Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has assured trainees from the state of access to loans to start small scale enterprises.
Suswam gave the assurance in Makurdi at the inauguration of theUultra-Moderne entrepreneurship development centre built to serve states in the North Central zone.
The states include Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, FCT, Plateau and Kwara States.
Suswam said his administration was committed to youth empowerment, stressing that funds would be available to the youths “as soon as they have completed their training at the centre”.
FCT
Chairman, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Mr Sylva Waribugo, has described the figures declared for the council in the 2006 National Population and Housing Census as grossly inaccurate.
Waribugo stated this while testifying before the Census Tribunal last Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the 130,966 figure declared for the area did not represent the exact inhabitants in the area, adding that some of the communities were omitted during the exercise.
According to him, 300 communities in the council area were not captured by enumerators during the exercise.
Gombe
Farmers in Gombe State have lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in the distribution of subsidised fertiliser with free improved rice seeds to each registered farmer.
Some of the beneficiaries gave the commendation in separate interviews with newsmen in Kwadon area of Yamaltu/Deba local government area.
They said that each farmer had received three bags of fertiliser at N3, 000 each with a free 50-kilogramme bag of improved variety of rice seed.
Malam Hassan Ahmadu, a farmer, said the Federal Government’s gesture had helped them to cushion the effects of last year’s floods.
Jigawa
Some expectant mothers in Kiyawa, headquarters of Kiyawa local government area of Jigawa State, have commended the Partnership for Transforming Health System (PATHS-3) for renovating the maternity clinic in the area.
The PATHS-3 project, supported by the British Department for International Development (DFID), had initiated various programmes to enhance ante-natal care services in rural communities in the state.
Some of the projects executed under the PATHS-3 programme in the clinic include the renovation of the labour room, wards and upgrading of water supply system.
A cross section of the women, who spoke to newsmen in Kiyawa last Tuesday, said the rehabilitation had encouraged them to attend ante-natal clinic.
Katsina
No fewer than 339 workers of local government councils in Katsina State will benefit from in-service training this year, Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Abdulkarim Abubakar has said.
Abubakar, who announced this in Katsina, while presenting funds to some of the beneficiaries, said government had earmarked N29.7 million for the training.
He said that out of the amount, N14.8 million would be paid to 176 workers under the first phase, while the others would receive their money “in due course”.
He urged the local governments to ensure that only genuine workers benefited from the exercise.
Kogi
Kogi Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi has appealed to the Presidential Committee on Floods to provide more funds to meet the challenges of rehabilitating flood victims in the state.
He said that the funds would also help in the reconstruction of affected infrastructure.
A statement issued last Tuesday in Lokoja, by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, said the deputy governor made the appeal when he appeared before the committee in Abuja.
He noted that more funds from the Federal Government would enable the state government to meet the challenges posed by the devastation in the state.
Kwara
A man, Tunde Akanbi, last Tuesday, told an Ilorin Area Court that he was often provoked into beating his wife because she had no respect for him.
His 31-year-old wife, Iyabo, had urged the court to dissolve the marriage on the ground that her husband was temperamental.
The complainant told the court that her husband was often angry at the slightest provocation.
“My husband will at times beat me in the midst of our neighbours whenever he is upset,” she said.
Nasarawa
Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has commended the state’s Amirul-Hajj team for the successful conduct of the 2012 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Makura gave the commendation when he received the report of the 2012 Hajj operation from the Chairman of the team, Ahmed Aboki, in Lafia.
The governor thanked members of the team for serving the state in that capacity despite their tight schedules.
“I acknowledge your worthy contribution and for taking the responsibility with diligence in serving your father land.’’
Ogun
The Ogun State government has advised teachers in public schools to ensure timely compilation of examination marks to enable students collect their results before proceeding on vacation.
The Commissioner for Education, Mr Segun Odubela, gave the advice in Remo while monitoring the on-going second term unified examinations in public secondary schools in the state.
He said the advice became necessary to enable students and parents study the document before schools resumed for the third term.
Odubela added that the academic time-table was fashioned in a way that would give examiners ample opportunity to mark the scripts before the end of each term.
Plateau
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has decried the misuse of mobile phones as a tool for examination malpractice.
The NOA Director in Plateau State, Mr Musa Chantu said this during the agency’s campaign against examination malpractice at Government College, Jos.
“Handset is meant to assist in bridging the hitherto communication gap within the society as the world is striving toward globalisation.
“It is rather unfortunate that most students usually misuse the rationale of having access to this communication gadget.
Oyo
An Ibadan Senior Magistrates’ Court has sentenced one Ayobami Adeoti, 35, to six months imprisonment for stealing a mobile telephone handset.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Omotosho, who handed down the judgement without option of fine, said that Adeoti should serve his term with hard labour.
Our source said that the accused, who was arraigned on March 6, 2012, had pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Sunday Ojeleye, told the court that Adeoti stole a Nokia C2 handset, valued at N8,000 belonging to one Ode Beatrice at City Centre Hotel at Mokola in Ibadan.
Zamfara
The Zamfara Government has introduced the e-payment system to curtail sharp practices in revenue generation, the Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Mustapha Isa, said.
In a statement in Gusau Isa also said that the government had ordered the immediate stoppage of payments through officials of the Internal Revenue Board.
He said that the measure was in tune with global practice of electronic monitoring transactions.
The chairman also said that the new system would assist the state to improve its internal revenue base to enable it service its development strategies.
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.