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HIV/AIDS: PHALGA Emerges Winner In Adokit Competition
Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA) has emerged winner of this year’s Adolescent Kids for Innovation and Expression(Adokit) Competition in Rivers State organised for adolescents.
PHALGA came tops by beating rivals, Obio/Akpor LGA by a total of 231.9 points to Obio/Akpor’s 208.3 points at the close of the competition
The points were scored in five categories of the competition in which PHALGA won in all but in “Community Action”, where Obio/Akpor recorded 47.3 points, as against 46 points PHALGA garnered.
In the other four categories, PHALGA won, most of which was with slim margins: Drama (50 – 48); Quiz (47.3 – 46); Speak Out (44.3 – 43); and Adokit Creativity/Skills Art Expos (48.3 – 44).
The competition, which is aimed at preparing the adolescents in society for leadership positions in later years, is an intervention with support from UNICEF in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and Young People Living with HIV/AIDs (APIN).
In an interview during the event, UNICEF National Master Trainer for the Adokit Programme, Mr Opeyemi Yekini, said the focus is on adolescents because they are the set of people commonly neglected in society.
“Oftentimes, programmes are being designed for only two categories of people: children and others. That age (adolescent) is often neglected or overlooked.
“That’s why UNICEF reasoned that this age (9 – 19 years) is a transition period, and that if you don’t take care of them very well, you may not be able to control their attitude formed at that level”, he said.
He stated that at this pilot stage, it is limited to only PHALGA and Obio/Akpor.
Mr. Yekini stated that in order to achieve generation no infection, Adokits also targeted both the general pupolation and Young People Living with HIV/AIDs (APIN).
According to him, “we want those general population to remain negative. Those that are born with the virus to also understand that adherence to drugs is also very important”.
Speaking further on the programme, the Senior Programme Officer, Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA), Mr. Stanley Wowo, said the aim of Adokit is to develop the innate potentials of the adolescents in society.
“Adokit, which stands for Adolescent Kids for Innovation and Expression, came as an initiative of UNICEF to further build our adolescents to become future leaders who have the capacities, competence, and abilities to change the narrative at the adolescent stage in Nigeria.
“We are building them to take over the leadership right from their homes”, he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Titilola Cline, expressed appreciation to UNICEF and RIVSACA for the programme, and assured on the State Government’s support.
“The Rivers State Government will do everything possible to extend the Adokit Programme to other LGAs”, she said.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.