News
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Iconic Activist, Dies at 84
Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and Rainbow PUSH founder, dies at 84, leaving a legacy of activism, diplomacy, and justice
Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., the towering civil rights activist and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, has died at the age of 84.
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Jackson, who marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr., negotiated international hostage releases, and championed corporate diversity and voting rights, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his organisation.
Hospitalised on November 12, 2025, Jackson had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative neurological condition similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Despite his illness, he continued to advocate for civil rights and was arrested twice in 2021 over his opposition to the Senate filibuster rule.
Jackson’s activism spanned decades, beginning in 1960 when he and seven others were arrested for protesting segregation at a public library in Greenville, South Carolina.
He joined Dr. King’s civil rights movement and was present in Memphis when King was assassinated in 1968.
He founded the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, energising and registering millions of Black voters.
Jackson’s campaigns emphasised economic justice, social equality, and international diplomacy.
In 1983 and 1984, he negotiated the release of American hostages in Syria and Cuba, respectively.
Throughout his career, Jackson pressed companies to hire more Black employees through initiatives such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Operation Breadbasket and led protests against discriminatory practices.
He earned his divinity degree after being ordained a minister in 1968.
Jackson continued his advocacy into the 21st century, supporting protests over police violence in Minneapolis and attending services for victims including George Floyd and Daunte Wright.
He opposed the Iraq War in 1990, successfully negotiating the release of threatened hostages, and helped secure the freedom of U.S. POWs during the Kosovo conflict.
Former Color of Change president Rashad Robinson described Jackson as a “possibility model” whose work enabled leaders such as Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
In 2000, Jackson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Clinton in recognition of his lifelong dedication to justice, equality, and human rights.
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Jackson’s signature call-and-response mantra, “I am Somebody,” inspired generations of activists, empowering movements such as Black Lives Matter and instilling a sense of dignity and purpose in the fight against systemic racism.
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Dauda Lawal swears in five permanent secretaries in Zamfara, urging them to follow public service rules, financial regulations and relevant laws
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has sworn in five new permanent secretaries, urging them to comply with Public Service Rules, financial regulations and other relevant laws in the discharge of their duties.
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The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Ahmad S. Zamfara, Nasiru Halilu Anka, Mu’azu Jibril Guraguri, Adamu Abdullahi Kanoma and Sani Muhammad Shinkafi.
The Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu, administered the oath of office to the appointees, who pledged allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lawal congratulated the new permanent secretaries, describing their appointments as recognition of their experience, abilities and readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
He said their roles extended beyond personal career advancement, noting that their decisions and conduct would influence government performance and the welfare of residents.
“The Permanent Secretary is central to Government, providing administrative leadership, institutional continuity, and policy advice while implementing approved programs,” the governor said.
He added that permanent secretaries were responsible for maintaining discipline, coordinating their establishments and ensuring that public resources were used for their intended purposes.
Lawal said his administration remained committed to strengthening government institutions and improving public administration to support Zamfara’s development priorities.
He noted that the civil service played a critical role in translating government decisions into practical results, particularly in the delivery of essential services.
The governor urged the new appointees to align their work with his administration’s priorities through proper planning, realistic implementation strategies, effective supervision and continuous assessment of results.
He also called on them to maintain constructive and professional relationships with commissioners and other political officeholders.
According to Lawal, political leaders are responsible for setting policy, while career civil servants provide the institutional knowledge, technical advice and administrative capacity needed to implement it.
He stressed that mutual respect and cooperation between political officeholders and career civil servants were essential to effective governance.
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The governor urged the permanent secretaries to uphold discipline and professionalism while ensuring that their departments supported the administration’s development agenda and served the needs of the people of Zamfara.
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