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

The African Action Congress has written to President Tinubu requesting the use of the Presidential Villa for the inauguration of Omoyele Sowore’s campaign council. arise.tv/nigerias-ebola-pati…

Nigeria and China are exploring film co-production, technology transfer and distribution partnerships to expand audiences and unlock commercial opportunities for filmmakers. arise.tv/china-nigeria-targe…

An Imo State High Court has ordered speedy trial of five suspected kidnappers, directing that they remain in DSS custody pending proceedings. arise.tv/imo-court-orders-sp…

The US orders diplomats and families to leave Saudi Arabia as deadly attacks target an airport and an oilfield, heightening regional tensions. arise.tv/us-orders-diplomats…

With just over 80 days to go until Nigeria’s next general elections, INEC’s decision to make greater use of AI in the electoral management process has sparked divisive debate. #UnPackedwithVimbai was able to get to the heart of this conversation in this week’s episode

Omoyele Sowore Wants Aso Rock For Campaign The AAC has written to President Tinubu requesting the Presidential Villa for the inauguration of Omoyele Sowore's campaign council on November 11th and is also asking for food, drinks and logistical support for 5,000 guests. The AAC says the request is only fair, pointing to the APC's inauguration of its own presidential campaign council at the State House Conference Centre earlier this month. What's Trending With @OjyOkpe

Pate says Tinubu’s reforms, healthcare recruitment, infrastructure projects and agricultural interventions give Bauchi residents reasons to support him in 2027. arise.tv/pate-bauchi-has-man…

Stephen Oricha urges Nigeria to activate Ebola testing labs and strengthen outbreak preparedness following a confirmed case in Abuja. arise.tv/stephen-oricha-nige…

Pate clarifies that Nigeria confirmed the Bundibugyo Ebola case within 24 hours of testing and isolated all identified contacts. arise.tv/pate-nigeria-confir…

It's Not Compulsory for Tinubu to Campaign Across Nigeria; Political Rally Is Not a Means of Communicating With the Public — Otubanjo It is not compulsory for President Tinubu to campaign in all 36 states and the FCT. When the President goes out to campaign, he does so as the candidate of the APC, not as the President of Nigeria, so he has no obligation to address everyone. Even if President Tinubu decides to campaign in all 36 states and the FCT, the total estimated number of Nigerians living in all the state capitals combined is 59.6 million — about 25% of the population. The idea that the President will use rallies to communicate with Nigerians is therefore misleading. Prof. Femi Otubanjo Research Professor, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs

NIIA research professor Femi Otubanjo says television, radio, the internet and AI offer more effective ways to communicate campaign messages to Nigerians arise.tv/otubanjo-says-polit…

Two European women kidnapped separately in Niger last year have been freed after more than a year in captivity and transferred to Libya. arise.tv/two-european-women-…

Ebola: All Close Contacts of Index Patient Must Be Investigated - Adewuyi Nigeria operates a surveillance system known as IDSR - Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response. This system picked up the Ebola case, albeit very late. For any surveillance system to work effectively, early detection is critical. The standard is to detect within 7 days, report within 24 hours, and respond within 7 days. In this case, detection took about 9 days. The investigation must be thorough. Everyone who had close contact with the patient at the hospital needs to be interviewed, traced and examined. Peter Adewuyi, Senior Field Epidemiologist

Guinea-Bissau Halts Controversial Newborn Vaccine Trial A US-backed vaccine trial involving newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been halted following international criticism over its ethics. The $3.2 million study, supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and private partners, was designed to examine hepatitis B vaccination at birth. Critics warned it could leave some babies without timely protection against the potentially deadly virus. @femmefemi

French President Emmanuel Macron condemns Donald Trump’s claims blaming Muslim migrants for French riots, accusing foreign leaders of spreading false information for political gain. arise.tv/macron-slams-trumps…

Meta must pay New Mexico $25 billion after a jury finds Facebook misled users about data privacy, marking its biggest penalty ever. arise.tv/meta-fined-25-billi…

Dr Peter Adewuyi says Nigeria has about 500 trained epidemiologists and urges the government to let them lead Ebola response efforts. arise.tv/peter-adewuyi-niger…

Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil says cash-strapped US consumers are challenging the market, despite stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings and emerging-market growth prospects. arise.tv/nestle-ceo-says-cas…

Nigerian comedian Broda Shaggi recounts his March 2026 stray bullet injury, surgeries and ongoing recovery in a YouTube video released Wednesday. arise.tv/broda-shaggi-shares…