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NIDO Honours Dabiri, Shagari
Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Americas and Newark Municipal Council jointly honoured Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (AC-Lagos) and Hon Aminu Shagari (PDP-Sokoto) on Friday for their legislative interventions in Diaspora and Human rights affairs.
At a grand reception jointly organised by NIDO New Jersey, Newark Municipal Council and Newark African Commission in the City Hall of Newark on Friday, encomiums and praises were showered on the legislators.
Dabiri-Erewa, who is the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Shagari, a member of the Committee, were also given certificates of honour.
Earlier at another event, Dabiri-Erewa bagged another award by a group of Black American women leaders in New Jersey for her various political contributions to the development of women and children in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.
In his remarks, Mr Dosso Kassimou, President Newark African Commission said the lawmakers had done Nigeria and Africa proud through their legislative activities which have impacted positively on Nigerians living home and abroad.
Kassimou expressed happiness that Africans were making waves in their various human endeavours and urged other Africans to emulate the sterling qualities of the lawmakers.
Speaking in the same vein, Hon. Mildred Crump, President, Newark Municipal Council, urged other Nigerians to emulate the good work of the lawmakers and back their words with actions.
Crump said she was particularly happy that women were making steady progress in the new political dispensation not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent.
Mr Dayo Sanusi, NIDO New Jersey Coordinator, said the honour was bestowed on the lawmakers to show the organisation’s appreciation for their various contributions to the emancipation of Nigerians in Diaspora and human rights in general.
Sanusi said it is hoped that the lawmakers would continue to work for the realisation of the participation of NIDO in the democratic process in Nigeria through Diaspora voting.
In his acceptance speech, Shagari thanked all the groups for honouring them, saying they had been challenged to do more for emancipation of not only Nigerians in Diaspora but other African nations.
Shagari said they worked hard on the proposed Diaspora Commission in order for the NIDO to have a sense of belonging in the affairs of the country
To the elated Dabiri-Erewa, she said the award came at a time she least expected as it would spur her more to contribute her quota to the emancipation of children, women and other Nigerians living abroad.
She urged NIDO members not to forget their African origin and further advised them to be agents of positive change, saying the proposed Diaspora Commission would serve as a synergy between the Diasporas and the Nigeria.
NAN reports that the various receptions were part of the 2010 NIDO Americas two-day world conference geared towards financing infrastructure for sustainable development in Nigeria.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene