Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The police in Mubi Local Government Area in Adamawa have arrested two farmers, Jonathan Rugwari and David Rugwari in connection with an assault occasioning harm on one Dotorr Markul.
The Police Area Commander, Mr Bashiru Itanola, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Mubi on Wednesday, but declined to say the cause of the attack.
He said the suspects were apprehended for allegedly attacking Markul with daggers at Kirya village in the local government area.
Itanola said Markul sustained injuries from the attack and was currently receiving treatment at a private clinic in the area.
According to him, the suspects would soon be arraigned.
The commander appealed to the people of the area to cooperate with the police and remain law abiding.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called on youths in the state to shun anyone offering to engage them as political thugs or for other criminalities.
The Commandant of the agency, Alhaji Suleiman Madu, made the call on Wednesday in Yuguda village, Bauchi Local Government Area, during a sensitisation exercise on the dangers of drug abuse.
Madu expressed concern with situations where politicians engaged youths as political thugs by giving them hard drugs that were detrimental to both their physical and moral up bringing.
Madu urged the people in the state to report illicit drugs dealers who were bent on circulating hard drugs to members of the society, especially the youth.
Earlier, the Sarkin Yuguda, Alhaji Hamza Musa, commended the command for the campaign and assured the agency that the people of his domain would always support it in its war against hard drugs.
FCT
Prof. Williams Emofurieta, Lecturer at the Department of Geology, University of Benin, said on Wednesday that more than 4 billion metric tonnes of virgin bentonite had yet to be exploited in the country.
Emofurieta disclosed this while delivering a lecture at a two-day international conference on “Modern Mining Processing’’ in Abuja.
Bentonite, according to him, “is a mass of clay minerals dominated by over 70 per cent montmorillonite, while other minerals such as quartz, illite, kaolinite, vermiculite and attapulgite may occur in association as impurities within bentonite”.
“Nigeria has an estimated large reserve of more than 4 billion metric tonnes of virgin bentonite ore yet to be exploited.
“This will more than serve Nigeria for the next 1,000 years for our domestic needs and export purposes,’’ Emofurieta said.
He said the development of the ore would create more employment opportunities capable of increasing the country’s source of revenue and the Gross Domestic Product.
FCT
In another development the House of Representatives on Thursday appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to re-award the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene road contract.
It summoned the Minister of Works, Sen. Sanusi Dagash, to appear before its Committee on Works to explain the delay in the completion of the project.
The House also directed the minister to ensure that critical portions of the road at Abuja, Gwagwalada bridge and Lokoja were completed before the end of the year.
It directed relevant agencies to release funds to the contractors to facilitate the completion of the project on schedule.
Gombe
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has stressed the need for change of attitude among Nigerian pilgrims to ensure smooth Hajj operations in the country.
A NAHCON Commissioner, Alhaji Isa Bukar, made the call in Gombe on Wednesday at the North East Zone sensitisation meeting of state chairmen and secretaries of Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Bukar said some of the problems encountered during hajj exercise could be a thing of the past if there was a change of behaviour on the part of all concerned.
He sais most of the problems faced during Hajj operation such as overloading, misbehaviour and absconding of pilgrims were caused by lack of proper and clear knowledge on how Hajj should be conducted.
The meeting suggested that NAHCON should find ways of preventing those who had performed hajj exercise from embarking on the holy pilgrimage to give others opportunity and reduce congestion in the Holy land.
The meeting, the first of its kind, attracted Hajj officials and clerics from the six states in the North East Geo-political Zone.
Kwara
The Olofa of Ofa in Kwara, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, has tasked security operatives to fish out those behind the recent killing of journalists in the country.
Gbadamosi made the call in Ilorin at a ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kwara).
He also pleaded with government to provide adequate security for media practitioners.
The Monarch said that the killings, if not checked, would affect the practice of journalism and information dissemination, which he described as crucial to nation building.
Gbadamosi, however, urged journalists not to renege in discharging their constitutional roles and also to uphold the ethics of journalism.
The General Mananger of the station, Mr Abdulateef Adedeji, said that the station was in total state of disrepair until 2003, when the present administration was inaugurated.
Adedeji assured that the station would continue to practice responsible journalism with a view to promoting peace within and outside the state.
Lagos
A cooking competition organised by the women fellowship of the Christian Community Church, Surulere, Lagos tagged ‘cooking contest for Jesus’ has ended.
Rivers State indigenous delicacy prepared with ripe plantain and fresh fish pepper soup (biate mbana) by Mrs. Helen Bob-Manuel emerged the first position while Cameroonian dish, Ndole soup cooked by Mrs. Okome Dibo-Ebong came second.
In an interview with our correspondent shortly after the keenly contested event at the church premises last Sunday, the leader of the fellowship, Mrs. Bose Abisagboola r4ecalled that the group had organised symposia for members in other areas of endeavour, but stressed that the cooking contest was aimed at getting women more involved in their kitchens.
According to Mrs. Abisagboola, “most women are not seriously involved in cooking for their families, rather they prefer buying cooked food outside for their families, hence the competition is to show how orderly and simple the handling for kitchen environment and the entire home should be”.
Oyo
Unregistered human resources management practitioners in the country will be sanctioned, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria IPMN) warned on Thursday in Ibadan.
The National President of the CIPMN, Mr Abiola Popoola, gave the warning at an agricultural human resources management forum organised by the institute.
He sought the support of registered members in flushing out fake practitioners.
He urged those who had not registered with the institute to do so immediately, saying it was the only way true professionalism could be brought to bear on the practice of personnel management.
Popoola also said that in line with the institute’s professional development plan, there was an urgent need for it to add value to national development through increased capacity building.
The president noted that the CIPMN had branches in 25 states and promised that efforts would be made to expand and establish branches in the 11 remaining states and Abuja as well as in some local government areas.
Sokoto
The Sokoto Government has distributed 726 assorted brands of vehicles to its workers, who are expected to pay back the cost as loans.
It also disbursed about N530 million as car purchase/refurbishing loans to the workers.
The Commissioner for Social Welfare, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, made the announcement in Sokoto on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting.
He said that 30 Kia and 14 Hyundai vehicles worth N128.8 million were approved for Permanent Secretaries and Directors-General, while 100 Hyundai and 235 Chevrolet cars worth N476.7 million were given to civil servants on grade levels 14 to 16.
Aliyu said that those on grade levels 12 to 13 would be allocated 247 Hyundai and 100 Kia Picanto cars worth more than N400 million, while civil servants under grade level 12 would be given N800,000 and N500,000 each as car loans, amounting to N530 million.
The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, said the council also approved some projects, including the construction of roads within and outside the state’s metropolis at more than N2 billion.
Taraba
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Taraba seized 977 kilogrammes of Indian hemp from dealers between January and May this year, an official of the agency has said.
The agency’s Commander in the state, Mr Kaku Mshelia, said the figure surpassed the total seizure of 796kg in 2009.
Kaku newsmen in Jalingo on Wednesday that the command made its largest catch since its establishment in 2003 in May when it seized a consignment weighing 345kg.
He said that his men, acting on a tip off, intercepted the consignment conveyed from Akure.
The commander said that four persons, Joseph Etim, Okon John, Akpabio Philip and Mohammed Ibrahim, were arrested and charged to court in Yola as the main suspects in the deal.
Kaku said that 56 suspects were arrested during the period, out of whom 17 have been convicted to various jail terms, while 23 others were counseled and rehabilitated.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state
The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.
Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.
According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.
“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.
Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”
The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”
He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.
“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”
The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.
“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”
He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.
“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.
Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.
He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.
Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.
Nation
RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”
The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.
He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.
“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,
He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.
Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).
He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region
MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent
The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.
MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans
“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.
According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.
They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.
The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities
Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.
He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.
Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.
” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.
The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area
While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .
“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.
“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.
“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.
Chinedu Wosu
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