Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
An expert on guidance and counselling, Mrs Bola Adeniyi,
has urged parents and guardians to be vigilant in order to protect their children against kidnappers.
Adeniyi, who spoke with newsmen on Tuesday in Ikole, Ekiti State, on the recent reported cases of kidnapping of children, stressed the need for adequate protection of underage children.
“Adequate protection of children is the primary parental responsibility of a rational human being with kids and it is imperative for parents to ensure that their young ones are well protected against unpleasant occurrences.
“Loopholes where these agents of satan can use to penetrate into our family such as engagement of strange persons as house maids, drivers and guards should be blocked.
“Hawking by underage children should be discouraged and movement of strange faces around our premises should be reported to security operatives without delay,“ she said.
Gombe
The Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Gombe State has
offered automatic seats to 506 intending pilgrims out of the 1,934 allocated to the state for the 2015 Hajj exercise.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Usman Gurama, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Tuesday.
He said that those who got the automatic tickets were declared qualified after the screening exercise of 2014 but were unable to get the slots.
Gurama said that the board had promised to give them slots in this year’s exercise without undergoing another screening.
“ We resolved last year that since the seats were not enough and the people were many, we promised to start with them this year.
“We have gone round to all the local government areas in the state and distributed the bank teller to them,’’ he said.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Command of the Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has recorded 232 cases of criminal assault, sexual abuse and other offences in the first quarter of 2015.
The Commandant of the Corps, Mr Muhammad Gidado, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Dutse.
Gidado said the cases also involved debt recovery, family disputes, commercial, communal, land and tenancy disputes.
He said other cases had to do with vandalism, fuel diversion, drug peddling, public nuisance and criminal trespass.
He said some arrests were made through the combined efforts of the command’s detectives.
The commandant said 51 of those arrested had been convicted; seven cases were transferred, while others were still pending.
Kaduna
A Fulani community leader, Alhaji Dodo Oroji has appealed
to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to address the problems of grazing reserves and stop cattle rustling in order to save fulani herdsmen in the country.
Oroji made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Kaduna.
He said it was important to properly tackle the two problems which had resulted in conflicts, avoidable deaths and loss of means of livelihood to hundreds of cattle breeders cross the country.
Oroji advised the government to devise a new policy to settle the herdsmen in one place, so as to maximally tap the economic benefit of their vocation.
“Once you halt cattle breeders from migrating from one country to another in search of food for their animal and families, you not only ensure their safety but also have the opportunity to tap the vast economic benefits from their occupation.”
Lagos
The Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture
(LSCAC), on Monday said it would host a Hall of Fame night in the last quarter of the year to immortalise past heroes.
The Director of LSCAC, Mrs Saidat Otulana, told newsmen in Lagos that it was essential to celebrate individuals who were instrumental to the development of state.
Otulana, who declined to mention those to be honoured, said the council would make a burst of each of the heroes and heroines to be honoured.
The director added that the contributions and achievements of everyone to be honoured at the night would be engraved on their burst for future reference.
According to her, among heroes celebrated in the past was Orlando Martins Award Trust Fund, established in 1988 but which, she said, was now moribund.
Nasarawa
Residents of Lafia on Tuesday called for an im
proved synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government, to enhance harmony and rapid development of the state.
The forth Nasarawa State House of Assembly was dominated by the PDP with 20 members as against four by APC which produced the chief executive.
The trend has now changed after the 2015 general elections as the APC won 18 seats, leaving the remaining six to PDP in the assembly.
A cross-section of the residents, who spoke with our correspondent including a lawyer, Samuel Simon, observed that the PDP-led assembly’s tenure was characterised by conflict with the executive due to political differences.
Ogun
A 47-year-old man, Solomon Ojo, was on Mon
day arraigned in an Ota Senior Magistrates’ Court in Ogun over alleged rape of his daughter.
Ojo, who lives at No. 15, Abinuyo St., Ijoko, in Ota, is facing a one-count charge of rape.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Rosemary Brown, told the court that the accused committed the offence sometime in 2013 at about noon at his residence.
Brown said that the accused forcefully had carnal knowledge of his daughter (name withheld).
She said that the offence committed contravened Section 358 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Revised Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The Magistrate, Miss Temitope Adebutu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Plateau
The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS) on Mon
day said it collected N1.84 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) between January and March.
The Chairman of the service, Mr Pam Samuel told newsmen in Jos that the amount fell below expectation.
“If you look at what we generated in the first quarter of this year, it fell short of the N2.18 billion we raked in the corresponding period of 2014,’’ he said.
Samuel blamed the short fall to non-payment of salaries of workers, whose Pay as You Earn (PAYE) accounted for the bulk of the service’s revenue.
The PSIRS chairman, in his analysis, said about N875 million was collected as PAYE and N658 million from Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He said that January recorded the highest collection during the period, accounting for about N838 million of the total amount while February recorded the lowest with N501 million.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has assured
Nigerians that the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will not fail the nation.
‘The APC-led Federal Government under Buhari will strive to meet the expectations and yearnings of Nigerians, irrespective of religious, ethnic or cultural differences,’’ he said.
Wamakko spoke on Monday in Sokoto when the members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state paid him a courtesy visit.
‘’Buhari will ensure social justice, adherence to the rule of law, youth and women empowerment, improvement of security and the power sector.
‘’ All Nigerians will be treated equally and fairly under Buhari; the electorate in the country as well as the international community will find Buhari to be a worthy democratic leader.’’ he added.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government on Monday said it would
offer skills training to 75,000 women in the state, to enhance their economic wellbeing.
Hajiya Balkisu Bungudu, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, said in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
The commissioner explained that the mass training was in fulfilment of the promises made by Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari to support the women to live productive lives.
She said that the beneficiaries would mostly be widows, divorcess, orphans and other less privileged women in the state.
‘’We will train them in trades like sewing, knitting, grinding, tailoring, shoe making, weaving, fish and poultry farming, pomade making, soap and jelly processing, computer literacy among others.
‘’After the training we will give them capital to start their businesses so that they will take care of themelves’’, the commissioner said.
L-R: NLC Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Chris Uyot, President Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo and NLC General Secretary, Comrade Peter Ozo-Esa, during Governor Oshiomhole’s courtesy visit to NLC President in Abuja last Tuesday. Photo: NAN
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.