Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to attend the maiden edition of the State House Press Corps (SHPC) Annual Dinner, a landmark event aimed at strengthening engagement between the Presidency and journalists covering the nation’s highest office.

The inaugural event, officially tagged “The Presidential Press Corps Annual Dinner,” is scheduled to hold on Friday, June 19, 2026, at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Originally slated for June 4, 2026, the dinner was rescheduled to June 19 to accommodate the participation of key stakeholders and dignitaries expected at the event.

The State House Press Corps comprises journalists accredited to cover the Office of the President and activities within the Presidency. The annual gathering is designed to celebrate excellence in presidential reporting and recognize the contributions of media professionals who provide daily coverage of government activities from the Presidential Villa.

According to the organizers, the event will offer a unique platform for interaction between President Tinubu and members of the media in a relaxed and informal setting. It is expected to provide journalists with an opportunity to engage directly with the President and discuss issues relating to governance, leadership, and the media’s role in nation-building.

The dinner marks a historic milestone for the State House Press Corps, being the first event of its kind organized by the body. It aims to bring together leading figures in Nigeria’s media industry to honour journalists whose work on the State House beat is often demanding but receives limited public recognition.

One of the major highlights of the evening will be the formal recognition of President Tinubu as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps. The President is expected to be officially decorated during the ceremony in acknowledgement of his support for media engagement and democratic governance.

A host of prominent national leaders and dignitaries are expected to attend the event, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, state governors, senior government officials, media executives, and other stakeholders in the communications industry.

The organizers expressed optimism that the annual dinner would become a lasting tradition, serving as a platform for fostering stronger collaboration between the media and government while promoting professionalism, excellence, and responsible journalism in presidential coverage.

The Aare Bobatolu of Ire Ekiti, Chief Oluwafemi Osasuyi, has appealed to security authorities to release Chief Tayo Alabi, who was reportedly arrested and detained by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Nigeria Police Force.

Chief Alabi was said to have been arrested on Tuesday over allegations linked to comments he allegedly made concerning what he described as the lack of support by Governor Biodun Oyebanji for Ire Ekiti-born politician, Bimbo Daramola, during the recently concluded APC House of Representatives primary election. He was later arraigned before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court on a charge of alleged stealing and subsequently remanded.

Reacting to the development, Chief Osasuyi expressed concern over the arrest and subsequent detention of Chief Alabi, describing the situation as unfortunate and capable of creating tension within the community.

He urged the relevant authorities to ensure Chief Alabi’s release while allowing due process to take its course, stressing that every citizen has the constitutional right to express opinions on political matters without fear of intimidation or harassment.

Chief Osasuyi also called for a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the allegations against Chief Alabi to establish the facts and ensure that justice is served.

According to him, democracy flourishes when citizens are free to express their views and participate in political discussions within the ambit of the law.

The community leader further urged security agencies to exercise professionalism, fairness, and restraint in handling politically sensitive matters while safeguarding the rights of all citizens.

Chief Osasuyi appealed to residents and stakeholders in Ire Ekiti to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the truth would emerge through due process and that justice would ultimately prevail.

The Special Outreach Team for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji has intensified its grassroots campaign with a visit to Iwaro Community in Ado-Ekiti.

The team, led by the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Tosin Aluko, engaged residents on the achievements of the Oyebanji administration and appealed for their support in the forthcoming governorship election.

Speaking on behalf of the community, High Chief Elemukose commended Governor Oyebanji for several development projects executed in the area. He cited the provision of a new transformer, road construction, installation of concrete electricity poles, solar street lights, and other infrastructure projects that have impacted Iwaro and neighbouring communities including Alafialoro, Wonder City, and Akinjobi.

The community leader, however, appealed to the governor to facilitate the immediate energisation of the newly installed transformer. He also requested the establishment of a Primary Health Care Centre, dualisation of roads, and grading of adjoining routes to improve the welfare of residents.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Tosin Aluko highlighted the administration’s achievements across key sectors and reiterated Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to the continued development of Ekiti State.

She urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards from June 2 and encouraged parents to ensure their children participate in the election process. According to her, the party is targeting about 500,000 votes in the election and called on community members to contribute towards achieving the goal.

The campaign outreach ended with residents expressing overwhelming support for Governor Oyebanji’s second-term bid and pledging to mobilise votes for his re-election.