Category: Nigerian Tribune

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has brought his reconciliation effort in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to a close by hosting a mega unity reception at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

The well-attended event brought together leaders of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, stakeholders and contestants in the disputed April 2026 INC election that produced the High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe leadership.

The inauguration of the executive in Warri, Delta State, outside the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa, generated controversy that threatened the foremost Ijaw socio-cultural organisation until Governor Diri intervened and constituted a reconciliation committee, chaired by a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr Matthew Seiyefa.

At the reception, Governor Diri implored stakeholders to bury the hatchet in the interest and cohesion of the ethnic group.

He also urged the new INC leadership to unify the people, and build an institution that will protect the identity of the ethnic nationality.

Diri said the Ijaws should speak with one voice that commands a seat at every table where Nigeria’s destiny is decided.

He further challenged the INC to eschew rivalry, narrow interests and old divisions, emphasising that the Ijaw nation’s collective glory should come before personal ambition.

‘This gathering tells Nigeria, Africa and the world that the unity, solidarity and indivisibility of the Ijaw nation are non-negotiable.

‘Most Ijaw people cherish and will defend this sacred unity. When we stand together with shared purpose and destiny, no force can weaken us. The Ijaw nation stands at a critical crossroads and must embrace the responsibility of unity.

‘We must understand what is at stake. If we fail to act together, others will decide our future without us. We will live with their decisions instead of helping shape them. The time to organise is now. Our relevance, resources, dignity and shared future depend on what we do today,’ the governor said.

Acknowledging the Igbadiwe-led INC, Diri, who is known as the governor-general of the Ijaw nation, maintained that this was not a time for division, but a time for unity, and that every son and daughter under the INC must unite for their dignity, destiny and greater glory.

In his remarks, chairman of the event and one-time deputy governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, lauded Diri for his timely intervention in resolving the leadership crisis within the organisation.

Sir Toby equally praised Dr Seiyefa and other members of the reconciliation committee for their selfless efforts and sacrifices on such a critical assignment.

He charged the INC president to be a team player, work effectively to represent the collective interest of the Ijaw nation, and embrace issues that promote peace, unity and progress.

The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, who is the chairman of Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and also chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers, and Elders (CITRE), equally encouraged Igbadiwe to see his position as a call to service and to unite all zones of the congress.

While speaking, Chief Igbadiwe expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for not allowing the INC to disintegrate under his watch.

He assured that the INC will work with the governor, other leaders, traditional rulers, youth bodies and relevant stakeholders towards actualising the mandate of the Ijaw nation.

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that traditionally packaged food products such as yam, fufu, moi moi and ogi are not under its regulatory control.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.

She also raised fresh concerns over the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, warning that its abuse poses serious risks to public health and can contribute to wider social problems.

‘For many years, we were not using international standards. We allowed a lot of things that shouldn’t be allowed into the country to come in… In terms of substandard falsified medicines, we created them in this country.

‘Decades ago, we had controlled patent medicine dealers, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria is mandated to be the agency in control of that. That responsibility was taken from the council for many years, and by the time it was returned, the country was flooded with illiterates about handling medicine, which is part of why we have an open drugs market. The problems that have been there for decades cannot be changed overnight, but we are changing it,’ she disclosed.

The committee comprises representatives of the University and its two host communities – Ndufu-Alike and Edufu-Echara Autonomous Communities in the Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Nwachukwu said the move was to foster peaceful coexistence and enhance mutual understanding between the institution and the people whose ancestral lands host the University.

The VC listed the terms of reference to include: identifying the original landowners, reviewing existing arrangements before government takeover, initiating compensation with the Ebonyi State Government, and facilitating resettlement for affected landowners.

Other mandates, he said, include promoting cordial relations between the University and landowners, and addressing other land-related issues within and around the University community.

He urged members to discharge their duties with ‘sincerity, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.’

‘Peaceful coexistence between the University and our host communities is crucial for the growth and stability of AE-FUNAI. Management remains committed to constructive dialogue and addressing all legitimate concerns through mutual understanding,’ Nwachukwu said.

University representatives on the committee are Prof Celestine Afiukwa, Prof Romanus Ejega, QS Chidi Ukwuoma, Prof Arthur Nwachukwu, Dr Onyekachi Eni, and Mr Justin Azahan.

The host communities are represented by Prof Agabus C. Nwuzo, Mr Ifeanyi Elom, Arc Okeh Shadrach, and Mr Odum Paul Oche Ifeanyi.

Chairman of the Committee, Prof Afiukwa, thanked the University Management and community leaders for the confidence reposed in the members.

He described the assignment as one that ‘touches the very foundation on which this institution stands, as well as the people whose land made that foundation possible.’

Afiukwa pledged that the committee would handle land and compensation matters with transparency, fairness and urgency.

‘We recognize the considerable responsibility placed on us and the expectations from both the University and the host communities,’ he said, assuring that members would leverage their experience to fulfil the mandate.

The inauguration is expected to provide a structured platform for dialogue, reconciliation and resolution of lingering land concerns, thereby strengthening the bond between AE-FUNAI and its host communities.

As part of its ongoing efforts to boost educational development, the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State has awarded scholarship grants to 37 newly admitted tertiary institution students from the community.

Of the beneficiaries, 20 received ?250,000 each in cash, while the remaining 17 were awarded ?100,000 each, bringing the total undergraduate disbursement to ?6.7 million.

The financial support aims to ease the burden of academic expenses as the students prepare to resume at their respective institutions.

In a similar gesture, the local government council rewarded two First-Class scholars from the community with ?1 million and a brand-new laptop each for their exemplary academic performance. The duo includes Miss Feyisara Ogunleye, a 300-level student at Kwara State University, Malete, who holds a 4.55 CGPA, and Mr. Basit Saliu Alabi, a 400-level student at Lagos State University, Ojo, with a 4.57 CGPA. Their parents were also supported with ?500,000 each.

The presentation of the cheques and laptops took place at an event marking the first anniversary of the administration of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Akindipe Olamilekan.

Speaking at the event, the Council Chairman underscored the vital importance of quality education, describing it as the bedrock of economic development.

He noted that the initiative was designed to reward excellence and foster healthy academic competition among youths within the local government area.

While promising that the council will continually prioritize educational advancement, the Chairman congratulated all recipients and urged them to remain committed to their academic goals.

The beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude for the gesture, promising to make the council proud.

One of the recipients, Muritala Isiaq Akande, who received the ?250,000 grant, admitted that he was initially skeptical about the programme because he lacks political connections.

‘Receiving the notification for my selection among numerous applicants came as a complete surprise,’ Akande stated. ‘I sincerely thank the local government Chairman for this timely intervention. It truly shows that he loves education and genuinely cares for the people of this local government.’

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have collaborated to advance the coordination of framework for regulatory compliance in the aviation sector in Nigeria.

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, the Commissioner of Insurance, Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, said, ‘Through this partnership, we are advancing a more coordinated framework for compliance, risk protection, information sharing, and stakeholder confidence-one that better serves passengers, operators, insurers, financiers, lessors, international partners, and the Nigerian public at large.

‘This occasion represents not only the strengthening of institutional cooperation, but also a clear affirmation of our shared regulatory commitment to the safety, integrity, and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

‘The aviation industry occupies a strategic position in our economy, providing critical services that support commerce, tourism, investment, and national development. Given the nature of aviation operations, effective insurance protection is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is an essential risk management tool that safeguards lives, property, businesses, and the broader economy’.

He explained that regulators must work together to ensure that the insurance arrangements supporting the aviation sector remain adequate, valid, and responsive to emerging risks.

‘For NAICOM, this partnership aligns squarely with our statutory responsibility of ensuring a sound, stable, and reliable insurance industry. Through this collaboration, NAICOM will continue to provide regulatory oversight and technical expertise in insurance matters, including the verification of aviation insurance arrangements, the provision of information on licensed insurers authorized to underwrite aviation risks, and support for initiatives that protect Nigerians and promote industry compliance.

‘The Memorandum also establishes a Joint Technical Committee which will serve as the engine room for the implementation of our shared objectives. The Committee is expected to facilitate information sharing, conduct periodic reviews of insurance requirements, address operational challenges, coordinate stakeholder engagements, and promote capacity building for both institutions and industry participants.

‘I wish to assure the NCAA management of NAICOM’s full commitment to the success of this Committee. We will provide the necessary technical support and expertise to ensure effective delivery of its mandate. We regard the Committee as a strategic platform for strengthening regulatory cooperation, enhancing the integrity of aviation insurance arrangements, and promoting stakeholder confidence in the sector’.

He stated that ‘we are particularly encouraged by the provisions that promote the exchange of information, joint stakeholder engagement, training initiatives, and the periodic assessment of insurance cover maintained by operators within the aviation ecosystem. These measures will contribute significantly to improved regulatory effectiveness and enhanced confidence among stakeholders.

‘Let me also emphasize that beyond the provisions of this MoU, the success of this collaboration will depend on sustained engagement, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to regulatory excellence. Both institutions have important and complementary mandates, and by working together, we can achieve outcomes that will advance the interests of Nigerians and aviation stakeholders alike.

‘As we append our signatures to this Memorandum, we are laying the foundation for a stronger framework of cooperation that will ultimately benefit the aviation sector, the insurance industry, and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

‘Beyond regulatory compliance, this partnership is fundamentally about protecting policyholders, safeguarding air travellers and other third parties, creating economic value, and strengthening investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. Insurance provides critical financial protection to passengers, airlines, financiers, lessors, service providers, and members of the public by ensuring that legitimate liabilities, accidents, and losses are promptly and fairly addressed when they arise. In this regard, compulsory aviation liability insurance serves as an important safeguard for air travellers and other users of aviation services, providing assurance that compensation will be available where legally due.

‘A robust insurance framework therefore promotes public confidence in air transportation, supports business continuity, facilitates investment, enhances access to financing, and contributes to the stability required for sustainable economic growth’.

In his welcome address, the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo said, ‘Today’s event represents the culmination of a long-standing collaborative relationship between our two regulatory institutions and reinforces our shared commitment to strengthening aviation safety, financial resilience, regulatory compliance and the protection of the travelling public and other aviation stakeholders, in addition to the formal establishment of a Joint Technical Committee on Aviation Insurance.

‘Aviation remains a paradoxical industry that is globally recognised as the safest mode of transportation, yet characterised by high-impact operational risks. As the Authority statutorily responsible for regulating and mitigating these risks at the State level, our safety mandate must be complemented by a robust, transparent, and verifiable insurance framework. This partnership with NAICOM strengthens that foundation and reinforces the operational safety and financial resilience of the Nigerian aviation sector.

‘For several years, NCAA and NAICOM have worked closely, with NAICOM providing expert assessments on the adequacy and viability of insurance policies procured by aviation operators in compliance with Part 18.14 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

‘This MoU we are signing today further deepens that cooperation, enhances stakeholder confidence, and supports cost-efficient operations while addressing challenges faced by Nigerian operators’.

He noted that ‘our objective is not merely to enforce compliance, but to establish a balanced regulatory environment in which aviation safety and financial protection complement each other. Through effective collaboration, we intend to promote sustainable insurance practices, minimise avoidable regulatory and operational challenges, while supporting the long-term growth and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation industry, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

‘I, therefore, commend the Joint Technical Teams of the NCAA and NAICOM for the diligence and professionalism demonstrated in developing this MoU. I particularly appreciate the Commissioner for Insurance and the entire NAICOM team for their cooperation and commitment throughout this process’.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure communities affected by terrorism and create conditions for the safe and dignified return of displaced Nigerians to their ancestral homes.

Obi made the call after visiting an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he said more than 500 displaced persons were being accommodated.

The former Anambra State governor disclosed this in a Facebook post following his earlier attempt to visit victims of attacks in Yelwata, Benue State.

According to Obi, his delegation was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata, where he had planned to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by recent attacks. He subsequently travelled to Mangu to meet displaced persons there.

He described the situation in Mangu as ‘deeply disturbing’, alleging that more than 45,000 people had been displaced and over 20 communities sacked by terrorists.

‘These are Nigerians who want nothing more than to return to their ancestral homes, rebuild their communities, cultivate their farms, and live their lives in peace and dignity,’ Obi said.

He urged the government to do more to protect affected communities and restore the confidence of residents who had been forced from their homes.

Obi stressed that security and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights should not be determined by ethnicity, religion, location or political affiliation.

‘The right to life, safety, dignity and livelihood must be protected for every Nigerian, irrespective of where they live, their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation,’ he said.

The NDC presidential candidate also warned against allowing displaced Nigerians to become forgotten victims of the country’s security challenges.

‘Our displaced citizens must not become forgotten Nigerians,’ he said, adding that the government must provide the conditions necessary for their safe return while supporting them to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

Obi said displacement had disrupted not only the homes of affected Nigerians but also their livelihoods and future prospects, particularly for farming communities whose ability to cultivate their land had been affected by insecurity.

He maintained that the restoration of peace and security must therefore include the protection of communities, recovery of livelihoods and rehabilitation of displaced populations.

During the visit, Obi said he offered what he described as his ‘modest support’ to displaced families as a gesture of solidarity and compassion.

He reiterated his vision of a Nigeria where citizens can live, work, farm, raise families and pursue their aspirations without fear.

‘As long as there is one displaced Nigerian, all Nigerians are displaced,’ Obi said.

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has launched a N200 billion Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) Programme aimed at protecting Nigerian farmers from depressed commodity prices and stabilising the prices of staple grains in the country.

Managing Director of the BOA, Ayo Sotinrin, who spoke on Tuesday at the launch of the programme, said the initiative would target more than 500,000 farmers and aggregate at least 500,000 metric tonnes of grains.

Sotinrin said the programme was introduced in response to the challenges faced by farmers in 2024 and 2025, when prices of major commodities including maize, rice, sorghum and soybeans fell below import parity, leaving many farmers unable to recover their production costs.

He explained that under the GMP mechanism, eligible farmers who cultivated maize during the 2025 dry and wet seasons would be guaranteed a floor price of N350,000 per tonne where market prices fall below the guaranteed level.

According to him, the programme is designed exclusively for genuine farmers and not commodity traders.

‘This guaranteed minimum price is only for farmers who have planted on their farms and who are suffering with these depressed prices. It is not for traders,’ Sotinrin said.

He warned against attempts by middlemen to buy grains from markets at low prices and present them as farm produce in order to benefit from the scheme.

Sotinrin said the BOA would work with farmer aggregation companies to purchase eligible commodities directly from farmers, with payments made electronically into farmers’ bank accounts.

He added that farmer aggregation companies would receive a fee for every metric tonne aggregated.

The BOA chief executive said the programme would initially cover maize, sorghum and soybeans, while the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) would provide the warehousing and market infrastructure required to ensure transparency.

He explained that commodities purchased under the programme would be stored in certified warehouses and backed by warehouse receipts after quality, quantity and specification checks.

Rather than allowing the grains to deteriorate in storage, Sotinrin said the commodities would serve as a strategic reserve that could be released into the market when prices rise sharply.

He said that if grain prices rise to levels such as N500,000 per tonne, the BOA could release its stored commodities at a lower price of about N380,000 to N390,000 per tonne.

According to him, the approach would protect farmers on the supply side while also shielding millers, manufacturers and consumers from excessive price increases.

‘When we push grains into the market to reduce the price of grains from N500,000 to maybe N380,000 or N390,000, it means that we have a market stabilisation mechanism,’ he said.

Sotinrin said the programme could eventually become a permanent market intervention mechanism, with funds revolving through the purchase, storage and sale of commodities.

He called for strong collaboration with farmers’ associations, particularly the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), stressing that the associations were critical to identifying genuine farmers and disseminating information about the programme.

He said the BOA had already used more than 40 radio stations to sensitise farmers in different Nigerian languages, but urged farmers’ associations to complement the effort by taking information about the scheme directly to farming communities.

Sotinrin said the programme was designed to benefit hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of farmers and impact more than 11.5 million households.

He described the intervention as a demonstration of government’s commitment to addressing farmers’ concerns and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disowned an election petition challenging the victory of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in the 15 August 2026 governorship election, describing the petitioner as an impostor.

The party said it neither ‘instituted, sponsored, approved’ nor endorsed the petition before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo.

The PDP’s position was conveyed during a news conference held at its Abuja National Secretariat on Wednesday by the National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Jungudo Haruna Mohammed.

Mohammed said the petition, marked EPT/OS/GOV/02/2026, ‘was not filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’ and did not have the blessing or support of the party.

He stressed, ‘We are here to tell you that the PDP did not authorise this petition, and it is not our case. The party neither instituted, sponsored, approved, nor endorsed the petition challenging the outcome of the 15th August 2026 Osun State governorship election.’

Adeleke, a former member of the PDP, defected to Accord ahead of the poll and won his re-election for a second term on the Accord platform.

The governor polled 511,067 votes to beat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes.

Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was third in line with 17,180 votes.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mohammed noted that only the National Legal Adviser of the PDP had the constitutional authority to file legal action on behalf of the party and nobody else, adding that in the extant case the legal adviser also did not delegate his authority to the said petitioner.

Mohammed identified one Ochai Jacob Otokpa as the lawyer purportedly responsible for filing the petition in the name of the PDP, challenging him to produce the mandate upon which he acted for the PDP.

‘We, therefore, challenge him to produce the authority, instruction, or mandate upon which he relied in assuming the locus to institute proceedings in the name of the Peoples Democratic Party,’ he added as he maintained that the PDP completely dissociated itself from the petition.

He further said the purported PDP candidate in the election had, in a television interview on 7 September, stated that he neither authorised anyone nor engaged a lawyer to file the petition on his behalf.

The Publicity Secretary further stated that the development raised questions about who instructed Otokpa to file the petition and where he obtained the purported mandate.

On what the party would take to remedy the issue, Mohammed explained that the PDP’s Legal Department would take immediate steps to ensure that the petition was withdrawn.

However, the spokesman called on security agencies and other relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the filing of the petition and take appropriate action against those found responsible.

He urged the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Accord Party, Governor Adeleke, the media and the general public to disregard the petition and its contents, adding that the party had already published a public disclaimer to make its position clear.

He spoke further, ‘The PDP is a creation of the law, and we have taken it upon ourselves that those days are gone where we tolerated such flagrant attitudes that tend to ridicule the party…

‘We have decided to use the sledgehammer to deal with any individual, no matter how highly placed, whenever we find out that statements or positions are taken on behalf of the party without the due authority of the legitimate leadership of the party.’

Ikenne-Remo, the home of the Sage, Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo, will come alive again as the Remo Anglican Diocese is set to host the 15th General Synod 2026 of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

The Synod will hold from Monday 14th to Friday 18th September.

This is the biggest gathering of the Church of Nigeria, under the leadership of The Most Reverend C. Ndubuka, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.

The theme of the General Synod is ‘The Priesthood Of All Believers: Equipping God’s of the Work of Ministry – 1 Peter 2: 4-5, 9-10.

The Diocese, by divine ordinance, shall receive the Primate of All Nigeria, the Archbishops and Bishops, along with Clergy, Legal Luminaries, and Lay Delegates for the Synod.

The Synod, according to the Bishop of Remo and Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, will be held at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne -Remo, Ogun State.

After several years of neglect, the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Referral Hospital in Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, is witnessing a major facelift as renovation work is nearing completion.

The intervention by the state government is gradually changing the outlook of a hospital that, for years was characterised by deteriorated access road, poor infrastructure and inadequate facilities.

The Nigerian Tribune reported that the deterioration started about 10 years ago, gradually dropping the hospital’s ward capacity to 30 beds and at sometime, the number of patients further dropped to five.

The 84-bed facility, as it were, was a beehive of activities, as cases of the airborne diseases, at various local government areas in and outside the state, were duly referred to the centre.

There were at least 10 nurses running on three shifts and two medical doctors.

Outpatients were so confident to get drugs anytime they visited on their clinical days because the hospitals hardly run out of stock.

The community called ‘Ossiomo’ inhabited by People Affected with Leprosy ( PALs) bubbled with activities even as worship centres flourished.

Different organizations, including churches oftentimes visited the community to donate foods, clothing materials for the wellbeing of the pals and patients.

Investigation revealed that these units were to receive patients and subsequently refer them to Eku if the cases are beyond them.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that as the number of medical personnel tinned down drastically at Eku , the policy was arbitrarily abused.

At the last count before the commencement of the renovation, there were less than five patients in the ward, two nurses and a doctor working in the most uncongenial environment as weeds took over the space while wards battled with reptiles.

Nevertheless, the Sheriff Oborewvori administration came to the rescue by restoring hope to TB and leprosy patients as it decided to award a multi million naira contract to return the referral centre to its glorious days.

According to the state commissioner for health, Dr Joseph Onojame, the ongoing work represents a fresh effort to restore the dignity and functionality of the Eku referral centre and improve the environment in which patients are treated and healthcare workers perform their duties.

The intervention, he said, is also consistent with the wider healthcare infrastructure renewal being pursued by the state government under Governor Oborevwori’s administration MORE agenda.

The commissioner spoke about strengthening secondary healthcare facilities through improved infrastructure and modern medical equipment, while assuring that the Ministry of Health would closely monitor all health-sector projects .

Dr Onojame assured that the renovation of TBL Eku is on course and would be delivered as schedule adding that

TB units at general hospitals would always be there while the Eku center is meant to take care of very complicated cases.

He said cases of tuberculosis in the state had dropped drastically .

Meanwhile PALs in the ‘Ossiomo’ colony at Eku have commended the state government for the massive renovation.

According to them, the initiative by Gov Oborewvori will make the hospital come back to life once more and reawake the economic activities at the colony which has been in doldrums for many years.

Some of them however called for more staff and security personnel at the completion of the ongoing work..

With the intervention , stakeholders are watching to see the emergence of a modern, functional referral facility capable of providing safe and dignified care to patients who depend on it.