Sokoto Operations Office of NEMA (SOO) call on relevant regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the waterways to enforce compliance of safety protocols and standard in the use of canoes and boats for transportation and commercial activities, particularly ensuring the use of life jackets by crew and passengers.

The call was made in response to another boat accident that happened on Friday 22nd August, 2025 in Garin-faji, Sabon-birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Manzo Ezekiel NEMA Press unit Headquarters, Abuja, reported that a total of 30 persons were involved in canoe accident

” So far, out of the 30 persons involved in the accident, 21 survived including 2 canoe operators, 6 dead bodies were recovered from the river and 3 persons are still missing.

Search and rescue operation is still ongoing to find the 3 missing persons. However, the 6 bodies recovered from the water were already buried according to Islamic rite before the arrival of the joint team to the village.

NEMA, SOO responded to the report of the mishap yesterday alongside other stakeholders which include, NIWA, SEMA, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Red Cross, Sokoto State Ministry of Works, member representing Sabon-birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly in the company of officials of the local government council and traditional leaders.

Sokoto Operations Office is closely monitoring the search and rescue operations and will continue to bring update on the incident.”

…..As Director-General Reflects on the National Broadcasting Commission’s Legacy and Future.

In a message marking the 33rd anniversary of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, acknowledged the organization’s significant contributions to the Nigerian broadcasting landscape.

Established three decades ago, the NBC was created with the crucial role of regulating, guiding, and developing the broadcasting industry nationwide.

The Director-General’s message highlighted the NBC’s journey, acknowledging both the successes and challenges faced over the years.

The statement reads:

“To the Management and Staff of the NBC, Esteemed Licensees, and Fellow Nigerians:” “Today marks a significant milestone in our nation’s broadcasting journey”.

“The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was established 33 years ago with a singular mandate: to regulate, guide, and nurture the broadcasting industry in Nigeria”.

“Over these three decades, we have grown together — from the era of limited analogue transmissions to the present digital age where voices, stories, and innovations find expression across multiple platforms”.

“This anniversary is not merely about numbers, but about the shared commitment of our staff, the resilience of our licensees, and the trust of the Nigerian public”.

“It is about the values of professionalism, integrity, and service to the public interest that have carried us through the years.

I therefore extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Executive Board of Management, the entire NBC family, and indeed all stakeholders who continue to uphold these values”.

“Looking Back with Pride from the earliest days of national radio and television, through the liberalisation of the broadcast space, to the present drive towards digital switchover, the Commission has consistently sought to ensure that broadcasting remains a tool for education, information, and national integration”.

“We have weathered challenges, adapted to changes, and remained a pillar in upholding national standards”.

Looking Forward with Purpose.

“As we celebrate this 33rd anniversary, we must equally look to the future with clarity and resolve”.

“The landscape of broadcasting is changing rapidly — artificial intelligence, online streaming, satellite-driven platforms, and converged media are now defining the way societies consume information”.

“Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.

The NBC is committed to:

Deepening Digital Transition: Ensuring the success of Nigeria’s Digital Switchover project, with platforms that guarantee universal access, affordability, and inclusivity.

1. Strengthening Local Content: Supporting Nigerian creativity and talent so that our airwaves reflect who we are — our values, our cultures, and our aspirations.
2. Promoting Responsible Broadcasting: Expanding our capacity to monitor, guide, and check misinformation, disinformation, and harmful content that threaten social cohesion.
3. Harnessing Technology for Regulation: Deploying modern digital tools, including AI-driven monitoring and data-driven audience measurement systems, to keep pace with global standards.
4. Partnerships and Collaboration: Working hand-in-hand with licensees, industry players, and international partners to create a broadcasting environment that is vibrant, innovative, and globally competitive.
5. Our Shared Responsibility:
6. Broadcasting is not only about regulation; it is about nation building. Every station, every producer, every regulator, and every viewer or listener is a custodian of our collective narrative.
7. “Together, we can ensure that the airwaves remain a space of truth, creativity, education, and unity.
8. “On this 33rd anniversary, let us renew our pledge — as management, staff, licensees, and the Nigerian people — to build a broadcasting industry that not only serves today but also secures the future”.
9. “Congratulations once again to the NBC family and all our stakeholders”.
10. “May the years ahead be marked by even greater achievements for the broadcasting sector and for Nigeria”.

A final-year student at Government Day Secondary School, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, Miss Praise Malachi, tragically lost her life to flooding while rushing home to check her SSCE results, which a friend had told her were excellent.

The 16-year-old had earned a scholarship from the Centre for Girls Education, Zaria, in recognition of her outstanding academic performance.

Her father, Emmanuel Malachi, recounted that around 6:00 pm after heavy rain, Praise’s friends informed her at his shop about her results. Excited, she hurried home to check them on her phone but slipped while crossing a small river formed by severe erosion and was swept away by the floodwaters. Her body was recovered the next day in Hunkuyi, Kudan Local Government Area.

Neighbors Danladi Mudi and Emma Yashi explained that the area’s worsening erosion has made it highly prone to flooding, with several children having lost their lives in similar incidents before.

Habiba Mohammed, Director of the Centre for Girls Education, described Praise as an exceptional student and expressed deep sorrow over her death. She urged authorities to address the erosion problem and build a bridge on the dangerous road to prevent further tragedies.