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Senate Committee Mourns NPC Chairman, Aminu Yusuf

Published

4 weeks ago

September 7, 2026

By Joel Ajayi

The Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population has commiserated with the National Population Commission (NPC) over the death of its Chairman, Dr. Aminu Yusuf.

The committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Victor Umeh, OFR, paid a condolence visit to the NPC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, September 7, 2026, to mourn the late chairman and offer its support to the commission and his family.

Dr. Yusuf died on August 28, 2026, less than a year after his screening and confirmation by the Senate.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the commission was the Federal Commissioner representing Plateau State and the officer currently overseeing the office of the chairman, Hon. Mrs. Mary Ishaya Afan, mni. She was accompanied by other federal commissioners, the Director-General and senior management staff of the NPC.

Speaking during the visit, Senator Umeh described the death of Yusuf as shocking and painful, recalling that he first learnt of the development through a social media post.

Umeh said he initially found it difficult to believe the report, particularly because he had recently interacted with the late chairman during the World Population Day celebration on July 28.

“I was looking at my Facebook account and I saw a post that the Chairman of the National Population Commission was dead. I couldn’t believe it. I could not believe it at all,” he said.

The senator recalled that he had travelled from the South-East to Abuja to attend the World Population Day event despite the Senate being on recess.

He said the late chairman appeared healthy and actively participated in the event, adding that Yusuf personally saw him off to his vehicle after the programme.

“So you can imagine my trauma hearing that Dr. Aminu Yusuf is gone,” Umeh said.

The Senate committee chairman described Yusuf as a humble, committed and gentlemanly public servant who maintained cordial relations with the National Assembly throughout his tenure.

“Aminu Yusuf was a gentleman. Somebody who will never complain, even in the midst of difficulties in the task he was doing here,” he said.

Umeh lamented that the late NPC chairman died at a time when the country was looking forward to him leading the commission in conducting the long-awaited national census.

He said the committee’s condolence was extended on behalf of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and the entire National Assembly.

The delegation included Senators Khabeeb Mustapha, representing Jigawa South-West, and Peter Jiya, representing Niger South, among others.

Senator Mustapha also offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the late chairman’s soul.

Responding on behalf of the NPC, Mrs. Afan thanked the Senate committee for the condolence visit, saying Yusuf’s death had left the commission deeply shaken.

“You can see the impact of this on our faces. Since after the death of the chairman, we have not had the opportunity to sit down like this in our Commission,” she said.

Afan described Yusuf as a visionary leader who assumed office with a seven-point agenda and immediately began efforts to reposition the commission.

She said the late chairman had laid a solid foundation for the NPC and expressed confidence that his successor would build on his achievements.

“He has laid a very good foundation for this Commission. Whoever Mr. President will bring, we will support the person to make sure that whatever our late Chairman has put on ground is accomplished,” she said.

The Plateau State Federal Commissioner further assured the Senate delegation that the NPC would remain committed to conducting the national census and would continue to pursue the vision of the late chairman.

“Chairman has died, but his legacies are still living,” Afan said.

At the end of the visit, Senator Umeh led members of the committee to sign the condolence register in honour of the late NPC chairman.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

20 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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