Author: Emmanuel Obe

The Bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Malam Nasiru Marafa Gusau, who was reportedly shot dead by suspected bandits while travelling from Zamfara State to Abuja, will be honoured with a Janaza Ga’ib prayer on Monday, September 7, 2026. The prayer, according to the university, will be held immediately after the 1:30 p.m. Zuhr prayer at the NOUN Jumaat Mosque, Jabi, Abuja, opposite the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Gusau was reportedly killed by suspected bandits during his journey from Gusau, Zamfara State to Abuja, in another incident highlighting the growing security challenges…

The Rivers State House of Assembly has constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of funds released by the state government to PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) since the institution commenced operations in 2017. The probe follows the controversy surrounding the removal of a N6 billion budgetary provision for PAMO Medical University from the Rivers State Government’s 2026 Appropriation Bill. The Assembly had earlier explained that the funding was removed because the university allegedly failed to account for previous funds received from the state government under a scholarship arrangement for Rivers State indigenes studying at the…

The Southern Nigeria People’s Mandate (SNPM), a pan-socio-political and human rights organisation, has raised the alarm over what it described as the worsening insecurity, cultism and youth involvement in criminal activities across Nigeria. The group accused the Federal Government of failing to do enough to protect citizens and address the social and economic conditions it said were driving young Nigerians into crime and cult-related activities. In a statement signed by its Chairman and Founder, Augustine Chukwudum, and Secretary-General, Segun Diya, the organisation said the frequency of killings and other violent crimes across the country had become a source of grave…

Controversy has continued to trail the removal of a proposed N6 billion allocation for Rivers State indigenes studying at PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, from the state’s 2026 budget, with parents and stakeholders appealing to the Rivers State House of Assembly to reconsider the decision. The development has also taken a legal dimension, as PAMO University has threatened to sue the Speaker of the House, Martin Chike Amaewhule, over what it described as false and defamatory statements concerning the institution’s management of funds provided under the state government’s scholarship programme. The controversy followed comments by Amaewhule during the…

Controversy has continued to trail the removal of a proposed N6 billion allocation for Rivers State indigenes studying at PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, from the state’s 2026 budget, with parents and stakeholders appealing to the Rivers State House of Assembly to reconsider the decision. The development has also taken a legal dimension, as PAMO University has threatened to sue the Speaker of the House, Martin Chike Amaewhule, over what it described as false and defamatory statements concerning the institution’s management of funds provided under the state government’s scholarship programme. The controversy followed comments by Amaewhule during the…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the development as a “breath of fresh air” and the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government. The signing ceremony was held at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, shortly after the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the budget. The budget, christened “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was presented by the governor to the Assembly in July with a total estimate of ₦1,854,248,734,475.76, representing a 24.5 per cent increase over the…

At least 37 youths from Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State have reportedly died after inhaling toxic fumes while allegedly loading a petroleum product from an illegally tapped pipeline at Okari Jetty in Okrika Mainland. Several others were also said to be missing following the incident, which reportedly occurred around midnight on Wednesday, September 3, 2026. The incident reportedly occurred as more than 200 people, mostly youths from neighbouring communities, converged on the jetty in locally made boats to collect what residents described as “Indorama fuel” from an illegal tapping point. A community source, who spoke on condition of…

A prominent Ogoni voice, Dr.John Bazia, has called on leaders in Ogoniland to use the proposed resumption of oil production in the area to demand the creation of an Ogoni State. Bazia described the current development as “one of our finest moments” for Ogoni, urging the people to negotiate strategically to ensure that the resumption of oil production translates into lasting political and economic benefits for the people. He argued that the political circumstances surrounding the current administration presented a rare opportunity for Ogoni leaders to make state creation their single and overriding demand. “Let me remind us that this…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced the reconstruction of 15.4 kilometres of failed sections of the Benin-Sapele Expressway, barely two days after announcing its intervention in the critical road corridor. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this on Friday while speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Amukpe Roundabout in Delta State. Ogbuku said he accompanied the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, the Executive Director, Projects, and other directors of the Commission to the ceremony, where Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, officially flagged off the reconstruction. He said the…

Women under the aegis of Rivers Women Unite for SIM have reaffirmed their support for Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his efforts to promote peace, unity and sustainable development in the state. The group also urged women and youths across the state to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them to participate actively in the 2027 general elections. The women made their position known on Thursday during their August praise and thanksgiving service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt, where they declared that peace remained essential to the development and economic progress of Rivers State. Speaking…