Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Controller of Adamawa Command of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), Mr Peter Tenkwa, has rejected the medical letter used by a Yola High Court in granting bail to convicted ex-Governor of the state, Mr Bala Ngilari, on health ground.
Justice Nathan Musa of Yola High Court, on Monday granted bail to Ngilari, currently in the prison for a five-year jail sentence, on health grounds, after he appealed against his conviction.
Tenkwa told newsmen Monday in Yola that he was not aware of the letter and had communicated to the prison headquarters.
He said the headquarters directed him to issue a query to officials involved in the matter, including the Deputy Controller of Yola Prison, Mr Abubakar Abaka and a Superintendent of Prisons, Mr John Bukar, in charge of health.
“Nigeria Prison Service, as I stated, knows nothing about this letter; whoever wrote that letter is on his own. I have been directed to query the officers involved.”
Bauchi
Some married women residing in Bauchi have attributed their improved health status to regular exercises with the active support and encouragement of their husbands.
Some of the women told newsmen in separate interviews in Bauchi on Tuesday that the new lifestyle had helped to stave off debilitating disease burdens.
They identified some of the diseases as High Blood Pressure and Diabetes.
Hajiya Zainab Abdulkadir, the founder of the gymnasium, told newsmen that her husband donated the facility to assist married women interested in exercising their bodies.
Abdulkadir noted that other available gymnasiums were for both men and women, hence the need to provide a facility for only married women.
Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has said the most recent killings in the State were not perpetrated by herdsmen, but criminal elements.
Ortom said this after the State Security meeting in Makurdi last Monday.
The governor also said the killings were not due to communal clashes, stressing that they were carried out by criminal elements bent on unleashing terror and mayhem on innocent citizens.
He, however, promised that the killings would soon be nipped in the bud; and the perpetrators arrested and prosecuted.
He further said that the criminals had been identified and that the security agencies would soon go after them.
“’We are not ready to surrender the state to criminals”, the governor vowed.
Ekiti
Two men, Ebenezer Temitope and Ojo Toyin, who allegedly burgled an apartment and stole three cell phones valued at N110, 000, were on Tuesday charged before a Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti.
The accused,Temitope, 22 and Toyin, 22, whose addresses were not given, are facing a charge of stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Oriyomi Akinwale, told the Court that the accused committed the offence on March 24, at about 2 am, at Ekute Quarters in Ado-Ekiti.
Akinwale alleged that the accused broke into the house of one Abosede Oladaiye and one Damilola Odunayo and stole their phones.
FCT
Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has debunked allegations of corrupt practices levelled against the university administration, saying many people were not aware of the universities procedures.
Ambali stated his position in an interview with newsmen in Abuja last Tuesday.
The vice-chancellor said that the university followed laid down guidelines in appointments of staff, payment of entitlements to principal officers and reappointment of principal officers.
Katsina
A Katsina State High Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the alleged N11 billion scam brought against a former state governor, Ibrahim Shema, until June 6.
The former governor is charged with conspiracy, forgery and diversion of N11 billion public funds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Standing trial with Shema are former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sani Makana, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government Affairs, Lawal Safana and former State ALGON Chairman, Lawal Dankaba.
The offences contravene Sections 312 and 364, Cap 96 of the Penal Code, Laws of Katsina State, 1991.
When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, Justice Ibrahim Bako said the adjournment was sequel to the defendants’ appeal, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try the case.
Kwara
The Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) has honoured Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and seven others for their contributions to the development of agriculture in the state.
It is reported that the event, held at Landmark University’s Auditorium in Omu-Aran, Kwara on Monday, was part of activities to mark the society’s 42nd annual national conference.
The conference has: ‘Emerging Challenges Facing Animal Agriculture in Nigeria and the Way Forward,” as its theme.
Ahmed was represented at the event by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Bamidele Adegoke.
The governor was honoured under the society’s agriculture leadership award for sustaining the legacy of his predecessor with regards to the Shonga Farm Initiative in poultry and dairy production.
Lagos
An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sentenced a security guard to 10 years in prison for burglary and stealing goods worth N20.95 million from his employer’s house.
In her judgment, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, jailed James Jacob seven years for burglary and three years for stealing with no option of fine.
The 20 year-old convict had pleaded guilty to the three-count charge of conspiracy, break-in and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Cousin Adams, told the court that the convict had on February 19 burgled the home of Oludayo Adeyinka and absconded with property worth N20.95 million.
“He used a saw blade to gain entrance by cutting the burglary of the toilet and disconnected the CCTV camera to avoid being identified.
Ondo
Two teenagers, Olusola Ogunsede, 18, and another, aged 17, were on Tuesday brought before an Okitipupa Magistrates Court in Ondo State over the alleged theft of 50 bunches of palm fruits worth N100,000.
The accused, of no fixed addresses and occupations, were standing trial in the court on a two-count charge of felony and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused on February 11 around 10:00 a.m., behind Mercury School, Ikoya in Okitipupa, conspired to commit the offences.
He said the accused entered the farmland belonging to one Wilson Ageh and stole the palm fruits, which were already harvested for transportation to the market.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has inaugurated a five-man judicial commission of enquiry into the crisis that erupted between the Yoruba and Hausa in Ile-Ife on March 8 in which lives were lost and property destroyed.
A media aide to the governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, made this known in a statement in Osogbo on Monday.
The statement quoted the governor as urging members of the commission to investigate and determine the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem.
He also mandated them to recommend appropriate civil or criminal actions to be taken against the perpetrators and make appropriate suggestions to the state government in order to prevent a future occurrence.
Oyo
A don, Dr Musibau Babatunde, has advised lawmakers in Oyo State to make laws that would enhance the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
Babatunde, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, gave the advice at a two-day workshop for members of the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The workshop was organised by Konrad-Adenaeur Shifting Foundation, Germany.
Plateau
A bill seeking to enact the Plateau Penal Code on Tuesday scaled through the second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.
Presenting the bill for deliberation at Plenary, Majority Leader of the House, Mr Henry Yunkwap, said that the bill, if passed into law, would capture penalties for contemporary crimes.
He said that Plateau needed its own penal code because the penal code of Northern Nigeria, being used in the state, had become “out-dated and obsolete”.
He further explained that the bill, which contained 398 clauses and 31 chapters, would address primary, secondary and tertiary crimes in the state.
Nation
RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
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
Nation
Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries
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
Nation
City Boy Movement Hails Onyesoh’s APC Primary Win
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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