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Buhari Leaves Abuja For Kenya, UK
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, departed Abuja to participate in the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), scheduled for March 3 – 4, 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This is as the president is expected to proceed to London after the Kenyan trip for routine medical checks that will last for about two weeks.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, yesterday, in Abuja, stated that Buhari was invited to attend the Special Session by the Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta.
According to the statement, the theme of the Special Session is “Strengthening UNEP For The Implementation Of The Environmental Dimension Of The 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development.”
The statement quoted the organisers of the event to have said, “for 50 years, UNEP has coordinated a worldwide effort with Member States to address the world’s biggest environmental challenges. Member States are vital partners in formulating UNEP’s policy, implementing UNEP’s programme and championing solutions to our shared environmental challenges.
“UNEP@50 is a time to reflect on the past and envision the future. It provides an opportunity to reinvigorate international cooperation and spur collective action to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. No country or continent can solve these global crises alone. But each nation has a crucial role to play in protecting our people and planet.”
Buhari is expected to deliver the National Statement of the country and participate in High Level Dialogue Sessions on the Environment at the event.
He would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State for the Environment, Sharon Ikeazor; National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
“From Kenya, President Buhari will proceed to London for routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks,” the statement said.
News
Okonjo-Iweala Celebrates Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women Recognition
World Trade Organisation Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has celebrated her inclusion on Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women list for 2025, marking her eighth appearance on the prestigious ranking.
In a post via her verified X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude and reflected on the responsibility that comes with influence.
“Nice to make (for the eighth time) the @Forbes List of the 100 most powerful women of the world 2025 and to be on the cover of the magazine. With power comes responsibility! We are doing our best to fight for and reform the rules-based multilateral trading system, which the world needs to avoid a chaotic approach to world trade that would hurt the smallest and the least powerful countries,” she wrote.
She also congratulated her fellow African women on the list, including Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Prime Minister, Suminwa Judith, CEO of Bidvest, Mpumi Madisa, CEO of EbonyLife Group, Mo Abudu, and Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley.
The annual Forbes list recognises women who hold significant influence in business, politics, culture, and global leadership.
Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 92nd, is the first woman and first African to serve as WTO Director-General, a position she assumed in March 2021.
Forbes described her as “an economist and international development professional” with over 30 years of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
She previously served two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006.
The WTO boss also chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunised more than 760 million children globally.
Okonjo-Iweala holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is recognised for her belief in the power of trade to lift developing countries out of poverty and promote sustainable development.
News
Association Seeks Government Intervention in Desilting of Canal
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
News
Rivers Judges Begin Christmas Vacation Dec 23
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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