Author: Emmanuel Obe

The management of Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Edo State, has honoured the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the development of the Niger Delta. The award was presented on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the university to the PAP headquarters in Abuja. Presenting the award on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Registrar and Head of the Educational Services Unit/Admissions, Mr. Ekhator Osahenrumwen Kingsley, said the honour was in recognition of Dr. Otuaro’s “outstanding leadership, exemplary service,…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to the newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Army’s force structure from eight to 12 divisions. The appointments, announced on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, are part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities, expand its footprint across the country, improve command and control, and enhance its capacity to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. According to the Army, the newly established divisions…

The Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme (KAGOTE) organization has condemned the killing of Ogoni youth leader, Hon. Letam Kinee, popularly known as Langa, and announced a ₦2 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Kinee was reportedly shot dead by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland, sparking outrage across the area. In a statement issued on Tuesday, KAGOTE President, Chief Lesi Maol, described the killing as a “barbaric, cruel and senseless act” that has no place in a peaceful and progressive society. He said the organization would not tolerate violence, criminality or bloodshed…

The Federal Government and the Rivers State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism, arts, culture and the creative economy, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara declaring that the vast tourism potential of Andoni Local Government Area could transform the state’s economy. The agreement, initiated by the Federal Government to strengthen collaboration with states in developing Nigeria’s tourism, arts, culture and creative industries, was signed at the Government House in Port Harcourt. Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “over the failure to investigate the allegations that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion for political and campaign purposes.” According to reports, APC governors are allegedly making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign. In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to investigate the…

The Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Communication and Strategy, Chief Abednego Don Evarada, has urged the Federal Government to adopt community-based security to tackle Nigeria’s growing insecurity. Evarada said stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities would improve intelligence gathering and help combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. He spoke at the 2026 Feast of Barracuda organised by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Oxbow Marino Deck, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Delivering a keynote lecture titled, “Security Challenges and National Security: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Nigerian Security Architecture,” Evarada said Nigeria faces one…

The traditional authorities in Asaba Kingdom have announced a prohibition on the sale of ogbono seed, locally known as “Okoru Enu,” in all indigenous markets within the kingdom, citing long-standing cultural and spiritual traditions. The directive was announced on Saturday during a press briefing by the 14th Omu Ahaba of Asaba Kingdom, Obi Chief Dr. Ada Biosah, alongside Ndi Eze Ahaba. Speaking at the briefing, Dr. Biosah said ogbono seed remains a forbidden item in Asaba Kingdom, with traditional and spiritual implications that date back to ancient times. She explained that the decision followed observations by the Asagba of Asaba,…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has said that security is the cornerstone of prosperous societies, stressing that peace and stability are indispensable to sustainable development. The governor stated this at the Gala Night marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration held in Port Harcourt. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, who commended the Nigerian Army for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and maintaining peace across the country. He paid tribute to fallen military personnel, describing their sacrifices as invaluable to Nigeria’s unity and democratic growth. “We honour those…

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress. The Governor stated this when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt. Fubara, who hailed the Seventh-Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has digitized its procurement system to check the production and circulation of fake contract papers used by fraudsters to defraud prospective contractors and drag staff of the commission into unnecessary harassment by anti-graft agencies. The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this at a Capacity Building Training on Public Procurement for NDDC Executive Management and Directors in Port Harcourt. Dr. Ogbuku said the Commission was committed to complying with the tenets of the Public Procurement Act in project delivery and had to train its management staff on its provisions and expectation of…