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Just In: Professor Amupitan Sworn-In As INEC Chairman By President Tinubu
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Abuja – Nigeria President, His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), has on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, officially sworn in Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the substantive Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Daily Observer reported.
The brief but very important ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marking a new chapter in the leadership of the nation’s Electoral Umpire.
Iduwunivoice recall the Professor Amupitan’s swearing in followed his recent confirmation by the Senate earlier in the week, after a rigorous screening process. The legal scholar, known for his expertise in constitutional and electoral law, succeeded Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure came to an end earlier this month.
In his remarks during the ceremony, President Tinubu charged the new INEC boss to uphold transparency, fairness, and integrity in the conduct of elections across the country. He emphasized that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy rests largely on the impartiality and efficiency of the electoral commission.
“The responsibility before you is enormous,” Tinubu was quoted as saying
“You must work to strengthen public confidence in our electoral system and ensure that every vote truly counts.”
Professor Amupitan, in his brief response, expressed gratitude to the President and the National Assembly for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to discharge his duties with honesty, diligence, and a commitment to strengthening the democratic institutions.
Political observers however, have lauded Amupitan’s appointment, describing him as a reasoned academic and respected legal mind capable of steering the commission towards greater independence and credibility.
With the next round of major elections approaching in several states, expectations are high that the new INEC leadership will build on existing reforms and address challenges that have long plagued the Nigeria’s electoral process.
(c) IduwiniVoice
By Charity Ebi
Prominent Niger Delta groups, including the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) and the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), have passed a vote of confidence on Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), as he marks two years in office.
The stakeholders, in separate statements, commended Otuaro’s leadership, describing his tenure as transformative and reform-driven. They noted that within two years, the PAP boss has overseen institutional restructuring, expanded foreign scholarship opportunities, strengthened vocational and marine training programmes, and deepened youth empowerment initiatives across the Niger Delta.
According to the groups, the reinstatement of foreign scholarship schemes and technical training programmes has benefited more than 2,000 students and former agitators, boosting human capital development in the region. They also credited Otuaro with fostering improved collaboration between the amnesty office, community leaders and critical stakeholders, thereby strengthening trust in the programme.
The South-South Traditional Council and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, also joined in applauding the PAP Administrator. They described him as a “game-changer” and a “bridge-builder” whose accountability and peacebuilding efforts have enhanced stability in the region.
Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Otuaro has repeatedly emphasized transparency, structured reforms and sustainable reintegration of beneficiaries. Observers say his administration’s focus on education, skills acquisition and stakeholder engagement reflects a shift toward long-term development rather than short-term interventions.
The endorsing groups urged Niger Delta leaders to sustain their support for the programme, expressing confidence that continued reforms under Otuaro would further consolidate peace and development in the oil-rich region.
By: Derick Peretengboro
The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) has taken a significant step towards its upcoming leadership transition with the inauguration of an Electoral Committee to oversee its next election.
The committee was formally inaugurated during a congress held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Warri, Delta State.
According to the forum, “Mr. Francis Abai of Pen Global, Mr. Cletus Opukeme of Daily Watch, and Mr. Joseph Kanjo of Info Daily were nominated to serve on the Electoral Committee.” Following the nominations, “Mr. Abai was appointed Chairman, while Mr. Opukeme will serve as Secretary. Mr. Kanjo is a member of the committee.”
The move comes as the incumbent National Executive Council, led by Comrade Ozobo Austin, approaches the end of its tenure. The current NEC is expected to step down on February 29, 2026, paving the way for a new leadership structure to emerge through what stakeholders hope will be a credible and transparent process.
In a related development, the forum also constituted a Constitution Review Committee to strengthen its internal regulatory framework. Membership of the review panel includes “Mr. Tare Magbei of Daily Report Nigeria, Mr. Francis Abai of Pen Global, and Mr. Ezekiel Kagbala of Focal Point.”
Both committees are expected to “play key roles in strengthening the forum’s internal processes and ensuring a credible and orderly electoral exercise,” a statement from the forum noted.
The inauguration has been widely regarded within the IPF as a proactive measure to enforce accountability, enhance democratic participation, and consolidate the forum’s institutional integrity ahead of its crucial transition.
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Matthew Tonlagha’s 50th Birthday to be Marked With Worship & Thanksgiving in Effurun, Feb. 2nd.
By: Divine Perezide
Effurun, Delta State — The Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Mr. Matthew Tonlagha, will celebrate his 50th birthday with a worship-centred thanksgiving event, tagged Birthday Praise Day, on Monday, February 2, 2026.
According to details released by GbaramatuVoice, the golden jubilee celebration will take place at the Mieka Event Centre, located within Mosheshe Estate in Effurun. The programme is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
Organisers described the event as a spiritually focused gathering that blends worship, gratitude, and reflection rather than a conventional birthday party. The celebration is aimed at acknowledging what Mr. Tonlagha has reportedly termed “Grace upon Grace” over the course of his life.
The occasion will feature notable gospel ministers from across Nigeria, who are expected to lead attendees in praise and thanksgiving. The organisers stated that the session will highlight five decades of divine guidance, favour, and accomplishments in Mr. Tonlagha’s family life, business endeavours, and personal journey.
Relatives, friends, business associates, well-wishers, and members of the Christian community, have been invited to participate. The hosts said the event will be marked by joyful worship, heartfelt testimonies, and expressions of gratitude, reflecting what they consider God’s faithfulness through the years.
The statement urged attendees to come in a spirit of expectancy, ready to join in collective praise as the celebrant reaches the milestone age of 50.