Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Kebbi State Government on Sunday released Governor Nasir Idris’s scorecard Kauran Gwandu covering road infrastructure and other strategic development projects.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK disclosed this on Sunday during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi where he reviewed the administration’s performance against its campaign promises.

Ahmed-BK said the administration deliberately prioritised road construction rehabilitation and expansion to tackle longstanding infrastructure challenges improve connectivity and accelerate economic growth across the state.

He explained that an efficient road network is critical to Kebbi’s agricultural economy the exploitation of solid mineral resources the movement of goods and services and access to healthcare and security services.

According to him the improved road network has reduced transport costs minimised vehicle wear and tear and strengthened economic interaction between urban centres and rural communities.

Major completed projects include the dualisation of the Birnin Kebbi-Ambursa Road completion of Phases I and II of the Ultra-Modern Secretariat Complex rehabilitation of Yauri township roads and construction of the Ultra-Modern Motor Park.

The Commissioner also disclosed the construction of a fuel dump at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport Ambursa noting that flight operations have resumed through NG Eagle Max Airlines operating five days a week.

He said other completed interventions include township road rehabilitation and dualisation bridge repairs and erosion-control projects across the Argungu Kalgo Bunza Jega Kaoje Shanga and Fakai local government areas.

On ongoing projects Ahmed-BK listed the Kamba-Kwakkwaba-Sarfu-Banizumbu Road in Dandi LGA reconstruction of Koko-Mahuta Road Section I GGC Mahuta-Dabai Road Section III dualisation of Abdulsalam Road in Jega and the New Governor’s Office Extension and Lodge office in Sokoto.

He added that the government has awarded fresh contracts for emergency erosion-control works at the Baba Jori three-span bridge linking Bunza and Kalgo construction of the Bagudo Eastern Bypass Road rehabilitation of Koko township roads and Birnin Lafiya-Gulma-Nasini Road as well as access roads and drainage projects in Birnin Kebbi Bunza and Yauri.

The Commissioner described transforming the dilapidated Central Motor Park into a modern facility as a strategic economic investment that will facilitate commercial transport create jobs and boost internally generated revenue.

He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to maintain the tempo by completing all ongoing projects and initiating more people-oriented programmes to improve living standards.

The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has facilitated the construction and equipping of a modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre at Orita Community High School Oja-Odan in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Adeola popularly known as Yayi is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Ogun State.

The facility is equipped with 60 desktop computer systems chairs tables and other essential learning materials to provide students with practical computer education and digital skills.

It also features a 30KVA generator a 15KVA solar inverter system air-conditioning units and other supporting infrastructure to ensure a conducive learning environment and reliable power supply.

According to a statement the project is part of Adeola’s investment in educational infrastructure digital literacy and human capital development.

The initiative aims to equip young people across Ogun State with the skills needed to access opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

The ICT Centre one of several similar educational facilities Senator YAYI has facilitated across the state further demonstrates his commitment to expanding access to modern technology improving learning standards and equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world.

The intervention is expected to significantly enhance teaching and learning at Orita Community High School while providing students with valuable opportunities to develop practical ICT competencies.

Through such strategic investments in education and technology Senator Adeola continues to demonstrate his commitment to building a more educated skilled and technologically empowered generation of young people across Ogun State.

A chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo’s swift response to ease the pains of traders affected by the tanker explosion that razed the Oluku and Bob Izua markets.

Over 2000 traders lost goods worth millions of naira to the inferno.

Governor Okpebholo commenced reconstruction of the markets three days after the incident. Hon Agbonayinma who visited the markets to commensurate with the traders said politics should be set aside to show love to the affected traders.

He commended Governor Okpebholo for the deft move to rebuild the market.

According to him ‘I heard what happened to our people. It was a serious agony that no one would be happy with. Such an incident that took place that took some lives is regrettable.

The District Governor Rotary International District D127 Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko yesterday asked Rotarians not to be tired of donations to end Polio disease.

He said all the givings are making impact.

He said eradication of polio is a must to save millions of children in the world.

He said sensitisation against polio and immunisation of children are priorities of Rotary International.

Owonikoko who made the plea after a walk to mark World Polio Day 2026 in Abuja said Polio eradication is non-negotiable.

He commended the Federal Government and Rotary International partners like WHO UNICEF and National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for effective grassroots collaboration.

He said: ‘This is not just the beginning and it will not be the end until every child of the world is saved.

‘We have reasons to mark World Polio Day and for that we are not going to go out of it because Rotary International has spent so much money from the beginning in1985. We must make sure the children of the world are saved.

‘I want to thank the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health for giving us all what it takes through the Primary Healthcare Centres to get to all communities across the country in getting all the children immunised. We want to say thank you.

‘But our thanks goes to the Almighty Rotarians Rotaractors BIll Gates Foundation WHO UNICEF NPHCDA and other partners.

‘To Rotarians all your givings to The Rotary Foundation are making impact. Not only today you have been giving since we signed agreement to ensure children are saved.

‘I want to plead with you we should not be tired the donations should continue the sensitisation must not stop the eradication is a must for us and we have to keep polio at zero as we promised.’

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian National PolioPlus Committee (NNPPC) Dr. Kazeem Mustapha who is also a Past District Governor said Rotary is sustaining the EndPolioNow campaign to protect children all over the world.

He said ‘Immunisation is a key preventive precaution against Polio or any disease.’

On her part the District Polio Committee Chair Mrs. Mariam Abdullahi said a polio-free world is achievable.

She said: ‘Today on World Polio Day we stand together to reaffirm one promise: we will not rest until every child is protected and our world is polio-free.

‘To the clubs of District 9127 I charge you today to continue to participate actively. Organise immunisation drives raise awareness in your communities and give your resources. Polio has no place in our future and your action is what will push it into history.

‘To our valued partners and our volunteers – you are the heartbeat of this mission. You brave the sun the rain and difficult terrain offering your best at all times so that no child is missed. We see you and we salute you.’

ESDIAC Global Systems Limited has secured a licence to operate in Nigeria’s data market, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion of telecommunications and digital communication services across the country.

A statement in Lokoja by the company’s Chief Executive, Austin Ugbebor confirmed the development.

The statement revealed that the licence enables ESDIAC to provide cross-border data solutions, international connectivity, data top-ups and global eSIM services to Nigerian consumers and businesses through retail and merchant networks.

Founded by Nigerian-born entrepreneur Austin Ugbebor, ESDIAC was established to address the high cost and limited accessibility of international communication for diaspora communities and globally connected consumers.

The statement added: ‘Through its international calling platform, Wi-Fi connectivity solutions and global mobile network partnerships, the company serves tens of thousands of users worldwide.

‘The new licence strengthens ESDIAC’s ability to participate directly in Nigeria’s domestic data market while supporting its broader purpose: making communication more affordable, accessible and inclusive for individuals, families and businesses across borders.’

ESDIAC commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for advancing policies aimed at liberalising Nigeria’s communications and digital economy. The administration’s reforms, including the deregulation of the airtime credit and data advance sector, are creating new opportunities for indigenous technology companies to compete.

, innovate and contribute more meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.

‘We commend President Tinubu for his vision and determination to create a more open and competitive communications industry.

‘These reforms send a powerful message that Nigerian companies can build world-class technology solutions, compete globally and create lasting value at home, said Austin Ugbebor, Founder and CEO of ESDIAC.

It declared: ‘The company is particularly focused on extending affordable data and communication services to underserved communities, Nigerian businesses and the global Nigerian diaspora. ‘Our purpose is to connect people, opportunity and markets.

‘This licence allows us to deepen our contribution to Nigeria’s digital transformation while building a more inclusive communications ecosystem for the future,’Ugbebor added.

ESDIAC is a Nigerian technology company specialising in telecommunications and data-driven solutions. Founded with a mission to make international communication accessible and affordable, the company serves business and consumer customers across more than 150 countries and 400 cities worldwide.

The bodies of the two remaining victims of the Rivers boat mishap have been recovered.

The incident occurred last Tuesday in the Robert Kiri area along the Kula waterways in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

The two bodies reportedly recovered on Saturday have been identified as Davies Opiri and David Sukubo. They were the Secretary of the Kula Community Development Committee (CDC) and the younger brother of the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo respectively.

The already decomposing bodies were recovered by the search and rescue team comprising community leaders divers local vigilantes and fishermen.

Recall that five of the seven victims were recovered on Thursday and deposited in the morgue after being taken to the State Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt; the latest two were taken to the Divisional Police Station in Abonnema before being taken to the mortuary.

Meanwhile the Nation learnt that the community (Kula) has seized the crude oil vessel ANAMBRA BASIN FSO and the two tugboats (Delta Runner and Laura-V) involved in the incident while investigations continue.

Police have reportedly arrested the two tugboat captains for questioning.

Speaking shortly after the recovery of the last two bodies the President of the Nigerian Youth Council (Sukubo) who led the search and rescue team expressed regret over the deaths of the victims and wondered what would become of the families they left behind.

He said ‘This is havoc committed in Kula Kingdom by Ibeto. He has turned women into widows and children into orphans. He has made families lose their breadwinners husbands fathers brothers uncles cousins nephews and loved ones.’

He threatened to take the recovered bodies to the business premises of the Ibeto Group and all its subsidiaries to demand immediate government action against the owner of the company over the deaths of the victims.

‘I have declared a 21-day protest starting next week with 51000 youths and caskets bearing the remains of the victims.’

‘We shall protest at the residence of Chief Cletus Ibeto in Port Harcourt and shut down all his companies in Rivers State until he is arrested by security agencies and prosecuted for murder.’

‘We demand justice for the families of the victims and the affected communities.’

‘Ibeto is the murderer. He killed our people. He is the mastermind and prime suspect’ he alleged.

The Ibeto Group had earlier denied direct involvement in the issues that led to the incident on the Robertkiri axis of the Kula waterways.

In a statement the company said its subsidiary Max Shipping Services Limited which operates the crude oil vessel was engaged by a hirer Menal Technical Services Limited under a contract to evacuate crude oil from the area.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has awarded ?1 million each to five students who represented the state and Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha Qatar.

The governor also announced full educational sponsorship through the Alex Otti Foundation for the captain of the Abia contingent 15-year-old Esther Christian up to university level. Christian reportedly lost her father when she was four years old.

Otti announced the rewards while hosting the students at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia where they presented their trophies medals and certificates.

The governor also awarded ?1 million to Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School winner of a recent National Essay Competition.

He further approved ?750000 each for the officials who accompanied the debate team and ?1.75 million for Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School Abayi Umuocham Osisioma Ngwa which produced the champions.

Otti congratulated the students reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s education sector through sustained investment improved infrastructure and expanded access to quality education.

He said celebrating outstanding achievements was part of Abia State’s identity.

‘This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well we celebrate you’ the governor said.

Otti also approved the students’ request to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition noting that despite progress in the education sector more work remained.

Earlier the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Goodluck Ubochi said the achievements so far were only the beginning adding that the positive impact of the government’s investment in education was becoming increasingly evident.

He expressed confidence that the investments would yield positive results.

The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board Lydia Ezinne Onuoha who led the team to the international competition said the students had distinguished themselves beyond mere participation.

She said the team dominated the competition and drew significant attention.

She disclosed that during the final rounds the students were given impromptu topics with only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments; the team won four trophies and twelve medals defeating six countries.

According to her the team clinched the Best International School Debate Team Overall Best Team in the Junior Category Best Debater and Best Leadership awards.

They also ranked among the top ten speakers in the tournament which featured over 84 teams.

The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship Elder Oritu Dare commended Governor Otti for the State’s infrastructural development noting a huge difference between his previous visits during past administrations and the present.

He said the victory has created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore.

The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Mrs. Unyime Umoette appreciated Governor Otti for the positive changes in the state particularly in education noting that public schools are becoming more functional.

She called on public office holders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.

Speaking on behalf of the champions’ parents Mr Akamnonu Christopher thanked the Governor for hosting the students and investing in education saying they are proud of their success at an international competition.

In response the Team Captain Miss Esther Christian who narrated their success story thanked the Governor for his commitment to education and the officials for believing in them and promised they would continue to make Abia and Nigeria proud.

She requested the Governor’s approval for their participation in next year’s edition of the competition and the Governor approved it immediately.

Parents of the champion team and senior government appointees attended the event.

Through Kaduna the North’s sold political capital spoke yesterday. The echo will haunt those who spent months marketing the lie that the North has abandoned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Kaduna Township Stadium was full beyond capacity and the mammoth crowd overflowed into the well-adorned streets. It was a confetti of colours flags raised high and proudly: a sea of red caps white babban riga green wrappers pand_Sai Asiwaju_.Placards. It was a cacophony of languages-Hausa Fulfulde Tiv Idoma Gbagyi Yoruba Nupe Kanuri and English. Entire APC governors from the North supported by their southern counterparts sat shoulder to shoulder with former governors legislators imams pastors women leaders and artisans who trekked kilometres to see the man they still call Jagaba the leader.

The gathering was beyond a rented crowd; it was organic massive and emotional. A few photos from the event displayed that spectacularly: the excited trio waving so happily at their president who wound down the window to greet them; the many people who kept vigil at the venue so they could get a good spot to witness history; and the excited young men and women who spent the whole day under the sun waving flags and chanting praises. It was Arewa saying without apology: we still stand with our friend.

As I wrote in February 2023 in the heat of the last campaign when the same suspects tried to whip up ethnic sentiments against him Asiwaju Tinubu and the North have always been friends. This friendship is not transactional. It is historic. Tinubu’s consequential political journey did not begin in Lagos. It began with the North.

In 1991 at the beginning of the aborted Third Republic when General Ibrahim Babangida midwifed two parties a young Tinubu had a choice. His relative the great Chief Lateef Jakande was in the field. Yet he chose to pitch his tent with General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Peoples Front (PF) – the most organised most progressive political machine of that era.

On the SDP platform under that PF Tinubu became Senator for Lagos West in 1992. When MKO Abiola emerged as SDP candidate Tinubu was instrumental in pushing Ambassador Babagana Kingibe a son of Borno as the running mate. He chose North again. That choice in 1992 has defined his politics ever since.

When President Obasanjo wanted to skin Atiku Abubakar alive in 2007 Bola Tinubu saved him. In 2011 he propped up Nuhu Ribadu and in 2015 and 2019 Muhammadu Buhari. In 2011 he supported Aminu Tambuwal for Speaker even though Tambuwal’s own party the PDP opposed him. No other Southern politician has invested that much political capital in the North.

Indeed the North doesn’t forget.

This is why Arewa for Asiwaju a political movement of the crème de la crème of the Northern political establishment is a commendable and timely intervention. At a time when the opposition offers only recycled fuel subsidy – illegal under the PIA – and AI-generated falsehoods which Governor Uba Sani rightly warned about in Kaduna A4A provides what Arewa needs most: honest conversation the voice of truth in Hausa Fulfulde Tiv Nupe Gbagyi Kanuri in every market motor park mosque and church.

A4A is not just a campaign apparatus. It reminds us that friendship is a two-way street and that the North remains faithful to its values of fairness justice peaceful coexistence and national unity. As a political movement its raison d’être is consensus-building and evidence-based campaigning. Its purpose is to counter with evidence the lies that as president Asiwaju Tinubu has abandoned his old friend the North. How? With the Ministry of Livestock Development the North craved for 60 years? With the North Central Development Commission and North West Development Commission? With the new Federal Universities in Mubi Kachia and Kabo? Would the person who abandoned the North rush to complete the Kano-Maradi rail or the Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road? Would he have established cancer centres and upgraded dozens of hospitals and schools? Well Awolowo is throwing those questions at them with hard facts.

Kaduna provided around to deflate the opposition’s acrimonious noise further. The North came together in one powerful voice. Eighteen out of 19 governors an array of former governors from the class of 1999 to date a horde of Young Turks an armada of party faithful. It was a spectacle.

For months a small but loud echo chamber in Abuja and on social media had worked hard to sell a fiction that the North regrets 2023 that the President and his campaigners can no longer enter Arewa and that 2027 is already decided. Kaduna buried that fiction with one picture.

As the CPC Presidential Campaign’s Campaign Director-General Senator Abdulaziz Yari said from the podium everyone who mattered in the North was at the stadium yesterday. Most were there in person; many more were there in spirit. The few and scattered dissenters are too insignificant to cause any political upheaval.

Vice President Kashim Shettima and Yari did not come to Kaduna to speak grammar. They came with history and with receipts.

VP Shettima was as sharp and straight as always. He used a clincher to remind Northern voters of their options: ‘We won in 2023 not because we were the wisest or richest but because you saw the options before you and knew the alternative was a calamity. We have come to ask you to renew a second term for the APC from top to bottom.’

Senator Yari who was evidently pleased by the turnout across all walks of life assured: ‘By God’s grace Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent behind you Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we are determined to deliver our promise on 16 January 2027.’ Speaking further in Hausa Senator Yari said the President should as well go to sleep and wait for victory.

Yet President Tinubu did not just go to Kaduna to excite the crowd or display supporters. He went with deliveries. In a first for campaign rallies President Tinubu used the occasion to inaugurate the 81-kilometre section of the Kaduna-Abuja highway with a symbolic ribbon-cutting. It is just one of many dividends Kaduna got from the Tinubu administration as Governor Uba Sani reeled out so many benefits Kaduna reaped from the Tinubu administration in his welcome address. They range from roads to rail universities and health institutions. Governor Sani testified that the North has never had it this good.

President Tinubu is repaying loyalty in concrete steel and care.

From Peoples Front in 1991 to Arewa for Asiwaju in 2026 President Tinubu has always operated as a friend. Kaduna proved it yesterday. On 16 January 2027 the ballot will confirm it louder.

*Abdulaziz Abdulaziz is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media and Director of Media and Communication Arewa for Asiwaju.*

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has confirmed that the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit will hold on October 26 and 27 in Abuja despite the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with organisers introducing additional health precautions to protect participants.

The two-day summit scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja will adopt a modified hybrid format following consultations with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The decision comes after health authorities confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the FCT on October 20.

According to the NESG the patient has been isolated while health authorities are monitoring contacts. The group said its decision to proceed followed an assessment of the situation against the NCDC’s public health guidelines for mass gatherings.

The NESG said the confirmation of an imported case alone did not require the cancellation of the summit adding that precautionary measures would be implemented to protect delegates workers and other participants.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NESG Dr Tayo Aduloju said the organisation had made the safety of participants its main consideration in deciding to proceed with the event.

‘The safety of every delegate partner and member of staff comes first’ Aduloju said.

He explained that the decision was reached in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare NCDC Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) FCT health authorities and Transcorp Hilton.

Aduloju said the arrangements would allow the summit to go ahead while participants followed the guidance of health authorities.

He also urged delegates and other participants to comply with the preventive measures put in place for the event.

Under the revised arrangements physical attendance will be restricted to delegates who have already registered. The NESG said registration for physical participation had closed and that no walk-in admission or registration would be allowed at the venue.

All plenary sessions will be streamed live on the summit’s virtual platform allowing registered delegates to participate online if they decide against attending physically.

The organisers have also made daily health declarations and temperature checks compulsory for everyone entering the venue including delegates staff vendors and media personnel.

Participants who have a fever or other symptoms as well as those who have been in contact with a known or suspected Ebola case within the preceding 21 days have been advised not to attend physically. They are expected to participate online instead.

The NESG said delegates would receive a health and safety information pack by email to guide them on the arrangements and precautions for the summit.

It also provided the NCDC’s toll-free number 6232 for people seeking information or assistance on health concerns.

The organisation explained that Ebola does not spread through the air or through people who have no symptoms. According to the statement transmission occurs through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is ill with the disease.

The NESG said it would continue to review the situation daily with health authorities and promptly communicate any changes through its official channels.

Despite the revised attendance arrangements the summit is expected to attract senior government officials state governors business leaders and speakers from Nigeria and abroad.

Among the speakers listed by the organisers are the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr Amina Mohammed; Prof Stefan Derco of Oxford University; and the Chairman of BUA Group Alhaji Samad Rabiu.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate is also expected to attend the opening ceremony.

Zamfara intensifies ebola surveillance

Meanwhile the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Zamfara Chapter said it was collaborating with major stakeholders to intensify surveillance and preventive measures against Ebola Virus Disease in the state.

The State Chairman Dr Muhammad Murtala stated this at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday to mark the 2026 Physicians’ Week.

The theme for this year’s Physicians’ Week is ‘Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.’

Murtala who is the Incident Manager Polio Emergency Operations Centre in the state said the NMA in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and partners had developed an incident action plan to create public awareness about Ebola.

He said the Ministry of Health had already met with critical medical stakeholders and public health experts to ensure active surveillance for the disease.

‘Therefore we are fully engaged and prepared to manage the situation in case of any Ebola case to ensure it is carefully managed and to prevent further spread’ he said.

Ondo deploys four ambulances

The Ondo State Government said it had intensified measures to prevent the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the state by deploying four ambulances for the emergency transportation of any suspected cases and placing health personnel on alert.

The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health Prof. Simidele Odimayo disclosed this in an interview in Akure the state capital.

Odimayo said the state had also begun training health workers strengthening disease surveillance and intensifying public awareness campaigns to ensure prompt detection and reporting of suspected cases.

‘The state is doing a lot. We have already set up a committee that is working. We have sent some of our team to Abuja for some training programmes.

‘We have just procured so ambulances in recent times about 15 of them. So all we need to do at this time is to dedicate some about four in line with the national guidelines for movement of cases in case we have cases’ he said.

According to him health facilities and health posts across the state had been alerted to remain vigilant recognise Ebola symptoms and report suspected cases promptly through established channels.

He said the government was also making arrangements for isolation personal protective equipment and other emergency logistics to protect health workers and limit the risk of transmission.

Bayelsa activates emergency preparedness

Similarly the Bayelsa State Government has intensified disease surveillance and activated emergency preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

It assured residents that no case had been reported in the state.

The Commissioner for Health Prof. Seiyefa F. Brisibe disclosed this at the weekend during a press conference in Yenagoa where he outlined measures being taken to strengthen the state’s capacity to detect and respond to any suspected Ebola infection.

Brisibe said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed the imported case on October 20 2026 adding that the patient was receiving medical care while contact tracing and other containment measures were underway.

He stressed that although no confirmed case had been recorded in Bayelsa as of October 23 the state government was taking proactive steps to minimise the risk of the disease entering and spreading within its territory.

According to him the measures include strengthening the State Emergency Operations Centre intensifying disease surveillance across the eight local government areas and reviewing isolation and case-management arrangements.

Nasarawa hospital activates response team

The Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) Lafia has also intensified preparedness measures against a potential outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Nasarawa State.

Dr Anazodo Michael of the hospital’s Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine disclosed this to newsmen in Lafia.

He said the department in collaboration with other relevant departments had activated its Rapid Response Team (RRT) to strengthen the hospital’s preparedness and response capacity.

‘For now we are focusing on preventive measures coordinated response strategies and institutional readiness’ he said.

Former female Niger State governorship candidate and founder of Search Inwards Social Ambassadors Community Development Service Group (SISA-CDS) Dr Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya has urged Nigerian youths to reject attempts by politicians and other interests to divide them stressing that national development requires unity and collective responsibility.

Abdullahi-Iya delivered the charge at SISA-CDS’s 15th graduation and 16th national inauguration ceremony in Minna where she said the organisation had graduated more than 1000 Nigerian youths through its leadership development programme.

She said the nine-month programme established in 2017 was designed to promote patriotism volunteerism responsible leadership and active participation in national development.

According to her the organisation began its partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2018 and has continued to equip young graduates with the knowledge values and practical skills needed to contribute to their communities and the country.

Abdullahi-Iya noted that the programme had produced young leaders making positive contributions across different states and sectors.

The former governorship candidate also highlighted the Rags to Riches initiative under the Beyond Mentors Community Care Initiative established in 2006 to expose children to financial literacy leadership patriotism and practical skills from an early age.

Earlier Dr Maimuna Salim Chief Operating Officer of Search Inwards Group of Companies said the programme provides training in leadership entrepreneurship volunteerism social ethics conflict resolution and community development.

She explained that participants also undertake community outreach projects to address identified social needs.

Salim expressed satisfaction with the commitment shown by the graduating participants saying they understood the lessons taught during the nine-month programme and were prepared to mentor others.

In his welcome address the Niger State Change Catalyst of SISA-CDS Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar described the initiative as a complement to the NYSC’s efforts to equip graduates with leadership skills practical experience and innovative approaches to solving community problems.

He said some programme graduates secured employment using their SISA certifications and project portfolios while others contributed to communities within and outside Nigeria.

Abubakar attributed these achievements to the founder’s vision and commitment describing the initiative as an example of selfless service and proactive leadership.

The Niger State NYSC Coordinator Mrs Martina Shuaibu Ibrahim represented by the SISA Desk Officer Mallam Abdullahi Yahaya commended the initiative and urged corps members to serve as good ambassadors of SISA-CDS.

The Head of Enterprise Development Search Inwards Group of Companies and National Change Catalyst of SISA-CDS Mr Dalhatu Abubakar Iya outlined the award categories for outstanding graduates. They included the SISA Community Service Award Commendation Award Punctuality Gem Social Media Award Special Commendation Award for Facilitators and SISA Person of the Year Award.