Author: Our Correspondent

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has commended the Ekinrin-Adde community for launching a groundbreaking six hundred million Naira Infrastructural Development Fund.

He gave the commendation on Saturday, when he graced the 2025 Ekinrin-Adde Day celebration in Ijumu Local Government Area.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu praised the community’s proactive approach to improving infrastructure and fostering sustainable development.

The Governor said “I’m proud to see the Ekinrin-Adde community taking proactive steps towards improving infrastructure and fostering sustainable development, as this fund raising is a show of dedication and commitment of the members of this community to make a positive impact on the lives of its people.”

The Governor highlighted the significance of infrastructure development, stating that “Infrastructure is the backbone of any developing community, and investing in it is crucial for ensuring a better quality of life for everyone.” He assured the community of the state’s full support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in building stronger and more resilient communities.

Governor Ododo also commended the state’s security agencies for their recent successes in combating insecurity, including the arrest of 26 suspected kidnappers and their collaborators.

“We’re focused, determined, and committed to making sure that the state is free from all crimes, and the people can sleep with their two eyes closed and carry out their businesses freely,” he said.

The Governor urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities, while warning criminal elements to desist from crime or face the law. “This Government is out for a full-blown war against crime, so Kogi is not, and will never be a safe haven for criminals,” he emphasized.

Ealier,  Mr. Babajide Kolade Otitoju, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee said that the event was put together to celebrate the rich cultural values and unity of the community despite their diversities, and raise funds for provision of key amenities to the people of the area.

He affirmed the contribution of the community to the peace and development of the Okun kingdom, and state in general.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna 

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has condemned the killing of 12 citizens of Kaduna in Mangu LGA to plateau state, demanding that the killers should be brought to justice.

The Governor made the call in a statement he personnellly signed and made availability to newsmen in Kaduna through his Chief press secretary Mal. Ibraheem Musa.

The statement stressed that Kaduna received with shock and deep sorrow, news of the killing of 12 Kaduna State citizens in the troubled Mangun District of Mangu Local Government, Plateau State, with 11 others sustaining various degrees of injuries. 

The statement added that the innocent travellers met their deaths while traveling to Quan Pan Local Government of Plateau State for a wedding ceremony.

“We condemn in the strongest terms these  acts of savagery. The criminals must be fished out and dealt with accordingly. We call on security agencies to leave no stone unturned until these criminal elements are hunted down and brought to justice. 

“We must put a stop to the nefarious activities of non-state actors. There is no justification for anybody to attack any citizen of Nigeria in any part of the country. This madness must stop. Enough is enough.

“I also call on the Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang to use this unfortunate incident to make a bold statement. He must take full charge of the situation and direct the operations of the security agencies until the murderers are brought to justice. 

“I will personally follow up on the progress made in the investigations and field operations in search of the criminals. We must send a clear signal that impunity will no longer be tolerated. 

“Let me use this opportunity to call on the citizens of Kaduna State to remain calm. All hands are on deck to ensure that our murdered citizens get justice. We have made  remarkable progress in peace building and conflict transformation in Kaduna State.

“The Kaduna Peace Model is a pointer to the fact that with political will, commitment and sincerity of purpose, a toxic environment can be turned to an “oasis of peace”.  The situation in Plateau State is not irredeemable. The bloodshed must stop.

“Our deepest condolences to the families of our citizens who lost their precious lives in Mangu Local Government. I am in touch with the families of the victims. We shall do all in our power to lessen their pains. We shall also ensure that the injured victims receive adequate medical attention. May the gentle souls of our departed citizens rest in perfect peace” it stated.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo ..

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has said it has strategized to takeover the remaining states of Rivers and Bayelsa to ensure a uniform development plan for the South South region.

This is even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom that he would not regret his joining the APC by enduring that he is not forsaken nor humiliated.

Tinubu who was represented by his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima said gave the assurance at a reception for Eno by the APC in Uyo on Saturday.

The President who acknowledged that Eno’s defection was as a huge sacrifice said that the APC has always believed in building bridges and not walls adding that in unity and togetherness the nation would thrive.

“We are here because we believe in building bridges not walls and mending fences, not destroying it. President Tinubu is a bridge builder and your decision to come to APC is one you can never regret. The president assures you that you won’t be humiliated or forsaken we are your brothers and we will rise together. We are not assemblage of politicians we are a family.

“We will stand by you as we stood by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio who went through fire because of our party, we are all with you and we shall succeed together. On behalf of the president I thank you for coming to APC.” He said.

Speaking President Godswill Akpabio applauded Eno for taking the bold step to join the APC noting that the governor from onset has been identifying and showing support for the Tinubu’s led administration.

Akpabio assured the Governor of his request from the centre for the realization of Ibom Deep Seaport pledging his resolve to ensure the victory of the President in the South South during the 2027 election anbe expressed hope that the remaining two states in the region will won by the APC.

“What we have here today is not just a political movement, but a political maturity. You have placed the peace and development of Akwa Ibom state above party lines. We say welcome to the progressive family and we know you are going to add value and not number to the family. It’s going to be from celebrations to collaborations.

“I see things turning around for good in Akwa Ibom, you are a man of your words, there is nothing anybody can do to you, among the things you asked for from the centre was the Ibom deep seaport, don’t worry, we will give you more than you asked for.”

Earlier, Eno said he joined the Progressive movement inorder to align Akwa Ibom to the centre and support President Tinubu reforms to bring economic growth to the state.

He appealed to the President and the Federal Government to make his movement to the progressive party translate to the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport in the state.

“So, we are not afraid to join the APC as we know with APC, we will realise our Ibom Deep Seaport, today we are reassured by the federal government that we will have it. Akwa Ibom has 19.1m deep and we don’t even need to dredge even if it is one terminal, this movement would have been justified.

“We have taken the risk to join the Senate President to deliver the President come 2027 and we know that every risk has a reward and our reward should be the Ibom deep seaport which for over 30 years we struggled to have.” The Governor said.

The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje while welcoming Eno to the party described him as a wise man who knows the difference between national isolation and national unity.

Ganduje expressed joy that South South zone of the country has four APC governors and would soon have the remaining two in the opposition party saying that with uniformity of political party it would be easier to solve the common problem in the South South region..,

“Since we are progressive governors in the South South, it will be easier to take care of the problem of the region.” He said.

By Anne Azuka

The Director- General National Youths Service Corps(NYSC), Brigadier General Olukunle Oluseye Nafiu has assured the safety of lives of Corps members in Nigeria throughout their service year.

DG Nafiu gave the assurance shortly after interacting with Corps members presently in camp during his State visit to the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream 11 Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation camp Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

According to DG NYSC, NYSC is always conscious of safety of lives of it’s Corps members across the country and it is our policy that we do not deploy the corps members in arm’s way.

“By that we do our background checks with collaborative security agencies; the police, the Civil Defence, DSS, the military and others including the community and their leadership. They engage with the key leaders within the communities so to be assured of the safety of these Corps members.

“We get periodic updates from the security on the safety of lives and property in areas where these Corps members are deployed.

“And from time to time we review our deployment, once we sense any danger, we are warned and we quickly pull out our Corps members, And so there is element of stability anywhere you see our Corps members. It means it’s a safe place and we will continue to do that”, he pledged

DG NYSC expressed appreciation to the Press for their reportage on activities and issues that concern the Corps members.

While interacting with the Corps members at the camp, he urged them to diversify in handiwork, especially in the training being given to them in the camp to avoid being in the unemployment market after their service year.

“I don’t want you to join that population in the unemployment rate, try to be diligent and focus by engaging in camp training seriously. As we are training you, we have partners that are willing to empower you by providing you with starter kiths, grants and all what not.

DG Nafiu advised Corps members to help themselves by saving from their monthly allowances during their service year for investment in future.

“You can save from your N77,000 monthly allowance. People do it, you can save 30 percent of your monthly allowance and use 70 percent. Some former Corps members while receiving N33,000 allowance, still saved money out of it. So you can always save, it is achievable.

He urged them to launch the future of the country as the leaders of tomorrow, saying “NYSC is a national and mandatory scheme you all must go through as Nigeria young graduates from the universities, polytechnics and monotechnics.

“The service year is a clarion call that you must obey; a call to service as enshrined in the NYSC anthem.

“The NYSC is to build bridges, cultural affiliation and that is why you have been introduced to cultural awareness lecture.

“You should build our nation high; under the sun or in the rain, with dedication and selflessness. Nigeria we serve and we must serve this country as youths, as leaders of tomorrow, and stay in this state to build this nation, complete your service year, don’t japa.

Nafiu admonished Corps members to engage in different skills in order to have multiple strides of income, saying “that is why NYSC is introducing you to acquire practical skills through the in-camp Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development(SAED) programme to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to be self-reliant, job creators and future leaders”.

Earlier, the State Coordinator, NYSC Delta, Mr. John Kwaghe told DG that the camp has approximately the capacity of 3,500 corps members due to a new inflow of hostel of about 750 capacity in the camp that just been rebuilt by the State government.

He disclosed that the camp is presently training a total of one thousand, six hundred and twenty (1,620)Corps members, comprising of eight hundred and fifty-one(851) males and seven hundred and 769 sixty-nine females deployed to Delta State.

He said the Corps members have been committed and disciplined to the activities in the camp, especially in skills acquisition training.

“We have been able within a short time attracted the attention of the state government to challenges being encountered in the camp. This has led to the ongoing road construction within the camp that will make the Corps members comfortable. We have also attracted 229 Solar lights from the NDDC to the camp.

NYSC State Coordinator listed some of the challenges encountered in the camp to include low perimeter fence, weak generator provided by NYSC headquarters over fifteen years ago, expressing hope of receiving a new one.

By Anne Azuka

Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor has congratulated the member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Thomas Ereyitomi on his 60th birthday anniversary.

Rt. Hon. Guwor in his goodwill message to the federal lawmaker, described the celebrant as a worthy elder brother and friend and commended his life of service to God and humanity.

The Speaker in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Nkem Nwaeke, felicitated Hon. Ereyitomi on birth anniversary and wished him many happy returns.

Guwor acknowledged the immense commitment of the celebrant to nation’s building, stressing that his contributions to debates on bills and motions on the floor of the National Assembly are inspiring and commendable.

The Speaker noted that at 60, Hon Ereyitomi has accomplished so much for his immediate family, community, constituents and friends, even as he urged him never to loose sight of his commitment for greater and better Nigeria.

Rt Hon Guwor on behalf of his family, the constituents of Warri South West and the Delta State House of Assembly, prayed to God to grant Hon Ereyitomi the wherewithal for more accomplishments.

He said, “As a worthy brother, friend, constituent and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, I extend warm felicitations to you on this auspicious occasion of your 60th birthday. Congratulations and many happy returns.

“Your dedication to public service has been truly inspiring. On behalf of my family, the good people of Warri South West and colleagues in the State Assembly, I wish you good health, joy, and many more years of fruitful service.

“Happy birthday and many happy returns”, Guwor stated.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo

The Police in Akwa Ibom has said it arrested 54 suspects in connections with several armed robbery, kidnapping, vandalism and cultism in the last two months

It has also said that it has concluded arrangements to ensure that there would be public peace this weekend during the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state

State Police Commissioner, Mr Baba Azare told a press conference in Uyo on Thursday that the suspects nclude 6 suspected Armed Robbers,seven auspected kidnappers and one murder suspect.

It also included 30 suspected cultists, six suspected vndals and four burglars.

Itema recovered from them include two
ouble barrel cut to size locally made guns, one incomplete long gun, two single barrel/cut-to-size guns recovered and 18 locally made pistols

it also rescued -three Kidnapped victims and recovered cartridges, two vehicles and various ammunitions.

The commissioner maintained that the Command has demonstrated total commitment to policing with integrity, strategy, and resolve within the period.

” We have dismantled cult cells, crushed burglary syndicates, thwarted kidnappers, repelled pirates, and intercepted vandals and robbers. Let this serve as a clear message: Akwa Ibom is no haven for criminals.” Azare said.

This command under his watch he said would continue to remain tough, smart, and focused warning that individuals or group intent on threatening the peace of this state wouls be decisively dealt with.

“We use this occasion to once again urge the public to continue providing actionable information. Together, we will consolidate our gains and deepen community.” He concluded.