News
Nigeria’s Pride Awards winner Abubakar Yakubu beats Regina Daniels’ mother to emerge AGN President
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Veteran actor and administrator, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, has been elected as National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. He defeated his rival, Rita Daniel to emerge as winner.
On September 30th 2025, Yakubu was honoured with Nigeria’s Pride Award for Examplery Leadership in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth of Nigeria”s entertainment sector and overall performance as a mentor to young people.
In the election that was held in Benin, Edo State, Yakubu, secured majority of the lawful votes cast, and was declared winner ahead of his major opponent, Mrs. Rita Daniels, who is the mother of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels.
Results of the election were announced Saturday night.
With the victory, Yakubu, fondly called AbuKing, became the first actor from the northern past of country, to head the AGN since its inception.
He will be taking over from Mr. Emeka Ejezie (Emeka Rollas), MON, whose relection for a second term in 2022 meant he could no longer, in line with the AGN Constitution, vie for the position again.
AGN, which is the umbrella body for screen actors in the Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, was initially called the Nigeria Actors Guild, NAG.
Though the industry started taking form prior to 1994, however, it was not until 1998 that it was officially registered.
Past Presidents of the Guild are: Larry Williams (1st National President), Emma Oguguah; Zack Orji; Ejike Asiegbu; Segun Arinze; Ibinabo Fiberesima (Only Female President); and Emeka Rollas- all of whom are from the Southern part of the country.
The Guild has over one million registered members that are spread across Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Prior to his emergence as the first northerner to be elected for the Guild’s top job, Yakubu served as the National Vice President between 1994 and 1995, when the association was known as NAG.
He also served as National Treasurer of AGN (2000 – 2001), Public Relations Officer, AGN (2009-2011), and the National Secretary, a position he held from 2019 till date.
A graduate of Dramatic Arts from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, with about 25 years in film/television and stage acting, all eyes are now on AbuKing to see how he would navigate the wheel of leadership in the AGN for the next three year.
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
News
Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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