News
20th Anniversary: National Network Team Visits Homes For The Elderly, Children In PH
As part of activities marking its 20th anniversary celebration, the management and staff of National Network newspapers have visited the Home for the Elderly and Port Harcourt Children Home in Port Harcourt, bringing joy and cheer to the residents.
The team, led by the Publisher of the newspaper, Rev Canon Jerry Needam, presented gifts and interacted with the elderly and children, sharing words of encouragement and hope.
At the Home for the Elderly along Harbour Road in Port Harcourt, the team was warmly received by the Rev Sister in charge, Rev Sr Jane Raphael Agubosi, who expressed gratitude for the visit and the gifts presented.
“Your gifts came as answered prayers, and we pray for your continued success in business. God is awesome.
“Whenever we call on God to supply our needs, he touches some individuals and groups to supply those needs.
“We are happy that you became that instrument that God used to meet our needs today.
“The reward of obedience to the voice of the Almighty will be your portion in Jesus’ name, amen,” she prayed.
Rev Sister Agubosi said the facility, which is owned by the Catholic Church, depended solely on charity for its sustenance, and drew the attention of the Rivers State government to the deplorable state on the road leading to the Home.
The elderly residents, who were visibly delighted by the visit, shared their life experiences with the team while the Vice Chairman of the National Network Editorial Board, Rev (Prof) Faraday Iwuchukwu led a prayer session with the elderly citizens.
Speaking on their behalf, 80-year-old Pa David Odogwu thanked the newspaper for their benevolence.
His words, ”We are delighted to have you with us today, as you celebrate your 20th anniversary. We are thrilled that you have come to share in our joy and to bring blessings to our lives.
“We pray that God will continue to guide and prosper National Network Newspaper and that your publication will reach a global audience, spreading truth and inspiration to all who read it.
“We thank you for your kindness and generosity in coming to visit us today. May God bless you abundantly and surprise you with His goodness as you have surprised us with your presence.
“May He be with you always and provide for your every need”, Odogwu prayed.
Similarly, at the Port Harcourt Children Home along Nembe Street, Borikiri, Port Harcourt, the Director of Child Welfare, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Jacinta Lenu Vipene, and the children welcomed the team and were thrilled to receive gifts and words of encouragement. They offered prayers for National Network newspapers.
Addressing the visitors, Mrs. Vipene said: “Our primary responsibility here at the children’s home is to provide care and protection to the children, treating them as if they were in their own homes with their parents.
“We currently have good number of children in our care, and I’m pleased to report that they are all happy and content. You can see for yourself that they are well taken care of.
“As for challenges, I’m grateful to say that we don’t have any significant issues at present, thanks to our children-friendly governor, compassionate permanent secretary, and caring commissioner”.
In his remarks, Chairman of National Network newspaper Editorial Board, Prof Baragbon Nsereka, told the visibly excited children, “We are honored to represent National Network Newspaper, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary today.
“For two decades, our publication has consistently provided news and information to the public, shedding light on important issues affecting our community, including the struggles of our children and the elderly.
“We attribute our success to God’s guidance and provision, which has enabled us to overcome challenges and continue publishing without interruption.
“We are delighted to be here today to show our love and care for you and to assure you that we will advocate for your needs to be met by the government and other organizations
“We want to ensure that you are comfortable, happy, and joyful during your stay here.
“We are pleased to see that you are well taken care of by the dedicated staff, and we appreciate their hard work.
“We have brought some gifts to contribute to your well-being, which will be delivered to you,
“Our publisher, Rev Canon Jerry Needam, is a man of God, a seasoned journalist, and a government official who will draw attention to your needs and advocate for government support. We are proud to have him lead our team,”Nsereka said.
National Network’s General Manager/Editor in chief, Chris Konkwo, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of showing love and care to the elderly and vulnerable children and commended the management of the homes for their selfless service.
Mr. Konkwo, who also Chairs the 20th Anniversary Planning Committee, pledged the newspaper’s continued support to the homes and vulnerable groups in the society.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”
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