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NBC /YEMI SONDE BROADCAST MEDIA FORUM TO HOLD SOON
A forum for all the broadcast media stakeholders in Nigeria, tagged NBC/Yemi Sonde Broadcast Media Stakeholders’ Forum, the fifth edition, is set to take place on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The forum is a biennial programme jointly organised by National Broadcasting Commission, a national regulatory body for broadcasting stations and practitioners in Nigeria and Yemi Sonde Entertainment Limited, a Nigeria-based media outfit owned by Yemi Sonde, a broadcasting veteran in Nigeria.
The forum which has the theme “Quality Content In Digital Era: A Regulator’s Perspective” will be declared open by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi while the forum’s keynote address will be delivered by Alhaji Lai Muhammed, the Hon. Minister for Information, Culture & Tourism.
The forum which has become a hub of intellectual discus between broadcast media practitioners and regulators in Nigeria for the past ten years will have four different papers, apart from this year’s theme (Quality Content In Digital Era: A regulator’s Perspective) delivered by different resource persons in the broadcast media industry.
While Mallam Is’haq Modibo Kawu, the Director General of NBC is expected to be the speaker on the forum’s theme, Mrs. Bunmi Cole, the former NBC Director will speak on a paper titled “The Family: Content Production and Challenges”.
According to the Convener of the forum who is also the chairman of Yemi Sonde Entertainment Limited, Mr. Yemi Sonde, the need to improve the sector in all its ramifications as well as bridging the gap between the media umpires in Nigeria and the practitioners are some of the reasons why he has shouldered, along with the NBC, the organisation of the forum since ten years ago when the first one was staged.
“I derive a lot of joy from this forum not only because it is the first of its kind (partnership between government agency and a private citizen) in the broadcast media industry but because it has improved greatly the quality of content being produced by the practitioners compared to what we experienced a decade ago.
“I am this kind of a person that always want to give back to the society and since Yemi Sonde has become a household name throughout the country and even beyond through broadcasting, it will not augur well folding one’s arms when one can actually add values to the profession and to the practitioners.
“Since Yemi Sonde brand is synonymous with broadcasting development in Nigeria, I will not rest until there is total adherence to broadcasting codes and ethics by the practitioners in Nigeria and I will make sure I use every platform available to achieve this purpose, thus, very soon, I will be launching a book that bothers on broadcasting development in Nigeria.
“I want to sincerely appreciate Nigerian government as well as the leadership of National Broadcasting Commission in Nigeria over their willingness to this partnership”, he concluded.
The Managing Director, Radio Service Daar Communication, Ambrose Somide; the Head Public Affairs, NBC, Hajiyya Maimuna Jimada; and Director Broadcast Monitoring, Dr. Armstrong Idachaba are other resource persons who will, respectively, deliver papers on, “Broadcast As A Tool for Language Development In A Digital Era”, “Digitization, Benefits and Pubic Expectations: Your right to Quality Broadcasting”and “Sustainability of Broadcast Ethics in Digital Era: The Way Forward”.
The programme is scheduled to start at 10: 00 am prompt.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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