Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists
(NUJ), Mr Mohammed Garba, has called for improved funding of government owned media organisations.
Garba made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Mr Ima Niboro.
He said adequate funding was necessary for the media to discharge their functions effectively, especially as the country prepared for the 2015 general elections.
According to him, proper funding of the organisations is also needed for balanced reportage.
Jigawa
The Village Head of Chai-chai community in Dutse
Local Government Area, of Jigawa State has commended the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), an NGO, for constructing borehole and classrooms in the area.
Muhammad made the commendation at the inauguration of the projects in the Community Primary school in Chai-Chai, Dutse.
He said that the provision of the borehole would enhance access to safe drinking water among people of the area.
He said that both the pupils and members of the community would benefit from the facility.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government, said it has awarded
contract valued at N100.9 million for the upgrade of electricity infrastructure at the Kaduna Dry Port.
The Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmad, stated this in Kaduna at a ceremony marking the commencement of the project.
The project involves the construction of a 300KVA-Transformer sub-station, procurement of a 250KVA generator and construction of a generator house.
Ahmad also said that the money would be used to upgrade street lights in the port located at the Inland Containers Terminal, Kaduna.
Kano
The Kano State policing outfit, Hisba Board, said it had arrested 52 young women and men for allegedly engaging in prostitution and other immoral acts in Kano metropolis.
The board’s Director-General, Dr Abba Sufi, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He said those arrested were made up of 27 females and 25 males, adding that they were apprehended at the railway station and behind Magwan Water Restaurant in Kano metropolis.
The arrest was made following a raid by members of the board, he noted.
Kebbi
UNICEF has commended Kebbi State government for
paying its N158 million counterpart funding to curb malnutrition in the state in two years.
The UNICEF officer in-charge of malnutrition, Mr Stanley Okechukwu, made the commendation when he visited Gov. Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State in Birnin Kebbi recently.
He also commended the state government for ensuring the treatment of 100,000 malnourished children and enabling the treatment of 600,000 more children against child killer diseases within the period.
Okechukwu described the efforts to fight such diseases as highly commendable and assured that UNICEF would sustain its support to the state.
Kwara
A housewife, Yetunde Afolabi of Osere area of
Ilorin, has prayed an Ilorin Area Court to dissolve her five-year-old marriage with Kunle Afolabi, because he publicly humiliated her.
Yetunde, 30, told the court that her husband was fond of tearing her clothes, making her naked before beating her in public, just to humiliate her.
She told the court that her husband was also fond of calling her names like “prostitute, dirty pig, and shameless person” in public.
“My husband has ridiculed me and soiled my personality to the extent that I am ashamed of moving freely in my neighbourhood,” she said.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State
has said that in spite of his Deputy, Mr Damishi Luka, defecting to PDP, he will accord him his right as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Al-Makura made the statement in Lafia when commissioners in his cabinet paid him a solidarity visit at the Government House.
“Damishi Luka remains my Deputy and I am duty bound by the constitution to accord his office all its dues and entitlements,” Al-Makura said.
He, however, described “the defection as a tip of the iceberg of an onslaught orchestrated against the present administration in the state.’’
Niger
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has en
joined Christian faithful to use the Lenten season to pray to God for solutions to the socioeconomic and security challenges confronting the nation.
The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, made the call on behalf of the group in Minna, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.
Aliyu urged Christian faithful to conduct themselves well during the season in order to maximise the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in the season.
He said that good intentions, prayers and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds were pre-requisites for reaping the benefits of the holy season.
Ondo
To achieve the 35 percent affirmative action on fe-
male representation in governance, the Ondo State Government has urged women to participate actively in politics.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, Yemi Mahmud-Fasanmi, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Akure.
“I urge the woman folk to come out; they should not fold their arms and be expecting good turnout in terms of their participation in politics.
Osun
The Osun State government said that it would spend
N2.6 billion on the ongoing rehabilitation of its water works at Ede town.
The General Manager of the Water Corporation, Mr Gbenga Owojuyigbe, disclosed the amount when the House of Assembly Committee on Water, Environment and Sanitation visited the corporation in Ede.
Owojuyigbe said the government had earlier spent N424 million during the first phase of the emergency rehabilitation of the water works.
Plateau
The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has been charged
to create a curriculum that would help the youth think ‘outside the box’ instead of looking for paid jobs.
The charge was made in Jos by Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, Chairman of ITF Governing Council, and Minster of State for Defence, at the 2013 Merit Award ceremony of the Governing Council.
“What we need is creativity; we, in the ITF must create a Nigerian dream that everybody will latch onto,” he said.
He said that President Goodluck Jonathan had already provided the right platform for creativity, adding that the Fund needed to be known internationally.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee has
facilitated the treatment of 526 mentally-ill persons at the Federal Neuropsychiatry Hospital, Kware, in February.
The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, who disclosed this while disbursing N56.5 million as donations to physically challenged persons in Sokoto, said N914,000 was spent on their treatment.
He said only 16 of the patients were admitted at the psychiatric hospital while the rest were out-patients coming for drug administration and counselling.
L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, representative of the governor of Rivers State, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, representative of Chief of Army Staff, Brig.-Gen. Olajide Lalaye and Chairman, Board of Peoples Media Limited, Malam Wada Maida, at the Peoples Media Limited conference in Abuja, last Thursday. 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.