Author: Our Correspondent

By Our Correspondent

High Chief Idibia Gabriel, a Benue born multiple winner of Press Freedom Awards has said that Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labor Party (LP) is the messiah Nigeria needs at this trying times.

Mr. Idibia, the two time winner of Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ) Press Freedom Awards and winner of African Media Development Foundation (AMDF) Award, made the revelation in a statement while presenting all his Awards before colleagues at NUJ Kaduna State council.

Journalist Idibia was winners of Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Awards 2024 and 2025 of NUJ during Press Freedom and Good Governance Awards 2024 and 2025 in Abuja, and a 2024 AMDF Courage In Journalism Award, in Recognition of his Bravery and Perseverance in Journalism respectfully.

The Kaduna based Journalist in his statement said, “I still see a Messiah for Nigeria in Mr Peter Gregory Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labor Party (LP), despite what happened during the 2023 Presidential election.

“I’m a journalist to the core and not a politician but as a Nigerian everyone is a political animal and therefore this is my vision for Nigeria.

“How people will interpret this, from whatever angles is not what matters but a vision is a vision. Its comes to mind again and again and I decided to voice it out in this manner in a very honest way”, he stated.

He also noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is genuinely doing his very best to secure the country from the myriad of insecurity and economic challenges and corruption, his efforts are still not meeting people’s expectations of Nigerians who are still languishing in poverty, hunger and starvation.

According to him, the emergence of Obi from the blues and the overwhelming supports he enjoyed in Lagos, Abuja and some other strategic states during the 2023 election are attestation that God is behind his ambition for Nigeria.

“I’ve never had personal contact with Obi in my life, and I don’t know him face- to-face, aside seen him from far during media coverages of events, like several other journalist, but this is what my mind keep echoing and telling me all the time about him.

“I’ve no reason to doubt what my mind is telling me but God is all. Prophecy can be routed through anyone, it doesn’t matter who you are. I’m neither a clergyman nor a prophet, but I believe so much in God and fear Him. When and how he’s going to accomplish this dream, is what I also can’t even tell. Only God knows”, he narrated.

..Spends night coordinating security logistics in area
..Say’s 20,000 fled to Dikwa

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy decisive strategies that would ensure Marte town, Marte LGA does not fall into Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.

Zulum, who was actively involved in coordinating security logistics till late in the night on Saturday, undertook a tour to assess the challenges faced in Marte, while also exploring sustainable solutions to foster stability.

Before his arrival, Marte was completely deserted following a Boko Haram attack last Friday with thousands taking refuge in Dikwa town, according to statement by Zulum’s media aide Abdurraman Bundi Sunday.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the governor emphasized that his visit to Marte was to foster community cooperation, resilience and continuous support to the security agencies, stating “Marte was resettled about 4 years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again.”

“About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa; this huge number is a threat as allowing them to stay in the camp may make most of the younger ones become vulnerable to recruitment by the insurgents.”

““Alhamdulillah”, we returned to Marte yesterday and spent the night with the support of the Nigerian Army and our volunteers. The community is now resettled for the second time. Still, my prayers to the federal government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army are that we do everything possible to keep this town on the ground.

“Hitherto, Marte Local Government comprises over 300 towns and villages, now we have only one standing, if we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole Local Government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen.

“Therefore, I am calling on the federal government and the Nigerian Army so that we can put heads together and hold our ground for this single town in this LGA to remain.” he stated.

The governor reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies in attaining lasting peace in Borno State, stating “on my part as the Governor of Borno State, I would do everything within my power to support our gallant military in their efforts towards lasting peace in our beloved state.”

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has conferred the prestigious Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadan (MOFI) award on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

The ceremony took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State, as part of the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival.

The festival promotes unity and friendship between indigenes and other Nigerians, highlighting the country’s rich cultural diversity.

Governor Diri’s recognition underscores his commitment to fostering inter-state relations and cooperation.

The CCII described Senator Diri as “a distinguished son of the Niger Delta, a symbol of purposeful leadership, resilience, and transformational governance”.

Senator Rasheed Ladoja, former Governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, presented the award, citing Governor Diri’s support for Ibadan indigenes in Bayelsa State and his inclusive governance style.

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde, his deputy Adebayo Lawal, and Speaker of the House of Assembly Adebo Ogundoyin.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Diri expressed gratitude to the CCII, commending Governor Makinde for his people-centred leadership and outstanding performance.

He emphasized that governance is about the people and that good leadership brings joy to the citizens. The Bayelsa governor’s recognition is a testament to his dedication to promoting peace, stability, and development in his state.

Governor Diri’s achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Vanguard Newspapers Personality of the Year Award in the Good Governance category. His administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability has been impressive, making him a standout among Nigerian leaders.

The Bayelsa helmsman has also received the Most Impactful Governor of the Year Award at the Bayelsa Media Awards.

The CCII’s gesture highlights the growing bond between Ibadan indigenes and Bayelsa State, demonstrating the power of collaboration and mutual respect.

Governor Diri’s leadership style has been praised for its inclusiveness and focus on the collective wellbeing of all Bayelsans.

His administration’s policies and decisions prioritize the needs of the people, driving development and progress in the state.

Governor Diri has also been honored with the title of Izon-Ibe-Sibeowei 1 of Tuomo Kingdom in Delta State, recognizing his contributions to the Ijaw people. Additionally, he received the Hero of Nigerian Students Award from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for his outstanding performance in the education sector.

The recognition from CCII is a significant milestone in Governor Diri’s illustrious career, showcasing his ability to build bridges and foster unity across different communities. As he continues to lead Bayelsa State, his commitment to good governance and people-centred leadership will undoubtedly inspire others to follow in his footsteps.

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) conducted a Computer-Based Test (CBT) for 6,000 applicants from the nine Niger Delta states, all competing for its Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship programme.

The tests were held at the Information and Communication Technology Centre of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

Alabo Boma Iyaye, NDDC Executive Director for Finance and Administration, highlighted the commission’s dedication to developing human capital.

He noted that the candidates were selected from across the Niger Delta, with testing sessions spread over three days.

“We encountered challenges during shortlisting because some applicants failed to provide complete information or documents,” Iyaye explained. While acknowledging the significant cost of the foreign scholarship, he confirmed NDDC’s commitment to sustaining it and announced plans to introduce scholarships for local universities and undergraduate students to include more beneficiaries.

Dr. George Uzonwanne, NDDC Director of Education, Health and Social Services, emphasized that the scholarship programme, launched in 2010, aims to produce highly skilled professionals capable of competing globally.

“This initiative equips young people with expertise for the Federal Government’s local content programme and specialization in fields such as engineering, information technology, environmental science, geosciences, law, management sciences, and architecture,” he said.

Uzonwanne expressed confidence in the transparent selection process, which continues to yield outstanding performers across these disciplines.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Experts and other stakeholders in the maritime sector were unanimous in their commendation of the commitment of Governor Umo Eno towards the realisation of the Ibom Deep Seaport and the larger Ibom Industrial City project.

The experts who made their feelings known at a Maritime Trade and Logistics Sensitisation Workshop weekend in Uyo said the passion which Eno has brought to bear on the project would accelerate the socio-economic development of the state.

State Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Comrade Ini Ememobong, noted that while the administration has diligently worked to bring the twin projects to reality, it was important to ensure that Akwa Ibom people are prepared and well-positioned to be active players in the maritime sector.

“Currently, Lagos and Rivers States are the players in the maritime sector because of their seaports. With the commitment of His Excellency Governor Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom is set to join this league through the construction of Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City.

“While the State Government is working to bring Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City to reality, Akwa Ibom should have a pool of highly skilled manpower for employment at the port and the industries that will be set up in IIC. This is the essence of today’s sensitisation workshop.” He explained.

The commissioner further noted that the sensitisation was organised to enable participants to gain deeper insights into the maritime and blue economic sector, assess the lucrative nature and viability of this sector, and see how they can be a part of this industry.

Speaking on maritime logistics, the President of Brightflow Conglomerate, Dr Aniefiok Iton, noted that the maritime sector held immense potential, and that if harnessed properly, its impact could surpass that of oil exploration, adding that the maritime industry is a vital component of global trade, which shipping plays a critical role in the movement of people, commodities, cargo, materials, goods and services across international borders.

“Harnessing the economic potentials in the maritime industry involves leveraging its diverse facets, including blue economy initiatives, infrastructure development and sustainable practices.

” This includes maximising the benefits of maritime transport, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism and renewable energy. Countries, regions and communities can unlock substantial economic potential through leverage in this sector.” Iton said.

She notes that it was important to recognise that every sector has its own language and as such, gaining insights and knowledge will help in navigating the sector effectively, disclosed that the objective of the workshop was to develop skills for economic diversification in the maritime industry.

On his part, the Rector, Marine and Oceans Academy, Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Ekwere, stressed that, “there is a need for skills acquisition not just onshore but in the waterways. There is no greater time to look into this than now that the Ibom Deep Seaport is about to emerge for West Africa. Whatever anybody can do, we can do also, and we should be very interested in skills acquisition to function once the Ibom Deep Seaport is birthed.”

Also speaking, a lecturer at Maritime Academy, Nigeria, Dr. Friday Ufia, noted that while maritime trade was the exchange of goods and services across the oceans and seas, the logistics was about customer service, disclosing that there are short courses at the Maritime Academy to equip people in the area to be part of the Ibom Deep Seaport.

In his presentation, the Director of Projects, Technical Committee on Ibom Deep Seaport, Prof. Akaninyene Ekong, said that maritime activities are open to professionals from all fields, offering vast opportunities across sectors.

Ekong said it was encouraging to see that, at the national level, bold steps have been taken to elevate the marine and blue economy, as evident in the policy brief presented at the Federal Executive Council in May this year.

According to him, Ibom Deep Seaport and Ibom Industrial City werenot just standalone projects, but pivotal economic anchors, with their impact extending across the host local government areas into the surrounding region.

“The seaport and land-based infrastructure will drive industrialisation and activate the full potential of the agri-estates, which are already accessible and infrastructure-ready. With this development, all private estates will eventually integrate into the industrial city zone.” He said.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Yu Dunhai, has revealed that plans are underway to establish electric vehicle (EV) factories in Nigeria, as part of efforts to deepen collaboration between both countries in the solid minerals sector.

Ambassador Dunhai made this known during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, over the weekend in Abuja.

He described Nigeria as a great nation with abundant natural resources and reiterated China’s strategic interest in strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the area of mineral development and industrialization.

Referencing the recent meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Xi Jinping during Tinubu’s state visit to China, Ambassador Dunhai noted that both leaders agreed to elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, creating new opportunities for cooperation in mining and manufacturing.

“Chinese firms are already active in Nigeria’s mining value chain, from exploration to processing. We now aim to broaden this cooperation, particularly in line with President Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda through the solid minerals sector,” he said.

The Ambassador affirmed China’s commitment to lawful and sustainable operations, stressing that the Chinese government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining.

He stated that the embassy continually urges Chinese firms in Nigeria to comply with regulations, adopt best practices, and uphold corporate social responsibility.

In response, Dr. Alake welcomed the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, commending law-abiding Chinese firms for their investments. However, he expressed concern over a few errant operators, citing a recent viral video involving a Chinese national allegedly offering bribes to local security agents.

“While we appreciate the contribution of many Chinese companies operating within the law, we cannot ignore the damage caused by illegal actors. We count on your support to ensure such individuals are held accountable,” the Minister said.

Dr. Alake emphasized the achievements of the Mining Marshals recently deployed to combat illegal mining, noting improved compliance and increased investor confidence across the sector.

He further reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to local value addition in mineral development. “The era of exporting raw minerals is over. With our abundant lithium reserves, we want to see electric vehicles and batteries manufactured here in Nigeria. We are open to serious investors who share our vision of in-country processing and industrialization.”

The Minister urged the Ambassador to rally Chinese investors toward full-cycle operations from extraction to processing and manufacturing within Nigeria. He highlighted the nation’s vast market and its push to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy alternatives.

In support, Ambassador Dunhai applauded Nigeria’s local value-addition initiative and affirmed that industrialization in Africa remains a top priority for President Xi Jinping. He confirmed that discussions are ongoing to set up electric vehicle plants and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.

A civil society organisation, the Alliance for Public Asset Protection and Accountability (APAPA), has petitioned the National Assembly over what it describes as a “coordinated and deliberate scheme” to secretly strip Nigeria’s railway system of valuable infrastructure under the guise of scrap sales.

In a detailed petition addressed to both the Senate and House of Representatives, the group accused the Minister of Transport, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, of colluding with officials of the Railway Property Management Company Limited (RPMCL) and select consultants to unlawfully dispose of railway assets worth billions of naira without due process or transparency.

The petition, signed by APAPA President Dr. Aminu Garba, described the ongoing activities within the Ministry of Transport as a “brazen betrayal of public trust” and called for the immediate dismissal of the minister.

“We have credible intelligence that the Minister of Transport, in collusion with RPMCL officials, has engaged private consultants—handpicked without competitive bidding, to oversee the hurried sale of critical railway infrastructure falsely labelled as scrap,” the petition read.

According to the group, many of the assets being sold, including locomotives and signalling systems, are still in functional condition and were acquired less than a decade ago.

It claims these assets are being sold off at “rock-bottom prices” to mostly Chinese firms, with proceeds allegedly unaccounted for.

“These are not obsolete machines. They are valuable national assets being stripped and shipped abroad under the cover of darkness,” Dr. Garba stated.

The group further lamented the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s railway system under the current administration, noting that railway operations have suffered setbacks, with frequent breakdowns, lack of maintenance, and no significant investment in safety or innovation.

“Instead of building on the gains made under the previous administration, the Ministry appears fixated on backdoor asset sales and personal enrichment. Trains now break down in remote and unsafe areas, putting lives at risk,” the group said.

APAPA also alleged that the Transport Ministry has ignored established regulatory bodies like the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), bypassing them in the disposal of public assets.

“There is no visible reinvestment of proceeds. The government has not provided any financial records or evidence that funds from these sales have been remitted into public coffers,” the petition added.

Calling on the National Assembly to act swiftly, the group demanded the immediate sack of Minister Alkali and a public inquiry into the activities of RPMCL and the consultants involved.

The CSO warned that if no action is taken within 30 days, it would launch a nationwide civil mobilisation campaign to expose what it called “the systematic looting of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure.”

New Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Leadership in Bayelsa Urged to Prioritize Unity, Transparency

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

The Special adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, has called on the newly elected leadership of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Bayelsa Chapter, led by President Dr. Frank Odunukwe, to foster transparency, inclusivity, and reconciliation in their administration.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by Dr. Odunukwe and his executive team to his office in Yenagoa, Cocodia emphasized the need for dialogue with aggrieved members and the president’s co-aspirant from the recent Ohaneze Ndi Igbo election.

He commended the governor’s efforts to maintain peace in the state and urged the Igbo community to promote unity.

In a press statement, Patrick Ndubuisi, Media Aide to Cocodia, described the meeting as a pivotal step toward strengthening ties between the state government and the Igbo community.

Dr. Odunukwe expressed gratitude for Cocodia’s support and the reconciliation committee’s role in restoring harmony within the socio-cultural group.

The new president pledged to collaborate with Cocodia’s office and the state government, promising a peaceful tenure and outreach to all community members.

He also announced the upcoming inauguration of the executive body, signaling a commitment to unity and cooperation.

The meeting highlights the importance of partnership between community leaders and the state government to ensure peace, stability, and development in Bayelsa State.