Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Agency yesterday said it has begun the training of 240 primary healthcare workers on Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) in four local government areas.
Officer-in-charge of the IMCI Unit, Hajiya Binta Ladan, made this known yesterday in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
Ladan listed the local governments as Bogoro, Jama’are, Ningi and Gambuwa.
She said that medical officers, nursing, midwives and community health workers would be part of the training.
“The personnel are to be trained on modern standard protocol of identification, classification and treatment of vaccine preventable diseases,’’ Ladan said.
FCT
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) says it has earmarked 38 million euros for poverty eradication and empowerment in five countries.
The Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD Nigeria, Mrs Gloria Akobundu, made this known at a two-day workshop organised by NEPAD, recently in Abuja.
Akobundu explained that 35 million euros would go for the empowerment programmes, while three million euros has been earmarked for the technical support interventions.
According to her, the three million euros technical interventions will be used in expansion of facilities and training centres and sensitisation and awareness on the programme.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government yesterday pledged to provide adequate surveillance at the International Cattle Market in Ilesha- Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area.
The town is also a border community between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Bamidele Adegoke, said this in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
Adegoke added that the measure was to ensure immediate response to any outbreak of animal disease in the state.
Kano
The Senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, Alhaji Barau Jibril-Maliya, has called on the contractor handling the rehabilitation of Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi road to move to the site.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in November 2016 awarded the contract worth over N184 million for the rehabilitation of Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi road but the work is yet to commence.
He made the call in a telephone interview with newsmen yesterday in Kano.
He said there was urgent need for the contractor to move to site immediately since he had already been mobilised in addition to signing the agreement with the Federal Government.
Kogi
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has re-deployed Commissioner of Police Wilson Inalegwu to Kogi to take charge of the State Police Command.
Report has it that Inalegwu, who until his new posting was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Ekiti Command, assumed duty on Tuesday in Lokoja.
The new Kogi Commissioner swapped position with the out-going commissioner, Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim Chafe, who has been deployed to Ekiti Command.
Speaking at a brief handing over and taking over ceremony in Lokoja, the outgoing police commissioner said his period in Kogi witnessed relative peace with drastic reduction in crime rate compared to when he assumed duty in the state.
Chafe expressed gratitude to the inspector-general, Gov. Yahaya Bello, officers and men of the command, other security agencies and traditional rulers for his successful tenure in the state.
He also commended the people of the state as well as other stakeholders that supported the command in the fight against crimes during his service in the state.
Lagos
The South African Government has deported 97 Nigerians for committing various offences in the country.
The deportees landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday night in a chartered aircraft with the registration number GBB710 from Johannesburg.
They were made up of 95 males and two females.
The Spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, confirmed the development.
An immigration source told newsmen on condition of anonymity that six of the deportees were returned to the country for drug offences while 10 were arrested and deported for other criminal offences.
The others were said to have committed immigration offences in the Southern African country.
Niger
Bida Local Government Area of Niger State says it has earmarked N40 million for the construction of boreholes, culverts and rural primary health centres in the council 14 ward.
Chairman of the council, Mr Mohammadu Bagudu, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Bida last Tuesday.
He said that each of the councilors would present the projects from his constituency for execution.
The chairman further said that the local administration had conducted feasibility studies on where such projects would be sited.
He called on residents of the area to desist from dumping refuse on water ways, for the benefit of their health and also prevent flooding during rainy season.
Oyo
For allegedly stealing his neighbour’s two children, the police on Tuesday arraigned a 39-year-old farmer, Semiu Yusuf, in an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan.
It is reported that Yusuf of Maku Ogbere Idi, Osan, Ibadan, was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and enticing children.
The Prosecutor, Insp Sunday Ogunremi, told the court that Yusuf and others at large conspired to steal the children.
Ogunremi said Yusuf, by the act, attempted to deny a woman, Kehinde Kolapo, of the care of two of her children aged 11 and five.
He told the court that Yusuf committed the offence on February 14 at about 2 pm at Ogbere Idi, Osan area of Ibadan.
“ Yusuf was a co – tenant with the mother of the children and claimed that he saw them somewhere in town when he was going somewhere on a motorcycle.
Osun
The Osun State Government last Tuesday presented retirement bond certificates worth N1.1billion to the fourth batch of retirees under the state contributory pension scheme.
The State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, made the presentation through the State Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye, at a seminar organised for workers.
The seminar was organised for them by Pension Fund Administrators to give them a better understanding of what pension schemes were all about.
Aregbesola said that 159 pensioners from the scheme would benefit from the bond, with 100 of the beneficiaries coming from Local Government Areas while the remaining 59 retired as primary school teachers.
Ogun
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last Tuesday advised parents and community leaders to revive the culture of storytelling among children to enable them imbibe good morals.
Obasanjo gave the advice on Tuesday at a programme tagged, ”Story Time with Baba, held at his ancestral home at Ibogun in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun.
Plateau
Sgt. Apollos Aliyu of ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Jos, has told a Jos High Court that Stephen Luka, who is standing trial over alleged culpable homicide, had confessed to the crime in a written statement.
Aliyu, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in the case, testified against the accused, who had since denied the allegations.
The accused person is facing a four-count charge of murder, attempted murder, assault and sexual abuse.
He was accused of attacking two sisters, Justina Dusu and Simi Dusu, on July 27, 2016 at his home in Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Jos, after they went to confront him over Justina’s pregnancy.
Sokoto
The Police in Sokoto State yesterday arraigned Francis Mbanugo, Emerie Uzochukwu, Sunday Ejeh and Emmanuel Ogbeauim, all of Mabera area of Sokoto, for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Monday Kenneth, told the court that the accused persons conspired and stole a Haojue motorcycle belonging to Jonathan Ezekiel of the same area.
Kenneth said that the motorcycle, with registration number, TBW 787 UT, was parked inside the compound and the accused jointly conspired and stole it.
The accused persons were arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy, contrary to Sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code Law.
Nation
RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
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
Nation
Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries
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
Nation
City Boy Movement Hails Onyesoh’s APC Primary Win
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.
-
News1 day agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
Politics1 day agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
Sports1 day agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Politics1 day agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
News2 days agoGroup Hails Tinubu, Chinda Emergence
-
Politics1 day agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Sports1 day agoNPFL: Rivers United Finishes Second, Secures Continental Ticket
-
Sports1 day agoStakeholders Laud GTI On NPFL Partnership
