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Borno

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has pre
sented about N30 million cash support to parents of the abducted Government Secondary   School (GSS) Chibok students in Borno.
Buhari, represented by the wife of the Borno governor Hajiya Nana Shettima, presented the cash to the parents at a ceremony in Maiduguri.
She explained that the gesture was aimed at assisting the parents with some financial support towards alleviating their sufferings.
Buhari pointed out that the presentation was in fulfillment of her promise to assist the less privileged and victims of insurgency in the North East.
“Today’s presentation was in fulfillment of the promise I made earlier in the year during my book launch in Abuja.
“I made a promise that the proceeds will be used to better the lives of women and victims of insurgency in the North East,” she said.

FCT

Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have signed
a bilateral agreement of over eight million China’s Yuan (about 400 million naira) for various projects in the FCT.
The projects were feasibility studies of the second phase of the Abuja Solar Powered Traffic Control Signal, Agricultural Demonstration Centre and the 2016 Bilateral Training Programmes.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr James Akpandem, Media Adviser to Minister of Budget and National Planning  Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, in Abuja.
“The agreement was signed at the sixth session of the Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation Joint Commission meeting in Abuja.
“The agreement is a prelude to Chinese government’s full involvement in the projects once they are certified feasible.
“The project will be funded through gratis assistance as part of the 2012 Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement between the two governments,” the statement said.

Jigawa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
in Jigawa State says it will deploy 1,500 personnel to ensure hitch-free sallah celebration in the state.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Malam Muhammad Durumin-Iya, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Durumin-Iya said the officers would be deployed to Dutse, the state capital and other major towns across the state.
He explained that the gesture was to provide adequate security during and after Sallah celebrations across the state.
“As part of plans to ensure hitch-free event, and adequate security, during and after Sallah in Jigawa, we will also deploy about 150 special force, which comprises of Special Armed Squad and Counter Terrorism Squad”, he said.

Kaduna

A mobile court has convicted 49 drivers for violation of
road traffic regulations during a special patrol in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area, Kaduna State, by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
FRSC Legal Officer, Kaduna Sector Command, Mr Ibrahim Tanko, told newsmen that the offenders were convicted by mobile court after their arrest.
The official said that eight of the offenders were convicted for light sign violation, seven for driving with worn out tyres or without spare tyre and four for vehicle licence violation.
Eight others he said were convicted for drivers’ license violation, five for fire extinguisher violation, nine for seat belt violation, three for over-loading and one for number plate violation.
He added that four others were convicted for obstructing marshal on duty, operating vehicle with forged document, caution sign violation and vehicle windshield violation respectively.

Kwara

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
in Kwara State, says it has deployed 2,500 personnel across the state to ensure protection of lives and property during the Eid-al-fitr celebration.
The Kwara Commandant of the corps, Mr Pedro Ideba, disclosed this in llorin during an interview with newsmen.
He said that the personnel had already been deployed in all the 16 local government areas of the state to ensure a hitch free Sallah celebration.
The commandant said that the corps was collaborating with other security operatives in the state to achieve this.
Ideba said that personnel had been dispatched to all the Eid praying grounds and other sensitive locations in the state to provide adequate security.
The commandant warned residents of the state against taking laws into their hands, adding that any person or group of peoples who constitute security threat would be dealt with.

Lagos

Group Managing Director, Lagos State Water Corpora
tion, Mr Muminu Badmus, said its officials would be visiting residents to verify their complaints toward boosting service delivery.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Rasaq Anifowoshe of the corporation‘s Public Affairs Division.
According to him, the visit is designed to help the corporation improve water services to every home in the state.
‘’Lagos Water Corporation is planning to visit Water Customers for effective Service delivery.
‘’The exercise will start from Surulere Area of the state on July 7, and will be extended to other parts of Lagos metropolis”, he said.

Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Police command says it has deployed
over 2,000 officers to various strategic places in the state in order to ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Fitr.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, Lawal Shehu, told newsmen in Lafia that appropriate measures were being taken to forestall any breakdown of law and order during the festivity.
He said officers had been placed on surveillance patrol of identified flash points of violence and criminality across the state.
“Hoodlums usually take advantage of festive periods to perpetrate crimes but we are ready for them this time,” he said.
Shehu called on members of the public, especially Muslim faithful, to cooperate with the police to safeguard lives and property.

Ogun

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, says the intro
duction of single currency by West African states would promote economic integration and progress within the region.
Obasanjo said this while playing host to the President, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Commission, Mr Marcel de Souza, at his hilltop estate, Abeokuta.
The former president said it was high time the organisation started using single currency, adding that it would help boost the economy of all members of ECOWAS.
“We have decided that our unit of currency will be ‘eco’, let us now start using eco, let eco become our unit of currency.
“Single currency unit for ECOWAS states will bring about more development and growth among the states”, he said.

Oyo

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has
handed over completed school projects worth 1.3 Japanese Yen (N2 billion) to the Oyo State Government.
JICA handed over the projects to the state government at a ceremony held at St. Luke’s Demonstration School, Molete, Ibadan.
The Chief Representative in the Nigeria office of JICA, Mr Hirotaka Nakamura, said that the sum was expended on 231 classrooms, two staff rooms and 218 toilet booths spread across 30 schools in the state.
Our correspondent  reports that the classroom blocks were furnished with desks, chairs and blackboards.
“The completion of this project brings the total number of classrooms constructed in the education sector in Nigeria to 1, 038 classrooms and 999 toilet booths since December 2014 till date”, he said.

Sokoto

Sokoto State Government has purchased 9,000 metric
tonnes of fertiliser and 16,000 water pumps worth about N 1.7 billion to be distributed to farmers in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Alhaji Umaru Nagwari made the disclosure in Sokoto in an interview with newsmen.
According to Nagwari, the assorted fertiliser and water pumps will be distributed to both dry and rainy season farmers across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Nagwari said that the fertiliser, which comprised of Urea and NPK brands, were bought at about N8, 000 per bag but would be sold to the farmers at 75 per cent subsidy.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state executive council had approved the purchase of Faro rice seedlings worth about N392 million for distribution  to the farmers free of charge.

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RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Hold 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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Etche Group Hails Onyesoh’s APC Primary Win

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The City Boys 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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