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

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says he will personally lead Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in Abuja, citing infrastructure delivery as key. ow.ly/18Uh106FlC3

Senator Victor Umeh has urged the Federal Government to declare Anambra Central an ecological disaster zone following worsening erosion and flooding. ow.ly/2Gxl106FlBX

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are preparing a high-level defence meeting as Houthi attacks on the kingdom intensify. ow.ly/WgEI106FlBW

UNGA 81: United Nations Reforms Top of the Agenda — Abdulkadir Countries especially from the global south which includes Nigeria have been at the forefront of advocacy for reforms in the United Nations. It has been a single agenda for African nations and the reform being about ensuring there is an expansion of the United Nations security council. Alkasim Abdulkadir Diplomatic & Foreign Affairs Analyst

The Popularity of the Candidate Who Wins Shouldn't Matter, but the Unity of the Country Should — Tietie The idea is to guarantee a sufficient spread for the winner of the election. We are battling long-standing voter apathy; people have largely lost faith in governance. Politics has unfortunately been driven largely by considerations of ethnicity, religion and other geographical factors. This hasn't really helped. We need to first perfect the system, which has been suffering. Frank Tietie, Lawyer | ARISE Analyst

In Defiance of Supreme Court Ruling, Some Primaries Not Conducted With Membership Register — Itodo INEC is not just an election management body, it is also a regulatory institution. We are a constitutional democracy, and in a constitutional democracy you have to obey the rules, there is no absolute independence. A political party cannot be independent because they’re in a democracy and there are rules that govern the game. The laws say political parties should submit their registers and INEC is meant to monitor those primaries. But in the past, we have seen situations where primaries are not guided by registered members. Samson Itodo Executive Director, YIAGA Africa

Anambra Debt: If There Was No Drawdown of the Loan Approved, Peter Obi Can Say He Didn't Incur Debt — Amadi If there was no drawdown and they were able to pay, for example, then they did not leave a debt in that sense. I think the discussion is about prudence. Peter Obi is simply saying he was prudent enough to run his administration without debt. Sam Amadi, Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought

OK Movement: We Do Not Have A Problem With the NDC, Neither Do We Intend To Usurp The Party — Ijeh This is why some of us have said that Mr John Ugulu and some other people have gone rogue. The structures at the ward and local government have continued to operate independently well and separated from those issues. Justin Ijeh Member, OK Movement

It Is Becoming A Norm To Ignore The Constitution and Do What We Like — Yusuf When it suits us, we pick a potion of the Constitution and apply at our whims and capris. The issue of state craft and the delivery of governance is key to me good or bad. Currently the president is out of the country, the vice president has been sent on an errand to UNGA, then we see a very worrisome press release that the secretary of the government of the federation will be in charge while they’re away. This is completely unethical to the constitution. Baba Yusuf Policy Strategist | Group CEO Global Investment and Trade Company

UNGA 81: Most Member Delegations Pledge Support for Ukraine, Will Not Recognise Any Seized Territory — Akinsanya Over the three days of deliberations we have listened to, from different countries, we get a sense of where each stands on the spectrum of world peace. Many have stated their support for Ukraine and affirmed that they will not recognise any territory seized by force. Adefemi Akinsanya, ARISE International Correspondent

UNGA81: Speeches By African Presidents At The UNGA All Sound Similar - Jegede At the 81st UN General Assembly, African presidents have raised familiar themes including development, security, economic growth, global representation and Africa’s place in international decision-making. Leaders from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, among others, have used their addresses to push different national and continental priorities. But listening to the speeches so far, are African leaders saying different things - or largely the same message in different words? #UNGA81 #AfricanLeaders #AfricaAtUNGA #AfricanPresidents #UNGA2026

The UK is stepping up defence industry talks as officials seek stronger coordination against growing security threats linked to Russia. ow.ly/Ro0N106FjKj

Kingsley Okereke says global developments could threaten Nigeria’s low-rate regime, urging caution as the CBN responds to changing economic conditions. ow.ly/nUmZ106FjKg

Ayo Teriba says the CBN should align interest rates with market conditions, calling for credible rates that reflect economic realities. ow.ly/lv5M106FjKf

Canadian-Haitian author Thélyson Orélien rejects allegations his award-winning novel was written almost entirely using artificial intelligence. ow.ly/9esr106FjIf

BREAKING NEWS The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Delta State Chapter has declared an indefinite strike in the state following the death of a deputy director in the ministry of Secondary education. The deceased civil servant identified as Mr Unity Adedah, was said to have passed this morning after he was tied up and beaten mercilessly by thugs allegedly on the orders of the Commisioner for Secondary Education in Delta state, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu. NLC chairman in Delta state, Dr Goodluck Oforbruku, declared the indefinite strike while addressing protesting civil servants at the Chike Edozien secretariat in Asaba. More details to follow in subsequent bulletins.

MPR Has Been Misaligned For Over Two Years — Teriba Before the Central Bank moved from the Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) to the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), the market was already highly volatile. The MRR could remain at the same level for three years. We pointed out to them that the MRR had become redundant, and it is unfortunate that the same cannot be said of the MPR. Market rates are variable and influence everyone’s decisions; they are what ultimately get transmitted through the economy. Dr. Ayo Teriba, CEO, Economic Associates

A new energy link between Djibouti and Ethiopia takes shape as Dangote joins both countries' leaders to break ground on the $660M Damerjog-Dewele pipeline project. #Dangote #Djibouti #Ethiopia #OilAndGas #EnergyTrade

Niyi Mogaji says ADC will continue campaigning in Oyo despite its ticket dispute, insisting members’ choice must be respected. ow.ly/nqTq106FjvL