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Ahmadu Bello University Honours Alumni
The Rivers State branch of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria Alumni Association Friday, conferred honours to five worthy members of the association who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour and contributed to the development of the society.
The five distinguished awardees who received the honour during the 7th public lecture of the ABU Alumni Association organised by the State branch, held at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt, include Mr. B. A. Hassan, commissioner of Police, Rivers State and Mrs. Esther Anucha, Head of Service, Rivers State.
Others are Bishop I. C. O. Kattey, Archbishop Anglican Communion, Rivers State, Prof. Tokubiye G. Sokari, Rector Rivers State Polytechnic Bori and Arc E. H. Etteh, Executive Director projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Speaking at the occasion, the state chairman of the association, Dr. Jessica Ezekiel Hart stated that the occasion was aimed at bringing stakeholders together to deliberate on topics that are bogging the mind of every Nigerian adding that this year’s lecture topic entitled “Strategies for Solving the Niger Delta Problem” is introduced to address some issues threatening the corporate existence of the country.
She stated that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s effort at repackaging a new Niger Delta is a noble initiative, adding that this lecture, would contribute its quota to the proposed strategies and agenda of the federal government in the Niger Delta development.
The ABU state chairman of the Alumni, opined that the association had in past years pioneered efforts at creating synergies between the forum, corporate bodies and the university in its effort to provide and improve the infrastructural needs of the university.
She urged members of the state Alumni not to renege in their efforts at contributing to the development of the university, adding that it was the responsibility of all to make the institution remain great among the various universities in the country.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Nimi Briggs commended the association for their pivotal roles in the development of the institution and urged them to continue in such spirit.
He thanked the association for recognising the contributions made by the awardees noting that such gesture would spur people to contribute to the societal development even as he, congratulated all the awardees.
Also speaking, the acting Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Prof. Z. U. Umoh opined that the state branch of the Alumni has done their institution proud.
Presenting his lecture titled “Strategies for Solving the Niger Delta Problem” the guest lecturer, Prof. Emmanuel O. Okoro identified economic crisis as the major causes of the Niger Delta problem, adding that the existing arrangement which excludes the people of the region from benefiting directly from resources in their land was fundamentally unjust to the Niger Delta.
He opined that an intellectual framework for a sustainable world class living standard for Niger delta people could be achieved through deploying creative ideas to produce relevant goods and services on the basis of a Private Public Partnership (PPP) economy.
The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has resolved more than 5,000 pending complaints within five days, in a bid to improve service delivery to candidates.
?This is disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol, JAMB, Fabian Benjamin.
?Benjamin said the development followed Aina’s decision to strengthen the Board’s Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) Unit to ensure the prompt resolution of outstanding complaints.
?He said the Registrar had relocated his seat to the SERVICOM Unit to gain first-hand knowledge of the nature of services being sought by candidates and other clients and to facilitate the resolution of pending cases.
?According to him, the move is in line with the Registrar’s Five Enduring Pillars, particularly the second pillar, “Service at Heart”.
He added that the Registrar’s move was to ensure his commitment to leveraging strategic communication to reposition the Board and deliver services commensurate with the fees paid by candidates.
?He noted that Aina had directed SERVICOM Desk Officers to address complaints holistically and promptly.
?Benjamin said the directive had already begun to yield positive results, with more than 5,000 pending and unresolved complaints addressed within five days.
?He said the complaints covered a wide range of issues, including difficulties in creating profile codes by candidates who had previously registered with telephone numbers to which they no longer had access.
?He added that biometric verification challenges were also addressed, including genuine cases of biometric failures encountered during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration or examination.
?He further said that the Registrar also scrutinised the operations of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), where issues relating to lost phones and SIM cards, candidates who converted from Direct Entry (DE) to UTME, and candidates omitted from the National Matriculation List after graduation were identified and addressed.
?He also noted that some previously unresolved payment-related issues were swiftly resolved, alongside complaints concerning inappropriate examination venues, e-PINs, technical challenges and difficulties with the uploading of documents.
?According to him, other recurring complaints relating to changes of name, date of birth, state and local government of origin were also addressed.
?The acting director said the initiative underscored the Registrar’s commitment to placing candidates and other clients at the centre of the Board’s operations.
?He said JAMB would continue to strengthen its complaint-resolution mechanisms to ensure that candidates received timely and efficient services.
The Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) 2026 is set to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s creative and tourism landscape as filmmakers, industry professionals, cultural enthusiasts and international guests converge on the historic and culturally rich Bonny Island, Rivers State, for the fourth edition of the festival.
Scheduled to hold from 29 October to 1 November 2026, RIFF 2026 is expected to bring together creative talents from Nigeria and across the world for four days of film screenings, industry conversations, masterclasses, networking opportunities, cultural experiences and celebrations of cinematic excellence.
The festival is being organised around the theme, “Film Tourism: A Pathway to Economic Development,” highlighting the powerful relationship between the film industry, tourism and the wider creative economy. This is with the view to promote cultural preservation, youth empowerment and economic development.
Speaking on the forthcoming fourth edition of the festival, the founder, Rivers International Film Festival/National Chairman Film Festivals Association of Nigeria, Kate Ezeigbo, said that the efforts of RIFF in conjunction with the Rivers State Government have not gone unnoticed.
According to her, “The growing significance of the Rivers International Film Festival has received commendation from the Honourable Minister for Arts, Entertainment , Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who acknowledged the important role being played by the Rivers State Government and RIFF in advancing the creative sector.
The Minister stated: “I am aware that the Rivers State Government, backed by the Rivers International Film Festival, partnered with Entertainment Stakeholders, encourages the use of film and art for cultural preservation and youth empowerment. This really will make Nigeria the cultural and creative hub of Africa and Rivers State is taking a huge step in claiming that position.”
The commendation is seen as a major recognition of the festival’s vision and its commitment to using the creative industry as a vehicle for cultural development, youth engagement, tourism promotion and economic growth.
A total of 147 structures in Lagos will be affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway service lane.
President Bola Tinubu made this known on Sunday at a stakeholder engagement and flag-off of repair works on Eko Bridge and Marine Bridge in Lagos, and the flooded section of Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.
The president said that, of the 147 structures, five would be cut fully and the others minimally.
Tinubu was represented by Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The President noted that Eko Bridge was one of the oldest bridges constructed after Nigeria’s independence, adding that Marine Bridge provided access to the seaports in Lagos State.
He urged Lagos State Government to remain on a trajectory of irreversible development in every nook and cranny of this state.
”Today, in particular, is a day on which we have had extensive stakeholder engagement. We are truly happy with the turnout,” he said.
Tinubu said that the Federal Government had undertaken extensive renovation works in Lagos State.
“As a government, we must acknowledge and appreciate the efforts that have been made. This is about recognising the real work on ground.”
He thanked the stakeholders, saying they had always turned out to discuss with the government anytime needed.
Tinubu praised the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, for his efforts in road infrastructure development.
“For all of us to enjoy the full benefit of infrastructure, we have to shift a bit, so that it becomes an asset that will outlive all of us.”
He said that the stakeholder engagement was aimed at seeking support of the people toward implementation of the projects.
He gave the assurance that the Federal Government would make compensations where necessary.
“It will be given to you at the right time.
” There are days when we accept criticism for us to do better, but there are days when things have been done and they have been done right, and we need to give recognition and support where it is most deserving.
“It is my honour to flag off all of these projects to the benefit of mankind, to our citizens in Lagos, to the benefit of all our people across the country,” Tinubu said.