Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has appealed to
the state’s civil servants to give their full support to the incoming administration of the governor-elect, Mohammed Abubakar.
He made the appeal in Bauchi during an interactive session with senior civil servants in the state, stressing that “I appeal to you, for God’s sake and for the sake of our people, to support and cooperate with the incoming governor.
“Don’t look at him as a representative of the All Progressives Congress (APC) because politicking will end the day he will be sworn in as governor come May 29; it will then be no longer politics but governance.’’
Yuguda said the governor-elect would require a lot from the state’s civil servants in terms of direction and therefore urged them to look inward and develop ideas that would make a difference in their respective ministries and ensure the success of the incoming administration.
Benue
The National and State Houses of Assembly Election
Petition Tribunal in Makurdi on Tuesday said that it received six petitions.
The tribunal Secretary, Mr Surajo Gusau, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
Gusau urged aggrieved parties to file their petitions, reminding them that they only had 21 days left to do so.
Our correspondent reports that Gov. Gabriel Suswam had challenged the return of Chief Barnabas Gemade of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Senator-elect for Benue North-East.
Suswam of PDP, who filed the petition through his Counsel, Mr Andrew Wombo, alleged that Gemade did not win the election by the majority of the lawful votes cast.
The governor also alleged that INEC did not return Gemade according to the provisions of its relevant law.
FCT
The President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Tues
day in Abuja, said the time had come to make more sacrifices and deliver on the promises made to the electorate.
Buhari said this when a delegation of All Progressives Congress (APC) politicians from Kogi and Kwara states paid him a courtesy visit at the party presidential campaign headquarters in Abuja.
He said it was time to restore security and confidence in the people who placed their trust in the party by voting its candidates at various levels.
He added that “I want to appeal to you to work with your colleagues across the country to ensure that we maintain and sustain this unexpected gains in the best interest of our country.
“It is time to make a lot more sacrifices. You are the real foot soldiers and you have the constituencies in your hands.’’
Jigawa
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administra
tion and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday ordered packaged water (pure water) producers in Jigawa to present their products for physic-chemical and microbiological test analysis.
The NAFDAC state Coordinator, Mr Olakunle Olaniran, gave the advice while inspecting the ongoing annual monitoring of water quality standard and compliance in Shemars Water Company in Dutse.
Olaniran explained that the agency had taken proactive measures in ensuring that water consumed by people met internationally recognised standards of quality and safety.
“All water producers must participate in the test analysis and where their product failed the test, we shall put measures to correct that; any packaged water producer who deliberately refused to participate will be sanctioned by the agency,” Olaniran warned.
Lagos
Human Rights activists, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin on Wednesday said that Nigeria must take a firm stand against the Xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Agbakoba advised the government to summon the South African Ambassador to send a message through him to his country on the need to put an immediate stop to the attacks.
“This is no longer time for diplomacy. We cannot fold our arms while our people are killed in South Africa,’’ he said.
According to him, if after sending a warning through the Ambassador such attacks continue, then Nigeria should take tougher measures.
He said it was disheartening that Nigerians could be put through such ordeal despite the role the nation played during the Apartheid in South Africa.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government said on Wednesday
that it had recruited 120 health extension workers to boost healthcare delivery services in rural areas.
To achieve this, the government presented letters of engagement to the beneficiaries.
Our correspondent reports that the Senior Special Assistant to the Gov. Al-Makura on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr Salisu Raj, presented the letters in Lafia.
Raj said the 120 Community Extension Workers (CEW) and Junior Community Health Extension Workers (J-CEW) were selected from six local government areas of Lafia, Doma, Keana, Wamba, Keffi and Karu.
He disclosed that MDGs was executing its 2013 Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) intervention programme with each local government having 20 personnel.
He said the beneficiaries were those who underwent training as well as those engaged in voluntary services at various MDGs clinics in the state.
Ondo
The Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr
Kayode Akinmade, said on Wednesday that the state-owned University of Medical Sciences has been “accredited and recognised’’ by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Akinmade confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure.
He explained that the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, had received a letter to that effect from the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie.
The commissioner said that the NUC had recognised the institution as the 139th university in the country and 40th state-owned university.
“The university is being recognised as the 40th state-owned university and 139th university in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Plateau
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednes
day advised the Plateau Governor-elect, Mr Simon Lalong, to restore peaceful co-existence and security in the state on assumption of duty.
The Chairperson of the association in the state, Pastor Mary Shikse, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
Shikse also enjoined Lalong to shun ethno-religious sentiments or party differences in the discharge of his duties.
She urged the governor-elect against discriminating against any group by carrying everybody along, saying team work is more effective.
“The governor-elect should carry everybody along, a good leader embraces all and there is power in team work,” she said.
The chairperson, also a leader in Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria (PFN), Plateau chapter, expressed joy that no mayhem was experienced during the presidential and governorship elections.
Sokoto
The Commissioner for Environment in Sokoto State, Dr
Jabbi Kilgori, said on Wednesday that the state government had spent N231.43 million on the construction of drains and flood control in different part of the state.
Kilgori told newsmen in Sokoto that, the state government was committed towards preventing flooding within and outside the metropolis.
He said that new drains were constructed and old ones expanded at Dogon Daji, Sanyinna in Tambuwal Local Government Area, GSS Tangaza, headquarters of Tangaza Local Government Area.
Others are in Wajake, Wamakko Local Government and Gagi, Mabera, Bello way, Emir Yahaya, Kanwuri and Gwiwa housing low cost areas in Sokoto South and Sokoto North Local Government Areas within the metropolis.
He said new drains were also constructed in Dange-Shuni, headquarters of Dange-shuni Local Government and Rikida and Kilgore in Yabo Local Government Areas respectively.
Taraba
A dentist at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba,
Miss Joy Joseph, on Wednesday advised residents of the state to go for teeth check-up after every six months.
Joseph told newsmen in Jalingo that the check-up would prevent tooth decay and mouth odour.
According to her, food particles that sticked to the teeth over time were responsible for most cases of tooth complaints by patients.
“A combination of glucose and protein present in the saliva which is formed readily after brushing the teeth enhances food substances to form that whitish substance on the tooth surface.
“If the plague or whitish substance is left for long without removal, it hardens and formed some dark dents called calculus.
Ghanaian President John Mahama (left) being received by the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari during his visit in Abuja, 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.