Nation
THE STATES
The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in
Nigeria (NEPLWHAN) has urged the Bauchi State House of Assembly to pass anti-discrimination and stigmatisation bill into law.
The state chairman of the association, Malam Usman Zico, made the call on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
Zico called on the house to pass the proposed law before the end of the current legislative assembly and present administration in the state.
He said that the bill should also be guided with penalties and fines for offenders as measures to stop acts of stigma and discrimination against his members.
According to him, the law would protect the dignity of people living with the virus.
“The State House of Assembly should look into the discrimination and stigmatisation bill, so that it becomes law before the end of the present administration and penalties be stated on any one found wanting either in public places or in gatherings,’’ he said.
Benue
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State,
said it would sue two radio stations in the state for libel.
The party’s Organizing Secretary, Mr Tutus Zaam told newsmen in Makurdi that it would drag Radio Benue and Ashi Waves to court as soon as the strike by judiciary workers was over.
Our correspondent reports that Radio Benue is owned by the state government, while Ashi Waves, based in Katsina-Ala, is owned by Dr Terkula Suswam, the elder brother to Gov. Gabriel Suswam.
The organising secretary alleged that the two stations have been “broadcasting libelous information about the party and its candidates on the forthcoming elections in the state.”
Zaam said that the APC had already contacted its lawyers, and would file the necessary papers before court after the nationwide strike.
Ekiti
The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Feyisetan
Fayose, has donated cash gifts to 20 patients at the State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
The donation was part of activities marking her 51st birthday, which started last week Thursday.
Making the donation during a visit to the hospital in company of other government functionaries, she said the money was from her personal purse.
Fayose said that the gesture was borne out of her love and passion for the less privileged in the society.
She noted that the donation was also to support the governor at making life more meaningful for the people.
FCT
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex
Badeh, on Thursday said the military had provided enough welfare package for the families of fallen heroes.
Badeh made this known in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja.
He said: “The armed forces generally have so much welfare package for the loved ones left behind by the fallen heroes.
“The Federal Government introduced group life insurance for them that are different from the ones the services do.
“We try to take care of everyone left behind though we can’t say that we’ll solve everybody’s problems but we’ll do what we can within the law.’’
Katsina
A fire outbreak has destroyed more than 100 shops at
Magama-Jibia border market, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Eye witnesses told newsmen in Jibia that the fire started around 4:00 a.m.
They said the outbreak was suspected to have been caused by an insane person while warming himself due to the intense harmattan cold.
The fire destroyed property including foodstuffs, clothes and other household items worth millions of Naira.
The Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Aminu Lawal, told newsmen that the incident was a setback to business activities in the area.
Kogi
The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) has commenced distribution of permanent voter cards in all the 239 wards in Kogi State.
This was disclosed in a statement in Lokoja by the Public Relations Officer of INEC in Kogi, Mr Mathew Ameh.
Ameh said that the distribution of the cards at ward level was in line with the decision of the organisation to decentralise the distribution of the cards.
The statement urged all registered voters in the state to go to their various polling units to collect the cards, saying that adequate manpower had been deployed to ensure the success of the exercise.
It also said that its headquarters in Lokoja and offices in all the 21 local government areas of the state would remain opened to genuine complaints from members of the public.
Lagos
The Lagos State University (LASU) said that three
seasoned broadcasters had been deployed to the LASU Radio 95.7FM by the state government for excellent broadcast.
The latest edition of the bulletin of the institution made available to newsmen in Lagos identified the broadcasters as Messrs Oluwatunmise Banjoko, George Abayomi and Adeniyi Lawal.
Banjoko, a staff of EKO FM, had worked in various departments of the organisation before his deployment to the institution’s radio station as the Studio Manager.
In the same vein, Abayomi, a seasoned journalist with 11 years experience with the Radio Lagos/EKO FM, is now the LASU Radio’s News Editor.
The bulletin said that Lawal was redeployed as the institution’s radio Studio Engineer as he was grounded in the art of studio engineering.
Osun
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has promised to create job opportunities through agriculture and mining, if elected.
Buhari made the promise while addressing a rally in Osogbo.
According to him, my administration will focus on agriculture and mining as a way to secure jobs for able Nigerians.
“There is a circle of insecurity, unemployment and corruption in the country which I will break when elected next month’’, he said.
He, however, called on Nigerians and party faithful to collect their PVCs and ensure that their votes count during the polls.
Oyo
L-R: Minister of National Planning Commission, Mr Sulaiman Abubakar, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja.
A former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, said on Wednesday that he left N12 billion in the state’s treasury while leaving office.
Alao-Akala said this in a statement signed by his Director of Public Affairs, Mr Oludare Ogunlana, and made available to newsmen in Ogbomoso.
He described as “untrue’’ the allegation leveled against him by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi that he “ wasted’’ N3 billion in a week.
“I left N12 billion in the state’s coffers without any loan or debt,’’ he said.
The former governor also urged Ajimobi to explain how he spent the reported N100 billion the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the state had collected as allocation.
Alao-Akala also said that neither his wife nor children were arrested both within and outside the country for money laundering or financial recklessness.
Plateau
As corps members engaged in electoral duties prepare for the exercise, Mr Abdulrazaq Salawu, the NYSC Coordinator in Plateau State, on Wednesday cautioned politicians against bribing them to compromise on electoral principles.
“We want to advise politicians against seeking to bribe their way to victory by trying to buy corps members assigned to handle the elections.
“Corps members are young people and politicians should not corrupt or spoil their innocent minds,’’ Salahu said in Jos during a visit to the Jos Zonal Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said some desperate politicians were always out to influence the outcome of elections by seeking to compromise its handlers and advised corps members to be on the watch out for such characters.
“We have briefed corps members and will continue to do so. The name and image of the NYSC is at stake and must be protected by turning down and possibly reporting such attempts to buy their consciences.
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.