Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Benue State , Mr Chidiebere Nkwonta, has said that 904 casualties were recorded in 300 road accidents in Benue last year.
Nkwonta said in Makurdi that the figures showed improvements, compared to 1,183 casualties from 362 road accidents recorded in 2015.
He said that 799 people were seriously injured while 105 others were killed in auto crashes last year.
Nkwonta noted, however, that over-speeding was the major cause of the deadly crashes.
He cited March as the month with the highest number of crashes last year, while the least number of accidents occurred in November.
Borno
The Borno State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says it has discovered “Count down Timers’’ used by Boko Haram terrorists to detonate explosives.
The Commandant of the Corps, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in Maiduguri in an interview with newsmen.
Abdullahi said that the instruments were discovered by men of the Disaster Management Unit of the command at the scene of last Sunday’s bomb blast in Kalari area of the state capital.
“The digital timer countdown displayed served the purpose of allowing the planter of bomb or suicide bomber to know the time to explode his Improvised Explosive Device.
“Since we now know what they are using; the security agencies would trace the roots of where these gadgets are coming fromn”, he added.
Jigawa
The Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on all State Houses of Assembly in the country to pass laws creating a separate salary structure for magistrates.
The National President of the association, Mr Saidu Safiyanu, made the call while speaking at its National Executive Council meeting in Dutse, Jigawa Sate.
Safiyanu said that the association had since July 2016 been battling to address issues concerning the working conditions of magistrates throughout the country.
The MAN president noted that the major aim of the association is to protect the rights, honour and privileges of magistrates, as well as safeguard the independence and integrity of its members.
According to him, the national officers of the association had visited the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, where issues of constitutional amendment to include magistrates as judicial officers were discussed, and stated that the national officers had received a favorable response from the Senate leader.
Kaduna
The Kaduna Central Prison has trained 60 inmates in tailoring and Information and Communication Technoogy, the state Prisons Controller, Yazid Alhassan, has said.
Alhassan said in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna that the training was quarterly and in batches.
He said that the training would cover other skills this year, to prepare the inmates with relevant skills to earn a living after serving their release.
According to him, the training, conducted with the support of Kaduna State Government, is a major step in the rehabilitation of the prisoners, who before now were doing virtually nothing to upgrade themselves.
Kano
The Federal Road Safety Commission in Kano State has warned motorists against speeding on bridges, especially at night.
The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Malam Kabiru Daura, gave the warning when he confirmed an accident which occurred at Kwankwasiyya bridge.
Daura said that a white Honda Accord car, NSR 262 GG, fell from the Kwankwasiyya bridge at about 10 p.m.
He said the three men in the vehicle were rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Hospital.
Eyewitnesses said that because of the speed, the driver lost control and the car fell off the bridge.
One of the eyewitnesses,Malam Lawan Abdullahi, said that he went to buy some drugs at a chemist when he heard the noise of the car which fell off the bridge.
Katsina
The immediate former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, has appeared in court for alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor.
Shema was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Bako by the Katsina State Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but did not take plea.
Earlier, EFCC counsel, Jibrin Samuel (SAN), had urged the court to remand Shema in prison so that they could have access to him at will. Samuel asked that the administrative bail earlier given to Shema be revoked, saying, he had shown some signs of not reporting to the commission.
The defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, however, objected to the prayer of the EFFC counsel to have his client remanded in prison custody.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government says it has spent N500 million on checking the activities of cattle rustlers and kidnappers in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Yauri, disclosed this in Birnin Kebbi at a ministerial briefing organised by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
“Over N500 million has been expended in order to curb the activities of cattle rustlers and kidnappers operating in Danko Wasagu and Ngaski Local Government Areas of the state,’’ he said.
Kwara
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on residents of Kwara State to be on security alert more than ever in the wake of the dislodgement of Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa forest.
The acting Director of the agency in the State, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen.
He said that the call became necessary due to the reports that the dislodged insurgents were making attempts to infiltrate public and private places across the country.
Adeyemi noted that some of these insurgents, who escaped being killed or arrested by the military were making efforts to wreck havoc in churches, mosques and markets, among other public places.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on Governor Umaru Al-Makura to respect the court judgment that ordered dissolution of Interim Management Committee (IMC) chairmen of local government councils.
Nasarawa APGA Chairman Musa Saidu, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Lafia. A High court sitting in Lafia recently dissolved the IMC chairmen and ordered the state government to conduct election.
Saidu said the governor should comply with the judgment and dissolve the IMC immediately.
Niger
Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Shuaibu Gambo has, solicited the support of the mass media in crime prevention in the country. Gambo, in an interview with newsmen in Minna, the Niger State capital, said that crime detection should not be left in the hands of the police alone.
He said that the active participation of the media in educating Nigerians to be security conscious would greatly assist in the provision of effective policing.
Gambo also called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to compliment the efforts of the police by mobilising their followers to volunteer truthful and relevant information to the police about miscreants in their domains.
Osun
The Osun State Government has warned owners of buildings erected close to the road and within the right of way in Osogbo to desist or face sanctions.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr Nurudeen Adeagbo, gave the warning in Osogbo.
Adeagbo said such buildings were built along Orisumbare Market, Oja-Oba and other places in Osogbo.
“No builder will be allowed to contravene the prescribed 30-metre setback from the centre of the road in accordance with the highway manual of the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing,” he said.
The permanent secretary said that it was already in the plan of the state government to develop the roads in question into a dual carriageway in the nearest future.
Oyo
The police have arraigned a hairdresser and driver before
an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for alleged engaging in public fight.
The accused, Michael Godwin, 30, and Gbemisola Adejumo, both of NW6/116 Ayorinde street, Queen cinema, Adamasingba area, Ibadan, was arraigned on a two -count charge of public fight and polluting the atmosphere with faeces.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Salewa Hammed told the court that Godwin and Gbemisola engaged in a public fight on January 5, at about 7:30am at their residents in Queen cinema area , Ibadan.
Sokoto
A mobile court in Sokoto State has convicted 34 persons for various traffic offences in the state.
The spokesman of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Aliyu Kanya, made this known in a statement in Sokoto.
Kanya said that the mobile court was conducted January 5 on Sokoto-Illela highway.
He said that one of the convicts bagged two months jail or an option of N30,000 fine,while two others were discharged and acquitted. It further urged motorists to desist from driving without valid driver’s licence as well as endeavour to register their vehicles with the Internal Revenue Board.
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.