Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr.Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed has said that there had been an increase in enrolement of students into public schools, as a result of mass mobilisation, publicity and advocacy drives embarked upon by the commission.
Mohammed disclosed this at the ground breaking ceremony for Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA)’s support, with the construction of elementary schools in Adamawa /Gombe State.
He said the collaboration with partners such as KOICA was one of the activities undertaken by the commission to develop child –friendly learning environment and create new value for Nigerian’s educational system.
Benue
Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam had said that the governor’s forum had no hand in the removal of the former National Chairman of the People Democratic Part ( PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo.
Suswan said contrary to insinuations, Nwodo was consumed by the crisis between him and his state governor, Sullivan Chime.
Though Suswan told reporters in Makurdi, Benue State, that governors played no role in the fall of Nwodo, he however, noted that many party men and women were not happy that Nwodo attempted to disobey the Enugu State court order.
Suswan said “ I don’t think there was any plot by governors against the former national chairman. He was involved in a crisis with his home governor and efforts were made to resolve it. Few of us intervened on different occasions and wanted to reconcile them but that was not to be and what happened happened”.
Borno
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim had described the Boko Haram crisis in Borno and Bauchi States as posing a serious challenge to the police and other security agencies.
Ringim, who stated this Wednesday while addressing senior police officers at a conference in Maiduguri pledged that the police would not leave any stone unturned in tackling the crisis and ensuring that it was ended.
While urging the police officers to stay away from the political/social crisis in the areas, he stressed the need for them to brace up and find solution to this and other crisis in the country.
Ringim assured that normalcy would soon return to the troubled states, revealing that the conference was called to brainstorm on the security situation affecting the states.
FCT
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has appointed Frontier Tek Solutions to coordinate and automate the collection of revenue for some of its agencies.
The vice chairman of the firm, Babajide Oluwasanmi, said the ICT firm was developing Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) where both government agencies and banks will be integrated to provide real time information on accounts and balances.
Oluwasanmi said that two weeks from now, customers of AGIS, AEPB and other similar agencies in the FCT can walk into the hall of its banking partners such as First Bank, GT Bank and Unity Bank where such banks can pull the customer’s bill and process payment.
Niger
The Federal Government has concluded plans for extension of classes to hold in private and public schools to make up for the two week’s closure of schools for the on-going nationwide voter registration.
The Minister of State for Education, Mr Kenneth Gbagi announced this Tuesday in Minna shortly after his visit to the National Examinations Council (NECO) office.
Gbagi blamed the mass failure recorded in the past decade in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) on the laxity of school teachers in discharging their primary responsibility of teaching and preparing students for examinations.
He stated that the criticisms against the government over the mass failure was a mistake maintaining that teachers were the main cause of the failure.
Kaduna
All is now set for the 32nd Kaduna International Trade Fair scheduled to hold between February 25 and March 6, as companies from eight countries across the world have indicated their interest to participate.
The companies are China, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Niger.
The first Deputy President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), Hon. Abdullahi Sani made the disclosure during an interactive session with journalists in Kaduna.
Sani, who doubles as the chairman of the main organising committee of the event said the theme of this year’s trade fair is ‘National Energy: Road Map for Nigeria’s Growth and Development’, adding that it was chosen because of the crucial nature of energy to the economy.
Kano
To assist the physically challenged, the United States Government through its agency for International Development (USAID), has rehabilitated and handed over seven buildings which cost over 100,000 US Dollar (N15 million) to the management of Tundun Maliki Special Education School in Kano.
The agency also donated N5,000 worth of books to its pupils.
Unveiling the facilities in Kano recently, the Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau said the donation were made following the special interest the state had on the school.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Musa Salihu, Shekarau commended the US government for the gesture and urged the students to make good use of the books in order to be better informed in their academic pursuits.
Lagos
The Lagos State House of Assembly has threatened to close down all the satellite campuses being run by state-owned tertiary institutions in the state if they fail to meet the required standard.
Deputy Speaker, Bola Badmus-Olujobi issued the threat yesterday when the seven man ad-hoc committee set up by the House to look into why some courses at the Lagos State University (LASU) and other institution were disaccreditated.
Ondo
Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko had warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) in the State to desist from executing projects which have no direct impact on the masses.
Mimiko gave the warning Wednesday at the opening ceremony of a workshop on the 2011 budget implementation organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget for members of the state executive council and top MDA officials of the Nigeria Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in Ondo.
Mimiko stressed the need for strict adherence and speedy implementation of capital projects in the state pointing out that, that would serve as an express means of gaining the people’s trust in governance.
He said “we cannot but maintain transparency in our dealings to ensure that programmes and projects for which money is appropriated and released are properly executed.
Osun
As part of its six-point agenda, the Osun State Government has began the process of recruiting 20,000 youths under the State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES).
The training of trainers of the trainers expected to be engaged in the programme commenced yesterday with 31 lead trainers and 93 supporting officers.
No fewer than 170,000 unemployed youths have applied for the scheme.
The Assistant Director (Community), Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said merit would be the criterion used to select those to be employed.
Flagging off the progrmame, Oyintiloye stated that state officials have been visiting farm settlements located in various locations within the state pointing out that the visitation would aid them get first hand information and collate other data to form imput into the job creation agricultural scheme.
Oyo
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) Limited has donated a multi-million naira Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre to Government College, Ibadan (GCI)
The oil giant which is a concessionarie to the Nigerian (NNPC) on oil mining and oil prospecting licences, delivered the modern ICT centre to the principal, teachers and pupils of the famous school in Ibadan last Friday.
At the handover ceremony, the company’s Business Relations Manager, Mr Chidi Chukwueke, said the centre was an NNPC and SNEPCO’s support for initiatives to improve the education sector in Oyo State.
Plateau
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday condemned calls for a state of emergency in Plateau State following the spate of violence.
CNPP warned against the use of any wrong approach in resolving the crisis.
The coalition maintained that calls for the resignation of Governor Jonah Jang were not the solution, adding that imposing a state of emergency would only compound the problem in the state capital.
The party’s Secretary-General, Chief Willy Ezugwu said new approaches to end the carnage in Jos should be explored such as probing the activities of security operative.
Zamfara
A Federal High Court Tuesday, in Gusau adjoined hearing of the All Nigeria s Peoples Party (ANPP) case against 22 members of Zamfara House of Assembly, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) till February 21.
The lawmakers, who were elected on the platform of the ANPP in July 2010, defected to PDP to support Governor Mahmud Shinkafi, who had earlier defected to the ruling party.
The ANPP was challenging their action in a suit requesting the court to declare the 22 seats vacant and order the INEC to conduct a fresh election.
Justice Zainab Abubakar had earlier fixed February 1 for ruling on the ANPP application but later adjourned the case to February 21, for the counsel to clarify some issues about the substantive suit.
Nation
Accolades, Fanfare As Ogbakor Ikwerre President General Celebrates 80th Birthday

The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.
The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.
Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.
The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.
The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.
However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.
The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.
Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.
Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.
The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.
Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.
In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.
Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.
He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.
His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.
He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.
Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.
Nation
Ensure That Ogoni Is Heard In The Right Way, HYPREP Urges Creative Arts Trainees

As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.
He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.
Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.
Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.
Nation
NYCOP Urges Stakeholders To Develop, Empower Ogoni Youths

The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.
NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.
In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.
It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.
The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.
NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.
“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:
” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.
“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.
NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.
NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.
According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.
“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.
” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.
NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.
Kiadum Edookor
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