Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has received recognition for its institutional performance and accountability following an independent assessment by a coalition of civil society organisations.

The assessment identified the ICPC and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) among notable performers in public accountability and service delivery.

Presented at a civil society roundtable in Lagos the assessment examined selected Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government focusing on transparency institutional efficiency accountability and measurable contributions to public service delivery.

According to a report published by NewsNowOnline on October 24 2026 the assessment acknowledged the ICPC’s contributions to protecting public resources strengthening institutional safeguards against corruption and promoting integrity within the public service.

The recognition comes amid ongoing efforts by the Commission under the leadership of its Chairman Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN to strengthen its investigative preventive and enforcement responsibilities.

Beyond investigating allegations of corruption the Commission has continued to emphasise systemic interventions aimed at identifying institutional weaknesses strengthening compliance mechanisms and reducing opportunities for the abuse of public office.

The civil society assessment particularly highlighted the importance of the ICPC’s oversight responsibilities in public procurement where weak institutional controls and corrupt practices can expose government finances to substantial losses.

It also highlighted the Commission’s broader mandate to promote ethical conduct strengthen accountability and encourage collaboration among regulatory institutions law enforcement agencies and civil society organisations.

Under Aliyu’s leadership the Commission has maintained its focus on combating corruption through lawful enforcement preventive interventions and public enlightenment recognising that sustainable anti-corruption outcomes require more than prosecution alone.

The latest civil society acknowledgement follows the Commission’s performance in the 2026 Transparency and Integrity Index conducted by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity in which the ICPC scored 80.13 per cent up from 78.13 per cent in 2025.

The two assessments provide additional perspectives on the Commission’s institutional accountability transparency and service-delivery responsibilities.

The Lagos roundtable also underscored the importance of evaluating public institutions beyond policy announcements and routine activities stressing that institutional effectiveness should ultimately be reflected in measurable outcomes and benefits to citizens.

For the ICPC the recognition reinforces the importance of sustaining credible investigations strengthening preventive measures improving institutional responsiveness and deepening public confidence in the fight against corruption.

It also highlights the continuing responsibility of anti-corruption institutions to demonstrate professionalism fairness transparency and respect for due process in discharging their statutory mandates.

The Commission is expected to continue consolidating institutional improvements and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders committed to accountability and good governance.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) clarified that Nigeria has not been declared Ebola-free saying it is still monitoring 52 contacts linked to the country’s confirmed case of Bundibugyo virus disease.

WHO Nigeria issued the clarification after reports suggested the country was free of the disease following the evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland.

The organisation said Nigeria currently had no confirmed case following the patient’s medical evacuation but stressed that this did not mean the outbreak had officially ended.

‘WHO has not declared Nigeria Ebola-free. Nigeria currently has no confirmed case of Ebola following the medical evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland. Health officials are closely monitoring 52 contacts who may have been exposed’ it said.

The organisation explained that it could declare an outbreak over only after the required monitoring period under international health regulations had ended.

It said a 42-day countdown would begin after the last confirmed case tested negative twice for the virus or in the current situation after the confirmed case was evacuated.

The period would be followed by heightened surveillance to detect any possible resurgence of the disease.

WHO urged media organisations to correct reports claiming Nigeria had been declared Ebola-free calling them an inaccurate interpretation of a post by its Regional Director for Africa.

The clarification follows Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease a type of Ebola in a 42-year-old woman who travelled from Uganda to Nigeria.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed the infection on October 20 2026 after laboratory tests returned positive results.

The patient was isolated and treated by Nigerian health workers before being medically evacuated to Switzerland alongside her husband who is also a Swiss citizen.

Following the evacuation health authorities have continued monitoring 52 contacts who may have been exposed to the patient.

Authorities are monitoring the contacts to identify possible infections and prevent further transmission.

WHO stressed that continued surveillance and compliance with public health monitoring requirements remained essential until conditions for officially declaring the outbreak over were met.

PAN-YORUBA socio-political group Afenifere will uphold its founding ideals and preserve Yoruba cultural values Deputy Leader Oba Olaitan Oladipo has assured.

His assurance followed the exit of the organisation’s leader Pa Reuben Fasoranti on October 20. He was 100.

Oladipo who spoke at the late elder statesman’s residence in Akure yesterday said the organisation would overcome any challenge that might arise from the death of its leader.

He expressed confidence in the group’s established traditions and the collective wisdom of its members.

Oladipo said he had been involved in Afenifere for 47 years serving in various capacities including financial secretary and deputy leader.

He described the late Fasoranti as an exceptional statesman who embodied integrity humility discipline fairness and selfless service.

‘He was a beacon not by shouting or making noise but by merely sitting down you knew you were sitting with somebody special’ he remarked.

The deputy leader described the former leader as a man of uncommon character saying he had written ‘Saint Reuben Fasoranti’ in the condolence register in recognition of his exemplary life.

He said that the late leader demonstrated discipline through personal conduct rather than force adding that his commitment to service and concern for others had distinguished him.

Oladipo stated that Fasoranti’s decision to appoint him deputy leader reflected the trust the late elder statesman had in him particularly during periods of turbulence within the organisation.

He explained that Afenifere had an established succession system based on internal selection rather than personal ambition or campaigns.

He said members understood the organisation’s history and traditions adding that he had personal relationships with the organisation’s past leaders.

‘I have been in Afenifere for 47 years. Nobody will tell me the history of this organisation’ he said.

According to him the Yoruba identity is rooted in integrity dignity hard work and a strong sense of responsibility of values.

‘Politics will come and go. The mainstay of what the Yoruba race is known for will survive’ he said.

Oladipo added that the Yoruba people had a way of recognising genuine leadership expressing optimism that Afenifere would overcome its challenges and remain committed to its founding ideals.

The Towulade of Owu-Akinale Oba Oluseyi Adediran has pledged support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its efforts to eradicate drug abuse through sustained advocacy and public enlightenment across schools and other social institutions.

The monarch made the pledge during a visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) where he expressed appreciation to the agency’s boss for chairing his first anniversary celebration on the throne.

Oba Adediran described Buba Marwa who is the Asoludero of Egbaland and Babaoba of Owu-Akinale’s presence at the anniversary as a demonstration of friendship and support for traditional institutions noting that his contribution had made the occasion memorable.

The monarch said the visit also provided an opportunity to formally communicate his commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s campaign against drug abuse particularly among young people who are increasingly exposed to the dangers of substance misuse.

He said ‘I came to appreciate the NDLEA Chairman for honouring me by chairing my first anniversary celebration on the throne. I am grateful for his support and encouragement and I consider this visit an opportunity to strengthen our relationship in the collective fight against drug abuse.’

Adediran disclosed that through the Towulade Foundation he would embark on advocacy programmes aimed at educating children youths and members of the public about the dangers associated with drug abuse and substance misuse.

According to him the foundation would take the campaign to primary schools tertiary institutions clubs and organisations using sensitisation programmes to discourage drug abuse and promote healthier lifestyles among young people.

‘We must not leave the fight against drug abuse to the government and the NDLEA alone. Traditional rulers community leaders foundations and other stakeholders have important roles to play in educating our people and protecting the future of our children.’

The monarch explained that the proposed advocacy would focus on early education and preventive measures stressing that children and young people needed adequate information about the consequences of drug abuse before they became vulnerable to substance misuse.

He added that the Towulade Foundation would work towards building partnerships with relevant institutions and community stakeholders to ensure its sensitisation programmes reached a wider audience and contributed meaningfully to the national campaign against drug abuse.

Oba Adediran reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s efforts expressing optimism that collaboration between traditional institutions government agencies and civil society organisations would help reduce drug abuse and promote a healthier society.

Actress Etinosa Idemudia has weighed in on the controversy surrounding comedian AY’s failed Cardiff show.

Reacting via her Instagram page Etinosa defended the comedian saying he has been showing up at every venue of his UK comedy tour and spreading joy to fans but no blog posted it.

She noted that his inability to perform in Cardiff on Sunday was due to reasons beyond his control.

In the post which has garnered over 2400 likes she criticised the rush to report negative news:

‘AY has been showing up to every venue of his comedy tour and spreading joy to his UK fans but no blog posted it.. But tonight for some reasons beyond his control he could not show up at Cardiff. Watch the internet go up in a frenzy.

‘Narratives and accusations flying everywhere. Blogs are suddenly posting his show for free because it’s Hot News. Their bitter audience will gather like frustrated witches to cast aspersions and project their bitter souls in the name of judgement. May God heal us all’

In her caption she added: ‘So sad that good news is no news. Nobody posted his successful shows. Nobody even cared to find out what’s happening since AY is not a kid or an unprofessional. Everyone waiting for bad news so they can rush post and have hot takes. Same thing with Eric Gugua show. God forbid. May God grant bros AY grace.’

Her comment comes after AY himself issued a public apology on Monday stating that he and other comedians did travel to Cardiff and entered the venue but were delayed by unresolved payment commitments from organisers by which time most of the audience had left.

Adamawa State Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has approved the composition of the party’s Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Humwashi Wonosikou the council will be chaired by Governor Fintiri with retired Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa as Co-Chairman.

The statement said the state Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta has been appointed Deputy Chairman I. At the same time the APC governorship candidate Ahmed Galadima Aminu will serve as Deputy Chairman II.

Mr Titus Solomon has been named Director General of the Campaign Council while Ambassador Peter Kevin will serve as Campaign Director.

According to the statement the campaign council’s inauguration is scheduled for October 29 2026 in Yola the Adamawa State capital.

The council comprises experienced APC stalwarts stakeholders and youth and women leaders drawn from the state’s 21 local government areas reflecting the party’s commitment to inclusivity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Governor Fintiri according to the statement charged council members to work together in unity close ranks and strengthen the APC’s mobilisation efforts to secure victory for the party at all levels in the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile the full list of directorates committees units and council members has been made available online for public access.

The Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential National Assembly and State House of Assembly Campaign Council has faulted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over allegations linking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Governor Monday Okpebholo and the ruling party to the reported attack on Edo-based comedian popularly known as Porkupyne in Benin City.

The council described the allegations as reckless irresponsible and unsupported by evidence insisting that neither the APC leadership nor its members had been established to be involved in the incident.

In a statement by its Director of Media Mr. John Mayaki the council condemned the reported attack and maintained that the APC as the ruling party in Edo remained a major stakeholder in efforts to maintain peace security and law and order.

The statement read: ‘We read with amazement the baseless allegations by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar accusing the ruling APC in Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of being responsible for the reported attack on Porkupyne.

‘It is irresponsible and reckless of a former Vice-President to level such wild allegations against the President a sitting governor and the ruling political party without any substantial proof.’The APC as the ruling party

in Edo State remains one of the biggest stakeholders in ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order. We have a responsibility to support the protection of lives and property irrespective of the political affiliations of those concerned.

‘Our position has always been that security agencies should be allowed to do their job and bring those found culpable in any attack to justice.

‘Those who make allegations must be able to provide evidence identify suspects where possible and leave the rest to the police and other security agencies.

‘We abhor violence as a political party. Everybody has the constitutional right to support whichever political party or candidate they choose and we do not believe that such political preferences should become grounds for violence or intimidation.

‘We do not see Atiku Abubakar or any other opposition party as a threat to the APC.

‘It is important to put it on record that our party remains confident in its prospects in the coming elections based on the achievements and performance of the Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.

‘Our confidence is founded on the administration’s ongoing interventions in road infrastructure security healthcare and other sectors which we believe will speak for themselves when the people are called upon to assess the government’s performance.

‘Our members have no business unleashing attacks on opposition supporters. The Edo State Government remains committed to the security of lives and property of all Edo people irrespective of political affiliation.

‘We therefore find it unacceptable that Atiku would seek to hold the President the governor and the APC responsible for an incident without first presenting evidence linking them to the alleged perpetrators.

‘The fact that someone supports Atiku does not automatically mean that any attack on that person was carried out by the APC. Political affiliation is not evidence of criminal responsibility.

‘Atiku would do well to desist from needless political accusations and concentrate on addressing the substantive expectations of the electorate.

‘We thank the police for immediately responding to the incident and commencing an investigation into the reported attack on Porkupyne. We hope the investigation will be thorough establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

‘Nobody should be attacked because of his political beliefs and nobody should be accused of sponsoring an attack without credible evidence.

‘The APC will continue to support peaceful political competition respect for the rule of law and the protection of every resident of Edo State’ the statement added.

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and the promoter of PBAT Door-to-Door Movement Chief Government Ekpemupolo(aka Tompolo) have met to synergise on strategies for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January.

A meeting by the duo came on the heels of the inauguration of the national secretariat of the support group in Abuja. The meeting focused on grassroots mobilisation and the consolidation of support for President Tinubu across the Southsouth and Southeast.

Their meeting touched on enhancing a joint operational framework for voter sensitisation youth engagements and ward-level coordination in the states under the South II Directorate.

Yesterday the movement distributed brand new buses to 14 of its coordinators to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and support for President Tinubu.

Deputy Speaker Kalu who had the meeting with Tompolo described the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement as a critical vehicle for the 2027 project noting that the January 16 presidential election would be won at the polling unit and household level.

The Deputy Speaker said that President Tinubu has taken bold reform-driven decisions that are stabilising the economy and securing the nation.

He added the campaign trail would ensure that the Renewed Hope message reached every doorstep emphasising that an alliance with Tompolo as Convener of the movement is strategic.

During the inauguration of the national secretariat the Deputy Speaker said that President Tinubu’s commitment to a stronger more productive and inclusive Nigeria was evident in initiatives such as the student loan programme through NELFUND which provides financial support for eligible young Nigerians to pursue higher education and the establishment of regional development commissions

He also expressed gratitude to the President for assenting to the Southeast Development Commission Act which according to him is an important step towards addressing reconstruction infrastructure and development priorities in the Southeast.

‘As a representative of Bende Federal Constituency I particularly appreciate President Tinubu’s assent to the Southeast Development Commission Act an important step towards addressing reconstruction infrastructure and development priorities in our region’ Kalu said.

Commending Tompolo for the initiative commitment and resources in establishing the national secretariat Kalu charged members of the movement to strengthen its grassroots structure mobilise support across the 774 Local Government Areas of the country and 8809 wards for Tinubu’s re-election.

He also urged the movement’s members to embody the highest standards of democratic participation by listening to citizens’ concerns.

‘Nigeria benefits when citizens can exchange ideas peacefully and participate in public life with confidence and dignity’ Kalu said.

14 Door-to-Door Movement state coordinators get buses

During the handover of the 14 buses to the state coordinators the National Coordinator Sunday Asuku said they (vehicles) would enable the coordinators to reach local governments wards and households to mobilise voters for Tinubu.

Asuku explained that vehicles previously distributed were meant for local government coordinators.

He said: ‘Like I just mentioned we have visited 14 states so far. The vehicles we gave them in those states are mainly meant for the local government coordinators to enable them to coordinate the affairs of their respective local governments.

‘But this is going directly to the office of the state coordinators. This is going to assist them to manage the affairs of the entire state.’

He charged the beneficiaries to intensify grassroots engagements and establish an effective feedback mechanism through which information from the field would be communicated to the movement’s national secretariat.

‘We are expecting them to give us feedback go from local government to local government ward to ward unit to unit and from door to door. All reports and feedback will be sent back to the national secretariat’ Asuku said.

The National Coordinator expressed confidence in the state coordinators describing them as trusted members of the group who had worked with its leadership for a considerable period.

Asuku said the movement had established mechanisms to monitor its activities and ensure that the resources provided to the coordinators were properly managed.

He said: ‘They know how best to take care of what has been kept in their custody. We have everything about them. They are not aliens to us. They are not strangers to us. We’ve been working as a team. So I think there’s no cause for alarm’.

Asuku attributed the provision of the vehicles to the movement’s founder and grand patron Tompolo whom he commended for supporting the group’s mobilisation efforts.

He said Tompolo believes that Tinubu deserves another term to consolidate the achievements of his administration adding that the vehicles would ease the work of the coordinators and expand the movement’s reach across the country.

‘Our Founder and Grand Patron High Chief Dr Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo has made us understand that the President is doing well.

‘He has done well in his first term. He should be given more time to consolidate what he has started in the last three and a half years’ Asuku said.

He described Tompolo as a leader committed to democracy and the welfare of Nigerians expressing appreciation for his continued support for the movement.

The National Coordinator also appealed to Nigerians particularly youths and women to support Tinubu’s re-election bid arguing that continuity would enable the administration to consolidate its development agenda.

He maintained that the President had made contributions to infrastructure human capital development and other sectors urging voters to consider the country’s future rather than ethnic and religious affiliations when making political choices.

He said: ‘It is not the time to play tribal politics; it’s not the time to go after religious sentiments; it’s the time to see the future of Nigeria’.

Asuku expressed optimism that Nigeria could strengthen its position in Africa through improvements in technology the economy and security urging citizens to support the President’s agenda.

He said: ‘We are charging Nigerians especially the youth and women men everybody in the country to see reasons why they should support and vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.’

Lagos State Coordinator of the movement Amosu Oluwatomi commended their convener for supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid describing the gesture as evidence that the President’s support extended beyond his home region.

‘It is so gratifying that a non-Lagosian a non-South Westerner is deeming it fit to support our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at this time. It shows that the level of acceptance of the President cuts across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria’ Oluwatomi said.

He assured that the coordinators would engage residents across local governments wards streets and Community Development Associations while also taking their campaign directly to households.

‘We want to assure you that what happened in Lagos State in 2023 will not happen this time around. You can see that we are young vibrant and experienced. So we are going to every nook and cranny of Lagos State to ensure that we galvanise the needed support and the needed voters across the local government and ward levels’ he said.

Oluwatomi added that the movement would extend its engagement to communities and individual households to persuade residents to support the President at the polls.

Similarly the Kwara State Coordinator Omuiyadun Hammed Dimeji said the vehicles would enable the movement to educate residents on government policies and the impact of the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda.

He argued that the initiative was not intended to spread political propaganda but to encourage voters to assess the administration based on its policies and their effects on citizens.

‘These vehicles are not given to us to spread political propaganda but to go around to preach the gospel of policy to say no to strategies by politicians to upturn the thinking faculty of the people by majoring the minor at the expense of the major’ Dimeji said.

He maintained that governance should be judged by policies and their impact on the people adding that the movement had been taking its message to communities across Kwara State.

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has projected that the National Cylinder Recirculation Programme (NCRP) will generate thousands of jobs nationwide through the establishment of 430 cylinder requalification centres as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to improve liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) safety and expand access to clean cooking fuel.

The programme developed in collaboration with government and industry stakeholders is designed to transform the safety identification management and recirculation of LPG cylinders while supporting Nigeria’s domestic gas expansion industrialisation and clean energy transition objectives.

Announcing the initiative at a press conference at SON’s Operational Headquarters in Lagos on Friday October 23 2026 the stakeholders said the programme would establish a coordinated framework for cylinder registration inspection requalification digital tracking and safe recirculation.

The initiative is expected to address safety risks associated with expired damaged uncertified and poorly maintained cylinders while creating employment opportunities in cylinder inspection requalification manufacturing transportation retail distribution and technology services.

At the heart of the programme is a National Cylinder Registry which will assign unique digital identities to cylinders and enable the tracking of key activities throughout their lifecycle including registration inspection requalification filling distribution and exchange.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer SON Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke said the initiative would strengthen quality assurance and protect consumers while promoting confidence in LPG as a cleaner household energy source.

‘Safe and reliable LPG use depends on more than access to gas. It requires strict adherence to cylinder quality standards responsible handling and effective lifecycle tracking across the supply chain. Through the NCRP we are unifying statutory quality control with digital traceability to protect Nigerian lives and property while building consumer trust in clean energy’ he said.

Under the programme existing cylinders entering the system will undergo assessment at authorised requalification facilities. Those that meet prescribed safety requirements will be approved for continued circulation while cylinders that fail the checks will be withheld for corrective action or appropriate disposal.

Consumers will be able to exchange existing cylinders through approved retailers with collected cylinders transferred for inspection and requalification. The arrangement is intended to progressively remove unsafe cylinders from circulation and improve access to compliant alternatives.

The establishment of 430 requalification centres is expected to stimulate investment in specialised facilities and create jobs for technicians inspectors logistics operators distribution workers and other professionals across the LPG value chain.

The initiative is also expected to create business opportunities for local cylinder manufacturers equipment suppliers technology providers and retailers as demand grows for compliant cylinders and related services.

Lead Programme Director NCRP Secretariat and Managing Director of FuelTree Dr Bekeme Olowola said the programme went beyond cylinder identification to establish a national system linking safety regulation with economic development and environmental objectives.

‘The NCRP is about much more than putting QR codes on gas cylinders. We are building a national system that makes cylinder safety verifiable supports the expansion of domestic LPG consumption and creates new opportunities for investment enterprise development and job creation’ she said.

‘By connecting regulators manufacturers marketers retailers and requalification facilities through a common digital infrastructure we are turning the Federal Government’s gas expansion and clean cooking ambitions into a practical measurable programme that can also attract international climate finance.’

The programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas agenda which seeks to increase domestic utilisation of Nigeria’s natural gas resources and expand their contribution to economic development.

It is also intended to support the transition from traditional cooking fuels including firewood charcoal and kerosene to cleaner household energy alternatives. Wider LPG adoption could reduce exposure to harmful smoke from traditional cooking practices and ease pressure on forest resources.

The digital registry is expected to generate information that could help measure and verify eligible environmental benefits. Subject to applicable carbon market methodologies independent verification and regulatory approvals the programme could attract climate finance and potentially generate carbon credits to support cylinder access and improve affordability for vulnerable households.

Industry operators are being engaged to establish an integrated national recirculation system covering cylinder manufacturing filling inspection requalification retailing and distribution.

Better Gas is among the commercial operators participating in the initiative drawing on its cylinder exchange model and micro-distribution network.

General Manager Better Gas Bolaji Orofinlu said the programme could improve the availability of safe cylinders while strengthening last-mile distribution.

‘Ensuring last-mile access requires reliable supply logistics and strong retail partnerships. Better Gas is already aligned with the objectives of the NCRP through our cylinder-swapping model and micro-distribution centres across Abuja. The programme also presents an opportunity to support cylinder requalification and expand the availability of safe cylinders in the market’ he said.

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) also stressed the need to withdraw obsolete cylinders from circulation.

Its Executive Secretary Bassey Essien said some cylinders currently in use had exceeded their safe service life and required urgent attention.

‘There are many types of cylinders in circulation and to be frank some are long overdue for withdrawal. I still have a cylinder in my secretariat that is 60 years old which I have kept as a specimen. Cylinders have a lifespan and once they exceed it they should be removed from circulation’ he said.

The programme’s regulatory and policy framework draws on the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 and relevant government directives concerning cylinder safety quality assurance and traceability. Its implementation also supports the policy objectives of the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) the Federal Ministry of Environment the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) the National Council on Climate Change and the Decade of Gas Secretariat.

Following the Lagos announcement implementation activities will include stakeholder onboarding integration of the digital registry and phased rollout across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The national unveiling is scheduled for October 28 and 29 in Abuja alongside the Nigeria Clean Cooking Forum 2026 where policymakers industry operators and prospective implementation partners are expected to discuss the programme’s deployment.

An international presentation is also planned for the Nigerian Pavilion at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) scheduled to take place in Antalya Trkiye from November 9 to 20 2026.

The presentation is expected to showcase Nigeria’s approach to digitally enabled cylinder recirculation clean cooking expansion and the potential mobilisation of international climate finance.

Through the programme SON and its partners aim to strengthen cylinder safety support domestic gas utilisation and build an industry capable of creating jobs attracting investment and expanding access to cleaner cooking energy nationwide.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor have mourned the death of Prof. Kamene Okonjo mother of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

They described the deceased as an accomplished scholar revered matriarch and community builder.

Prof. Kamene Okonjo who died on Friday at the age of 96 was the wife of the late Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo a former traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State and mother of the kingdom’s current monarch Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II.

Oborevwori in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary Sir Festus Ahon described the late professor as a distinguished scholar whose contributions to academia women’s empowerment and society would remain indelible.

The governor said her remarkable achievements in scholarship and advocacy for women’s rights had earned her recognition beyond Nigeria while her humility compassion and commitment to service distinguished her as a woman of exceptional character.

He also acknowledged her invaluable contributions to her family and society noting that her legacy as a mother grandmother and great-grandmother would continue to inspire generations.

Oborevwori extended his condolences to Okonjo-Iweala the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku other members of the Okonjo family and the people of the kingdom.

He prayed God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss and the deceased’s soul eternal rest describing her passing as the end of a life devoted to scholarship family and humanity.

In a similar vein Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who is also the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria described the late nonagenarian as a distinguished matriarch whose life was defined by intellectual accomplishment service and an enduring commitment to her family and community.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Nkem Nwaeke the Speaker said her death was a painful loss not only to the Okonjo family and Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom but also to Delta State and Nigeria.

He noted that Prof. Okonjo was more than the mother of a globally recognised figure describing her as an accomplished academic a revered traditional queen and a community builder whose influence extended beyond her immediate family.

Guwor said the deceased had made lasting contributions as a scholar served her community with dignity and raised children whose achievements had brought pride to Delta State Nigeria and Africa.

He added that it was gratifying that she lived to witness her daughter’s accomplishments on the global stage and her son’s emergence as the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.

On behalf of the 36 state Houses of Assembly and the Delta State House of Assembly Guwor condoled with Okonjo-Iweala the monarch the extended Okonjo family and the people of Aniocha South.

He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give her family the fortitude to bear the loss.

He equally urged them to preserve the late Queen’s worthy legacies.