Politics
Members Grace NAFEST Closing Ceremony
As the 31st National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) drew to a close last weekend, the Speaker and other members of the State House of Assembly were among dignitaries who witnessed the closing ceremonies, having been at the opening ceremony a week earlier.
However, it was the Public Hearing for the Rivers State College of Health Science, Management and Technology bill 2018 that took centre stage during last week proceedings at the Assembly.
The public hearing was a follow-up after the bill got a second reading on the floor of the house a forth night ago. The speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani thereafter in line with the order of the House, directed that a public hearing be conducted within 14 days, and report back to the House.
With the Public Hearing concluded, the bill will now get fresh debate a third reading and passage.
Students of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management thronged the auditorium of the House of Assembly to witness the public hearing.
In his opening remarks, House Committee Chairman on Education, Hon. Farah Dagogo said the public hearing for the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, bill 2018 could not have come at a better time.
In his words, “The trajectory of this bill lend credence to the fact that nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. The fate that befall this bill in a classic testament to this aphorism”.
Hon Dagogo believes that when the bill is finally passed into law, it would repeal the institution law N03 of 2001, and put in place a Health Science and Management Technology Education architecture that would meet present health needs.
He therefore charged the school’s management to be focused and committed in improving the fortunes of the college through skills acquisition training.
Certainly, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Chike Princewill, expressed fears over the moving of the institution to be supervised by the State Ministry of Education. He maintained that it will be detrimental to do so.
Some of the reasons adduced by Prof. Chike are that any attempt to charge the supervisory Ministry of the College will affect professionalism in the school.
The commissioner for heath submitted that he was not against the revamping and upgrading of the college, but that as a health manpower generating institution it should be left to be supervised and managed by the parent Ministry of Health.
It was at the public hearing that Prof. Princewill disclosed that the State Government had already approved a grant for the upgrading of the college before now.
The Health Commissioner stated that though funds have not been released, but that plans have begun towards improving things for the better.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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