Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor has commended troops of Sector 1 Task Force in Cameroon for their gallantry effort in fighting the Boko Haram terrorists.
Irabor gave the commendation when he paid an operational visit on the troops in Mora in Cameroon Republic.
The MNJTF Information Officer Col. Mustapha Anka stated this in a statement in Maiduguri last Monday.
Anka quoted the commander as promising additional support for the troops to enhance their operations.
“On arrival, the commander and his entourage were received by the Commander Sector 1, Brig.-Gen. Dobekreo, who presented a detailed brief on the activities, achievements and prospects of the formation in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
Ekiti
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) chapter has joined the ongoing national strike, the chapter’s President, Dr Tunji Olaoye has said.
Olaoye told newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday that the chapter decided to shelve its plan to join the nationwide strike because of the ongoing accreditation of the Surgery Department of the institution.
A correspondent that visited the hospital yesterday observed that normal activities were still ongoing in the various wards with doctors and other medical personnel attending to patients.
Olaoye said resident doctors in the hospital would join the strike because of poor welfare and in line with its national headquarters’ directives.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has begun the airlift of pilgrims back home from Saudi Arabia.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Yunusa Abdullahi, said in a statement released in Kaduna on Monday that the first batch of 448 pilgrims arrived the Kaduna International Airport in the early hours of Monday via MedView Airline flight.
“The return journey started after successful completion of Hajj rites by pilgrims from the state,’’ he said.
Abdullahi stated that the second flight is expected to arrive Kaduna on Tuesday evening.
According to him, four pilgrims from the state died while on pilgrimage.
Our correspondent reports that a total of 6,713 pilgrims from the state performed this year’s hajj.
Kano
The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 1,429 beggars for violating the law banning street begging, between January and August, according to Malam Dahiru Muhammed, an official of the board.
Muhammed, who is specifically attached to the board’s Anti-Begging Unit told newsmen in Kano last Monday that 420 of those arrested were children while 1,009 were adults.
He said that the arrests were carried out around Lodge Road, Magwan Junction, Kwari, Katsina Road and Wapa, all in Kano metropolis.
A further breakdown showed that 860 of them were from Kano city, with 551 coming from Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States while 18 were from Chad Republic.
Katsina
The Katsina Pleasant Library and Book Club, an NGO, says it introduced teacher research development skill competition for primary and secondary school teachers in the state.
The Chairman of the Book Club, Alhaji Mutagah Rabe, made this known at the opening ceremony of the sixth meeting of the club in Katsina last Monda.
He said “the competition is to encourage primary and secondary school teachers to embrace research in different subjects.
“We design the competition so that primary school teachers will compete to develop their own researches and prizes will be given to them.”
Rabe said that the organisation was determined to give education the necessary support it deserved and encouragement in Katsina State.
Kwara
The first batch of 555 pilgrims from Kwara State who performed the 2017 Hajj in Saudi Arabia are expected to arrive.
The Executive Secretary of the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh disclosed this while speaking with newsmen from Saudi Arabia last Monday.
He said MedView airline had perfected arrangements to transport the first batch of pilgrims to the llorin lnternational Airport.
The Executive Secretary, who did not give the specific time the pilgrims would arrive the llorin international Airport said all the 555 pilgrims were already in high spirits to meet their relations at home.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State last Monday announced that the state government had restored the full payment of salaries and allowances of its civil servants.
Al-Makura announced this in Lafia at the commencement of a five-day retreat organised for Permanent Secretaries, Directors and labour officials in the state.
He also announced the promotion of over 9,000 civil servants in the state.
He said that government restored the full payment of the salaries and allowances in order to boost the morale of the workers.
Niger
A 35-year-old rape suspect, Ahmadu Musa last Monday confessed to the Niger State Child Rights Protection Agency how he sexually abused a 4-year-old girl in Minna.
Musa, a resident of New Market, near Gwari Market, Chanchaga Local Government Area admitted that he sexually abused the victim once but could not recall the exact date and month.
“I saw her passing in front of my house, I called her to buy pure water for me, I then lured her and had sex with her.
“The second time I called the girl to the uncompleted building and I was about removing my trouser to urinate before the act when I was caught,” he said.
Ondo
The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), last Monday inspected facilities at the Federal Government’s Vocational Training Centre located in Agadabga Obon-Arogbo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Ondo State.
Boroh also the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s sincere commitment to the peace and infrastructural development of the region had built confidence in the people of the region.
The coordinator expressed readiness to continue with the ongoing training and empowerment of delegates.
He promised to engage qualified beneficiaries of the educational scholarship with first and second degrees in relevant disciplines as instructors and teachers both at the centre and in existing schools in the community.
Osun
Prof. Adegboyega Fawole of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has warned that Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) has been found in the throats of people engaging in oral sex.
Fawole, who is of the Department of Gynaecology, UITH told newsmen in Ilorin yesterday that HPV was mostly sexually transmitted.
He said that the virus caused almost all cases of cervical cancer and could cause genital warts and anal cancer.
“Oral sex has been linked with an increased risk of acquiring HPV infection in the mouth and with an increased risk of developing oral cancers that are caused by HPV.
“However, sex in general has also been linked with these risks,” he said.
The gynaecologist warned that those engaging in oral sex were twice more likely to have oral HPV infection than those who did not engage in oral sex.
Sokoto
The first batch of 563 pilgrims from Sokoto State who performed the hajj in Saudi Arabia have returned home.
The pilgrims arrived Sultan Abubakar International Airport Sokoto aboard Max Airline last Sunday and were received a member of the state Hajj Team, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu
Our correspondent also reports that the first batch left Nigeria for the Holy Land on July 31, while the state government completed transportation of its 4, 859 pilgrims on August 24.
Maigwandu told newsmen that the pilgrims from Gada and Sabonbirni Local Government Areas, were in good health.
The official said the Hajj operation has been successful so far and commended Governor Aminu Tambuwal, airline operators, individuals and voluntary groups for the feat recorded.
Zamfara
Workers under the employment of Zamfara State Government last Monday embarked on an indefinite strike for the failure of the government to meet their several demands.
The workers had earlier given the government a 21-day ultimatum to meet certain demands or face industrial action.
The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Bashir Mafara announced the decision after a joint meeting of the affiliated unions in Gusau.
He said Zamfara workers were faced with a number of problems which include failure to pay the salaries of 1,400 recruited by the government more than two years ago, non payment of backlog of pension and gratuities, non payment of minimum wage to primary school teachers and local government employees as well as non-payment of annual salary increment.
He said the two labour unions, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress had decided to declare an indefinite industrial action throughout the state from September 12.
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.