Nation
THE STATES
Borno
The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has
said that the Boko Haram insurgency is a great setback to western education in the state.
Garbai made this known when he received members of the senior course of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information in his palace in Maiduguri on Monday.
He said that even before the advent of the Boko Haram insurgency some people were hesitant in embracing western education as they concentrated in Qur’anic education.
Garbai added that although various administration in the state had been able to convince the people on the advantages of western education, massive destruction of schools by the insurgents had resulted in great setback.
“The Boko Haram insurgents have further worsen our condition in terms of western education.
FCT
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal
Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to dismantle unauthorized speed bumps erected on highways nationwide.
The House also urged the ministry to construct pedestrian bridges at dark spots on federal highways, to avoid vehicles knocking down pedestrians.
These decisions followed a motion by Rep. Abdulrazak Namdas (APC-Adamawa) unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.
Moving the motion, Namdas noted that a number of communities along highways had constructed speed pumps to check speeding, and dangerous driving and ease crossing without the permission of the relevant ministry.
Gombe
Alhaji Umaru Goro, The Chairman, Joint Association of
Persons With Disabilities (JAPWD), Gombe State chapter, has implored the State Government to provide free education for his members.
Goro, who is also the Councillor, Muna Ward of Balanga Local Government, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
He said many members of the association were from the less privileged families and that they should be considered for free education to eradicate illiteracy among them.
Goro added that members of the association were talented people in different areas of human endeavours and would contribute positively to the development of the society, if assisted.
Kaduna
Senator Shehu Sani (APC Kaduna Central) has urged
members of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to monitor and ensure effective implementation of all projects allocated to the Northern region in the 2016 nation’s budget.
Sani gave the advice while addressing members of the Kaduna State chapter of ACF, who paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna.
”It is high time for the Northern region to improve on our education, agriculture and all other sectors to boost our economy.
“The ACF should follow to the letter, toward ensuring that all projects earmarked in the Federal Government budget for the region, are being implemented,” he said.
Katsina
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has approved
the appointment of Alhaji Garba Sanda Mani as the new Head of Service of the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran, and made available to newsmen in Katsina.
“Your selection is in recognition of your track record of service and on the conviction that you will serve faithfully, diligently and in the best interest of the state,” the statement said.
It said the appointee was born on October 15, 1959; he began his working career in 1983 in the old Kaduna State as a Master Grade II officer in the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
It said Mani is a graduate of political science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1982.
Kwara
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has inducted 53 new
members of the Batch B medical graduates of the institution.
The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr Ibrahim Abdulmumini, who addressed the new doctors, urged them to treat patients with love and passion. Represented by a member of the Council, Mrs Zainab Saádu, the registrar, however, cautioned that indiscipline would not be tolerated.
He said “the MDCN will not hesitate to sanction erring doctor who does not uphold the rules and regulations of the Council.”
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdulganiyu Amballi, said all facilities had been put in place to enable doctors from the institution to compete internationally. Represented by Prof. Gabriel Olatunji, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Technology and Information, Amballi urged the new doctors to be good ambassadors of the university wherever they found themselves.
Lagos
For allegedly threatening to bathe a pastor with acid and destroying his church, a 40-year-old Muslim cleric, Saheed Gbadamosi, has been hauled up before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
A resident of Aboru area of Iyana-Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, Gbadamosi, is being tried for breach of peace, assault and threat to life.
According to the prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, the accused committed the offences on September 4 at his residence.
He said the accused with others still at large conspired and assaulted Pastor Emmanuel Ugbo by beating him, destroying church property and threatening to pour acid on him.
“The accused and others also threatened to bathe him with acid if he refused to stop converting his `clients’ to his church.”
Ogun
An Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State has granted a
N200, 000 bail to two men – Adelaja Oketunbi and Araoye Lukman, who allegedly destroyed 40 pieces of block and other materials valued at N20,800 at an estate.
The accused, Oketunbi, 46, and Lukman,50, whose addresses were unknown, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and malicious damage.
Prosecutor Abdulkareem Mustapha told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences at 3.00 p.m. at Mercy Land Estate, Onigbongbo in Atan area of Ota.
Mustapha said the accused conspired and damaged 40 pieces of blocks and other materials, all valued at N20,800.
The offences contravened Sections 351 and 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The duo pleaded not guilty.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone
11, Mr Dan Bature, has advised officers of Nigeria Police to key into anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bature made this known during his official visit to the police command in Ondo, recently.
The AIG said that police should be a major stakeholder in the fight, saying that discipline, which was the hallmark of the present administration, must be the focal point of police.
According to him, there must be high level of uprightness, transparency in the endeavours of the force.
He added that police must be indulged in intelligence policing, saying that police should not relax on their duties.
Osun
Eight persons have appeared before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court in Osun State over the theft of 1,000 chickens from a poultry farm.
The accused include Odebiyi Yinka, 20, Ayoola Samson, 20, Cecilia Ochilla, 35, and Elizabeth Akira, 30.
Others are: Oyelami Tajudeen, 30, Regina Philip, 40, Grace Odelia, 35, and Akira Hanna, 24.
The accused and others at large are facing charges bordering on stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Taiwo Adegoke told the court that the accused committed the offence between the months of May, June and July at Erin-Osun, Osogbo.
Adegoke said the accused conspired with others now at large to steal 1, 000 chickens owned by one Mrs Titilayo Akulo.
Plateau
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has com
mended the Plateau Government for launching an action plan to end violence against children.
The UNICEF Communication Officer, Bauchi Field Office, Mr Samuel Kaalu, made the commendation in a statement in Jos recently.
He said the launching of the plan had enlisted Plateau as the fourth state in Nigeria to do so.
He said the survey conducted in 2014 had revealed high prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria, which necessitated the launch of a National Action Plan by President Mohammadu Buhari in September 2015.
Taraba
The Taraba State Branch of the Igbo Welfare Associa
tion has awarded scholarships to 100 orphans studying in various secondary schools in the state.
The President-General of the association, Mr Mazi Nwokeocha, made the announcement in Jalingo while disbursing money to beneficiaries.
He said that the 100 beneficiaries were children of the association’s dead members.
The president-general said that each beneficiary received N15, 000 as assistance to continue his/her education.
Nwokeocha said the gesture was initiated by the association in 2007 to give families of dead members a sense of belonging.
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.