Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa Government has offered a reward of N25 million to anybody with information that can lead to the arrest of gunmen who killed 26 people in Mubi and Yola.
Gov. Murtala Nyako announced the reward Saturday in Yola in a broadcast to the state.
The yet-to-be identified gunmen killed the 26 people in three separate incidents Thursday and Friday in Mubi and Yola towns respectively.
On Thursday, the gunmen killed three people in Mubi at a beer parlour, while a group was planning their burial the next day, the gunmen showed up again and killed 11 others.
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it arrested 130 suspects in 2011.
The disclosure was made on Friday by the Sector Commander, Mr Sule Momodu.
He said that out of the 130 suspects, 93 were charged to court while 37 suspects who were arrested at various smoking hideouts were convicted.
Momodu said the agency also seized a total of 834,310 kilograms of cannabis during the period under review.
FCT
The Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Erkki Tuomoija, says that his country and most of Europe have confidence in Nigeria’s economy and political system.
Tuomoija said when he met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.
“Your economy is doing very well, and many countries in Europe envy your growth figures.
“We have confidence in your democracy and in your ability to deal with the terrorism and other challenges confronting you,’’ he said.
Gombe
Christian and Islamic clerics in Gombe State have appealed for calm in the wake of Thursday’s attack on worshippers at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Nasarawo-Gombe.
Eight people were killed in the attack in which 17 people were also injured.
The clerics made their respective appeals shortly after they had an emergency meeting with Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo on the development in the state on Friday.
Rev. Abare Kalla, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Gombe State, said Christians should heed Christ’s injunction that vengeance was God’s.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Police Command promoted 1,151 of its officers and men last year.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP. Abdu Jinjiri, made the disclosure in Dutse on Thursday in an interview with our correspondent.
Giving a breakdown, the Police spokesman stated that 576 constables were promoted to the rank of corporal within the period.
He said that 250 corporals were promoted to the rank of sergeant while 252 sergeants were also promoted to the rank of inspector.
Kebbi
Dole Faransi, a border town between Niger Republic and Dandi Local Government Area in Kebbi has been connected to the national grid at the cost of N16.5 million.
A statement signed by Alhaji Abubakar Mu’azu, the Press Secretary to the Governor in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday stated that the provision of the electricity was aimed at boosting social and economic activities in the area.
The statement recalled that the Dole Kaina and Dole Faransi Communities from Niger Republic had visited Gov.Saidu Dakingari in the quest to sustain the peace and unity between them and their neighbours.
Lagos
Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP) President, Alex Eyengho, has said the removal of the fuel subsidy by the Federal Government would lead to a reduction in the patronage of the arts sub-sector.
Eyengho, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, urged the Federal Government to reconsider its stand on the removal of the subsidy.
“It will cause more sufferings for the movie sector. The removal will make us to suffer more and it means we would close shop in the arts sector,” he said.
The president also urged the Federal Government to introduce measures that would help to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal in the arts sub-sector.
Niger
The Niger State government has began the disbursement of the N150 million worth of relief materials and cash to victims of the Christmas day bomb blast at St Theresa Catholic Church Madalla in Suleja Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the cheques to the 25 verified relations of the 42 victims who died in the carnage, the Chairman of Niger Assessment Committee on Madalla Bomb Blast, Alhaji Garba Tagwai said the exercise “is a token relief to the relations.”
He said the committee had verified the actual relations of the 25 victims in conjunction with the Catholic Church.
Tagwai said the exercise would be a continuous one, adding that the balance of N17 million would be paid to the relations of the deceased persons, who could not be paid yet until the screening was completed.
Osun
The Osun legislature has pledged to monitor the implementation of all projects highlighted in the 2012 budget.
This was contained in a communiqué issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Kamil Oyedele, at the end of its three-day retreat, at Ejigbo.
In the communiqué on Saturday in Ejigbo, the House promised that the lawmakers would also carry out their oversight functions effectively.
The legislators, however, urged that necessary provisions should be made for the committees to enable them effectively carry out their oversight functions.
The communiqué said that sufficient budgetary provision for the committees would discourage the temptation of asking government agencies to finance their oversight activities.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has commenced the sale of 109, 995 litres of kerosene to the members of the public at N50 per litre.
Our correspondent reports that the State Government expended N148 million on the kerosene as well as the purchase of five new trucks with the capacity for 21,999 litres each.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wamakko said that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people of the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, Wamakko criticised the situation where by the people now buy the commodity at between N900 to N1, 000 per four-litres.
Yobe
Potiskum, the commercial nerve centre of Yobe has recorded series of explosions and gunfire, the second since the declaration of state of emergency in the state by the Federal Government.
Alhaji Lawal Tanko, the State’s Commissioner of Police, who confirmed the incident, said the command had yet to receive details.
It would be recalled that few days after the declaration of state of emergency in the state, an explosion was first recorded in ‘Khandahar’ area of Damaturu metropolis on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, business activities have remained lull in many parts of the state with several shops and business centres under lock and key.
Zamfara
A member of National Assembly, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa has pledged to collaborate with the federal and state governments in tackling poverty and illiteracy among the people of his constituency.
Marafa made the pledge in Gusau on Saturday at the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles to ANPP officials, youths and women to cushion the economic hardship in the country.
He said there was the need to empower the people, especially those in the rural areas.
Marafa assured his constituency that the gesture would be extended to as many people as possible from time to time.
The Senator distributed 500 vehicles and 1,000 motorcycles to state, local government and ward executives of the ANPP as well as notable youth and women groups in the constituency.
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
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.