News
TVC News Appoints Babajide Kolade-Otitoju as News Director
Television Continental Communications (TVC) has announced the appointment of seasoned journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju as its new Director of News.
The appointment was revealed by the organisation’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Ajayi, during a town hall meeting at the station’s headquarters in Lagos.
Otitoju, who previously served as Director of Current Affairs at TVC, brings decades of experience in broadcast journalism to the role. He is widely recognised as a prominent figure on the station’s flagship daily socio-political programme, Journalists’ Hangout, where he offers incisive analysis on national issues.
In separate interviews, several TVC staff members praised the decision, describing it as “wise” and noting that Otitoju has “paid his dues” in transforming the station. They highlighted his earlier stint as Acting Director of News, during which TVC clinched the Best Station of the Year award for two consecutive years.
Staff expressed optimism that under Otitoju’s leadership, TVC is poised to reclaim its position as a pacesetter in Nigeria’s competitive broadcast industry.
A respected investigative journalist, historian, polemicist, and political analyst, Otitoju hails from Ekirin Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, his new role places him at the forefront of shaping the station’s coverage of critical national discourse.
The appointment has drawn congratulations from various quarters, underscoring Otitoju’s reputation as a towering figure in Nigerian media with over three decades of excellence.
Profile:
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, a veteran Nigerian journalist and prominent anchor on TVC News’ flagship program *Journalists’ Hangout*, is widely regarded as an investigative journalist, political analyst, and security commentator. With over three decades in broadcast journalism, he has earned awards including Political Analyst of the Year and Security Analyst of the Year.
His work often involves on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis of national issues, and discussions on corruption, security, and governance.
While Otitoju is frequently described as a “fearless” and “investigative” figure—known for dissecting socio-political matters without prejudice—specific standalone exposés are less prominently documented in public sources compared to his daily commentary and panel discussions.
His investigations typically emerge through *Journalists’ Hangout* segments, personal insights from sources, and field visits. Here are some key examples drawn from his reported work:- **Accountant General of the Federation Fraud (2022)**:
During a *Journalists’ Hangout* discussion on the arrest of the Accountant General for alleged embezzlement, Otitoju revealed—based on a trusted EFCC source—that the stolen amount exceeded the reported N80 billion. This claim highlighted deeper probing into the scandal.-
**Fake NGO Allegations Against TVC**: In an earlier incident, Otitoju investigated threats from a purported NGO linked to Nigerian generals.
He verified that the organization’s address was nonexistent and described its operator as a “freelance miscreant,” preventing potential misinformation from affecting his station.- **Security and Counter-Terrorism Reporting**:
Otitoju has conducted field investigations in conflict zones, including visits to military fronts like Buni Yadi in Yobe State and areas affected by Boko Haram (e.g., Sambisa Forest references in public discourse). His analyses often cover banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism financing, such as allegations that ransom payments fund property acquisitions by criminals.-
**Refinery Operations and Infrastructure**: He has personally toured facilities like the Warri Refinery to verify operational status amid public skepticism, countering claims of shutdowns with on-site evidence. Similar fact-checking extends to projects like the Mambilla Dam, where he highlighted unfulfilled allocations despite surveys.-
**Police Funding and Governance Issues**: Otitoju disclosed details on police “imprest” allowances for Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and critiqued funding gaps, noting contributions from states and private donors like Aliko Dangote.-
**Other Topical Probes**: Discussions have included electoral reforms (e.g., electronic transmission of results), bandit designation as terrorists, anchor borrowers’ loan discrepancies (attributing misuse to politicians via fake cooperatives), and high-profile cases like the JAMB result forgery saga.Otitoju’s style emphasizes balanced analysis, source-based revelations, and direct verification, often distinguishing him in debates on national controversies.
His promotion to Director of News at TVC in December 2025 reflects recognition of this track record in reshaping the station’s credibility.
News
South African kills Nigerian bar worker
Olaleye was allegedly shot by a South African national following an argument over whether a drinking glass should be taken outside the bar.
• South African police
The Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) says Olatunde Olaleye, a 40-year-old father of two, has been shot dead in the country.
According to NAN, NUSA said Olaleye, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, was killed on September 21 while working at Spanata Bar and Grills in Mamelodi, Pretoria.
Smart Nwobi, NUSA president-general, in a statement on Thursday, said Olaleye was a husband and father of two children, adding that his death has left his family devastated.
He said the union is concerned by reports that Olaleye was allegedly shot by a South African national following an argument over whether a drinking glass should be taken outside the bar.
According to him, there were also reports that the suspect returned to the premises to threaten the bar’s management, with a promise that members of his crew would return.
Nwobi called for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“We cannot continue to lose Nigerians under circumstances that leave families devastated and communities traumatised,” he said.
News
Nigerian Editors Brace for Democracy Protection Ahead of 2027 Elections
“As editors, we must remain above board in an increasingly polarised environment. We must not become agents of disorder. Neither should we display contradictory tendencies that cause the citizenry to question our credibility,” Anaba said.
Enugu|•L-R Prof Pat Utomi; Prof Chinyere Okunna and Eze Anaba President Nigerian Guild of Editors at the 22nd All Nigerian Editors Conference in Enugu. Photo. Nwankpa Chijioke
Nigerian editors have been urged to protect the credibility of the ballot and help safeguard democracy as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The call was made by Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, in his welcome address at the 22nd Annual All Nigerian Editors Conference, which opened today in Enugu.
The conference is themed, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.”
Anaba said the media, alongside other critical institutions, had a responsibility to nurture democracy by ensuring that voters were adequately informed and that electoral outcomes reflected the choices of the people.
According to him, the ballot can only fulfil its democratic purpose when voters have access to credible information and are able to make their choices freely, without intimidation or undue influence.
He urged editors and journalists to uphold verification, independence, accuracy, fairness, accountability and courage, particularly in an era of social media, artificial intelligence, deepfakes and the rapid spread of misinformation.
“As editors, we must remain above board in an increasingly polarised environment. We must not become agents of disorder. Neither should we display contradictory tendencies that cause the citizenry to question our credibility,” Anaba said.
He stressed that the media’s overarching responsibility was to serve the public good and help ensure that government derived its legitimacy from the consent of the people.
News
Works Minister Orders Tinubu’s Pictures On First Niger Bridge
“The President has worked so hard and we need to reward his hard work by decorating this bridge with his pictures.”
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ordered the removal of illegal advertisements from the rehabilitated First Niger Bridge and their replacement with pictures of President Bola Tinubu, saying the display would recognise the President’s work on infrastructure.
Umahi gave the directive during an inspection of ongoing rehabilitation works on the bridge linking Anambra and Delta states.
He said the bridge was expected to reopen to motorists next week, subject to the completion of critical structural work.
“Once we are done with work on this bridge, I want all the illegal adverts on this bridge removed. Anyone who wants to advertise should apply to the Ministry of Works. For now, the bridge will be decorated with the pictures of President Tinubu,” Umahi said.
“The President has worked so hard and we need to reward his hard work by decorating this bridge with his pictures.”
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