society

National Park Service needs more support from stakeholders – CG

Published

6 years ago

February 23, 2020

By Ifeoma Ikem

Dr Ibrahim Musa Goni, the Conservator-General, National Park Service(NPK), says the seven national Parks across the nation need more support from all stakeholders.

Goni, while reacting to the reports of the material support made to two of its Parks said the donations will help the NPK to, not only survive, but thrive.

The support materials were given to the Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP) by the Taraba State government and the Cross River National Park (CRNP) by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

According to the CG, ‘the donations will definitely help the Parks in their operations, but most importantly, they will encourage more stakeholders to realise that the work of conservation is indeed everybody’s business.

“The ecosystem and wildlife constitute part of this nation’s heritage and this becomes doubly important in this day of mounting concern over insecurity and climate change.

“I want it to be in the consciousness of Nigerians that we all have our roles to play in our own little ways to preserve and conserve nature.

“To this end, we are most grateful to both the Taraba State government and WCS for this invaluable assistance,’’ Goni said.

At the GGNP, the Taraba State government had through its Commissioner for Works, Irmiya Hamman-Julde donated three (3) new motorcycles to Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP).

Hamman-Julde said the assistance was aimed at supporting the protection activities of the Park and addressing its security challenges.

He said that the governor has approved the construction of the Mayo- Kam Bridge and also considering the possibility of providing some communication gadgets to the Park.

Mr Kabir Mohammed, the Conservator of Park (CP) GGNP while receiving the motorcycles said that the gesture by the state government was a most welcome one.

“We appreciate this timely support and promise that they would solely be used in the protection of the Park and for security surveillance.

“On behalf of the CG, we plead with other state governments playing host to other National Parks across the country to emulate this kind gesture.

In a similar development at CRNP, Mr Andrew Dunn, the Country Director, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) who handed over the support materials to the park said that the items were from four different organisations.
The organisations are Arcus Foundation, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and the Rainforest Trust.

Dunn said the items were meant for Okwangwo Division for the protection of Cross River Gorilla.

He also expressed hope that more items will be received in the near future for the benefit of Oban Division, and called for proper handling and utilisation of the items.

Mrs Caroline Olory, the CP of CRNP took delivery of some Park patrol and monitoring equipment for Okwangwo Sector of the Park from the WCS Country Director, Mr Andrew Dunn.

The items received were10 motorcycles and helmets, 10 sleeping mats, 10 camping tents, 3 camera traps including security cases, master lock cables, 32GB memory cards with 18 packs of rechargeable batteries and 30 ponchos.

Olory commended WCS for being progressive partners, and called for more support that will impact on the livelihood of the communities.

“Sometimes it is almost impossible for us to put into words the depth of gratitude we feel for partners in progress that come out to so richly strengthen us.
“We simply say, thank you”, Olory said

society

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

Published

7 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Thursday, played host to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, promising to galvanise his expansive political structure to ensure Hamzat’s victory at the forthcoming governorship election.

Dr Hamzat is the presumptive APC candidate for the Lagos governorship seat, and the engagement was part of his ongoing strategic consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders and leaders.

Speaker Obasa extolled Hamzat’s pedigree, commitment to infrastructure development, and loyalty to the party, adding that for the continued development of Lagos State, every discerning electorate must rally round him.

“I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State. You have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to our great party and even greater competence in serving Lagos. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election,” Speaker Obasa declared.

Responding, Dr Hamzat expressed gratitude for the warm reception while highlighting Obasa’s legislative experience and political network, which he said are invaluable. He reiterated his focus on collaborative governance, saying, “Lagos is a collective project. My consultations are not about personal ambition but about ensuring continuity, innovation, and inclusive development for our people,” Hamzat said.

society

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Published

13 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Security operatives in Sokoto State have foiled a coordinated kidnapping attempt by armed bandits targeting two communities, killing one suspect and launching a manhunt for others who escaped with injuries.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Ahmad Rufa’i, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday following a distress call received at about 12:30 a.m. reporting simultaneous attacks on Illela Village, also known as Achida Town, and Kwargaba Hamlet.

“The Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams, responded swiftly to the distress call,” he said. “Our operatives, who were already on high alert, engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel and successfully repelled the attack.”

Rufa’i disclosed that the security forces overpowered the assailants after a prolonged exchange of gunfire, neutralising one suspect who was dressed in military camouflage, while others fled with gunshot wounds into the nearby Gundumi Forest.

“An intensive manhunt is ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects who escaped into the forest with varying degrees of injuries,” he added.

However, before the arrival of security personnel, the bandits reportedly shot and killed a member of the Kwargaba community vigilante group. His body has since been recovered and released to his family for burial.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest security agency, assuring that efforts are being intensified to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

society

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Published

15 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – April 23, 2026

Successful actors, producers and movie makers like; the Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi were among the facilitators who trained 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria at the just concluded Africa Gospel Film Project (AGFP) 2026.

The groundbreaking 6-day Intensive Filmmaking Masterclass and Spiritual Formation Program, were 60 emerging Christian filmmakers from Nigeria and Zambia were trained in Abuja was held at the Gospel Cinema International /High Definition Film Academy (HDFA) Facility in Gwarinpa.

The program brought together a distinguished lineup of facilitators from Nigeria and the United States, positioning AGFP as a leading platform for faith-based filmmaking development in Africa.

Among the international facilitators was Stephen Kendrick of the Kendrick Brothers, known for films such as The Forge, War Room, Facing the Giants, and Courageous, Overcomer, Fireproof, who delivered a powerful session titled “Heart of The Filmmaker.” Also featured was Cameron Arnett, who led sessions on “Christ Over Career” and acting for film.

Other notable speakers included Nick Carey (Kingdom Story Company), who spoke on “The Making of a Faith-Based Blockbuster Movie,” as well as Bob Saenz (Screenwriting Masterclass), Beverly Holloway (Acting Masterclass), David Cook, Adam Drake, Prince Daniel (Aboki), Lummie Adevbie, Chris Odeh, and Jennifer Keltner (Identity & Storytelling), among others.

The program opened with a strong spiritual foundation, including worship and a keynote by the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, titled “Calling & Identity: Film as Spiritual Influence/Programming,” which challenged participants to view storytelling as a tool for cultural and spiritual transformation.

Participants were grouped into four production studios—House of Gideon, House of Caleb, House of Joshua, and House of David—and underwent three days of intensive masterclasses and workshops across screenwriting, directing, cinematography, acting, editing, and producing, alongside deep spiritual formation.

On Day 4, teams developed and pitched short film concepts for professional review and approval. Day 5 was dedicated to full-scale production, with all four teams executing their projects under real industry conditions.

The program culminated on Day 6 with:

A Pitch-A-Thon, where 20 filmmakers presented original projects for funding and collaboration.

A public screening of four short films produced during the program

Professional feedback from a panel of judges.

Certification of all participants

Awards for best Screenplay, Cinematography, directing, editing, acting, and overall best short film.

The closing ceremony featured a powerful commissioning session led by Pastor Ikenna Okeke, where participants were prayed for and consecrated as “God’s Creative Army.”

Speaking after the event, the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, described AGFP 2026 as “a movement to raise storytellers who will shape culture and influence nations through truth-driven films.

Films that honor God”

With its successful debut, AGFP is now preparing for its next edition, following its mandate to train 300 Christian filmmakers across Africa and develop a slate of six global faith-based films over a three-year period.

The Africa Gospel Film Project continues to position itself as a catalyst for purpose-driven storytelling, industry excellence, and spiritual transformation in African cinema.