Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
A non-governmental organisation in Bauchi State,”Save
Bauchi State”, has donated assorted assorted drinks and beverages worth about N200,000 to the family of Late Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Delivering the items, chairman of the organization, Alhaji Zaharadeen Baba-Tako, said he and other members of the organisation were in the family house to pay homage.
He said that the late prime minister could not be easily forgotten considering the role he played both in the struggle for the nation’s independence and political development.
He said that the least the sons and daughters of Bauchi could do in appreciation, was to identify with the family of the deceased leader.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has assured
that government would reconstruct structures damaged by Boko Haram terrorists in the liberated border community of Damsak to enable residents return to their normal lives.
He made the promise while addressing some residents in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, who expressed sadness over the level of destruction by the terrorists, said “it is sad that the lunatics chose to engage in wanton destruction of lives and property in the guise of religion.
“We will strive hard to ensure that all the structures destroyed are reconstructed within our limited resources.”
He said government would conduct a census of the damaged structures to determine the actual figure before embarking on the reconstruction programme.
FCT
WaterAid, an International Organisation, has reiter
ated its commitment to partner government at all levels, especially the Local Government Areas to provide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities for Nigerians.
WaterAid made the commitment in its five years strategic plan (2016-2021).
The report stated that the organisation planned to achieve access to WASH for everyone everywhere by 2030,
According to the report, WaterAid works in six focal states of Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Ekiti, Jigawa and Plateau.
It quoted the organisation’s Country Director, Dr Michael Ojo, as describing the strategy as “ambitious and challenging”, but optimistic about the future.
Gombe
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said that Nigeria
and the North East would be at peace when the internally displaced persons returned to their homes.
Speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of Gombe State in Gombe, Abubakar, who was also the chairman of the occasion, said that complete peace could only be achieved when the displaced persons returned to their homes, farms and businesses.
“There will be complete peace when hospitals and markets reopen. There will be complete peace when children and women are no longer malnourished or when people no longer in fear or traumatised,” he said.
He said that for peace to be sustained in the region, the unquestionable level of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment must be treated as a national emergency.
Kaduna
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Kaduna State
branch, said on Monday that it would embark on strike over non payment of entitlements to primary school teachers.
State Chairman of the union, Audu Amba, made this known in an interview with newsmen on the side line of the emergency meeting of the NUT National Executive Council, held in Kaduna.
Amba said the union had exhausted all areas of dialogue with the state government, without getting any positive response.
He said that the state government had failed to settle the Leave Transport Grant (LTG) of primary school teachers since 2015 even though it had been deducted from their salaries.
Kano
The Acting Director-General, Bureau of Public Enter
prises (BPE), Dr Vincent Onome, has commended the management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) for the steps it has taken to reduce loss.
A statement by KEDCO said Onome was impressed by the minimal Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collections Loss (ATC&C).
The statement was signed by the Public Relations Officer of KEDCO, Mr Mohammed Kandi.
Onome, the statement said, also applauded the ongoing Geographic Information System (GIS) based customer enumeration exercise being carried out by the Company.
It added that the BPE boss, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Post-Privatisation Monitoring Department, Mr Balogun Omotunde, led the Bureau’s team on inspection exercise to Kano.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has commended President
Muhammadu Buhari for curtailing insecurity in the North-East.
Governor Atiku Bagudu made the commendation in Birnin Kebbi in a statewide broadcast to mark the 56th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.
Bagudu said this was the first time the nation was celebrating the anniversary devoid of fear and uncertainty.
He said the last six years were characterised by palpable fear and uncertainty due to instances of bomb blasts and explosion in the North-East.
He said determination, commitment, prayers and political will of present Nigeria’s leadership was the factor responsible for decimating the insurgents’ activities in the region.
Kwara
A medical expert in Ilorin, Dr Misbau Lawal, has ad
vised people to imbibe the habit of regular hand washing to avoid contracting viral and bacterial infection of the eye currently spreading .
Our correspondent reports that the infection, known as ‘conjunctivitis’ in medical parlance and ‘appollo’ in local parlance, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, filmy membrane that covers the white portion of the eyes.
Lawal advised people to keep their hands away from the eyes and thoroughly wash hands before and after applying eye medications on infected children.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State has com
miserated with police authority over the death of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the state, Mr Usman Sabo-Longlong.
In a condolence message signed on his behalf by his Special Assistant, Media, Tukur Ahmed, the governor described the death of the officer as ‘tragic’.
“The death of the late DCP, Operations, is a great loss, not only to the police family, but the people of the state and the country in general.
“Late police officer was a vibrant, committed and dedicated man, who has contributed immensely in ensuring the security and peaceful development of the state.
Niger
Niger Government has flagged off sales of N183 million
worth of grains at 50 per cent subsidy, to reduce people’s hardship in the current economic recession.
Our Correspodent reports that selling at the subsidised rate will be cheaper than the current market price of grains in the state.
Speaking at the occasion recently, Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, said that the intervention was coming against the persistent hike in prices of food items due to the economic situation in the country.
Bello said that the sales of staple food items at subsidised rates were palliative measures toward easing the high costs of foods across major markets in the state.
“Foods and shelter are considered to be very important things in life. A lot of people have problems in buying foods, especially during festive periods.
“`We feel the pains of our people and that is why we made it a priority to embark on the sale of grains across the 25 local government councils”.
Sokoto
Prof. Lawali Abubakar, Director Centre For Agriculture
and Pastoral Research of the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto has called for the diversification of the economy through huge investment in agriculture and mining.
Abubakar told newsmen in Sokoto that diversification of the economy in the two sectors could tackle poverty and the economic challenges bedevilling the county.
He said that the Federal and state governments should make available farm inputs to farmers between April and June every year at affordable rates to enable them access the commodity in time.
He emphasised that this would prepare ground for farmers to plant various crops and ensure massive production with a view to enhancing food security in the country .
He also called for provision of seeds as well as retraining of agriculture extension workers by experts to properly educate farmers on the new methods and techniques of farming.
Taraba
Over 700 cases involving political parties and the Inde
pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are pending in various Nigerian courts.
The National Financial Secretary of Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Alhaji Shuaibu Bobboi, made this known at a press conference in Jalingo.
According to Bobboi, the cases are between various political parties on one hand, and between the political parties and INEC on the other.
He said that IPAC was working assiduously to seek for out-of-court settlement on majority of the cases.
“ We are working to see that majority of these cases are resolved out-of-court for the sake of unity and democratic development,” he said.
Bobboi, who is also the Returning Officer in IPACs executive’s election in the state, said the organisation was playing a key role in achieving a “balanced relationship between political parties.”
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state
The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.
Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.
According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.
“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.
Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”
The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”
He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.
“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”
The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.
“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”
He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.
“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.
Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.
He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.
Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.
Nation
RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”
The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.
He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.
“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,
He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.
Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).
He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region
MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent
The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.
MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans
“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.
According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.
They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.
The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities
Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.
He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.
Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.
” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.
The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area
While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .
“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.
“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.
“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.
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