee for crucial 2026 World Cup Playoff fixtures in Mexico

FIFA appoints African Referee for crucial 2026 World Cup Playoff fixtures

FIFA has appointed Algerian international referee Mustapha Ghorbal as part of the officiating team for the final playoff matches that will determine the last qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The FIFA Referees Committee confirmed the list of match officials for the playoff tournament, which will be staged in Monterrey and other venues in Mexico from March 26 to 31.

The mini-tournament represents the final stage of qualification for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghorbal will serve as the fourth official in the playoff fixture between Bolivia and Suriname scheduled for March 26.

The match will be overseen by Australian referee Alireza Faghani, assisted by compatriots George Lakrindis and James Lindsay.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties for the encounter will be handled by Croatian official Ivan Bebek, with Swiss assistant VAR referee Fedayi San providing support.

The winner of the Bolivia–Suriname clash will advance to face Iraq on March 31 at Monterrey Stadium in the decisive playoff final, with the victor securing a place at the 2026 World Cup.

In another playoff fixture, the match between New Caledonia and Jamaica will be officiated by a Uruguayan refereeing team led by Gustavo Tejera, while Chilean official Juan Lara will oversee VAR operations.

Ghorbal is among ten African referees currently vying for selection to officiate at the 2026 World Cup.

The officials recently participated in a FIFA preparatory training camp in Doha aimed at finalizing the list of referees for the global tournament.

Other African referees in contention include Morocco’s Jalal Jayed, Egypt’s Amin Omar, Sudan’s Mahmoud Ismail, Somalia’s Omar Artan, Senegal’s Issa Sy, South Africa’s Abongile Tom, DR Congo’s Jean‑Jacques Ndala, Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, and Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The tournament will feature an expanded format with 48 participating teams for the first time, increasing the number of matches to 104 across 16 host cities.

‘I lost my father, wife’, Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge

‘I lost my father, wife’, Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has delivered his first public statement, calling for unity among the Iranian people while acknowledging the hardships endured during recent conflict.

The address, read on state television, expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and pledged that damages would be compensated. “We have to protect this unity and this is only possible when we are together and we find common ground,” the statement said.

Khamenei linked the nation’s suffering to his own personal losses, noting that his father, the former supreme leader, and members of his family were killed in recent strikes. “I lost my father, I lost my wife. My sister lost her child as well as her husband,” he said, adding that faith and patience were essential to enduring such trials.

The statement also praised citizens “from all walks of life who stood against the enemy” and emphasized resilience in the face of adversity.

His statement reads, “And it is not only about him, it is about every single countryman that has been killed during the recent war.”

“This is something that I share with the people who have lost their ones because I lost my father, I lost my wife.

“My sister lost her child as well as the husband who has been martyred. 

“But what it makes it easier for us to endure all these plights is to trust the grace of God and to know that patience is going to resolve it.

“I assure everyone that we will not ignoring the fact that we are going to revenge our martyrs. 

“It is not only about the the fact that they martyred our supreme leader.