The Northern Online Media Reporters and Publishers (NORP) elected its national executive members on Saturday.

The election, held in Kaduna at Arewa House, Kaduna, was supervised by the Electoral Committee of the Union.

Comrade Musa Mohammed from Kaduna State emerged as the new Executive National President in a keenly contested election.

He polled 287 votes to defeat his rival, Comrade Lynn Adda, the former NUJ chairman, of Taraba State, who got 138 votes.

Comrade Femi Adi from Kogi State emerged as the Executive National Secretary with 210 votes.

He defeated Comrade Rayyan Al-Hassan, who polled 207 votes.

By the constitution of the Union, the Deputy National Secretary and National Assistant Secretary Positions are reserved for persons who come second in both.

Therefore, Comrade Lynn Adda and Comrade Rayyan Al-Hassan emerged as Deputy National President and National Assistant Secretary accordingly.

Others who emerged unopposed are Comrade Zaharaddeen Ishaq Zailani – National Financial Secretary; Comrade Abraham Suleman – Asst. National Financial Secretary, and Comrade Abbas Yusha’u Yusuf – National Treasurer.

In his acceptance speech, Comrade Musa Mohammed urged members of the group across the 19 northern states to take advantage of social media platforms to fight fake news and promote good governance.

According to him, social media platforms can only be reliable for information dissemination when professional journalists take over and use them professionally.

“Our greatest headache is the citizen journalist problem, where anyone can post anything online without verifying the source or authenticating such stories.

But the good thing is that professional journalists are taking over now,” he said.

While urging members to work within the ethics of the profession, he expressed commitment to ensuring the unity and progress of the Union within the three-year term of office.

He, however, thanked the members who turned out for the election and prayed for their safe return to their destinations.

Fifty-three people narrowly escaped death when a Max Air aircraft, with registration number 5N-MBD (B733), crash-landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Tuesday night.

The incident occurred as the aircraft, carrying 53 passengers and 6 crew members, arrived in Kano from Lagos. According to one of the passengers, the front tire of the plane burst into flames around 10:19 p.m.

“Immediately the tire burst into flames, smoke filled the cabin, and we had to evacuate through the emergency exit,” the passenger said. “As we were exiting, the fire service was already spraying the plane with water to contain the flames.”

Confirming the incident, Kano Station Manager of Max Air, Malam Bello Ramalan, said all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated. He expressed gratitude for the safety of everyone on board and apologized for the inconvenience caused.

“I would like to apologize for the inconvenience and thank God for the safety of all on board. The safety of our passengers and crew is always our primary concern,” he said.

Ramalan explained that the aircraft had overshot the runway during the emergency landing, and standard safety protocols, including the evacuation of passengers, isolation of the pilots, and coordination with investigation authorities, were immediately followed.

“We are working with the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and the Aircraft and Equipment Department (AED) to investigate the incident. Preliminary reports suggest that a tire issue caused the incident.”

Max Air’s Kano Station Manager reiterated that safety remains the airline’s top priority and the company is fully cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the incident and implement necessary corrective actions.

“Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience caused,” he concluded.

Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (Rtd), the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is dead.

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, confirmed this in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA), Dr Gyang Bere, on Thursday in Jos.

Mutfwang said that Useni, who also represented Plateau South Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019, died at the age of 82.

The governor also confirmed that the former FCT minister under Gen. Sa i Abacha’s government, died on Thursday after a protracted illness.

Mutfwang, who described Useni’s demise as a huge loss to Plateau, urged his immediate family and residents of the state in general to take solace in God.

“On behalf of my family, the government, and the peace-loving people of Plateau, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the President, the Armed Forces and Tarok nation over the loss of this distinguished elder statesman.

“I wish to also extend my condolences to his immediate family and relations; I call on them to take solace in God in this trying time ,”Bere quoted Mutfwang as saying.

The deceased also served as Minister of Transport and Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army, among many other appointments during his military career.

After retirement, Useni ventured into politics where he served as Deputy Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and senator.

He was also the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau during the 2019 General Elections.