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Borno
The Nigerian Army says its troops have  killed two Boko Haram insurgents at Mayanti village of Bama Local Government Council of Borno State.
The Deputy Director,  Army Public Relations,, 7 Division,  Lt. Col. Kingsley Samuel said in Maiduguri that the troops had ambushed a group of insurgents while trying to cross into the Sambisa Forest.
He explained that the troops neutralised two insurgents while many others escaped with gunshot wounds, adding that some food items were also recovered from the insurgents.
“The Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE resolve to rout out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.
“MST yielded yet another result with the troops successfully ambushed unsuspecting terrorists at about 10: 45 p.m. on Friday, 6th October 2017.
“The insurgents were attempting to cross into Sambisa Forest from Mayanti village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State”, he said.

Ekiti,
A 73-year old farmer, Alhaji Olayinka Adeyemi  has emerged the overall Best Farmer of the year in Ekiti State, winning N1 million prize.
Our correspondent reports that  Alhaji Olayinka has been in farming since 1965.
Chief Afe Babalola, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the organiser of Afe Babalola Agricultural Exhibition code named “ABA-EX 2017” gave the prize to the winner last Sunday at the closing of the exhibition at the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti.
The agric exhibition where Adeyemi won the prize was organised by Governor  Ayo Fayose.
The Septuagenarian was among about 300 other farmers shortlisted for the government exhibition from among leading farmers in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

FCT
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has approved the National Open University (NOUN’s) proposal to build and operate a N150 million multi-functional centre using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The acting Director-General of ICRC, Mr Chidi Izuwah made this known last  Sunday in Abuja as he officially handed over an Outline Business Certificate, which gave NOUN the go ahead to look for private investors.
Izuwah also urged Federal Government universities to embrace PPP as the solution to bridging infrastructure deficit in the education sector.
“One of the biggest problems universities have is student accommodation and the best way to provide student accommodation around the world is to partner with the private sector.
“We are working with a committee of Vice Chancellors to develop a framework to allow them partner with the private sector in this regard,” Izuwah said.

Kaduna
Kaduna State Government says  it plans to spend over N201 billion as its budget in 2018 fiscal year.
The state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Muhammad Abdullahi said at a town hall meeting on the proposal in Kaduna  that members of the general public were free to scrutinize the draft budget and make input before its presentation to the state Assembly.
Our correspondent reports that in the proposal, the government has earmarked N125 billion for capital expenditure and N75.5 billion for recurrent.
The state will begin the new fiscal year with an opening balance of N8 billion, and expects an internal revenue of N40.9 billion in 2018 and N32 billion from the Federation Account.
Abdullahi said that under the capital expenditure, N34.4 billion was for the economic sector, with Works, Housing and Transport having the largest chunk of N25.4 billion.

Kano
Women Rice Farmers in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State have complained of shortage of water in their irrigation farms.
The female farmers alleged that the water being supplied to the farm by the Hadejia/Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) was grossly inadequate.
The Chairperson of the Local Government’s chapter of Women Rice Farmers Association, Hajiya Daboyi  Ado made the allegation when the Chairperson of Sasakawa Africa Association /Sasakawa Africa Fund for Education, Prof. Ruth Oniang’o visited some rice demonstration farms in Bunkure.
Oniang’o was in the area to assess the performance of women rice farmers who benefited from the intervention programmes of the organisation.

Kogi
The Federal and State Governments have been urged to pay more attention to the development of tourism sector to create jobs for youths in the country.
The Walin of  Lokoja, Retired Rear Adm. Ibrahim Idris, made the plea last  Saturday in  Lokoja,  at the maiden edition of the Lokoja Boat Regatta Festival.
Idris said that the sector had been left undeveloped for too long to the detriment of the country’s economic development.
While speaking as the chairman of the occasion, he called for a change of attitude to the sector from the two tiers of government.
According to him, the country has a lot to gain from the tourism sector because of its jobs creation and foreign exchange earning potential.

Kwara
About 2, 000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed by water across the three districts of Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Special Adviser to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Duro Mohammed  disclosed this while inspecting the havoc caused by flood in Patigi last weekend.
He said rice farms in Lade, Patigi and Sepondi districts cultivated near the River Niger were mostly affected as well as a clinic, a cemetery and a primary school at Gbaradogi.
Mohammed, who led the state government’s delegation to the flooded farms described the damage as devastating.
The Governor’s Aide called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state in ameliorating the suffering of the affected farmers.

Lagos
Lagos State Controller of Prisons, Mr Tunde Ladipo  last  Sunday called on well- meaning individuals and groups to assist inmates in paying fines imposed on them to decongest prisons.
Ladipo made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
He said that a number of inmates were still in prison for inability to pay fines.
Ladipo urged that prison congestion should be the concern of all stakeholders in the interest of the society.
The controller appealed to stakeholders to come together and fashion out more ways to reduce congestion in the country’s prisons.

Nasarawa
Nigerians have been urged to move closer to God, through ceaseless prayers for the restoration of the country’s lost glory.
Senior Pastor, Living Faith Church in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Anthony Amaefule gave the advice last Sunday in Lafia in his Sunday Communion Service sermon entitled, “Recovery of your glory”.
The cleric expressed optimism that with the restoration of the nation’s lost glory, its economy would grow at the desired speed.
“Only God can give glory. If you have lost it, you can get it back. Glory is about abundance, greatness, wealth, favour, joy, contentment and the goodness of God upon one’s life”, the cleric said.

Niger
A Univeersity teacher, Prof. Bukar Dauda has advocated the promotion of synergy among native medicine practitioners, scientists and entrepreneurs to ensure vibrant pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria.
Dauda of the Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences (SPS), Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna said in Minna when he delivered the 54th Inaugural lecture of the institution.
The Public Relations Officer of the University, Mrs Lydai Legbo, in her statement in Minna last Sunday, said the lecture was entitled, “Natural Product Chemistry and Prospects for Transforming Traditional Medicines into Modern Pharmaceuticals.”
She quoted the don as having observed that such promotion , if pursued in sustainable manner, would also make Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry a large-scale foreign exchange earner for the country.
According to Dauda, Nigeria can rival China and India that have pursued deliberate policy of research and transformation of their traditional medicines into modern pharmaceuticals in views of its diverse, untapped flora.

Osun
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun State Command, last weekend disclosed that it destroyed a 60.8 hectares of India hemp (Cannabis Sativa) farm at Ikeji Arakeji, in the state.
The state commandant of the NDLEA Mr Samuel Egbeola,  disclosed this during an interview with journalists at the agency’s office in Osogbo.
According to Egbeola, the hemp farm was discovered and destroyed on Thursday, following a tip-off from an informant.
He said the agency also seized 10 bags of already harvested cannabis which weighed 107.4kilograms.
He said two suspects found on the farm during the operation were equally arrested and that the arrested suspects were helping the agency in their investigation.

Plateau
As stakeholders in Plateau State prepare for local government elections slated for February 17, 2018, a political analyst, Mr Anthony Izang has advised them to adhere to the rules to avoid electoral violence.
Izang particularly cautioned key players like the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), political parties and voters against actions that could impede justice and fair play.
His advice was contained in a paper titled: “Strategy of Curbing Electoral Violence in Nigeria”, presented at the 2017 Emergency Preparedness and Response Team (EPRT) interactive forum on Sunday, in Pankshin.
Reports indicated that the EPRT is an arm of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), an NGO of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos.
The response team consists of volunteers, who respond to, and report emergency situations that could lead to violence in the 17 local government areas of Plateau State.

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Accolades, Fanfare As Ogbakor Ikwerre President General Celebrates 80th Birthday

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The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.

 

The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.

 

Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.

 

 

The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.

 

The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.

 

However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.

 

The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.

 

Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.

 

Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.

 

The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.

 

Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.

 

In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.

 

Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.

 

He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.

 

His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.

 

He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.

 

Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.

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Ensure That Ogoni Is Heard In The Right Way, HYPREP Urges Creative Arts Trainees

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As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.

The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.

Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.

”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.

While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.

He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.

Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.

The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.

Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.

With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.

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NYCOP Urges Stakeholders To Develop, Empower Ogoni Youths

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The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.

NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.

In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.

It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.

The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.

NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.

 

In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.

“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:

” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.

“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.

NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.

NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.

According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.

“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.

” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.

NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.

 

Kiadum Edookor

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