Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Adamawa State Government says it has established and
renovated 64 earth dams in 30 grazing reserves in the state ahead of the establishment of National Grazing Reserves programme.
The State’s Commissioner for Livestock Production, Dr Isa Salihu, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
Salihu said that the state government had equally established nomadic schools in some of the grazing reserves.
He said that the state government was committed to giving all necessary support and cooperation to the Federal Government towards the establishment of the grazing reserves and cattle ranches in the state.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State chapter of the Rice Farmers Association
of Nigeria (RIFAN), has vowed to exceed the targeted one million metric tonnes of dry season rice production to 1.1 million metric tones.
The state chairman of the association, Alhaji Samaila Augie, made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrower Programme, was aimed at mass production of rice, so as to achieve food security and the diversification of the economy.
Augie said the association had registered interested farmers, who were supplied with incentives that included, cash, water pumping machines, fertiliser and insecticides to boost productivity.
Kogi
Protesting students of Kogi State University, Ayangba,
yesterday blocked major roads leading into and out of Lokoja, thereby paralysing socio-economic activities for hours.
The students, who were protesting against three months closure of the university due to lecturers’ unpaid salaries, said they were tired of staying at home.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi had repeatedly appealed to the lecturers to call off the strike to no avail.
Bello had at stakeholders’ forum on July 5, said government had met 80 per cent of the lecturers’ demands, wondering why they were still on the strike.
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has ap
proved the elevation of eight traditional rulers in the state to First Class status.
This is contained in a statement issued in Ilorin and signed by Alhaji Haruna Mohammed, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development.
Our correspondent reports that the upgraded chiefs include Alhaji Idris Abubakar, Emir of Okuta; Alhaji Sabi Idris, Emir of Gwanara; Prof Halidu Abubakar, Emir of Ilesha-Baruba.
Others are Alhaji Usman Seriki, Oba Salihu Adasofegbe, Olosi of Osi in Ekiti local government council, Oba Abubakar Adelodun Olupako of Share in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
Lagos
A former Executive Secretary, National Universities Com
mission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, has criticised the recently announced method of admitting students into tertiary institutions, saying it amounts to admitting candidates blindly.
Okebukola made the assertion while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the 2016 Speech Day and Prize Giving ceremony of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, recently.
He said that the current criteria or guidelines put in place for admission of candidates into the country’s tertiary institutions would only allow unqualified candidate to be admitted.
Okebukola, who was reacting to the recent cancellation of the Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Federal Government, said the criteria were still unclear to stakeholders.
Nasarawa
The Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi,
Nasarawa State, Dr Joshua Giyan-Ndom, has commended the Federal Government over efforts at transforming the country’s health sector.
Giyan-Ndom told newsmen in Keffi that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was making funds available to strengthen the health sector with infrastructure, equipment, facilities and personnel.
He also acknowledged the government determination to make FMC Keffi one of the best health facilities in the country through funding and provision of modern equipment.
Our correspondent reports that FMC Keffi was established in year 2000 to provide modern tertiary medical and healthcare services.
Niger
The Niger State House of Assembly has asked the State
Government to refund deductions made from workers salaries with immediate effect.
The House passed the resolution following a motion by Mr Bello Ahmad (PDP- Agwarra) and seconded by Mr Salihu Edati (APC-Edati).
Ahmad said that the legislative arm was not consulted before the deductions, adding that the governor’s action was unconstitutional.
“As far as this issue of slashing workers’ salaries is concerned, none of us was consulted and we are primary stakeholders in matters that affect the people.
“If you look at the constitution and the labour act, you will see that there is no provision that empowers the state government to slash salaries, no matter the state of the economy.
Ondo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
says it has commenced the training of 204 e- collation staff of the commission for the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.
Head of Voters Registration and ICT in the state, Mr Olubunmi Egbeeye, told newsmen in Akure that the training was necessary for the conduct of the election.
Egbeeye said the training, which would last for six days, was for all INEC staff in the 18 local government areas of the state.
He added that the training would enhance the staff’s computer knowledge and keep them abreast of vital concepts and terms.
Oyo
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State has
decried the living condition of workers in the state, vowing to embark on mass action if the situation does not improve.
The TUC Chairman, Mr Emelieze Andrew, told newsmen in Ibadan that urgent steps must be taken by states and the Federal Government to tackle the development.
He also said TUC would embark on a mass protest at the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum it issued recently.
Lamenting that the economic challenges were biting hard on Nigerian workers, Andrew advised governors finding it difficult to pay salaries to rise up to the challenge or consider resignation.
The Executive Director, Girl-child Right Awareness Ini
tiative in Africa, Mrs Olayinka Ojomo, has advised governments at all levels to evolve education policies that will enhance qualitative education for the girl-child.
Ojomo told the newsmen on Tuesday in Osogbo that the measure became necessary in order to build an egalitarian society.
She said that the only way the society could be sanitised and become sophisticated was to educate the custodians of families from the beginning and prepare them for better future.
Ojomo explained that young girls of today would eventually become wives and mothers that would be in charge of families, hence the need to make them more enlightened and educated.
Plateau
Farmers in Plateau State, have called on the State Gov
ernment to hasten the distribution of its subsidised fertiliser, three weeks after it inaugurated the sales offer.
Our correspondent reports that Governor Simon Lalong, had at the inauguration in Bokkos on June 28, said that government had subsidised the commodity for a bag to sell at N4,000.
“Realising that most of the farmers are peasants, who can hardly afford the high price of fertiliser in the open market, government has subsidised the product by 50 per cent.
“The subsidy makes it possible for farmers to access the product at N4,000 per bag,” Lalong had said.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government says it will spend N1.2
billion on the construction of a secondary school in Balle, headquarters of Gudu Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Jabbi Kilgori, disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto recently.
“Gudu Local Government is reputed to be the only one without a senior secondary school in the whole of the country.
“That was what informed the decision of the state government to conceive this noble project which was duly approved by the state executive council penultimate week.
Zamfara
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai in Gusau
said that intelligence reports indicated that many cattle rustlers and bandits were already fleeing the forest in Gusau.
Buratai made the disclosure during activities to mark the Army Day celebration in Gusau.
“We have also got the report that many of the criminals are already on the run in the forest.
“We understand that they are trying to escape from the ongoing operation but this will not deter us from going on with the operations,”he said.
He noted that the Army would sustain the offensive against the criminals until all known enclaves in the forest were cleared.
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