Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Governor-elect of Adamawa State, Bindo Jibrilla,
has solicited the support of the people of the state to enable him fulfil the promises made during campaign.
Bindo made the call when he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and different ethnic groups who paid him a courtesy visit in Yola on Saturday.
According to the governor-elect, running of government is not an individual matter or a matter for a particular group.
“I was elected as a governor but running government affairs is a collective responsibility that needs your intellectual support to deliver.
“I am a governor, you are the governed, and I cannot make it without your collective support’’, Bindo said.
FCT
The Zaymar Education Centre (ZEC) has advised
Muslim women all over the world to emulate the virtues of Nana Fatima, the daughter of prophet Muhammad (SAW), as the world celebrates her.
The co-odinator of the centre, Hajia Shifa Garba, made the appeal in an address of welcome during the celebration of late Fatima in Abuja on Saturday.
The theme of the celebration for this year; “Mother, the Axis of Unity,’’ is to commemorate the roles played by Fatima in the development of Islam.
Garba said; “the best of women, especially the one we are celebrating today, lived their entire lives within the limit of Allah (SWT).
“ They have achieved greatness through actions which even the best of men could not have equaled.
“ They have gained love and respect not only for those who knew them, but also for those who came to hear about them long after their time,’’ she said.
Gombe
No fewer than 2,430 students matriculated at the
Federal College of Education (Technical) in Gombe, on Saturday for the 2014/2015 academic session.
The Provost of the college, Dr Abass Gimba, said the college had provided all the facilities needed for effective teaching and learning.
According to him, workshop, laboratories, virtual library, computer centre are made available for you.
Gimba urged them to take advantage of the facilities to develop themselves.
He further said the college administration abhors all forms of bad behaviours.
“I will like to say in strong terms that we will not condone any form of anti-social activities from students.
“We will use all the available means at our disposal to effectively control erring students in order to curtail such bad behaviours,” he said.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Governor-elect, Malam Nasiru el-
Rufai, has called on the residents of Kaduna to shun religious sentiments and leave in peace with one another.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Sunday his spokesman, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said that he was determined to work with all residents of the state to restore its past glory.
He said that what the state needed was good governance and genuine development, urging the people to focus on these values.
“Our good people of Kaduna State, we are again grateful for the mandate you gave us on April 11.
“I am begging you in the name of Almighty God to live in peace and work together for a new Kaduna State.
Kano
The Kano State Government says it has approved
over N242 million for the payment of intending pilgrims’ accommodation in Saudi Arabia for the 2015 Hajj.
The Commissioner for Information, Hajiya Ladidi Garko, disclosed this at a press conference on the outcome of the state executive council meeting in Kano on Sunday.
She said the council had also approved over N26 million for the re-imbursement of tuition and other associated fees for 27 state-sponsored students in China.
“The council also approved N191.8 million for the settlement of outstanding debt in favour of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
“The council has also approved N10.6 million for the production of one million seedlings for the year 2015.”
Garko said that N15 million was also approved for pipeline extension and reticulation from Kwankwaso market to Sabon Garin Kwankwaso.
Kwara
Islamic cleric Khadijat Abdulsalam, has said the re-elec
tion of Abdulfatah Ahmed as governor of Kwara was another opportunity for the people to enjoy genuine dividends of democracy.
Abdulsalam made the remark at a special thanksgiving prayer for the peaceful conduct of the just-concluded general elections in Nigeria.
Abdulsalam, therefore, told wealthy individuals to always remember their creator and imbibe the spirit of alms giving to the needy.
Omolewa, wife of Kwara governor, organiser of the special prayer, thanked God for the successful elections and for the re-election of her husband.
Nasarawa
The Police Command in Nasarawa State has con
firmed the arrest of five suspected hoodlums who allegedly disrupted the ongoing re-run elections in Lafia-Obi Federal Constituency with firearms.
The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Manche Christopher, said the suspects were arrested by security operatives in Angwan Mangu while threatening the electorate at the polling unit.
Manche explained that the suspects had been taken to the state criminal investigation department for further investigation.
He warned that the police would not take it lightly with anybody attempting to disrupt the existing peace in the state.
The police spokesman said that the security agencies would ensure the smooth conduct of the re-run election in the constituency.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government says a strange disease
that has killed some people since its outbreak on April 15 in Ode-Irele, Irele local government area of the state, is not contagious.
The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, made this assurance on Sunday at a news conference in Akure.
He said findings from post-mortem carried out on the victims and other laboratory tests revealed that the disease was neither epidemic nor contagious.
According to the commissioner, preliminary report shows that ethanol poison is found in the systems of all the victims.
“Our investigations revealed that the victims, who are commercial motorcyclists, gathered at some local joints to take alcoholic substance mixed with roots and some other local herbs on the eve of the outbreak of the disease.
“I can assure you that the disease is in no way contagious. The fact that none of the caregivers has contracted the disease has greatly underscored this point.
Sokoto
The Chairman of Katsina State Indigenes Associa
tion, Sokoto State chapter, Alhaji Aliyu Daura, has pleaded with the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari to re-introduce the War Against Indiscipline (WAI).
He made the plea in a congratulatory message to Buhari made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Sunday.
According to him, the re-introduction of WAI will check the menace of various forms of indiscipline across the country.
He appealed to Buhari to also strive to ensure total eradication of corruption from the country, describing it as the bane of Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Daura further called on the president-elect to focus on ensuring the security of lives and property, especially the ongoing war against insurgency and other forms of criminality across the nation.
Taraba
The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) on Saturday presented certificates of return to the three senators and six House of Representatives members-elect in Taraba State.
The INEC National Commissioner, Alhaji Nuru Yakubu, presented the certificates to them in Jalingo.
Those issued the certificates were Taraba Acting Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Danladi, Taraba North; Mr Emmanuel Bwacha, Taraba South; and Alhaji Bashir Barafa, Taraba Central.
The others were six House of Representatives members-elect.
Yakubu advised them to fulfil their campaign promises in order to attract development to the state.
He urged the people to support the commission to peacefully conclude the scheduled governorship run off slated for April 25.
Adamawa State Governor-elect, Senator Bindow Jibrilla (left), being presented with Certificate of Return by the National Commissioner of INEC in charge of Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States, Dr Nuru Yakubu, during the presentation ceremony in Yola last Saturday. Photo: NAN
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.