Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
A former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Boni Haruna,
said that the era of imposing candidates on the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was over.
Haruna, who is also the Minister of Youth Development, told newsmen in Yola that the state now had a reformed PDP where everyone was carried along.
“We are now going to play by the rules. It is not going to be like what happened in 2002.
“We will go back to the original formula of PDP in 1999 where people emerged through the popular will and not through the manipulations of structures by those in positions,” the minister said.
Borno
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah
Mustapha, has urged the military to redouble efforts in ending the Boko Haram menace for peace to reign in the country.
Mustapha gave the advice at a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Maiduguri.
Mustapha expressed gratitude to the military for the efforts in maintaining peace in the state, in spite of numerous suspected Boko Haram attacks in the area.
“We commend the role of the military in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Your presence has made us to remain in the state.
“Everybody will have fled if not for your presence,” he said.
Ekiti
The National Conscience Party (NCP) has named Mr
Ilesanmi Bankole as its governorship candidate for the June 21, election in Ekiti State.
The announcement came just as INEC closed party primaries in the state.
Our correspondent reports that Bankole, a retired civil servant with the National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE) was elected by a total of 51 ward delegates through a “yes” vote since he was the only aspirant.
The event started with the accreditation of delegates, which lasted for one hour, after which the candidate was nominated and ratified by the entire house.
FCT
The Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (Rtd)
has called for greater collaboration among the armed forces in the fight against insurgents in the country.
Gusau made the call in Abuja at a dinner and award night to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and also to honour the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Badeh, on his elevation.
The minister commended the Nigerian Air Force for its support and participation in “operations” within and outside Nigeria.
He said that the force, in the last 50 years, had proved itself to be a competent force to rely on and reckon with.
Gombe
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
in Gombe State has arrested two suspected traffickers with 7.1 kilogrammes of cocaine.
Mr. Aliyu Adole, Commander of the agency, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe State recently.
He said that one of the suspects was arrested along Gombe-Kano road with the substance which led to the arrest of the other suspect.
“My patrol team intercepted a bus coming from Kano with a young man found with cocaine, in an attempt to question him, he ran into bush before he was arrested.’’
Adole further said that investigation had been concluded, and they would be charged to court for prosecution.
The commandant called on the people of the state to assist the agency with useful information that would lead to the arrest of such people before they destroyed their lives.
He advised parents, traditional and religious leaders to ensure that their children and wards were properly guided.
Kano
The Kano State Government said that it had trained 632
youths on modern poultry farming.
Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who announced this in Kano at the graduation of the trainees, said that the training was organised to empower youths in the state.
The governor said that the beneficiaries were selected from the 44 local government areas and were trained for one week with the aim of eradicating poverty among the youth.
Kwankwaso also presented an economic empowerment package of N129, 000 each to 500 of the trainees.
Kogi
Suspected kidnappers have abducted two of the children
of the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal.
Our correspondent gathered that the abductors invaded the Speaker’s residence at about 4 a.m., scaled the fence and broke into the house at Okengwe in Okene Local Government Area.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Speaker, Mr Austin Akubo, told newsmen that three of the abductors entered the house.
“The abductors demanded for the children: Ogirima, 7, and Hafeez, 3, and also made away with other valuables.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board
(SUBEB) says it has concluded arrangement to employ teachers to fill existing vacancies in primary schools in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Malam Abdulkarim Abdullahi, made this known in an interview with newmen in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Abdullahi said that the employment of teachers by the board would help to improve the standard of education in the state and the country at large.
He said Governor Tanko Al-makura had done much to improve the standard of education, especially in the classrooms construction and renovation of the existing ones.
Niger
The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Fati Abubakar,
has ordered the release of four inmates serving various sentences at the Suleja Prisons.
Abubakar released the inmates, who had between four days and two months left to complete their sentences, during her visit to the prison.
The released inmates, Salisu Mohammed, Mohammed Ibrahim, Francis Okon and Lawal Yakubu, had been convicted of offences of theft, joint act, criminal trespass and conspiracy.
Abubakar advised the inmates to be useful to themselves and the society at large and to change from their old ways.
Ogun
The management of Olabisi Onabanjo University
(OOU), Ago-Iwoye, has failed to honour the invitation of the Ogun House of Assembly over the feud between OOU and its medical students.
Our correspondent reports that OOU management was invited over the breakdown of an agreement reached with the final year medical students and their parents on additional school fees.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Saburi Adesanya, at a stakeholders meeting on March 3, was quoted as saying that the graduating medical students, who had paid the mandatory six-year school fees, should pay a “one-off” N40, 000 development levy.
The students claimed that the school had breached an agreement by directing them to pay extra tuition fees to cover the extra time they spent in school.
Plateau
The chairman, Bokkos Local Government Area
of Plateau State, Mr Monday Kassa, has appealed to traditional rulers in the area to ensure peaceful co-existence among all the ethnic groups in their domains.
Kassa made the appeal at a joint peace and reconciliation meeting of Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the area in Bokkos.
The meeting followed the series of clashes recorded in the area in recent times, with the last one occurring in Angwan Kwano community in Maikatako Distrct.
Kassa described as unacceptable, the clashes between herdsmen and farmers as well as the attacks on citizens of the council by unknown gunmen which often claimed lives and property.
Taraba
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) has called on Taraba State residents to be vigilant always and report suspicious persons to the security agencies in the state.
The State Commandant of the corps, Mr. Deteer Andy, made the call in Jalingo, at the swearing- in ceremony of the newly-elected officials of NSCDC Cooperative Society in the state.
Andy said that security was everybody’s responsibility and should not be left in the hands of security agents alone.
“It is the responsibility of everybody to report suspected individuals or things around him or her to security agencies for immediate action,” he said.
Nation
RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
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
Nation
Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries
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
Nation
City Boy Movement Hails Onyesoh’s APC Primary Win
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.
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