Nation
THE STATES
The family of Mr Kayode Ogunlusi in Ayegunle-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday lost their children after taking a cassava meal prepared by the family.
Our correspondent reports that five other members of the family, who also ate the cassava meal, are now on admission at the emergency unit of the University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
Ogunlusi, the father of the deceased children, who only regained consciousness after receiving medical attention, said the family ate the cassava meal on Sunday night as dinner.
He explained that few hours after taking the meal, two of the children started vomiting, while one became unconscious.
The father, who disclosed that the food was prepared by his wife,
Abosede, said members of the family were later taken to a private hospital in the town for initial treatment by their neighbours.
FCT
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Tuesday called on the federal government to address unemployment as a means of checking insecurity in the country.
Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator, HURIWA, told newsmen in Abuja that unemployment was the major cause of crime in the country.
He demanded for the establishment of a data collection unit at the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to ensure that accurate record of unemployed youths were kept.
Onwubiko added that paying unemployed youths some stipend would contribute to the fight against crime.
He urged the federal government to implement people’s friendly policies that would create the enabling environment for school leavers and graduates to be gainfully employed.
Kano
Alhaji Ibrahim Yakasai, the Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Tourism and Industries, has advised the Council of Chambers of Commerce to collectively develop the industrial sector to achieve vision 20:20-20.
The commissioner gave the advice on Monday at the opening of the third meeting of the Nigerian Council of Chambers of Commerce in Kano.
Yakasai said Kano State as a pace setter in all aspects of human endeavour, had repositioned it’s economy in spite of the economic meltdown.
He added that a clear testimony was the prevailing peace and tranquillity in the state, adding that it was the driving force for peaceful co-existence and the development of commerce and industries.
Kwara
The Kwara Government said it had so far spent N2.5 billion on the installation of 725 transformers in various communities between 2003 and date.
The Commissioner for Energy, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed, said this in Ilorin recently while answering questions from newsmen on the activities of his ministry.
The commissioner said the purchase and installations of transformers by the state government was the highest any government had done for its communities in the country.
Mohammed said that the second phase of the government rural electrification project would commence in the next two weeks with the distribution of transformers to 105 rural communities.
Lagos
Prof. Osita Eze, the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) has advocated for capacity development of Foreign Service Officers (FSO) to enable them actualise the country’s foreign policy.
In an interview with newsmen in Lagos, Eze contended that the expertise of the officers was required to reposition Nigeria on the world scene.
“Nigerian government needs to adequately empower, train and retrain FSO to enable them discharge their assignments creditably and promote the country’s foreign policy,’’ he said.
The Director-General said that Nigeria, being the “anchor’’ of the African continent, should strive to create an environment that would enhance her leadership position.
Ogun
Absence of regular medical check-ups and stress have been identified as major causes of the upsurge in premature deaths in Nigeria.
Dr Samuel Adeloye, an Ijebu Ode-based medical practitioner made the observation on Tuesday at a symposium, organised by an NGO, “Save Lives First”.
Adeloye, who noted that most Nigerians were in the habit of working beyond their capacity without regular check-ups, said the situation had led to the untimely death of many.
He explained that the economic situation in the country had forced many to engage in desperate searches for extra income at the expense of their health conditions, describing it as “an unfortunate situation”.
Osun
The Osun Coordinator of NAPEP, Mrs Funmi Akinyemi, said on Monday that a new programme tagged Village Economic Solution had been introduced to create jobs.
Akinyemi who announced this in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo, said the programme was designed by NAPEP to assist the less-privileged.
According to her, under the programme, interested youths are expected to form a cooperative societies, to enable them to benefit from the stimulus package.
She said the federal government had provided funds for disbursement to some identified well-organised and serious minded youths as a revolving loan scheme.
Akinyemi said the scheme was different from other conventional government programmes because it was rural people-friendly and targeted at assisting young villagers with skills.
Oyo
The Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture wants 20 per cent allocation to each local government council to be used for agricultural development.
To this end, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kunle Ishola, told journalists in Ibadan that the ministry had proposed an amendment to the bill on local government matters in this regard.
Ishola said the bill, if passed into law, would make it an offence for any council to divert money meant for agriculture to any other area.
He complained that the fees charged at the federal government’s grain silos located in the Monatan area of Ibadan were too high just as the prices of grains sold there.
Plateau
The Plateau Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba has embarked on a familiarisation tour of police formations in Jos, following the gradual return of peace in the city.
A statement signed by the Plateau Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asp. Mohammed Lerama, said that during the tour, the commissioner would meet and address officers and men of the force.
It noted that the commissioner would also meet with members of vigilance groups and the Police Community Public Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state.
The statement said that Aduba would pay a courtesy visit to important personalities in the police formations, local government chairmen and traditional rulers.
The command appealed to the public to remain calm, maintain peace and to continue to consolidate on the peaceful atmosphere so far achieved in the state.
Yobe
The National Directorate of Employment in Yobe has trained 150 widows, orphans and vulnerable persons on various vocations for self-employment.
The Coordinator, Alhaji Adamu Ba’ aba made the disclosure on Monday in Damaturu during an interview with the newsmen.
He said, the directorate had trained 30 people in rural agricultural development, 50 in sewing, 10 in waste management, 50 in ICT and 10 in interior decorations.
“The graduates in agricultural development have been given loans totalling N2.9 m for livestock farming in cattle, goat, sheep rearing and fish farming,’’ he said.
Adamu noted that, the widows trained in weaving, sewing, shoe and beads making had been given working tools worth N1.9m for the take off of their business ventures.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.
Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.
“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.
Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.
She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.
By Kevin Nengia
The City Boy Movement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has commended Senator Allwell Onyesoh on his victory in the APC primary election for Rivers East Senatorial District.
Chairman of the group in Etche, Dr. Fortune Uchenna Obi, spoke to journalists in Okehi Ward after participating in Monday’s direct primary. He described Onyesoh’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election as a reflection of the people’s will.
Dr. Obi said the senator has performed well during his first term and deserves re-election. He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, for supporting Onyesoh’s candidacy. According to him, Wike’s backing was instrumental to the senator’s nomination, clearance, and victory at the primary.
He further praised voters in Etche and across Rivers East for turning out in large numbers at ward centers and urged them to sustain the support to ensure Onyesoh’s success in the January 2027 general election.
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