The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Nasarawa State Government have flagged off the commencement of construction work at the University of Public Relations and Leadership (UPRL) site located at Gudi, Nasarawa State.

In a statement signed by the Director, Public Relations, Stanley Ogadigo, the flag-off ceremony signifies a landmark in the life of the project, giving a strong indication that the university will commence academic activities in record time with required facilities before the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) scheduled to hold in Nigeria next year.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony, the President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku said through the university project, Nigeria will emerge as a new global centre of leadership and excellence in communication, adding that the migration of the project from idea to reality is a demonstration of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s commitment to raising a new generation of leaders.

“Your Excellency, with what we are doing here today, you are sending a message not just to Nigeria but to the world that Nasarawa is at the centre of history. With hosting of this first of its kind university, Nasarawa under your leadership has demonstrated responsible use of influence”, he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule expressed appreciation to the Global Alliance and the NIPR for approving Nasarawa as the host state for the project which comes with huge developmental value in terms of education, capacity building and employment opportunities.

“As a government, we are committed to ensuring the completion of this project through the provision of necessary support. We want to assure you that by November 2026, the matriculation of first set of your students will take place in this facility”, he stated.

The statement added that, within a space of one year, the University of Public Relations and Leadership, initiative has witnessed three major milestones beginning with meeting of both parties in January, 2025, where the idea was presented to the Nasarawa State Government by the Institute, followed by signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inJuly and now a Foundation Laying Ceremony/Official Flag-off of Construction in December, 2025.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed deep condolences to two time world former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, following a fatal road accident involving him, his friends, and aides.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the accident occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and reportedly claimed the lives of two members of Joshua’s entourage.

The boxing champion sustained injuries in the crash and is currently receiving medical attention.

In a condolence message, Dabiri-Erewa described the incident as a tragic loss and mourned the untimely deaths of the deceased members of Joshua’s team. She extended her sympathies to Joshua and the families affected by the accident.

“I hereby wish you a quick recovery from your injuries and pray that God accepts the souls of the deceased and grants you and their families the fortitude to bear the loss,” she said.

Read Also: President Tinubu Condoles with Anthony Joshua Following Auto Crash

Anthony Joshua Injured in Auto Crash

Meanwhile, a joint statement by the Governors of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, confirmed that both state governments are closely monitoring the situation.

The governors assured that Anthony Joshua and his driver are receiving the best possible medical care.

The incident has drawn widespread concern and sympathy from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, with many praying for Joshua’s speedy recovery and comfort for the families of the deceased.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of its fallen colleagues, who lost their lives in a ghastly road accident on the 29th of December.

A statement by the National President of the Union, Mr. Alhassan Yahya, directed that the union, across all the Zones, Councils and Chapels in the country must work as usual in the spirit of fraternity and solidarity to ensure that their colleagues did not die in vain.

The Gombe State Police Command reports that the lone fatal motor vehicle accident occurred on 29th December, 2025, at about 1740 hours along the Gombe–Yola Road, at Ladongor Village, Billiri Local Government Area.

The statement said the incident involved a Hummer bus with registration number GOMBE NUJ-01, belonging to the National Union of Journalists, NUJ, Gombe State Chapter, driven by 50-year old Obe Emmanuel Akila, conveying 11 passengers.

It said all passengers were members of the NUJ and mostly staff of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Gombe, who were coming back from Kaltungo when the left rear tyre reportedly burst, causing the driver to loose control and the vehicle subsequently somersaulted into the bush.

“Upon receiving the report, officers from Billiri Division promptly responded to the scene, and the victims were rushed to Amana Clinic, Billiri, for medical attention. The driver and three others, namely: Jonathan Bara, Stephen Dodo and Nina Gadam sustained varying degrees of injuries and were treated and referred to the Specialist Hospital for further medical care,” the statement said.

It however said seven passengers, namely: Jibrin Tabra, Manu Haruna Kwami, Zara Umar Adamu, Aminu Muhammad, Isah Lawal, Adam Snu and Judith Snu were examined and certified dead by medical personnel.

Governor Mourns

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, offered his condolences and overwhelming grief, shock and deep emotional pain over the tragic news of the fatal accident.

He described the incident as a heart-rending tragedy that has plunged Gombe State into mourning, noting that the loss goes beyond families and institutions to the very soul of the state’s media and public service community.

The Gombe Governor described the deceased as committed professionals who dedicated their lives to informing, educating and serving the people and their deaths, a devastating blow to journalism, public service and governance in Gombe State.

“This tragedy is deeply painful. We have lost colleagues, partners in progress, and devoted public servants who served with passion and a strong sense of duty. Their absence will be felt for a long time,” the Governor said.

He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the management and staff of the Nigerian Television Authorityand the entire media fraternity within and beyond Gombe State.

Governor Yahaya also expressed grave concern for the injured victims currently receiving medical attention, including Emmanuel Akila, NTA Government House Correspondent), Steven Doddo of NTA Marketing Department, Nina Gadal, Ministry of Information and Jonathan Bara, Manager, Marketing, NTA.

He gave the assurances of the government’s full support.

“Our hearts are with the injured, and we pray earnestly for their speedy and complete recovery. The Government of Gombe State is following the situation closely and will ensure that all necessary assistance is provided. This is a dark moment for Gombe State. We mourn together, we grieve together, and we pray that Almighty God protects us all from such tragic occurrences,” the Governor added.

He prayed for Almighty God to grant the departed souls eternal rest and give the bereaved families, colleagues and loved ones the strength to bear the heavy loss.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), operating under the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Sector 2, has recorded a significant operational breakthrough following the successful execution of two high-impact precision Air Interdiction missions against bandit strongholds at Turba Hill and Kachalla Dogo Sule’s camp in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame disclosed that acting on credible, multi-source intelligence, NAF air assets were deployed against bandit enclaves at the identified locations.

According to him, the first strike targeted Turba Hill, a confirmed bandit hideout.

He said “persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance revealed significant human activity and an operational zinc-roofed structure assessed to be central to the enclave’s activities”.

‘”Following positive identification, the target was engaged with precision, resulting in a direct hit. Post-strike battle damage assessment confirmed the complete destruction of the structure and the neutralisation of several bandits”, he said.

He noted that the second air mission was conducted at Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, a notorious bandit stronghold identified as a key IED manufacturing and operational hub. Intelligence had linked the camp to the planning and execution of recent IED attacks along the Dan Sadau–Magami axis.

“The precision strike successfully engaged multiple active structures within the enclave, triggering intense fires that destroyed the facilities and neutralised several bandits, effectively crippling the group’s IED production and deployment capability”, he said.

These decisive air strikes represent a significant degradation of bandit networks operating in Zamfara State, particularly their capacity to manufacture and employ improvised explosive devices.

The operations reaffirm the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment, working in close coordination with other components of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to deny criminal elements safe havens, degrade their combat effectiveness, and support ongoing joint efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the North-West and the nation at large.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has formally appealed for the release of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian national who has been on death row in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over two decades, citing principles of fairness, justice and the longstanding diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, it was disclosed that the required Diyah (blood money) of $570,000 has been fully raised and paid into a designated Saudi account.

The funds were mobilised through a collaborative effort involving NiDCOM, the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi-based philanthropists, the Yaro Brothers, with additional support from well-meaning Nigerians.

The Commission expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic engagements, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, would result in a mercy and a pardon for Olufemi, who has remained in detention since 2002.

Olufemi was arrested on September 29, 2002, a day after a Saudi police officer was killed during an incident in Jeddah, where he was reportedly visiting a friend.

At the time of his arrest, he was in Saudi Arabia on a lesser Hajj (Umrah) visa.

He was subsequently sentenced to death in May 2005, while other individuals connected to the incident received prison sentences.

NiDCOM explained that under Saudi law, with the child of the deceased police officer now over 18 years of age, the victim’s family has the legal right to either grant a pardon or insist on the enforcement of the death sentence.

Following a series of diplomatic interventions and multiple engagements with the victim’s family—some of which involved NiDCOM’s former Legal Director, Barrister Abdullahi Bello—the family agreed to consider a pardon on the condition that the stipulated blood money be paid.

The Commission, in partnership with the Association of Nigerians in Saudi Arabia and led by the Yaro Brothers, successfully coordinated the fundraising campaign to meet the financial requirement, which has now been fulfilled.

NiDCOM reiterated its hope that the payment of the Diyah, coupled with sustained diplomatic efforts, would pave the way for Olufemi’s release, bringing closure to a case that has spanned more than 20 years.