(DDM) – The Delta State chapter of the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN) has officially announced its 2025 Annual Conference.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the conference is scheduled to hold on Thursday, November 20, at the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Event Centre in Ibusa, attracting participants from across Delta State and neighbouring regions.

Dr. Felidae Essi, Chairman of the 2025 Conference Committee, stated that the event aims to celebrate excellence in community journalism, foster intellectual dialogue, and provide critical services to local residents.

The conference will kick off with a free medical outreach designed to reach hundreds of people from Ibusa and surrounding communities.

Healthcare services offered will include diabetes and blood pressure screenings, asthma evaluations, eye examinations, and general health consultations.

Medical professionals from several partner organisations, including private clinics and non-governmental health groups, will provide guidance, counselling, and referral services during the outreach.

The main conference session and keynote lecture will begin at 11:00 a.m., drawing media practitioners, policymakers, traditional rulers, corporate partners, and grassroots stakeholders.

Discussions will focus on the role of community newspapers in promoting mental health awareness, enhancing literacy, supporting youth engagement, and fostering socio-economic development.

Senator Peter Nwaoboshi will chair a panel session exploring how cooperative societies and community media can collaborate to promote wellness and sustainable development.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will attend as Special Guest of Honour, offering insights into the state government’s policies for supporting local media, civic engagement, and grassroots development initiatives.

The event will also honour notable Nigerians who have made significant contributions to media, community service, humanitarian efforts, and national development.

Special awards will be presented to journalists and community leaders who have demonstrated innovation, integrity, and impact in reporting local issues and improving community welfare.

Networking sessions will allow attendees to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and discuss strategies for expanding the reach and influence of community newspapers.

The 2025 ACNPN Annual Conference promises to unite thought leaders, celebrate achievers, and deliver life-enhancing services to grassroots communities, highlighting the transformative power of local media in Delta State.

(DDM) – Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has criticised the recent public conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, describing it as unbecoming of a government official and a threat to national security.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Buratai’s reaction follows a series of confrontations between Wike and military officers in Abuja, which escalated into public exchanges and raised questions about civil-military relations.

The former army chief, who also served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said such altercations undermine the discipline and operational integrity of the armed forces, which are constitutionally tasked with defending the nation.

Buratai cautioned that the military must never be dragged into political disputes or personal showdowns, stressing that any attempt to humiliate or intimidate service members in public could weaken morale and compromise national stability.

He noted that soldiers and officers operate under strict codes of conduct and hierarchical authority, warning that interference by political figures could erode mutual respect between civilian leaders and the defence establishment.

According to him, “the Nigerian military is the symbol of national sovereignty and unity. When politicians engage in confrontations with uniformed men, they not only display poor judgment but also send the wrong signal to the international community.”

The retired general further appealed to the federal government to maintain clear boundaries between political administration and security command structures, emphasizing that national security should never be politicized or personalized.

DDM reports that Buratai’s comments came days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was reported to have publicly backed Lieutenant A.M. Yerima and other officers involved in the recent altercation with the FCT Minister.

The president’s statement, which praised the military for putting their lives on the line to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty, was widely interpreted as a subtle rebuke to Wike’s actions.

Security analysts have also weighed in, warning that repeated public clashes between civil authorities and the armed forces could embolden insubordination or provoke wider unrest within the ranks.

They argue that a stable civil-military relationship remains essential for effective governance, peacekeeping, and internal security operations across Nigeria.

Buratai urged the media and the public to remain vigilant and to promote narratives that support institutional integrity rather than personality clashes, adding that the nation’s unity depends on discipline and mutual respect among all arms of government.

He reaffirmed his confidence in the Nigerian Army’s professionalism but insisted that leaders at all levels must demonstrate restraint and decorum in their dealings with uniformed personnel.

Observers say the ongoing controversy could force the presidency to revisit the boundaries of ministerial authority, especially in relations involving security formations in the capital territory.

Buratai’s statement, analysts note, reflects growing concern among retired officers about the politicization of Nigeria’s security architecture.

(DDM) – The controversial case involving APC Senator Prince Ned Nwoko has gained international attention after activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore publicly highlighted allegations of child abuse, sexual assault, and drug introduction against the senator.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Sowore, through his verified social media handles, revealed that Nwoko allegedly married Nollywood actress Regina Daniels when she was only 17 years old, legally a minor under United Kingdom law, where Nwoko is a registered solicitor.

Legal analysts warn that if these claims are verified, any sexual activity following the marriage could constitute statutory rape under British law.

Sowore’s post further accused Senator Nwoko of introducing Daniels to hard drugs while she was still underage and coercing her into repeated sexual relations.

The activist stressed that these allegations are not moral failings but serious criminal offences that demand legal investigation and prosecution.

According to Sowore, it is unacceptable for Nwoko to continue practising law in the United Kingdom while facing such grave allegations.

He urged the Law Society of England and Wales and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to commence disciplinary proceedings before the Independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) to determine the senator’s fitness to practise law.

Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, has been accused of using political influence, wealth, and connections with security agencies to suppress victims and prevent accountability, according to Sowore.

Activists and human rights groups have echoed these concerns, insisting that no public official should be above the law.

Observers told DDM that the case, now widely trending online, may have both national and international implications. “If these allegations are substantiated, Nwoko’s legal status in the UK and his political career in Nigeria could face serious repercussions,” a legal rights campaigner said.

Sowore’s revelations have reignited public discourse on impunity among Nigerian elites and the protection of minors.

Civil society advocates have called for joint investigations by Nigerian authorities and international legal bodies to ensure that justice is served.

As of publication, Senator Nwoko has not issued any response to the allegations, while Regina Daniels has remained silent.

Meanwhile, Sowore continues to post updates, urging authorities to act decisively and warning that “impunity has an expiry date.”