NUJ Ogun-East Independent Chapel Reaffirms Membership Integrity, Warns Public Against Fake Journalists
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun-East Independent Chapel, has cautioned members of the public to be vigilant and avoid dealings with individuals parading themselves as journalists without proper accreditation from the Union.
The Chapel emphasized that the Ogun State Council of the NUJ is currently carrying out an official registration and issuance of identification cards to all qualified and accredited journalists operating within the state. This initiative aims to strengthen professionalism and ensure that only duly recognized journalists represent the Union in the discharge of their duties.
The public is therefore advised to always verify the authenticity of any journalist’s NUJ identification card before engaging them. Anyone found presenting a fake or unauthorized ID card does so at their own risk, as appropriate sanctions will apply.
All genuine and accredited members of the Ogun-East Independent Chapel have duly submitted their names for the official membership identification process. The Chapel reiterates that journalism, as a noble profession, operates under clearly defined rules and a constitution that guides its members.
According to the Chapel’s leadership, the Union remains deeply concerned about the growing menace of fake news and the activities of quack journalists, which continue to undermine public trust in the media. The NUJ will not hesitate to work with relevant authorities to identify and prosecute impostors who tarnish the reputation of the profession.
Journalism is a profession guided by ethics, integrity, and responsibility. The NUJ does not tolerate quackery in any form. We remain committed to protecting the credibility of the press and ensuring that only trained, verified, and accredited journalists operate under the banner of the Union.
Migration and travel consultant, Dr Douglas Kendyson, popularly known as Waka Waka Doctor, has cautioned Nigerians against selling their properties or making hasty decisions in their bid to relocate abroad, popularly called Japa.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Rubbin’ Minds” on Sunday, the medical doctor-turned-travel advisor shared insights from his personal experience, warning that desperation often makes people fall victim to fake travel agents and scams.
“You do not sell your properties with the hope of going somewhere that you’ve never been to,” he said. “You cannot sell your car, you cannot sell your houses, you cannot quit your job with the hope of moving somewhere else and hoping that you will find gold. It is not a bed of roses.”
Waka Waka Doctor noted that many Nigerians are drawn to the illusion of greener pastures without understanding that no country is perfect.
“We’re telling people that it’s going to be greener on the other side and you should make an attempt to leave your comfort zone and move to somewhere that is currently better than where you are,” he said.
“But there is nowhere in the world that has a perfect system. If you think that you’re going to come to a country and everything will be perfect, my dear, you’re in for a jolly good ride.”
He emphasised the importance of having a structured relocation plan.
“You need to plan,” he said. “Ask yourself a couple of questions: Why do you want to move? Where do you want to move? How do you want to move? When do you want to move? There needs to be planning with regard to executing your move.”
Waka Waka Doctor also advised families not to move all at once, saying that one person should go ahead first to make arrangements.
“Imagine if all of you move and then what you see is different from what you’re used to—you’re caught flat-footed, and it’s difficult to catch your balance,” he said.
“But if one person goes, makes the arrangement, looks for accommodation, schools, and the best places to live, it makes adjustment easier.”
Waka Waka Doctor, who began his migration journey in 2014 after leaving Nigeria for the Middle East, said his initial move was driven by poor working conditions and low pay as a medical doctor.
“I never intended to leave Nigeria. I was severely underpaid and overworked,” he said. “I found a job opportunity in the Middle East and realised it was possible to live abroad and earn better than I did back home.”
Highlighting common signs of fraudulent migration schemes, he warned prospective migrants to be wary of “agents who sell fantasies rather than realities.”
“When someone promises you guarantees that they can assure you of a visa, a job, or admission, that’s a red flag,” he said. “If they have no registration or license, that’s a red flag. If they ask you to pay into personal accounts or rush you to make payments, that’s a red flag.”
He added that verifiable information about travel, visas, and work opportunities is available on official government websites and urged Nigerians to “take responsibility and do their own research.”
You have to make research an attitude. Don’t rely on your favourite influencer in Nigeria who says they can help you move abroad when they have never lived or worked abroad,” he cautioned.
Waka Waka Doctor also warned against migrating to unsafe or economically unstable countries.
“When you hear countries like Albania, Kazakhstan, or any country ending with ‘-stan’, please run,” he said. “Even places like Cyprus, once you hear ‘Cy’, don’t even finish it, just run.”
He explained that while there are legitimate opportunities abroad, Nigerians must ensure they are moving to places that offer real prospects for safety, economic stability, and quality of life.
Waka Waka Doctor ended the interview with a pointed message to Nigerian and African leaders, urging them to fix domestic problems that push citizens to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“Stop practices that only benefit your stomach and greed,” he said. “You cannot be a politician in a country where things don’t work, your family lives abroad, you use foreign passports, but there are no roads, no hospitals… people are paid poorly, teachers earn ₦20,000 or ₦30,000.”
He added that if basic infrastructure, fair wages, and good governance were in place, “nobody would want to leave.”
The migration expert continues to use his platform to educate Nigerians on safer, verified pathways to study, work, and live abroad, while reminding them that planning, patience, and prudence are the real keys to a successful Japa journey.
The All Progressives Congress in Plateau State has dismissed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Jos, stating that the ex-VP “lacks the locus standi to complain on behalf of the people of the State.”
In a statement signed on Monday by its acting publicity secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, Plateau APC said Atiku’s attack was politically motivated and “uninformed.”
PUNCH Online earlier reported that Tinubu over the weekend attended the funeral service for Mama Lydia held at the Church of Christ in Nations headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
During the service, the President delivered a speech calling for unity, peace, and tolerance, and urged residents to “shun religious and ethnic differences” and to coexist in harmony.
Reacting in a Saturday statement, Atiku condemned Tinubu’s decision to visit Plateau— one of the areas hardest hit by violent attacks as “a sad reflection of priorities and a mockery of leadership.”
He alleged the president’s decision to attend the event “under the auspices of his party’s national chairman” showed a lack of empathy and compassion.
The ex-VP argued that Tinubu should have visited to commiserate with victims of the persistent killings and displacement across the region.
But Plateau APC argued that Atiku’s censure ignored the role of state governors in maintaining security and the support the President has given to local security efforts.
The party said Atiku’s comments were tantamount to making “political capital” out of tragedy.
It said, “By all standards and definitions, Alhaji Atiku belongs to the class of the nation’s statesmen, in addition to the fact that he possesses the qualities of an infamous opposition leader in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“From the content of his statement and disposition, in the context of insurgency on the Plateau, it would not be out of place to say that Alhaji Atiku spoke in bad faith and also from an uninformed position.”
The party defended Tinubu, stating, “Undoubtedly, Asiwaju is the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and on whose shoulders the security of the citizens of the country rests, notwithstanding the fact that the state governors, too, owe the people the constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in their respective jurisdictions.
“In crisis situations, the President usually gives marching orders to the security agencies to, at all costs, restore peace and order, in addition to providing logistics support to effectively carry out their mandates.”
It noted that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s public acknowledgement of federal support for security operations in Plateau, and the warm reception Tinubu received in Jos, showed local appreciation for the president’s interventions.
While the APC conceded that dialogue on methods to defeat insecurity was legitimate, it insisted that Atiku’s broad criticism of a presidential condolence visit was misplaced.
“If Governor Mutfwang, the Chief Security of the State, could in all honesty publicly give the President a pat on the back, it stands to reason that Alhaji Atiku lacks the locus standi to complain on behalf of the people of the State,” the party said.
The Plateau APC urged critics to focus less on ceremonial visits and more on practical demands.
“What is of utmost importance and interest to the people of Plateau State is the need to provide more military assets as well as boots on the ground, to tackle the insurgents head-on, rather than ceremonial visits,” Plateau APC added.
The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals will expand from 12 to 16 teams beginning with the 2026 edition, The PUNCH reports.
Next year’s tournament in Morocco was initially planned to feature 12 nations, with qualifying already at its second and final round.
However, the expansion means an additional round of qualifying may be introduced, with 11 remaining teams expected to compete for four available slots.
Further details are expected after CAF’s executive committee meeting, currently taking place in Kinshasa.
WAFCON began as an eight-team tournament in 1998 and maintained that format until the 2018 edition in Ghana.
The 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before the competition returned with 12 teams in 2022.
CAF has increased investment in women’s football across the continent, with the prize fund for the most recent edition in Morocco rising by 45 per cent to $3.45m.
Champions Nigeria received $1m after claiming a record 10th title.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed satisfaction with the growth of the women’s game in Africa, saying he remains committed to its continued development.
“I am pleased with the progress we’ve made in women’s African football,” Motsepe said.
“Part of my starting point is making sure men and women are paid well and can make a career out of football. I can assure you women’s football will continue to improve because that is an area we are focusing on a lot.”
The Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba has declared that the crown of the Awujale of Ijebuland is not for sale and will only go to a rightful and legitimate candidate from the family.
Ajidagba made the declaration during a family gathering of more than 200 princes and princesses of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, held at Ile Nla Quarters, Agusenbi, Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun State on Sunday.
He reaffirmed that the Ijebu-Ode royal family remains strong and united, emphasizing that the Awujale stool is a sacred symbol of heritage and must not be commercialized.
“We are here today to welcome our new members, those who have seen the light and returned home to Ile-Nla, including Otunba Deji Osibogun, Engr. Kayode Shote, and others, the Awujale crown is not meant for outsiders or for sale. It is reserved for genuine members of the Fusengbuwa family.”
Ajidagba disclosed that more than 35 aspirants from within the family had been screened by the ruling house forum as potential candidates for the throne. He added that the kingsmakers would act accordingly when the time comes.
“There is no other faction of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House anywhere, the local government has given us the certificate of occupancy. We have eight units, and this has been the tradition for generations. I am the fifth generation from the Ile-Nla quarters. This is not a group of outsiders, but one built on genuine lineage.”
Speaking with journalists, one of the contestants, Prince Shakiru Bello said the family remains united, noting that the cooperation between the group has strengthened their common cause.
“The arrangements made by both factions have actually helped to foster unity in the family, we are hopeful that the best candidate will emerge as the next Awujale of Ijebuland.” – Bello said.
Another aspirant, Prince Senni Ottun, described the gathering as a unifying step forward, says the Fusengbuwa Ruling House at Ile-Nla is growing stronger by the day, adding that massive turnout shows that the family is moving in the right direction toward a promising future.
Fusengbuwa Royal House: Only Genuine Tunwase Members Are With Us – Ajidagba, Adeyemi Declare
The leadership of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode has dismissed claims of division within the Tunwase lineage, insisting that only the authentic Tunwase members are aligned with them.
Speaking at a press briefing held at Ajidagba’s residence on Friday, Otunba Adedokun Ajidagba, the Olori-Ebi of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, alongside Prince Adeleke Adeyemi, secretary of the ruling house who doubles as general secretary to the four ruling houses in Ijebu-Ode, countered recent statements credited to Chief Adetokunbo Fassy Yusuf during a press briefing held at Tunwase Museum and Hall, Olode Ijebu-Ode.
Ajidagba expressed surprise over what he described as distractions following the recent unification ceremony of two factions in Idowa, which was later presented to the Afobajes at the Awujale’s palace. According to him, representatives from all ruling families, including Tunwase, were duly recognized at that ceremony.
“Let me set the records straight, the Tunwase lineage has existed for over 120 years, actively participating in our meetings and family engagements as a recognized branch of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House. No outsider, as being claimed, has ever been part of this lineage.” – Ajidagba said.
Prince Adeleke Adeyemi reinforced this position, stressing that membership of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the Tunwase lineage is strictly by royal blood and not by association or self-claims.
He dismissed Yusuf’s assertions, describing them as baseless.
“Mr. Fassy Yusuf’s attempts to link himself to our royal dynasty lack any foundation. He has no ancestral ties to the Fusengbuwa Ruling House or the Tunwase lineage.
“I dare them to visit Ile-Nla Agunsenbi Quarters in Ijebu-Ode and identify any ancestral house belonging to their forebears or show evidence of their involvement in Fusengbuwa affairs before recent years.” Adeyemi stated.
Both leaders concluded by urging the public to disregard misleading claims and affirmed that the Tunwase royal family remains an inseparable part of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode.
