Nation
THE NATION
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has concluded plans to construct six new hospitals in the state to further boost its healthcare services.
Governor Isa Yuguda, dropped the hint in Bauchi, while receiving a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Health, led by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Linus Aleachi.
Yuguda said that the proposed hospitals were in addition to the existing 23 hospitals in the state, which were fully-equipped with modern facilities.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Health to establish a kidney transplant unit in the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi considering the high number of patients with kidney-related diseases.
Ekiti
Yam farmers in Irasa-Ekiti, have said that agricultural subsidy would boost yam production and ensure the attainment for food security in the country.
Speaking with newsmen in Irasa-Ekiti, a suburb of Ado-Ekiti, the leader of the Irasa-Ekiti Yam Farmers Association, Alhaji Jimoh Audu, urged the state government to provide farmers with fertiliser, agro-chemicals and tools at subsidised rate.
According to him, members of the association are the first to harvest yam between June and August annually across the country.
He also called on the government to provide access roads to farms as well as means of transportation of agricultural produce.
FCT
The Ministries of Agriculture and Science and Technology should create the necessary awareness for greater cultivation of ‘acha’, a medicinal crop.
Mrs Funke Odeyemi, a Senior Technologist, with the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), made the call while speaking with newsmen at Kwali, FCT.
Odeyemi described ‘acha’ as a medicinal cereal crop recommended for diabetics because of its low glucose content.
She, therefore, urged the government and agricultural extension workers to create greater awareness about the crop among farmers.
According to her, the crop is currently cultivated only in Plateau state as farmers in other parts of the country are not aware of its economic importance.
Gombe
Malam Mohammed Suleiman, a sales officer with the Gombe Ministry of Agriculture, has been dragged before the Gombe State Fertiliser Distribution Monitoring Committee for allegedly diverting 300 bags of fertiliser.
The fertlisers were said to be meant for farmers in Gombe local government area.
The Councillor representing Bolari West Ward in Gombe, Malam Kabir Sakuwa, told the committee members at the Gombe Council Secretariat that the officer illegally diverted the fertiliser and sold same in the open market.
The sales officer confirmed diverting the fertiliser and selling same, but insisted that he did so because his own share was not included in the consignment being distributed.
Jigawa
Senator Ahmed Zakari, the Chairman of the Movement for the Creation of Hadejia State from Jigawa State, says the creation of the proposed state is long overdue.
Zakari said in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Tuesday, that the agitation for the new state from old Kano State started in 1982.
He said the people made their submission to the National Assembly and the state was shortlisted before the military take-over of government in 1983.
Zakari said the people renewed their demand in 1991 but the military government at the time instead created Jigawa.
Kano
Prof. Ibrahim Garba, the Vice-Chancellor of the Kano State University of Science and Technology(KUST), Wudil, Kano State, has warned students of the institution against drug abuse.
Garba gave the warning on Tuesday, in Wudil at the opening ceremony of a workshop on “Substance Abuse”, organised by the Students’ Affairs Department of the institution.
He said, “The university is an arena for academic activities and will not tolerate drug abuse and other vices among students.”
The vice-chancellor also called for collaboration among parents, teachers and other stakeholders to fight drug abuse and other vices “in order to attain a better society”.
Katsina
The Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has advised intending Muslim pilgrims who partly paid their Hajj (pilgrimage) fares to complete the payment before July 28 or risk losing their seats.
In a statement, the agency’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Ibrahim Ango, in Katsina on Tuesday said
the advice was necessary to enable the agency to remit the money to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Ango explained that the advice followed the recent announcement of the Hajj fares, adding that completing the payment would enable the agency to begin necessary preparations for the pilgrimage.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has appealed to the state government to immediately pay the 12.5 per cent pay hike due to teachers in the state.
The NUT Chairman in Kebbi, Mr Danlami Riba, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
Riba said that the pay hike was approved by the state government since last year, but was not implemented.
He said, “Teachers have been expecting the pay hike since then and hope that payment will now be made with the arrears.’’
The NUT chairman said that the government had implemented the 27.5 per cent pay hike for qualified teachers.
Riba commended the Kebbi Government for the priority it gave to the education sector.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government has said that it will curb the menace created of Nigerian beggars on the streets of Ilorin, the state capital.
The State Commissioner for Social Development, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Dele, said this in Ilorin on Monday, in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
He said the government had opened discussions with the officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) on how to tackle the problem.
The Commissioner gave assurance that the government would enforce the law which makes street begging illegal to tackle the problem.
Niger
Governor Muazu Babangida State of Niger has urged his colleagues to invest in human capital and not on themselves as a way of securing the future generation.
He stated this in Minna at the 1st State Level dialogue and Policy Sensitisation Workshop organised by the Nigeria Governors‘ Forum (NGF) and the UNDP.
Babangida spoke while addressing his colleagues on their part in sustainable development, poverty reduction and achievement of MDGs in the country.
He said that unless his colleagues learnt to draw a line between party politics and governance, achieving sustainable development and the MDGs would remain a mirage.
He noted that some governors used fund budgeted for social development projects to service their party stalwart and political godfathers.
Ogun
An Ogun-based lawyer, Dr Oloruntoba Mamora, has advocated life jail for any convicted kidnapper.
Mamora told newsmen in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun that the punishment would likely reduce kidnappings and assassinations in the country.
He said that the issue of kidnapping had assumed a new dimension and that it needed urgent attention from the government.
Osun
The Osun State Government says it will set up an education task force that will maintain high standards in public and private schools in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Fatai Kola-Hassan, disclosed the plan on Tuesday, in Osogbo, at a meeting with the executive members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Osun chapter.
He said the task force would take appropriate actions on those operating illegal private schools and put an end to difficulties encountered in obtaining licences to operate private schools.
He called on NAPPS executives to submit names of illegal private schools in the state to the ministry for appropriate sanctions.
Plateau
The people of Plateau State have began one month period of prayer and fasting to seek God’s intervention in the crisis that has engulfed the state in recent times, a statement said.
The programme was announced by Governor Jonah Jang, the statement, issued by Mr James Manok, the Director of Press Affairs, in Jos, said.
The decision by the government followed a fresh attack on Maza, a village in Jos North local government area, on Saturday.
Seven people were killed and 10 others injured in the attack, which took place at 10p.m., while a church and many other houses were burnt in the incident.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government has re-awarded the contract for the international cargo airport in Gusau at the cost of N10 billion, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, said.
Aliyu made this known in Gusau while conducting engineers from Sigma Construction, the firm handling the project, on a site inspection.
He said that in spite of the financial difficulties, the government attached high priority to the project because of its economic importance and promised that it would be completed on time.
He urged the construction firm to ensure that the government got value for its money, adding that the government would ensure steady funding for the project to enable the contractors to finish the job on time.
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
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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