Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has said it spent N9.73
billion in seven years on various projects under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the state.
The State Focal Person, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi recently.
Ibrahim said the amount was spent on the construction of 60 Primary Health Care Centres, 24 Clinics, 27 blocks of classrooms and 627 VIP latrines.
Others were purchase of 60 ambulances, drilling of 427 boreholes, construction of 40 dispensaries, four units of health centres, equipping of health centres and supply of drugs.
He said that renovation of health centres, classrooms, installation of Solar Inverters, supply of drugs, medical equipment, school furniture under 2012 Conditional Grant Scheme gulped one billion naira.
FCT
The presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democ
racy, Dr Rafiu Salau, on Saturday pledged to create two million jobs if elected into office in next month’s election.
Salau made the pledge while unfolding his manifesto in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
To attain such a feat, Salau said his administration would ensure more local content involvement in the exploration and sale of crude oil as well as shipment by local maritime companies.
He said: “First, a minimum of 70 per cent of the exploration of the crude oil in the nation must be done by local companies.
“Whatever the profit made by local companies will be invested in the economy of the nation. This will go a long way in increasing the revenue that will be generated in the industry.
Kano
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Kano
State chapter, on Friday directed all its members in the state to go on an indefinite strike.
Mr Suleman Aliyu, the secretary of the union in the state, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Kano.
He said the action was part of decisions taken by judiciary workers to persuade the Federal Government to grant autonomy to judicial arm of government.
“The union has ordered all it members to start an indefinite strike action from Friday, meaning that all courts in the state will remain closed indefinitely,” he said.
According to him, the action is necessary following the alleged failure of the Federal Government to implement a verdict of a Federal High court of the January 13, 2014.
“We have passed the directives to all our members in Kano and they have complied because we went round and we are satisfied with the level of compliance”, he said.
Kwara
One person died while several others sustained inju
ries in a lone accident that occurred last Saturday at Eleyin Village on the Ilorin-Omu-Aran Highway in Kwara State.
The accident involved a truck with registration number Lagos KRD 457 XJ which was loaded with food and household items.
The vehicle, our correspondent learnt , was said to be heading to Ilorin from Kabba in Kogi when the incident happened.
An eyewitness said that the driver of the truck suddenly lost control and rammed into a PHCN pole before spilling its content in the bush.
Lagos
Some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly
have urged INEC to embark on sensitisation campaigns on procedures for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the voting process.
The lawmakers told newsmen on Saturday in Lagos that the campaign was necessary specifically because of the newly introduced PVCs.
Mr Abiodun Tobun (APC-Epe I) urged the electoral body to take proactive measures in sensitising the electorate on collection of PVCs.
“I think INEC should prepare more for the elections in term of public sensitisation on PVCs collection and the voting process.
Nasarawa
The All Progressives Grand Allaince (APGA) last Sat
urday presented the immediate past Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, as its governorship candidate in Nasarawa State.
The party also presented Mr Ibrahim Abu as Maku’s running mate in February’s governorship election.
The Chairman of the party in the state, Chief John Amako, presented Maku and his running mate in Lafia to the party’s officials and supporters from the 13 local government areas of the state.
“By this pronouncement, all rumours making the rounds that Maku is not the governorship candidate of APGA in the state should be disregarded,” Amako said.
Niger
The General Manager, Niger State Emergency Manage
ment Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Shaba has said that no fewer than 395 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are residing in the state.
He told newmen in an interview on Sunday in Minna that most of the IDPs were from the north-eastern zone of the country.
“We have 107 IDPs from Kalaah Hong Madagli in Adamawa that are living in Gurara Local Government and 288 IDPs from Gwoza in Borno residing in Shiroro Local Government.
“Those living in Gurara claimed that they followed their relatives and they are camping in Dikko Central Primary School, Gurara.
“Some of those residing in Shiroro also claimed that they are fishermen with women and children from Doron Baga in Borno, a riverine area.
Osun
The Deputy Chief Imam of Ife Central Mosque, Alhaji
AbdulHammed AbdulSemiu, has called for unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
AbdulSemiu made the call during Friday prayers that marked the birth of Mohammed at Ife Central Mosque, Enuwa, Ile-Ife.
He said that it was remarkable that last week Thursday, Christians celebrated the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and Muslims were now celebrating the month of birth of Prophet Mohammed.
He said that meant that there should not be any disagreement between the two religions but cordial relationship.
Plateau
The Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area in Pla
teau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, on Saturday confirmed that seven persons were killed in recent attacks on some parts of the area.
Mutfwang told a news conference in Jos that the area witnessed some security challenges in which lives were lost.
He said the attacks occurred in Maitumbi, Jwak-Maitumbi, Kyampus, Mai-Rana, Sarbot and Kantoma villages and their immediate environs.
According to him, the enemies struck in the night of Dec. 26 and shot one Mr Yoila Micah dead in his residence in Jwak-Maitumbi.
He said that while the community was recovering from the attack, the gunmen struck again on Tuesday and shot two men riding on a motor-cycle, killing and beheading one Longji Mikyes while another unnamed person escaped with gunshot wounds.
Sokoto
Senate President David Mark last Saturday called on the
people of Sokoto North Senatorial District to return Sen. Ahmed Maccido to the Senate in 2015.
Maccido (PDP-Sokoto), is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation.
Mark made the call during the distribution of motorcycles, water pumping, sewing and grinding machines purchased by Maccido to the constituents in Sokoto on Saturday.
Mark was represented by former Senate Leader and PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 general elections in Sokoto State, Amb. Abdallah Wali.
Mark explained that Maccido’s re-election would enable him to continue with the good work he had been doing in line with the manifesto of the PDP.
From left: Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, Governor Babatunde Fashola and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, at a meeting of traditional rulers with Governor Fashola in Lagos last Tuesday
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.