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FCT

Hajia Zainab Ahmed, the Executive Secretary,
Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) has called on Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government to fight corruption for nation building.
Ahmed gave the advice in Abuja at a public presentation of a book, titled: “President‘s Diary: Nigeria‘s Ethical Revolution” organised by the Office of Ethics and Moral Values.
Our correspondent reports that the 410-page book was written by 18 authors.
She said that many Nigerians had lost ethics and moral values right from homes, adding that their weak foundation must be corrected by making them adhere to ethics and moral values in their daily activities.

Kogi
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi said on Wednesday that
the state would establish Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bureau to facilitate infrastructure development in the state
Wada said this in Abuja at a World Bank sponsored training on PPP on Wednesday in Abuja.
“We are working steadily on the institutionalising framework for Public Private Partnership in Kogi State and in a matter of months a PPP bureau will be in place.
“The Kogi PPP bureau, when established, will be a one- stop business center for PPP devoid of frustrating bureaucratic delays of any kind,” he said.
According to him, this will facilitate coordination between projects initiating ministries, agencies of government and private investors.
He said that Kogi with its location and largest deposit of solid minerals in the country, offered a great opportunity for infrastructure Investments.
Wada said that unique opportunities for investment in the state were in various sectors, including transport, power, road, health, tourism.
He commended the World Bank and Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for the training and urged participants

Kwara

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof.
AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has pleaded with health workers to stop their incessant industrial actions that often paralyse the nation’s hospitals.
He made the plea last Tuesday in Ilorin when he received members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN).
Our correspondent reports that members of the association were in Ilorin for the 46th Annual Conference and Scientific Workshop organised by the association.
Ambali said: “It is important for all professionals in the health sector to work together to put an end to strike.
“We are inspired by your comments that appreciate the fact that our (UNILORIN) academic calendar has been stable over several years.

Lagos

National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Party
(APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has advocated gender equality in policy making in the country.
Mohammed made the observation in Lagos at a summit organised by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in partnership with United Kingdom Aid and Voices Change.
Our correspondent reports that the aim of the summit was to promote gender equality as a principle of human rights and a developmental goal.
WARDC is also advocating the rebalancing between men and women in terms of resources, legal rights, participation, decision making and equal relations.

Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-makura of Nasarawa State has
approved an upward review of the allowances of NYSC members posted to the state.
Al-makura announced this at the end of a three-week orientation for Batch C corps members held at the Majaji Dan –Yamusa NYSC orientation camp in Keffi.
In an address to the 1,782 corps members, Al-makura said the allowance would be increased from N2,000 to N5, 000 because of current economic situation in the country..
The governor urged the corps members to use the lessons gained during the orientation period to improve themselves, their host communities and the country at large.
He enjoined them to use the potential in the state to gain more experience for themselves, adding that his administration attached high premium to youth development and the NYSC scheme.

Ogun

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Ogun has remanded
a 33-year-old man, Olayinka Ogundairo, in prison custody for allegedly defrauding a pastor of N400,000.
According to the prosecutor, Cpl. Moshood Hammed, the accused committed the offence sometime in February at the Saraki Adigbe area in Abeokuta.
Hammed said that the accused defrauded one Pastor Jacob Oyedokun of N400,000.00, after tendering false certificates.
“The accused entered the church of Pastor Oyedokun and claimed that he is studying abroad but his benefactor had died.
“He tendered a forged NYSC discharge certificate, a certificate of a Master of Science degree in Anatomy and Physiology from the Council of the Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, U.K., and a Kebbi State University of Science and Technology statement of results.

Oyo

The National Headquarters of Action Alliance (AA) said
that it had not been able to pick anybody as its candidate for any of the elective offices across the country.
Mr Kenneth Udeze, the National Secretary of the party, told newsmen in Ibadan that candidates of the party would be determined at a properly conducted primaries.
“As much as the party will fully participate in all the elections, candidates for all elective offices from states, national legislatures, governors and the presidency will be determined at a properly conducted party primaries,’’ he said.
Udeze said that those claiming to have picked anybody as the party’s flag-bearer must be out of tune with the national directive of the party.
He said that the Senate/House of Representatives primaries would be held on December 8; Governorship/State House of Assembly on December 9 and the National Convention on December 11.

Plateau

Sixty-one politicians, including Senator Joshua Dariye and
former Deputy  Governor, Mrs Pauline Tallen, have formally returned to PDP in Plateau  State.
Our correpondent reports that the returnees, who were received in style by Governor Jonah Jang, spoke through Mr Pam Gyang, Tallen’s running mate in 2011 governorship election, while in Labour Party.
Although Dariye and Tallen were not mentioned in the list of the few defectors called out, they were seated at the Nenfor Arena, Pankshin, in Plateau, where they were formally received by Jang and other party leaders.
“We are back in PDP and we have come to stay and not to leave again; PDP has been a progressive party and we have come to support it move forward.
“Most of us, the returnees, are founding members of PDP but defected due to one reason or the other but today, we are back home; there is no place like home, “ Gyang said.

Sokoto

Former Vice President and an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has donated N 8.5 million to the party in Sokoto State.
Abubakar made the donation during his visit to the state as part of a nationwide campaign to woo the delegates to the party’s forthcoming presidential primaries.
Abubakar said that N5 million was given to the party to facilitate its activities; N1 million for the party’s elders while N2.5 million was for the 50 delegates from the state.
“My aspiration is never a do-or-die affair, but to stabilise the affairs and alleviate the suffering of the people in the country.”
Abubakar also said that the party’s presidential aspirants had already reached an agreement that whoever emerged after the primary elections will be given total support from all other members of the party.

Zamfara

The Zamfara State  Government, says it spends N400 million
monthly to feed the 192 secondary school students in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the state’s School Feeding Board, Alhaji Atiku Maradun, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
Maradun said the state government gave priority to secondary schools’ feeding as part of its efforts to improve secondary education in the state.
He added that the secondary school feeding programme had reduced the difficulties faced by parents in sponsoring their children in boarding schools and consequently increased the enrolment of students into secondary schools across the 147 wards in the state.

L-R: Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, wife of former Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Jakande and Chairman, Premier Lotto Ltd, Chief Keshington Adebutu,  at the 2,600 days in office of  Gov. Fashola, recently

L-R: Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, wife of former Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Jakande and Chairman, Premier Lotto Ltd, Chief Keshington Adebutu, at the 2,600 days in office of Gov. Fashola, recently

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Rumuaholu Community Denies Land Grabbing Allegations, Accuses Obio/Akpor Chairman of Interference in Land Dispute

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The Ekeanyanwu family of Rumuaholu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has strongly refuted allegations of land grabbing levelled against it, describing recent media reports as false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.
The family made its position known during a press briefing held on Wednesday at the residence of Dr. Colonel Ogwumerum Eke in Rumuaholu. The briefing was attended by community leaders, stakeholders, and family representatives.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Eke dismissed claims attributed to the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Gift Worlu, which allegedly labelled the family as land grabbers. He described the allegations as baseless, frivolous, and lacking any factual foundation.
According to Dr. Eke, the Ekeanyanwu family remains the legitimate owner of the parcel of land known as Ohia Agbada, comprising approximately 6,000 plots situated along the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road corridor. He further maintained that Victory Estate, located within the disputed area, belongs exclusively to the Ekeanyanwu family and not to the Rumuosi Community as claimed by the council chairman.
Dr. Eke stated that ownership of the land had been affirmed by the courts, citing Case No. CCC/22/2015 at the Choba Customary Court. He explained that while the suit was instituted against another family in Rumuaholu, the Rumuosi Community sought to be joined in the matter but their application was rejected by the court.
He further disclosed that the family currently holds 15 subsisting court judgments in its favour relating to the disputed land, including judgments from the Customary Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.
The family spokesman alleged that the Obio/Akpor council chairman, in collaboration with the local Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, was attempting to undermine the court decisions and dispossess the family of its land through what he described as “backdoor means.”
Dr. Eke accused the chairman of assuming the role of an appellate authority over matters that had already been conclusively determined by competent courts.
Expressing concern over recent developments, he alleged that individuals acting under the influence of the council chairman had destroyed properties worth millions of naira within Victory Estate. He described the action as a direct affront to existing court judgments and the rule of law.
Displaying copies of court judgments during the briefing, Dr. Eke questioned the rationale behind branding judgment creditors as land grabbers, insisting that those challenging the court rulings were the real offenders.
He called on members of the public to disregard what he termed misleading radio announcements purportedly made by the council chairman and urged government institutions and security agencies to uphold the sanctity of court judgments.
Also speaking at the briefing, Elder Prince Ndaokani, Principal Oji Owhor of Rumuaholu Community, supported the Ekeanyanwu family’s claims. He maintained that the disputed land originally belonged to Dr. Eke’s late father, who, according to Ikwerre native customary law, acquired ownership through the clearing and development of the land.
However, the allegations were dismissed by the Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, Chief Alex Wali, who responded on behalf of the local government council.
Chief Wali declined to engage directly with the claims made by Dr. Eke, stating: “That man cannot be gifted with our valued response to his tirades. People like that should not be in public but should be rotting in jail for heinous crimes against humanity.”
He maintained that nothing would prevent the council chairman from carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as the chief executive and chief security officer of the local government area.
According to him, the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels, and the council would continue to discharge its duties in that regard.
The dispute is the latest chapter in a long-running land ownership controversy in the area, with both sides maintaining opposing claims over the disputed property.
By Akujobi Amadi
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Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

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The Asarama General Assembly in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has condemned the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some identified criminal elements in the community.
It would be recalled that on Thursday the 28th of May  2026, the kingdom was thrown into mourning, following the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some criminal elements
The Assembly which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also called for the establishment of a Mobile police and police anti cultism departments  at the Asarama Police Division.
The Okangh Ama /Paramount Ruler of Asarama kingdom HRM king Appolus J Nteijaewaye who read the text for the briefing onbehalf of The Asarama General Assembly at the briefing said the community condemned in totality the gruesome incident.
He said the kingdom also extends its condolences to the bereaved family of the murdered driver, stressing that as a kingdom it would leave no stone unturned to ensure that such an incident never occur within it’s territorial space again.
The General Assembly also commended the prompt intervention of the Nigerian police Force which led to the arrest of some members of the criminal gang, adding that even though the crime was committed at Asarama, some of those allegedly involved were not indigenes of Asarama kingdom.
“As a kingdom we use the sober moment of this unfortunate incident to further commend the prompt reaction of the leadership and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers state that led to their effective results aimed at eliminating criminality and deterring the evil ones in our society “
The Community also described the incident as a pointer to the level of vulnerability of not only Asarama kingdom but the entire society, against the background that the sanctity of life ought to be sacred and protected by individuals, groups, communities and governmental institutions”
Meanwhile ,The Asarama General Assembly has called for the establishment of a Mobile Police  as well as police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division
It said this has become necessary inview of the strategic location of the kingdom as a gateway to the rest of Andoni communities and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Area.
“Owing to the peculiarity of our geographical location especially the amphibious nature of Asarama kingdom, intricately linked with its neighbouring inter ethnic Ogoni and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Areas in general and intra Andoni communities in particular, the relevant authorities should urgently approved special mobile police force,Anti cultism and Marin units to be attached to the Asarama Divisional headquarters”
The kingdom also decried the continuous neglect of the Asarama police Division, since it’s establishment adding that the division up till date,does not have a single firearm as well as enough personnel
It said this situation has exposed the community to activities of criminal elements.
“The sordid state of the only security outfit that ought to police our territory and beyond now seems to complicate the delicate insecurity that we are already exposed to, first as a nation and second as a people inhabiting an intricate amphibious gateway kingdom
“Consequently we hereby cry to the appropriate authorities to urgently equip the Asarama Divisional Police headquarters with adequate men arms and ammunition “the Community said.
John Bibor
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Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.

Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.

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