•Peter Onwubuariri

Assistant Director, Media, at the Presidential Villa, Peter Onwubuariri, has died in Kano after a prolonged illness.

Onwubuariri, a veteran journalist and staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria, died at the age of 48, according to his wife, Catherine Ezinna Onwubuariri.

He reportedly died on Monday after receiving treatment for about a month at the Kano Cancer Hospital under the state government’s treatment authorisation.

His remains were released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday for burial in Owerri, Imo State.

The corpse was handed over to Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, State House, Oche Egwa, on behalf of the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged obstruction of his convoy on Tuesday by suspected political thugs and security operatives in Benue State.

Obi’s convoy was blocked along Boko Road, near the Air Force Base, shortly after arriving in Benue.

Obi, who was in the state to commiserate with communities affected by recent killings, said that his team was stopped from gaining access to the area where he intended to pay a condolence visit.

Speaking at the scene, Obi said he was informed that youths allegedly sponsored by the state governor had blocked the road and were preventing him from proceeding.

“I am here in a place where people have been killed. I am here to commiserate with them, but now I have been told that youths sponsored by the governor have blocked the road and made sure I do not go in,” Obi said.

He noted that he remained at the location for some time and questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged blockade.

“I have been standing here since. We cannot have a country like this. It does not make sense to me. The rascality is totally unacceptable,” he said.

Obi expressed concern over the spate of killings in Benue, saying people who wanted to visit affected communities and show solidarity should be allowed to do so.

“People are being killed every day in Benue. People want to condole them and show that they are with them. I came here only to be told we cannot go in,” he said.

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has confirmed veteran labour journalist, Comrade Moses John Akwashiki as its substantive General Secretary.

Akwashiki’s appointment was approved by the National Working Committee of the union and took effect from September 5, following his stint as Acting General Secretary.

The appointment marks a notable transition for Akwashiki, who spent more than 15 years reporting on organised labour, industrial relations, trade unions and workers’ issues before moving into union administration.

In a letter conveying the approval, JUSUN national president, Comrade Marwan Mustapha Adamu, congratulated Akwashiki, and urged him to discharge his responsibilities in accordance with the union’s Constitution and Code of Conduct.

The letter, titled “Confirmation of Appointment as Substantive General Secretary of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria”, stated that the National Working Committee had approved his appointment with effect from September 5.

• TRIBUNE