Nation
THE STATES
Abuja
The NNPC has reiterated its commitment to the development of a functional education that would drive the development of the petroleum sector and the country.
The Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr Austen Oniwon, stated this in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the 9th NNPC National Quiz Competition for secondary school students.
Oniwon, who was represented by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Dr Levi Ajuonuma said the quiz was part of NNPC’s contribution to the development of students’ intellectual capacity
“We are convinced that allowing students to test their academic ability through a well organised and highly competitive quiz like this would stimulate the needed competition in our education system,’’ he said.
Bauchi
The Muslim community in Bauchi converged at the Muslim graveyard to clean the surroundings in order to derive the benefits of Ramadan.
Top government officials, civil servants, businessmen, uniformed and non-uniformed voluntary organisations and other residents of the metropolis were among those who took part in the exercise.
The Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, who lead the exercise expressed satisfaction with the level of turnout of the people and called on Muslims in the state to maintain the tempo.
Adamu pointed out that the cleaning of a grave was part of the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, adding, “ even if not for this reason one may not like his grave to be in a dirty environment,“ he said.
Gombe
The Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gombe chapter, has suggested the recruitment of products of the Nomadic Education Programme as teachers in their former schools.
Malam Aliyu Abare, the Secretary of the association, made the suggestion while speaking with newsmen in Gombe on Tuesday.
Abare said that such a measure would encourage other animal rearers to enrol their wards in the nomadic schools.
“Some of the products of the Nomadic Education programme were able to graduate from their primary schools, attend secondary schools and make it up to National Certificate of Education level.
“Unfortunately, they could not secure teaching job and this development has frustrated them and sent wrong signal to other rearers, who now have the impression that attending the school is a wasted effort.
Ibadan
An Islamic Scholar and University of Ilorin Lecturer, Dr Ibraheem Abikan, has disclosed that Islamic banking was first licenced in the South-West zone in 1963.
Abikan made the disclosure on Monday, in Ibadan, while delivering the 13th Ramadan Lecture entitled, “Viability of Islamic Banking in Nigeria, Issues, Challenges and Prospects”.
The event was organised by the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Oyo State branch.
He said that the bank was then known as “Muslim Bank of West Africa“ and was licenced under the regulatory body of the financial institution of the era.
The lecturer explained that the licence was later withdrawn by the authorities of the then Western region barely after four years of operation.
Ijebu-Ode
Secondary school mathematics teachers have attributed the failure in the subject among students to the lack of concentration and laziness.
A cross-section of the teachers told newsmen (NAN) in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, on Tuesday that until the students braced themselves and stopped their lazy attitude, their poor performance in the subject might persist.
The teachers expressed concern over the yearly poor performance of students in the subject in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE), saying that teachers had been doing their best to encourage the students.
They appealed to parents to also encourage their children by providing the necessary textbooks needed for the subject and also supervise them to work out the subject after school hours.
Mr Akindele Ademola, a mathematics teacher at the Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, described mathematics as a dynamic subject that needed “absolute concentration”.
Jos
Brig.-Gen Muraina Raji, former Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Special Court Martial over the escape of two detainees from the Brigade’s detention facilities.
The Tide gathered that the detainees were suspected to be members of the Boko Haram who were arrested over an onslaught on Bauchi late 2010.
Inaugurating the six-member panel in Jos, the GOC, 3 Armoured Division, Maj.-Gen Sunday Idoko, said that Raji was indicted for complicity by a military investigation report.
“It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the part of subordinates.
“When there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken by commanders to forestall future occurrence.”
Katsina
Residents of Gora and Yammama villages in the Malumfashi local government area of Katsina State have called for urgent government action to stop the erosion destroying a bridge on the Funtua-Kano road.
Alhaji Sagir Sani, the Village Head of Gora, made the call on Tuesday, on behalf of both communities while inspecting the bridge along with Alhaji Lawal Dalhatu, the Acting Chairman of Malumfashi local government.
Sani said the bridge linked the two communities and it was being used by travellers from neighbouring states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi, as well as people from the southern part of Katsina State going to Kano State.
He said the road was vital to the socio-economic activities of the diverse people, noting that, “its total collapse will surely affect people’s lives.”
Kebbi
The Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area in Kebbi has earmarked N15 million for the feeding of the less privileged during the Ramadan “in the spirit of brotherhood”.
The Sole Administrator, Alhaji Musa Dan-Illela, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that N1 million would be spent in the programme in each of the 15 electoral wards.
He said a committee had been established in each of the wards to monitor the full implementation of the programme, stressing that whoever diverted the money would be punished.
He said an estimated 3,000 people were expected to benefit from the programme as feeding would be done at designated points in the ward throughout the Ramadan.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Environment Protection Agency (KEPA) has said that the provision of waste baskets is now compulsory for commercial vehicle operators in the state.
The KEPA General Manager, Alhaji Aminu Sani, told our correspondent in Kaduna on Tuesday that the policy was to discourage commuters from throwing waste from vehicle windows.
Sani said that the baskets would also check the indiscriminate throwing of polythene bags, especially sachets used in packaging water popularly known as pure water.
He said that the agency had discovered that polythene was one of the major materials that block the drains and obstructed the free flow of water from channels.
The general manager said that the state government had already engaged a consultant that would commence the waste baskets installation programme.
Lafia
The Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board has announced the fares for the 2011 pilgrimage, saying the minimum is N525,000 and the maximum N626,000, for male pilgrims.
The Executive Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Lafia, said the medium hajj seat for the year would go for N559,000.
He said all female pilgrims would be required to pay an additional N1,250 as the cost for their hijabs (veils) and printing of the state emblem on the veils.
He said all intending pilgrims were expected to complete the payments of their fares before August. 29, adding that the screening of all its intending pilgrims would commence immediately after Ramadan.
Lokoja
The Kogi Government has completed 35 electrification projects and sunk 150 boreholes in some rural areas of the state.
The Director-General, Directorate of Rural Development (DRD), Dr Paul Attah, who made the announcement on Tuesday in Lokoja, said that more than 100 kilometres of roads were also opened up to ease movement to and from rural areas to the cities.
He told news men that the directorate also constructed six culverts and a bridge, adding that the projects, which cut across the 21 local government areas of the state, were executed between 2007 and 2010.
Attah said the directorate had also installed transformers in Lokoja, Kabba and Idah on the directive of the state government.
He added that many rural communities in the state had been clamouring for the attention of the directorate for the provision of facilities, but that the organisation could not meet their demands due to limited resources.
Sokoto
Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, Chairman, Shagari Local Government in Sokoto State, on Tuesday, directed councillors to submit lists of projects demanded by their constituencies for immediate implementation.
Maigwandu told journalists in Sokoto that, only projects with direct bearing on the lives of the people would, however, be implemented.
He said the local administration would transform the socio-economic and political status of the area through the execution of laudable projects.
Maigwandu, who was re-elected chairman of the council, said that education, health care services, water supply, roads construction and agriculture remained one of the cardinal objectives of the administration.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Port Harcourt zonal command has held a one-day capacity workshop with some selected media organisations and civil society organisations in the state
The one-day capacity workshop was aimed at strengthening existing relationships among the media and the civil society organisations in the state with a view to improving the existing relationships among the graft agency and the media.
Speaking at the event the zonal commander of EFCC, MR. HASSAN SAIDU, said the
initiative is part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, particularly the media and civil society, in our collective fight against economic and financial crimes , adding that the decision to organize this workshop underscores the strategic importance the EFCC places on the roles of the media and the CSOs as watchdogs of the society.
According to him,all over the world, the partnership between anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society has been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, noting that the collaboration is even more imperative in Nigeria given the scale and sophistication of economic crimes we contend with.
“Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support you have given to the EFCC over the years.
Your consistent focus on our work through reporting, advocacy, and public engagement has helped to sustain the momentum of our preventive and enforcement efforts.”
The EFCC’s mandate is both engaging and arduous. I say this because the landscape of economic crime is dynamic and your duty to report and interpret these developments requires diligence, patriotism and integrity.”
He posted that It is in recognition of these challenges that the Commission introduced a Specialized Workshop Series on Economic and Financial Crimes Reporting for journalists, adding that the commission has expanded this initiative to include civil society organizations to further demonstrate their belief in an inclusive and collaborative anti-corruption framework.
“As you are aware, Port Harcourt remains Nigeria’s treasure base of the Nation and a fertile ground for various forms of economic and financial crimes, ranging from pipeline vandalism, foreign exchange scams and business email compromise to investment and property fraud, and crude oil theft.”
The EFCC zonal commander averred that the 2025 edition of the workshop is Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and other Emerging Financial Crimes and Prosecution of Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward , adding that
It is imperative for us to note that the surge of Cryptocurrency Fraud and other related offences in the Nigeria’s Cyberspace is becoming alarming hence, as part of the efforts of the EFCC to nip this menace and eradicate these crimes from Nigeria Cyberspace there is need for synergy with relevant Stakeholders, that is the reason why the Commission has chosen these topics to educate, create awareness and discuss arising issues that will yield more significant results as the EFCC tackles the spate of these crimes.
“We must work together to intensify public sensitization. Your platforms- print, broadcast, digital, and community-based- are essential in equipping Nigerians with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to scammers. ”
He reiterated that the fight against economic and financial crimes is not the sole responsibility of the EFCC or other anti-corruption agencies. It is a collective national duty, meaning all hands must be on deck , stressing that
We owe it to our country and, indeed, the global community to expose and confront corrupt practices wherever they exist.
“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while civil society must deepen civic engagement and promote transparency at all levels.
The EFCC remains committed to building a stronger and more effective partnership with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. he stated.
Earlier In his presentation on cryptocurrency-related crimes, CSE Coker Oyegunle, Head of Advanced Fee Fraud, explained that digital assets are increasingly being used for money laundering, identity theft, phishing, malware attacks, and ransomware, most of which involve untraceable crypto payments.
He noted that Nigeria now has a coordinated regulatory framework involving multiple agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) serves as the lead regulator under the Investment and Securities Act 2025, defining digital assets as securities and licensing virtual asset service providers.
Our correspondent reports that other topics presented during the workshop include prosecuting Financial crimes: Issues, challenges and the way forward and the role of CSOs and media in driving a preventive frame work.
Nation
RSU Blames Poor Funding for Failure to Meet Academic Targets as 1,356 Set for Combined Convocation on Saturday”
The management of Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has stated that poor funding has hindered the institution’s ability to meet its expected academic targets.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, made this statement during a press briefing held at the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt, ahead of the week-long 37th and 38th combined convocation ceremony scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi emphasized that poor funding continues to be a major challenge limiting the institution’s ability to meet its targets, adding that they trust the state governor, Sir Fubara Siminalaye, who is the visitor to the university, will continue to strengthen and support them.
He noted that the state governor has demonstrated his commitment to supporting the university, recently approving N700m for the ongoing NUC accreditation.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the university faces deficits in classrooms, staff accommodation, and student hostels, with the infrastructure gap widening, and existing lecture halls and laboratories requiring renovation.
“We are prioritizing phased upgrades based on program needs,
He added that the university is short-staffed, having lost staff to retirement, death, and changes in job or place of work, and that new programs, departments, and faculties have been created to meet the contemporary needs of society.
Mean while,a total of 13,242 students are set to graduate in the combined convocation, with 10,648 undergraduates, 1,356 Master’s degree students, 700 postgraduate diplomas, and 538 Doctors of Philosophy.
The Vice-Chancellor also used the opportunity to list some achievements of his administration, including the creation of new directorates, completion of abandoned laboratories, and upgrades in the faculty of sciences, made possible with support from the Tertiary Education Technology Fund (TETFund).
He expressed appreciation to the governor and visitor to the university, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for approving his appointment and promised to justify the confidence placed in him.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has decried the neglect of communities in Obolo Nation and others in the Niger Delta Region
MOSIEND also called on the stakeholders to empower the youths in skill acquisition and other meaningful ventures to better their lives
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, alongside Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Amos Zebedee Udu, and Unyeada Clan Chairman Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere monitored by our correspondent
The spokepersons underscores the urgent need for government agencies and development partners to respond decisively to the dire state of basic amenities in the area.
MOSIEND leaders in Obolo Nation lamented the absence of potable water, electricity, access roads, and other functional public infrastructures in the clans
“What is troubling is that these complaints continue to echo without corresponding action from the Rivers State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the oil companies operating in and around the area”.
According to the MOSIEND leaders, the situation has reached a point where community members, particularly youths and women, require deliberate intervention to rebuild livelihoods and restore hope.
They also emphasised the need for empowerment programmes, vocational training, and investments in local economies that depend heavily on fishing and trade.
The Clan leaders call for provision of small engine boats for fishermen and the construction of proper market spaces for the communities
Asarama Clan Chairman, Comrade Udu noted that the community participates fully in electoral processes yet continues to live without clean water or electricity.
He insisted that the clan is not benefiting as they ought to from any MoU with oil companies nor from NDDC projects, raises concerns about the fairness and inclusiveness of development planning in the state.
Equally troubling is the account from Unyeada Clan Chairman, Comrade Owen Wilson Ngere, who highlighted the alarming state of Unyeada Primary School, where children are forced to learn on bare floors without desks, chairs, or basic sanitation facilities.
” For a region that hosts oil and gas activities, such conditions are unacceptable and should concern all stakeholders”.
The Unyeada Clan Commended NDDC for the installation of solar lights in the communities, noting that the project is not enough for the entire community as they
appeal for more of the solar project in the area
While the leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the ongoing construction of roads in the area, and to the local council Chairman for the provision of potable water in some communities, .
“Obolo Nation has shown remarkable restraint and continues to maintain peace, as noted by the MOSIEND Coordinator”.
“The issues highlighted are not demands for luxury,but are basic necessities that every community in the Niger Delta deserves.
“The time for promises has passed; what Obolo communities need now is visible, sustained, and inclusive development.
Chinedu Wosu
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