ARISE NEWS

TRAGIC DEATH : SOMTOCHUKWU CHRISTELLE MADUAGWU December 26, 1995 - September 29, 2025 It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the ARISE News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu. Sommie tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025 following an armed robbery incident in her residence in Katampe area of Abuja that is being investigated by the Nigeria Police. Sommie, 29, was not only a cherished member of the ARISE News family but also a vibrant voice that engaged and connected with our viewers. Beyond the airwaves, Sommie was a lawyer who was a professional and supportive colleague and a friend to many. We extend our deepest condolences to Sommie’s parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and loved ones at this difficult time. Sommie’s voice is now silent but her spirit, passion and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory. We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension and prosecution of the culprits. Hadiza Usman-Ajayi For Management

This Week @40: Obaigbena Was Relentless About This Project 40 Years Ago - Olumhense He will show up at my house at midnight just to discuss the project. We talked until I began to see things his way, and I joined the project. Sonala Olumhense, Founding Editor, ThisWeek Magazine

Fake Agency: The President’s Chief of Staff Should Have Been Asked to Step Aside and Let Investigations Happen - Mamedu The initial statement from the presidency exonerating him was a big mistake. This statement has still not been retracted. Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria

Germany’s media regulator ruled Google AI Overviews and Perplexity are subject to national media law, increasing oversight of AI-generated content. ow.ly/wfe9106AWiP

Fake Agency: Someone Very Powerful Interfered With Agencies Catching This - Jega There is a presidential embargo on employment, but the head of the service of the federation waved the embargo and allowed Adeyemi 300 staff, including 10 directors. Mahmud Jega, Arise Analyst

Israeli strikes across Gaza killed nine Palestinians, including a 10-year-old boy, as ceasefire violations continued during ongoing peace negotiations. ow.ly/e3Wq106AWh7

Spain outclasses France 2-0, with goals from Oyarzabal and Porro secured a place in the World Cup final. ow.ly/mgUU106AWeN

"There's nothing more absurd than the 'Emi Lokan' slogan." — @falzthebahdguy Reacting to comments by Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on celebrities and philanthropy, @falzthebahdguy said artists shouldn't feel pressured to meet public expectations, adding that he finds the "Emi Lokan" slogan absurd because, in his view, it suggests that one individual's political journey was ultimately about attaining power. He sits with ARISE 360 anchors @seyitanatigarin and @nicoleabebe. To catch the full interview head over to the Arise News Channel on YouTube

"If you have a problem with me, you are the problem." — @falzthebahdguy The rapper and activist opens up on whether speaking out has ever cost him partnerships or opportunities in a candid conversation with ARISE 360 anchors @seyitanatigarin and @nicoleabebe. To catch the full interview, head over to the Arise News Channel on Youtube.

A UK study found social media restrictions improved teenagers’ sleep, wellbeing, focus and mood while encouraging healthier digital habits overall. ow.ly/N5NE106AVnn

Officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), yesterday sealed up three factories in Awada area of Onitsha over non-compliance with acceptable production standards. ow.ly/ox1v106AVkQ

Ed Sheeran helps shape a £12.5 million initiative bringing free music education, mentoring and recording facilities to England’s libraries.  ow.ly/21VK106AViJ

BREAKING NEWS: COURT ISSUES WARRANT OF ARREST ON 'FAKE DG' ADEYEMI Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant for the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi the self-styled Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). In a short ruling, the judge issued a bench warrant owing to the failure of the defendant to show up in court to take his plea in a case instituted against him by the Nigeria Police Force. Adeyemi faces an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation, and related offences.

ADC Judgment Deepening Leadership Crisis Born Out of Political Rascality - Nwosu The names of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi have both been uploaded as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The names of all National Assembly members have also been uploaded. There has been no judgment so far, other than the one reaffirming the validity of the process that produced David Mark, Aregbesola, and others. All matters relating to the national leadership of the ADC are not in contention. Yesterday, the Court of Appeal focused on the congresses orchestrated by state party chairmen Ralph Nwosu Former ADC Chairman

Almajiri Commission Allocated N8.4 billion In 2026 Budget To Construct Roads In Ogun, Katsina and Ekiti states. The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education is now facing scrutiny after its 2026 budget allocated over eight billion Naira to roads, streetlights, ambulances and medical equipment instead of projects directly tied to educating out-of-school children. Watch What’s Trending With @OjyOkpe

PFIPC director-general Adeniyi Adeyemi says lenders petitioned the EFCC after he borrowed N400 million to secure his appointment. ow.ly/ZJKK106AUIW

There's a Constitutional Abomination Perpetrated By Tinubu — Adebayo Whatever the Constitution says President Tinubu should do, he doesn’t. Whatever it says he shouldn’t do, he does. When it comes to following the law on appropriation and budget discipline, he does not comply. The second abomination is anti-democratic. His administration has undermined the opposition, squeezed the public space, limited people’s options, and passed or encouraged terrible electoral laws just for its own advantage. Adewole Adebayo, SDP Presidential Candidate

Tinubu-Shettima Muslim-Muslim Ticket A Zero-Zero Ticket for Muslims — Adebayo There is no such thing as a "Muslim-Muslim ticket." From the perspective of Muslims in Nigeria, the current administration is offering a zero-zero ticket. In Islam, what is expected of a leader is not his religion, but justice. The entire concept of the Muslim-Muslim ticket was a ploy to defraud the populace. One of the biggest proponents of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Nasir El-Rufai, is now calling for justice — the biggest irony in this narrative. Nigerians will not be deceived by such gimmicks. Adewole Adebayo, SDP Presidential Candidate

Onanuga accuses Makinde of playing politics after the Oyo governor calls for a UN probe into the Ogbomoso abduction. ow.ly/bbin106AUAV

US lobbying firm offers asylum support to PFIPC director-general Adeniyi Adeyemi after allegations linked to the council trigger investigations calls. ow.ly/Hjr3106AUA6

Oyo Governor Makinde  seeks a UN investigation into the Ogbomoso school abduction after rescued pupils and teachers return safely home alive. ow.ly/otcr106AUA5