Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State government has presented 775 bags of rice and N10 million cash assistance to the people of Kodomon Community affected by the crisis in Demsa Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the foodstuffs and cash at a ceremony in Kodomon, the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Martins Babale, said the measure was part of the recommendations of the Panel of Enquiry set up by the government to investigate herdsmen/farmers clashes in the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mallam Ahmed Sajoh, said some herdsmen who lost 47 cattles were given some amount of money to cushion the lost.
In her welcome address, the Chairman, Demsa Local Government Area, Mrs Wale Fwa, lauded the government for the concern shown, and promised to ensure that the items donated reaches the intended people.
Borno
Some Maiduguri residents have decried the high rate of crime among youths in the area.
This is coming against the backdrop of the fight against insecurity to the state and the North East zone.
Some of the residents, who spoke with newsmen in Maiduguri, said: “peace and normalcy are back in Maiduguri but what is still lacking is law and order as citizens go about doing their normal businesses.
Others appealed to the security agencies to take measures that would foster peaceful coexistence through effective enforcement of law and order.
FCT
Consumers of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) also
known as cooking gas at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried an abrupt increase in the cost of re-filling the various cylinders.
Some of them said that the increase was further depleting their income, coupled with the current increase in the price of foodstuffs.
A survey in the domestic gas depots showed that the cost of re-filling a 12.5kg gas cylinder had risen to between N3,700 and N4,500, against the earlier cost of N3,200.
The price of a 6kg cylinder went up to N2,200 against N1,900 being sold earlier.
Jigawa
Prices of locally produced rice have shot up by more than 20 per cent in Hadejia, Jigawa State.
Hadejia and Malammadori markets investigation showed that prices of the commodity have increased significantly in spite of the steady supply of the foodstuff.
A 100-kilogramme bag of local rice now sells for between N29, 000 and 36, 000 as against its previous price of N26, 000, respectively.
Price of beans has also shown similar hike as a measure is sold at N600 as against N500 before.
However, prices of imported rice had indicated a slight decrease, as a 50-kilogramme bag of the commodity now sells at N17, 500 and a measure for N1, 020 as against its old price of N18, 000 and N1, 100, respectively.
Kaduna
Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has recorded high turn out of prospective pilgrims making deposits for the 2017 Hajj.
Acting Executive Secretary, Imam Hussaini Tsoho-Ikara, said the bulk of those who had so far paid their deposits were from rural areas.
Tsoho-Ikara said in Zaria that the board had introduced measures to block unscrupulous elements from defrauding the intending pilgrims.
Kano
The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika,
says the runway and taxi pavement of the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport are in perfect shape.
Sirika said this during a facility tour to the airport in Kano. He said the existing runway had the capacity to carry all types of aircraft, adding that he had high confidence in the airport facility.
The minister said the ongoing new terminal project at the airport was at advance stage, saying the contractor has not given any definite date of completion.
Kebbi
The Emir of Zuru in Kebbi State, Alhaji Sani Sami II, has urged youths in tertiary institutions to work hard, so that they could be self-employed after leaving school.
Sami made the call in Zuru when the Principal of the School of Health Technology in the area, Alhaji Musa Abdulkadir, met with students of the institution on a courtesy visit to his palace.
The Emir said the era of relying on white collar jobs was gone, stressing that the engagement of youth on self-sustaining entrepreneurship would ensure rapid development in the society.
He urged them to ensure they use their initiative, not only to become self-employed, but also job creators.
Kogi
The Kogi State of Living Faith Church, Lokoja, David
Popoola, says it takes spiritual warfare and personal responsibility for prophecies to be fulfilled in the life of a Christian.
Popoola made the disclosure in his sermon entitled: “Gateways to operating in the supernatural “ in Lokoja.
The state pastor said no prophecy could fulfill itself except by spiritual warfare of prayer and fasting to bring the prophecy into reality.
Taking his lesson from the Book of James 5 v 17 and 18, he urged the congregation to participate actively in the 21-Day prayer and fasting of the church.
Kwara
The PDP will challenge the legality of the inauguration of Transition Implementation Committees (TICs) in the 16 local government councils in Kwara State.
The Chairman of PDP in the state, Mr Iyiola Oyedepo, made this known in a statement issued in Ilorin after a meeting of critical stakeholders of the party.
According to the chairman, the implementation of TICs is illegal and this informed the party’s resort to legal process. Oyedepo said the party had perfected the legal papers and assembled a team of lawyers to challenge the implementation of the TICs in court.
Lagos
The Best Graduating Student of the 2015/2017 set at
Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Ireti Akinsola, says the current national economic recession is an opportunity for the country to develop its other sectors.
Akinsola, a Geology graduate with CGPA of 4.89, said in Lagos that the over-reliance on oil had greatly affected other sectors of the economy such as the solid minerals.
“I think this recession should have taught us a big lesson not to put all our eggs in one basket. It is time for us to wake up to the challenge, he said.
Ogun
Workers of Sagamu local government, Ogun State, have been charged to make diligence, sincerity and unity their guiding principles in the new year. The Chairman, Sagamu local government, Hon. Femi Kafaru gave the advice during the interdenominational service held at the council premises to usher the year.
Kafaru expressed appreciation to God for seeing the workers through 2016, while thanking God for the opportunity to see another year.
He urged the workers to continue to maintain existing cordial relationships amongst themselves in order to foster unity and progress at the council.
Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has lauded the
commitment of the Nigerian military in defending, uniting and ensuring peace in the country.
Lalong spoke at the Armed Forces Remembrance Mass at Church of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Zaramaganda, Jos.
The governor said that the military had given its best to keep Nigeria one, pointing out that some of them had paid the supreme price in the course of duty.
Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Maj.-Gen. Nicholas Rojas, said the day was a great one in the life of soldiers, and appreciated Plateau citizens for their prayers.
Rev Fr Cletus Ikpa, who celebrated the Mass, prayed for the families of the fallen heroes, ex-service men and those still in active service.
Sokoto
The Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State has demolished hideout of criminals, popularly called Banchu village in the area.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Abubakar Bashire, said in Sokoto that the illegal village was destroyed on Tuesday, January 3 by security operatives.
The illegal village, he said, was located near Dogon-Daji town and it had became a criminals’ safe haven.
“All sorts of criminality like prostitution, armed robbery, kidnapping, gambling and murders were going on in the village,” he added.
Yobe
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Yobe State has appealed to the state government to introduce Christian Religious Studies in public schools. The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Jibrin Joshua, made the call when he briefed newsmen in Damaturu.
According to him, despite the constitutional provision for freedom of worship, the teaching of Christian religious knowledge is prohibited in Yobe and some Northern states.
Jibrin urged government “to revisit the policy and give our children the privilege of Christian religious education.”
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.