Nation
THE STATES
FCT
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO),
Traffina Foundation Community Health, said it had distributed over 4,000 delivery kits to women in 2014 to improve their reproductive health.
The Founder of the group, Mrs Chinomnso Peters, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen.
Peters tagged the initiative as “One Kit Saves 2’’ project.
Our correspondent reports that the contents of the kits include: cord clamp, a piece of white cloth, pampers, mentholated spirit, pad for mothers, and chlorxy-G Gel for prevention of infection in newborn.
She said the contents of the kits would assist pregnant women who could not afford the required materials at the point of delivery.
She said that through the efforts, they had been able to save more than 10,000 lives.
Katsina
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA) in Katsina State has decried the high rate of abuse of psychotropic substances among teenage girls and women in the state. The substances are: cough syrup with codeine, nail polish cleaner, lizard faeces and rubber solution.
The NDLEA Commandant in the state, Hajiya Maryam Sani, made the remark while speaking with newsmen in Katsina.
We are worried about the involvement of teenage girls and women in the abuse of psychotropic substances. This is disheartening. All stakeholders should join hands with the agency to bring an end to the menace,’’ Sani said.
Kebbi
The Birnin Kebbi Local Government Council in Kebbi
State has procured 2,500 additional water pumping machines worth N7.5 million for distribution to farmers in the area.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Musa Dan-Illela, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
Dan-Illela explained that the machines would be distributed to registered farmers in electoral wards in the area.
According to him, the Agriculture Department had been mandated to ensure equitable distribution to beneficiaries. He said the machines would be distributed to farmers on soft loan to be repaid in two years; the measure would encourage commercial production of wheat, rice and vegetables.
The chairman said each machine was purchased at a cost of N30,000.
Lagos
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Oluseyi Will
iams, has charged civil servants to renew their commitment to service in the New Year and work assiduously to move the state forward.
Williams gave the charge at the Inter-religious Thanksgiving Service organised by the state government in Ikeja to usher in the First Working Day of the year.
According to her, the workers can only justify the confidence reposed in them through more efficient service delivery and greater impact on the state and its people.
“In the New Year, you should work together more as a team. You should shun envy and other things that do not promote harmonious working relationship.
If anyone is doing well in your office, do not envy him, rather learn from him and let him be an inspiration to work harder. Envy is not good, it causes problems in the workplace,’’ she said.
Williams said the state government was committed to the welfare of workers and would continue to take steps to improve the lot of civil servants.
Nassarawa
The Association of Plateau Indigenes in the Diaspora
(PIDA) has urged for support to Sen. Gyang Pwajok’s gubernatorial ambition to enable him win the 2015 governorship election in the state.
The National President of the association, Mr. Golu Moses, made the call while addressing newsmen after the National Executive meeting of the body in Lafia.
He stressed that the position was arrived at after wide consultations devoid of primordial sentiments to zoning, religion, ethnicity or partisanship.
He said: “The aim of our meeting was to discuss on ways forward and on how to achieve our association’s objectives for the overall development of the country.
Niger
Rev. Musa Dada, the Chairman, Niger Christian
Association of Nigeria(CAN), has called for one week universal prayers and fasting for peace in Nigeria.
Dada made the call in an interview with newsmen in Minna recently. He said “normally, CAN organises prayers and fasting every first week of the year to prepare Christians for the New Year and to seek God’s intervention for the country. This year’s one week prayer and fasting will run from January 5 to January 11.
“We do this every first or second week of a new year to prepare people for the year and to ask for God’s guidance and protection.
“Christians across the state will be praying for peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections.
Ogun
Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, a member of the Ogun
State House of Assembly, has defected to the Labour Party.
The lawmaker told newsmen in Abeokuta that he had picked the Labour Party’s ticket to contest the House of Representatives election for Ijebu North, East and Ogun Waterside Constituency.
Adegbesan said he left the PDP after consultations with his supporters, adding that the move to the new party would enable him achieve his political dream.
“I left the PDP after consulting with my people and they gave me the go ahead.
“ I also want to let you know that more PDP lawmakers whose interests were not protected by the party will defect to other parties. As a politician, we need to do everything possible to bring the dividends of democracy to the door steps of our people.,” he said.
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, has ap
proved the appointment of 17 permanent secretaries, state Accountant-General, Auditor-General and that of the Auditor General of Local Government.
Ajimobi revealed the new appointment during the annual Inter- religious Service held at the Oyo State Goverment House, Agodi, Ibadan.
He said some retired senior directors were also considered in the new appointments.
He added that “the appointment is in line with the restoration agenda of the present administration to give adequate reward to dedicated civil servants in the state,” he said.
He said the aim of the present administration was to reposition the state civil service with a view to making it one of the best in the south west region in terms of renumeration and welfare package.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Zakat Committee said it had
spent about N927. 6 m on 7,000 physically challenged persons and other indigent persons across the state.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki told newsmen in Sokoto that the money was released to the committee by the Sokoto State Government in 2014.
According to him, N549.6 million out of the amount was spent on the payment of monthly allowances to physically challenged persons in the 23 local governments of the state.
“There are nearly 7,000 physically challenged persons benefiting from the state government’s gesture, and they are each being given N6,500 monthly.
Taraba
The nationwide strike embarked upon by Judicial
Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has halted court activities in Taraba. The judicial workers were demanding for financial autonomy and JUSUN had earlier gone on warning strike in July last year.
Mr Hamza Yahaya, the state Chairman of JUSUN, told journalists that the state chapter was simply complying with the directives from its national body.
Mr Boniface Iorkumbur, a lawyer, described the strike as unfortunate.
He said “it is unfortunate that this strike is happening.
From Left: Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State; Executive Secretary, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (nphcda), Dr Ado Mohammed and Chairman, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-illelah, at the presentation of the Unicef and Eu Medical Support Materials for Maternal and Child Health Care in Birnin Kebbi recently.
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.