Nation
THE STATES
Benue
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Mr Peter Chieshe, has suggested more international assistance in the fight against insurgency in the country.
Chieshe said in an interview on Sunday in Makurdi that the government and international communities should evolve pragmatic approach aimed at ending the activities of the insurgents.
Chieshe condoled with those who lost relations and loved ones in the Nyanya bomb and described blasts, the abduction of school girls in Chibok, Borno, as despicable.
He urged Nigerians not to surrender their destiny to faceless insurgents whose mission was to destroy the country.
“The insurgents seek to disrupt the peace, unity and existence of the country; but it is the duty of every Nigerian to work for a united and peaceful Nigeria,’’ he said.
Ekiti
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, has said that
the relationship between him and a former Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, is cordial.
Adejugbe who made this known last Sunday when he received Fayose, who was on a campaign tour of Ado Local Government Area, in his palace at Ado-Ekiti ruler noted that he was not thinking or talking about the past, adding that the past had gone with its inadequacies.
He, however, enjoined candidates of all political parties, including Fayose, to be peaceful in their campaigns, so as not to throw the state into violence.
Earlier, Fayose told the Oba that he was in his palace to pay homage, as well as seek his royal blessings and praised the Ewi in forgiving his wrong doings, adding that he was now a better person, more responsible, mature and responsive.
FCT
The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, says it
has undertaken a study on the frequent deterioration of roads in the country.
Director-General of the institute, Prof Danladi Matawal, said in an interview Sunday in Abuja that the research was funded by the Samuel Olatunde Fadahunsi Foundation.
He said N6.8 million was received from the foundation for the project, which also entailed designing and fabricating an interlocking block making machine and developing ceiling boards using pulp and sawdust.
According to him, the researches have been highly successful, and a number of publications on the subjects have been made.
Matawal said the findings were presented during the 2013 national conference on road failure organised by the institute and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.
Gombe
Chairman of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe
State, Alhaji Abdullahi Talasse, has urged the Federal Government to complete the Balanga Dam Project.
Briefing journalists in Gombe, Abdullahi said that the completion of the dam was necessary to enable irrigation farming and provision of potable water for communities in the North East geo-political zone.
The chairman said that the completion of the dam would also facilitate power generation and boost socio-economic development of the region and country at large.
“If this dam is completed, it would reduce youth restiveness by way of job creation and many companies will be attracted to the place because of power supply. “It is the same dam that would pump potable water to the people for irrigation purposes”, he said.
Abdullahi also appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the provision of fertiliser, and other agricultural inputs such as tractors, herbicides and pesticides as well as soft loans for farmers during the 2014 farming season.
Lagos
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the Press
Freedom Day, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called on the authorities to see the media as an ally.
The NGE said the day afforded Nigerians the opportunity to reflect on the state of the media in the country, adding “Without a free press, good governance cannot be guaranteed, the fight against corruption will at best be tepid, our political development will be stunted and sluggish.
“The fundamental rights of the citizenry would be trampled upon with impunity.
But a free press will accelerate national development and engender the country of our dreams, which yet remains in the realm of envisioning,” the statement noted.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has approved N12.6 billion
for the execution of education, water and roads projects.
The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Sani Kanya, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the State Executive council approved N7 billion for the purchase of text books for SSS and JSS students.
He said N2 billion would also be spent on the construction of the 40km Suru-Zengelu road while N1.6 billion would be spent on constructing the 26km Katari-Kechi road while the sum of N865 million would be expended on construction of a 30km road from Dakingari to Maitambari.
The commissioner also said N670 million would be spent on the improvement of rural water supply in addition to the Japanese and Federal Government water supply facilities received by the state.
Kogi
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has pledged the state’s
readiness to support individuals whose focus was to impart knowledge and support its education transformation agenda.
Wada, who made the pledge in a statement by the Deputy Governor’s Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, on Sunday in Lokoja, said Wada made the promise throught the Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, at a book launch by a renowned educationist, Dr Bello Ibrahim, in Arabi Local Government Area of Kogi.
It said the knowledge gathered by the author and documented would be significant to the development of education in the state and country at large
Wada urged Nigerians to see politics as geared towards development adding that the present realities point to the fact that those in positions of authority must live above board and make service delivery their cardinal point.
Kwara
An aspirant in the forthcoming National Association of
Women Journalists (NAWOJ) elections, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, last Saturday in Ilorin pledged to provide the platform for members to excel.
Omowole, who is aspiring to the association’s National President’s position, made the pledge while briefing members of NAWOJ in Ilorin.
“Our association, which was basically set up to empower women journalists, has unfortunately lost its course. “Due to the edge male journalists have, the need for women to form their organisation so as to provide equal opportunities for women arose.
“But what we have now is not what we bargained for,’’ she said.
Omowole, a one-time National Deputy President of NAWOJ, said the association had over the years lost track and had not become very relevant in the scheme of things.
“I promise to bring back the former glory of this association,” she said.
Nasarawa
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Akwanga, Nasarawa
State, last Sunday, announced a special prayer for the freedom of more than 200 school girls abducted in Chibok, Borno.
The Assistant Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Azige Alfred, said during his sermon that the prayer became imperative to seek God’s intervention.
He urged the members of the church and Nigerians to pray seriously and ask God to help the girls to gain freedom and said because of the security challenges in the country; the church had taken some measures to protect members.
Alfred said such measures included the directive that church members and visitors should not be allowed to enter the church with handbags and called on leaders to create employment opportunity for the youths to curtail vices in the society.
Niger
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSS), has
urged Nigerians to embark on fasting and prayer for the safe return of the students abducted in Chibok, Borno, on April 14.
Malam Abdulazeez Folayemi, President of the society made the call in Minna during a lecture organised by the North Central Zone of the MSS to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the body.
“The million of Muslim students in Nigeria and the Diaspora reject this terrorist act that is aimed at increasing and complicating the suffering of the already traumatised Nigerians. “We call on everyone to embark on fasting and prayer in order to seek Allah’s intervention in this precarious time.
He urged the Federal Government to deploy “all necessary machinery to ensure the safe return of the girls” and urged the authorities to come up with more proactive measures to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.
Sokoto
Hundreds of Muslim women last Sunday prayed in
Sokoto to seek God’s intervention over the lingering insecurity in parts of the north, especially in the recent abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State.
The women were drawn from Muslim Organisations, Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria, Women in Dawah, Muslim Students Association of Nigeria and Muslim Corps Members Association of Nigeria.
Spokesperson for the group, Hajiya Rahmatu Saleh, called on those holding the school girls to have the fear Allah and release them.
She stressed the importance of prayers towards achieving peace in the country and advised Muslims to turn to Allah.
L-R: President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, at a Summit for Child Health in Abuja, recently.
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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