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Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (middle), Acting President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Garba Muhammad (2nd left) and members of the Guild, during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Sokoto on Friday.        Photo: NAN

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (middle), Acting President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Garba Muhammad (2nd left) and members of the Guild, during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Sokoto on Friday. Photo: NAN

Adamawa

The Grand Khadi of Adamawa Sharia Court of Appeal,
Justice Mohammed Mahmood, has urged proprietors of private schools in the state, to place humanitarian interest above financial benefit profit in their operations.
Mahmood made the call at the graduation ceremony of Ahmadu Ribadu College, Yola.
Mahmood, who was the chairman of the occasion, said providing education was a service to humanity and should not be reduced to ‘profit-making venture’.
The Grand Khadi,who was represented by the Registrar, Shariah Court of Appeal, Barr. Hashimu Suleiman, urged government to always monitor the operations of private schools, to ensure standard.
He lauded Ribadu College for remaining one of the best private schools in the state, and urged its management to sustain the standard.
Bauchii

Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, has
pledged to pay workers’ salaries when due to enable them carry out their responsibilities.
Abubakar made the pledge in Bauchi while exchanging views with members of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its Chairman, Mr Hashimu Gital.
He emphasised that the state government would pay workers’ salaries promptly after settling debts inherited from the previous administration.
Abubakar assured them that he would continue to engage the organised labour to enable it to contribute its quota to the development of the state.
He said that the administration would exhibit prudence and transparency in handling the resources of the state at its disposal and execute people-oriented projects.
The governor commended the labour movement in the country for its role during the electoral process that ushered in the new administration into office.
He, therefore, urged the workers in the country to support the new administration to enable it to excel.

FCT

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has commenced
investigations into alleged police misconduct in the country in line with its constitutional mandate.
In a statement, the head, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission, Mr Ikechukwu Ani said that the action followed several reports in the media and the public on allegations of unlawful police actions.
It said that all police officers involved in serious cases of misconduct would henceforth appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the commission.
“The chairman of the commission has directed that cases of gross police misconduct should subsequently be treated with dispatch,“ he said.
It said that the commission was already looking into three cases of alleged police misconduct across the country.
“They are an alleged brutalisation of an eight month pregnant woman at the Satellite Area of Lagos State who was said to have lost her pregnancy due to an alleged police indiscretion.
Gombe

Head of Forestry unit of Yamaltu/Deba Local Govern
ment Council in Gombe State has confirmed the killing of a notorious hippopotamus in Dadinkowa dam that has been terrorising the community for the past two years.
He told newsmen in Gombe that the bulky animal, apart from terrorising people, had also been destroying crops and fishing facilities of fishermen in the area.
“We discovered it about two and half years ago, but unfortunately, it has become very notorious and dangerous to people. “The community wrote to the local government council, complaining about the threat of the animal and we forwarded same to the Ministry of Environment, seeking the approval of the Governor to take action.
“We received the approval last week, and decided to go hunting for it, an exercise that took us one week before the animal was finally spotted.

Jigawa

Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State, has ap
proved the dissolution of the executive committee of the state chapter of Youth Council of Nigeria (YCN).
This is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir,which was made available to our correspondent yesterday in Dutse.
It said the dissolution was with immediate effect.
The statement quoted Abdulkadir saying that the dissolution followed a conflict rocking the council.
It explained that a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the council had been constituted.

Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force has promised to build the capac
ity of its personnel to enable them to deal with the current security challenge in the country.
The Chief of Air Staff, AVM Sadiq Abubakar, made the promise when he addressed the officers and men of the Nigeria Air Force Base (NAF), in Kaduna.
He also stressed that the new leadership of the air force would lay emphasis on personnel capacity, maintenance and stability of airplanes.
The air force chief, who was on familiarisation visit to the base, said he would undertake in depth assessment of their needs in order to strengthen their capacity to meet the challenges of the time.

Kano
The Kano State Government says fertilisers will hence
forth be distributed through Community Reorientation Committee (CRC), which had replaced the Mobile Phone Distribution System.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Yusuf Gawuna, made this known to newsmen in Kano recently.
Represented by Public Relations Officer to the Commissioner, Alhaji Garba Yunusa, Gawuna said the fertilisers would also be distributed to farmers at subsidised rate of N3,500 per bag instead of its market price of N5000.
“The new method of distribution is aimed at ensuring that the fertilisers reached the local farmers.
“The distribution through the CRC would foster effective delivery of the commodity to the grassroots farmers’’, he said.
Lagos

Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has approved the
release of N11 billion to offset all pension liabilities in the state accrued since 2010.
This is contained in a statement by the state’s Head of Service, Mrs Shade Jaji, in Lagos.
Jaji said that the move was to bring succour to all retirees in the state’s public service.
She said that release of the fund was also part of measures by government to find a holistic solution to payment of pension to retirees under the PAY AS YOU GO scheme.
She added that accrued pension rights due to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme would also be taken care of.

Nasarawa

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has
tasked members of the public to report irresponsible and corrupt officers to higher police authorities for disciplinary action.
Arase, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG), Research and Planning, Mr Christopher Katso, gave the charge at a meeting with members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC)  in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
He said that the new concept of policing in Nigeria was geared toward adequate involvement of the public in line with international best practice.
“One of the critical tools needed for effective policing is information and members of the public are in a better position to supply these information since police officers cannot be everywhere at all times,” he said.

Osun

The newly appointed Chancellor of the Obafemi
Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar,  has assured its management of his readiness to partner with other stakeholders to improve the university.
This is contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, made available to newsmen, in Ile-Ife.
Abubakar, who is also the Etsu Nupe, said this when the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, led his management team to pay a courtesy call on him and presented to him his letter of appointment from the Federal Government.
The monarch lauded the administrative ingenuity of the university led by Omole.
He promised to put in his best to do more and build on the achievement of his predecessors, adding that it was a rare privilege for him to be appointed as the chancellor of a first-class, world-rated university like the OAU.

Plateau

Stakeholders have criticised the Nigerian education sys
tem, describing the processes leading to securing admission into the tertiary institutions as “exploitative’’.
Some of them, who spoke with newsmen in Plateau, Benue and other states in the North-Central geo-political zone, held that the hurdles were not only expensive, but energy-sapping and strenuous.
Gunsling Yarlings, Chairman, Plateau Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, said that there were too many examinations before admissions are offered, especially into the universities.
“The process starts with the purchase of the JAMB form, for which you must buy a scratch card and look for a cybercafé, to fill out the form.
“After the examination, which may be in some far away state, the candidate will have to buy another scratch card, to check the result.

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RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria

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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

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Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries

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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

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City Boy Movement Hails Onyesoh’s APC Primary Win

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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.

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