By Anne Azuka

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has urged the newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Everest Okoro, to sustain security collaboration to protect lives, property and critical economic assets in the Niger Delta.

Oborevwori made the call on Tuesday when Okoro, who is also Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Asaba.

The governor said sustained cooperation between the state government and security agencies had contributed to peace in Delta, stressing that security was vital to economic growth and investment. He commended the military and other security agencies for their efforts and said the state government had provided infrastructure and logistics to support their operations.

Oborevwori disclosed that the government recently constructed one-unit flats at the Amphibious Army Barracks in Agbor and had provided logistical support to the 63 Brigade. Okoro said the visit was part of his familiarisation tour following his assumption of command. He commended the governor’s support for security operations in the state, particularly in infrastructure and welfare.

The GOC said protecting critical national assets, including oil and gas infrastructure and waterways, would remain a priority within the Division’s area of responsibility. He identified credible intelligence, realistic training and coordination among security agencies as essential to addressing security threats. Okoro also pledged to pursue disciplined leadership and joint operations while seeking continued cooperation with the Delta State Government.

From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has approved the appointment of Richard Elesho and Raphael Oni as media aides to strengthen communication of the ministry’s mandate and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

A statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said Elesho was appointed Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, while Oni will serve as Special Assistant on Digital and Public Diplomacy. According to the statement, the appointees have experience in journalism, government communication, public affairs, diplomacy and media management.

Elesho, a graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, and Kogi State University, Anyigba, previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Director-General of Media Affairs to former Kogi State governors Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada. He was also North Central Bureau Chief of The News/PM News before his latest appointment.

Oni has more than 15 years of experience in diplomatic reporting, government communication and public diplomacy. He holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Abuja and has served as publisher of Diplomats Extra Magazine since 2013.

He has also served two terms as Secretary-General of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria and previously held the same position at the NUJ Correspondents Chapel, Abuja. The ministry expressed confidence that the new aides would strengthen public engagement and communication of Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts.

By Bashir Abdullahi II

The Kano State Government’s reported allocation of ₦1.5 billion for a mass wedding involving 1,500 couples has sparked debate over the best use of public funds amid persistent challenges in education, poverty, unemployment and human capital development.

The programme was presented as a social intervention for vulnerable residents, including widows and divorcees. Support reportedly included dowries, household items, food and financial assistance.

While social protection is a legitimate government responsibility, the spending raises questions about its long-term impact and opportunity cost. A one-off intervention may provide immediate relief, but families still face recurring needs such as food, housing, healthcare and education.

Critics argue that similar resources could support classrooms, teacher training, healthcare, vocational skills and youth employment.The key issue is therefore not whether beneficiaries deserve assistance, but whether ₦1.5 billion could have produced broader and more sustainable benefits if invested in other social programmes.

Kano’s development challenges require interventions that improve household incomes and expand access to education and skills. Such investments may be less visible than a mass wedding but can generate benefits across generations.The state government could strengthen public confidence by providing details on the programme’s expected outcomes, monitoring mechanisms and measures for assessing its long-term impact on beneficiaries.

The debate ultimately highlights a broader question of public spending: how can limited resources provide immediate social protection while also building sustainable opportunities for future generations?