Category: The Nation – Nigeria

There are concerns in Rivers State following allegations that female students of Government Comprehensive High School, Taabaa, in Khana Local Government Area of the state, were subjected to virginity testing under the guise of scholarship awards and distribution of exercise books.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) first raised the issue and called for an urgent investigation into allegations that female students were subjected to virginity screening, including claims that the school farm had been destroyed and teachers threatened by the perpetrators.

The advocacy group also urged the Rivers State Government to protect the affected students and school staff members, secure the school’s farm and prevent any further alleged violation of the rights of the girl-child.

In a statement, the group’s Executive Director, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the allegations were contained in a report sent to the organisation and signed by the school’s Vice-Principal, Bieh Gloria.

The report accused a traditional ruler and members of his council of visiting the school to select female students for virginity testing under the guise of awarding scholarships and distributing exercise books.

According to the school, the alleged practice had continued for about seven years, with 16 female students reportedly selected for the exercise on September 17, 2026, triggering objections from students and a peaceful protest.

The group also cited allegations that persons said to have been delegated by the traditional ruler invaded the school on October 8 and destroyed cassava crops on its farm in an attempt to take over and share the land.

The school further alleged that teachers who questioned the purported virginity screening and the exclusion of boys from the programme had been threatened with dismissal and assassination.

However, the traditional ruler denied the allegations when contacted by YEAC-Nigeria through its executive director.

The traditional ruler said he introduced what he described as a virginity roll call in 2020 after receiving reports that some teachers were allegedly molesting female students.

He said he visited the school with his team and asked female students who were virgins to stand up, adding that only one student responded during the first exercise.

According to him, the initiative was intended to discourage early sexual activity and encourage the students to concentrate on their education.

The monarch said the exercise continued annually and that, by 2025, four students had identified themselves as virgins and received N20,000 each as rewards.

He also claimed that his warning to teachers allegedly involved in sexual molestation had caused some teachers to leave the school out of fear.

The monarch said 17 students identified themselves as virgins during the 2026 edition of the programme.

He, however, denied taking students to a health centre for virginity testing, insisting that his intervention was helping the school and its students.

YEAC-Nigeria described the allegations as serious concerns requiring an independent investigation, particularly over the dignity and privacy of female students, the alleged destruction of school property and the reported threats against staff.

The organisation called on the state ministries of Education and Women Affairs, as well as the Rivers State Senior Secondary School Board, to establish an independent fact-finding committee to investigate the claims.

It also urged the Ministry of Education and the Khana Local Education Authority to protect the 16 female students mentioned in the staff report and other pupils, while ensuring that no further virginity testing is conducted.

The group called on the state government to secure the school farm and prevent individuals or groups from encroaching on the property.

It further urged the government to protect Bieh and other staff members who reportedly signed the petition against possible reprisals.

YEAC-Nigeria also called on the Rivers State Police Command to investigate the alleged threats to life, while urging the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Child Protection Network (CPN) and other relevant civil society organisations to intervene.

The group appealed to the Khana Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers and the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence.

‘Every girl-child has the right to education in a safe environment free from sexual harassment, degrading treatment and intimidation,’ Fyneface said.

He added: ‘School farms are for practical agriculture for students, not for sharing.’

The group urged all parties to remain peaceful and allow due process to take its course to prevent a breakdown of law and order in Taabaa.

The state Ministry of Education, which immediately rose to the occasion condemned the alleged practice, saying it had launched an investigation to establish the facts and vowing to take appropriate action against any individual or group found culpable.

The ministry in a statement signed on behalf of the Commissioner for Education by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Mina Tele Ikuru, said it received a report that persons claiming to act on behalf of the traditional institution visited the school and selected 16 female students for the exercise on September 17, 2026.

The ministry described the allegations as ‘extremely serious and disturbing’, stressing that no individual, traditional institution, community body or private organisation had the authority to subject students to virginity testing or any other form of abuse.

‘Educational assistance, including scholarships and exercise books, must be provided transparently and without conditions that compromise the safety, dignity or rights of beneficiaries,’ the statement said.

It added that the government would take all appropriate measures, including referring the matter to relevant authorities, against anyone found to have participated in the alleged practice.

The ministry also cautioned traditional institutions and community organisations against activities involving the selection, examination or testing of female students for virginity, whether directly or indirectly.

It directed all schools in Rivers State to uphold the highest standards of child protection and ensure that no student was subjected to degrading, coercive or invasive practices under the guise of cultural tradition, scholarship programmes, disciplinary measures or community development initiatives.

‘The position of the Rivers State Ministry of Education is unequivocal: the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of every student must be protected at all times,’ the statement added.

The Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led Delta State Government has approved N4 billion to empower 15,000 indigent residents across the state, alongside the reconstruction of major roads in Warri, Effurun and other communities.

The empowerment programme is aimed at supporting small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship and cushioning the effects of economic hardship among vulnerable residents in the state’s 25 local government areas.

Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known on Friday while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba.

He was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon.

Aniagwu said the initiative would be implemented through the Delta State Social Investment Programme in the coming weeks, adding that the governor had directed that beneficiaries be selected based on clearly defined eligibility criteria.

He said priority would be given to indigent residents operating small businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs seeking start-up capital and vulnerable persons requiring financial assistance to improve their livelihoods.

According to him, the grants will help existing businesses overcome economic challenges, enable aspiring entrepreneurs to establish micro-enterprises and provide relief for beneficiaries facing pressing financial needs.

Aniagwu said the intervention reflected the government’s determination to ensure that the benefits of economic reforms translated into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Deltans.

The commissioner said the executive council also approved the reconstruction of major roads, including Airport Road in Warri, Jakpa Road and Refinery Road in Effurun.

Other approved projects are the construction of internal roads in Emede under Phases One and Two, and the reconstruction of Ugbolu-Illah Road.

He said the projects are expected to improve connectivity, ease transportation and support commercial activities in the benefiting communities.

In the area of agricultural investment, Aniagwu said the exco approved compensation for land acquired in Delta Central Senatorial District for agricultural purposes.

He said the decision followed discussions at previous economic summits, where the need to make land available for large-scale farming and agricultural investment was identified as a priority.

The National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru, has challenged opposition figures eyeing the presidency in 2027 to render a transparent account of their past public stewardship before presenting themselves to Nigerians as credible alternatives to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Basiru’s position was contained in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, quoting the APC scribe while addressing former legislative leaders at a conference organised by the Kaduna State Chapter of the Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, themed ‘Kaduna 2026: United Voices of Experience, All Together for Tinubu 2027.’

Targeting opposition figures who previously held high-ranking government offices, the APC scribe urged Nigerians to critically examine the performance and policy decisions of critics who now promise quick fixes to complex economic challenges.

Singling out former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Basiru questioned the credibility of his alternative economic prescriptions given his past leadership roles in key government policies, particularly the privatisation and disposal of public enterprises.

He warned the electorate against politically motivated promises designed solely to gather votes ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging opposition figures to base their campaign rhetoric on verifiable facts and realistic solutions.

‘Opposition figures seeking electoral advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections must account for their records in office before presenting themselves as credible alternatives to the current administration,’ Basiru stated, cautioning Nigerians against ‘unrealistic promises and politically motivated narratives.’

Defending the ruling party’s economic record, Basiru emphasised that President Tinubu inherited severe fiscal challenges that required decisive, courage-driven policy shifts, including removing the petrol subsidy and unifying the foreign exchange market.

He noted that while these measures initially caused economic pressures, they have fundamentally restructured Nigeria’s public finances, substantially expanding the revenue base of state governments.

‘The improved financial capacity of state governments represents an important development in Nigeria’s public finance management,’ he noted, adding that states are now better positioned to pay salaries, service pensions, and fund key infrastructure projects.

Basiru later charged former State Assembly presiding officers to use their political experience and grassroots influence to counter opposition rhetoric, educate citizens on the long-term benefits of ongoing reforms, and build momentum for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

‘The task ahead requires sustained mobilisation, strategic communication, and unity among party stakeholders,’ Basiru said, adding that the collective experience of former legislative leaders will be crucial to securing victory for President Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has taken a swipe at an unnamed Northern presidential aspirant seeking to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the candidate has no credible record of achievements to justify his ambition.

The governor said Northern Nigerians would not be persuaded to vote for a presidential candidate merely because he comes from the region, insisting that leadership must be judged by performance, demonstrable achievements and commitment to the development of the people.

Speaking on Saturday at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Kaduna, Sani challenged the unnamed Northern politician to present evidence of what he accomplished while occupying public office, particularly in infrastructure development.

He argued that President Tinubu had shown greater commitment to developing Northern Nigeria through massive investments in roads, security, education, agriculture, transportation, and human capital development than those seeking to replace him on regional sentiments.

The governor said the people of the North had resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 because of his administration’s developmental interventions across the region, stressing that political considerations should go beyond ethnicity and geographical affiliation.

‘When someone came to us and said we should vote for him simply because he’s a Northerner, we asked him, can you show us a track record?’ Sani said.

He added, ‘And we keep asking. And I dare say that even Mr. Vice President sitting there, I was talking to him at the airport. And I told him history will remember him and will be kind to him that as a Vice President under you, more than 1,000 kilometres of roads have already been constructed in the Northeast part of Nigeria.’

The governor further challenged the unnamed presidential hopeful to show what he did for the region when he had the opportunity to serve.

‘Can you show us 200 kilometres of road like he himself was able to at least help the people of the Northeast when he was the Vice President? At this moment we have not seen one,’ he declared.

Sani maintained that the Tinubu administration’s achievements in Northern Nigeria provided sufficient justification for the region to support the President’s second-term ambition, adding that the people would reciprocate his commitment with their votes.

He recalled that during the 2022 presidential campaign, Tinubu demonstrated uncommon courage by insisting on visiting Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State despite security warnings against the journey.

According to him, the area was then regarded as the epicentre of insecurity in the North-West, with security authorities advising the APC presidential candidate against travelling there because of the activities of bandits.

‘Mr. President, recall precisely on 27 December 2022, you came to Kaduna for campaign as a candidate of our great party. You dared to go to Birnin Gwari Local Government. At that time, Birnin Gwari Local Government was the epicentre of insecurity in the whole of the Northwest,’ he recalled.

He said the then General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army advised Tinubu against the journey, but the President rejected the advice and proceeded to the troubled community.

Sani disclosed that the journey from Kaduna to Birnin Gwari took about four hours, and that Tinubu, the Vice President, and other party leaders travelled in 27 armoured vehicles because of the prevailing security situation.

He said Tinubu made two major promises during the visit: to reconstruct the 123-kilometre Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, which he said had been abandoned for more than 40 years, and to restore security along the corridor.

‘Mr President, today I can assure you that the two promises you made, I’m happy to say that you have fulfilled the promises. First, you promised to reconstruct the Kaduna to Birnin Gwari Road, 123 kilometres that was abandoned for over 40 years.

‘As we are speaking, Mr. President, N100 billion has been released to the contractor and the project is ongoing. The people of Birnin Gwari and Kaduna State will remain forever grateful to you for this intervention,’ he said.

On security, the governor claimed that the situation along the Birnin Gwari corridor had improved considerably, making it possible for travellers to move without the heavy security escorts previously required.

‘Again, Mr. President, you assured us that you would address the issue of insecurity along the corridor of Birnin Gwari. Today you can travel to Birnin Gwari with your eyes closed without a single police escort, Mr. President. That is progress,’ he declared.

Sani also said insecurity forced the closure of more than 300 schools and over 150 primary healthcare centres across Kaduna State in 2023, but the facilities have since reopened following improved security.

‘Today I’m happy to inform you all the schools and primary healthcare centres are reopened, Mr. President,’ he said.

The governor equally commended Tinubu for the ongoing reconstruction of the Zaria-Soba-Funtua Road, describing the project as another fulfilment of a longstanding promise to the people of Kaduna State and neighbouring communities.

He noted that the road had long been a major concern for political leaders and residents, adding that contractors had now been mobilised to execute the project.

Turning to transportation, Sani thanked the President for selecting Kaduna State as the pilot state for the proposed metropolitan rail project, adding that $865 million had been approved to develop a 50-kilometre rail corridor.

According to him, the contractor handling the project informed him that $300 million had already been mobilised towards its implementation.

‘Mr President, I want on behalf of the people of Kaduna State again to thank you for choosing Kaduna State to be the pilot state for the metropolitan red line project in Nigeria.

‘As we are speaking, Mr President, $865 million has been approved, and the contractor informed me last week that they have been mobilised with $300 million for the Kaduna metropolitan red line, which is about a 50-kilometre corridor,’ he said.

The governor further praised Tinubu for his intervention in reconstructing the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, which he described as one of Nigeria’s most strategic highways because of its importance to transportation and economic activities across the country.

He recalled drawing the President’s attention to the road’s deteriorating condition about three years ago, stressing that Tinubu subsequently committed N140 billion to its reconstruction.

‘As we are speaking, Mr. President, 95 per cent of that road has been completed. We want to thank you, Mr. President, because Abuja-Kaduna Expressway connects 12 states, Northwest, North Central and Northeast, as well as connecting Northern Nigeria to the Southern part of Nigeria,’ he said.

Sani explained that insecurity and inadequate funding had previously hindered the highway’s reconstruction but maintained that the current administration had substantially addressed both challenges.

He claimed that more than 90 per cent of those attending the Kaduna rally travelled by road through the Abuja-Kaduna corridor without experiencing kidnapping or other security threats, describing the development as evidence of progress.

On education, the governor said the North-West benefited from N84 billion in interventions under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with about 414,000 students receiving support.

He said the initiative had particularly benefited children from poor and underserved families who might otherwise have been unable to pursue higher education.

‘Today, Mr President, the Northwest alone benefited to the tune of N84 billion from NELFUND, supporting about 414,000 students from the Northwest of Nigeria.

‘Most of the students that have benefited from this intervention are children of the poor, underprivileged and underserved. You have given them a future. You have given them life. And we believe education is the greatest leveller we can give to anyone,’ he said.

Sani also commended the administration’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, describing it as particularly important to Northern Nigeria because so many young people need practical skills and employment opportunities.

He said thousands of beneficiaries from the North-West had received support through the programme, including artisans undergoing training, with provisions for upkeep and institutional allowances.

The governor maintained that the initiative would help equip young people with employable skills, improve livelihoods and reduce dependence on government employment.

On agriculture, Sani described Tinubu’s interventions as unprecedented, claiming that no previous Nigerian leader had demonstrated a comparable commitment to supporting farmers and transforming agricultural production.

He noted that agriculture remained the backbone of the Northern economy and that the President’s policies had provided significant support to farmers across the region.

‘Today I’m speaking on behalf of all the farmers here, particularly those from Northern Nigeria. No leader in Nigeria’s history has supported farmers in agricultural transformation as you have, Mr President. And that is on record.

‘We are talking based on statistics and data, Mr. President. And no leader in the history of Nigeria has supported us farmers as you have done,’ he declared.

Sani said the President’s interventions in transportation, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and human capital development had rekindled hope among Northern Nigerians and strengthened their confidence in his leadership.

He assured Tinubu that the people of Kaduna State and the wider North would demonstrate their appreciation through massive electoral support in the 2027 presidential election.

‘That is why today we are affirming our resolve as a people to massively come out in January 2027 to vote for continuity. We are voting for a promise keeper to continue with the good work he is already doing in Kaduna State and in the North in general,’ he said.

The governor also took a swipe at opposition parties, accusing them of relying on social media and artificial intelligence instead of engaging Nigerians through genuine political mobilisation.

‘The opposition have now upgraded their campaign from Facebook and Twitter to AI. So I want to call on our supporters to prepare and be vigilant. The opposition have only been campaigning with AI. No real campaign,’ he said.

Earlier, Sani welcomed President Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other APC leaders to Kaduna, which he described as Northern Nigeria’s political and spiritual capital.

He commended the President and the First Lady for their affection towards Kaduna State and Northern Nigeria, particularly their attention to the welfare of women, children and vulnerable families.

The governor said the administration’s developmental interventions had strengthened cooperation between the federal and state governments and created opportunities to improve living standards across the region.

He assured the President that Northern Nigerians would not forget his contributions to their development, insisting that the massive turnout at the Kaduna rally reflected the region’s determination to support his re-election.

‘Mr. President, I want to assure you that the people of Northern Nigeria will repay you with their votes. You have shown love, Mr. President,’ Sani declared.

The City Boy Movement (CBM) says young Nigerians stand to benefit significantly from the proposed establishment of state police, citing the potential to improve security, protect businesses, and create safer communities nationwide.

The movement said this in a statement from its National Director of Public Affairs, Daniel Ogoloma, following 24 State Houses of Assembly’s approval of the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.

The approval meets the two-thirds threshold required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, paving the way for the proposed amendment to return to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Ogoloma commended the approving state assemblies, the National Assembly and Tinubu for advancing the proposed reform, which has remained a subject of national debate for decades.

He said insecurity has continued to undermine economic opportunities, disrupt education, threaten businesses, and discourage investment, particularly among young Nigerians seeking to build livelihoods.

‘Young Nigerians do not need another promise of opportunity. They need roads they can travel safely, businesses they can operate without fear and communities where they can pursue their ambitions in peace,’ he said.

Citing traders, technology entrepreneurs, and farmers as examples, Ogoloma argued that a well-structured, accountable state policing system could bring law enforcement closer to communities and improve responses to local security threats.

He urged the remaining State Houses of Assembly to support the amendment, saying broader participation would strengthen public confidence in the proposed policing framework.

‘The constitutional threshold has been met, but the momentum must not stop here. Every state has young people whose future depends on safer communities. We encourage the remaining assemblies to lend their support to this important reform,’ he added.

The movement, however, noted that the constitutional approval was only one stage in the reform process.

It welcomed the ongoing work of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, whose draft legislation and consequential amendments were undergoing review at the Federal Ministry of Justice ahead of further consideration.

CBM stressed that the effectiveness of state police would depend on professionalism, adequate training, accountability and respect for fundamental human rights.

Ogoloma warned that state policing must not be used as a tool for political intimidation or abuse of power, insisting that appropriate safeguards are necessary to protect citizens and build public trust.

The movement reaffirmed its support for the Tinubu administration’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, adding that it would use its structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to promote public awareness and responsible civic engagement as the reform progresses.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has dismissed a petition alleging professional misconduct against a Lagos-based lawyer, Olaide Adedapo, Esq., declaring that the allegations were not established by credible and legally admissible evidence.

The Committee, in its direction delivered on July 27, 2026, further found that Adedapo acted professionally in the discharge of his duties to his client and the court.

The decision followed a petition filed by Pablo Amaran, who had previously represented Val Oil Trading S.A. in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1127/2015 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division.

Amaran had alleged, among other things, that Adedapo constituted a case file in respect of the matter but failed to inform the Federal High Court that an appeal concerning the case was pending before the Supreme Court.

He also challenged Adedapo’s filing of a Notice of Change of Counsel on January 9, 2019, arguing that the lawyer ought not to have assumed representation of Val Oil in the circumstances.

Adedapo denied the allegations, maintaining that he was properly instructed by Val Oil after the company disengaged Amaran as its counsel and that he acted in accordance with the Rules of Court and Rules of Professional Conduct.

In determining the petition, the LPDC considered whether Adedapo committed professional misconduct by failing to disclose the pending Supreme Court appeal and whether his acceptance of the brief and filing of the Notice of Change of Counsel amounted to professional misconduct.

On the allegation concerning the pending appeal, the Committee ruled in favour of Adedapo, noting that the evidence before it did not establish that he was present when the matter first came up for rehearing.

The Committee particularly relied on documentary evidence showing that Anthony Chukwudi, a junior lawyer in Amaran’s firm, appeared for Val Oil when the matter came up before the Federal High Court on November 26, 2018.

The LPDC held that Adedapo’s position that he was unaware that the matter had been listed for hearing had not been effectively controverted by evidence capable of establishing otherwise.

Consequently, the Committee found that there was no sufficient evidence linking Adedapo to the alleged failure to disclose the pending Supreme Court appeal.

On the Notice of Change of Counsel, the Committee equally rejected the complaint, holding that the evidence established that Val Oil had disengaged Amaran and subsequently instructed Adedapo to represent the company.

The LPDC stated that ‘the filing of a Notice of Change of Counsel’ was within the ordinary procedural framework governing a change of legal representation.

The Committee further recognised the right of a litigant to choose and change counsel, relying on Section 36(6)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as judicial authorities including Unity Bank Plc v. Olatunji.

According to the Committee, ‘a litigant is entitled to choose his or her legal representative,’ adding that the subsequent engagement of another lawyer did not, without more, amount to professional misconduct.

The LPDC also stressed the importance of evidence in disciplinary proceedings, holding that serious allegations against legal practitioners must be established through credible and admissible evidence.

The Committee emphasised that ‘the Applicant, having alleged professional misconduct against the Respondent, bore the burden of establishing the allegations.’

It, however, concluded that the burden had not been discharged on the evidence presented before it.

The Committee further observed that where material affidavit evidence is not effectively controverted, such evidence may be given substantial weight in determining the facts in issue.

It also stressed the importance of official court records in resolving disputes concerning appearances and proceedings, noting that the records before it were material in determining which counsel appeared when the matter first came up for rehearing.

In its final determination, the LPDC dismissed the petition against Adedapo and found that the allegations of professional misconduct had not been established.

More significantly, the Committee found that Adedapo ‘was highly professional in discharging his duties to his Client and the Court.’

The LPDC also questioned the basis of the petition brought by Amaran against Adedapo and awarded ?200,000 cost against Amaran in favour of Adedapo.

The decision in Pablo Amaran v. Olaide Adedapo, Esq. reinforces the principle that disciplinary proceedings against legal practitioners must be determined on the strength of evidence rather than mere allegations.

It also highlights the importance of proper record-keeping, accurate court records and compliance with procedural requirements when a lawyer takes over representation of a client.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday cited the completion of the long-awaited Bodo-Bonny Road as concrete proof of President Bola Tinubu’s development track record, rallying residents of Bonny Kingdom to back the President’s second-term bid in 2027.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, in Port Harcourt ahead of a town hall meeting with Bonny stakeholders, Wike declared that the landmark project had permanently ended decades of perilous reliance on speedboats and helicopters.

The FCT Minister, who also coordinates Tinubu’s re-election movement in Rivers State and the FCT, said past administrations had reduced the infrastructure project to a recurring political gimmick until President Tinubu took the bull by the horns.

‘The advantage today is that we can now travel by road to Bonny,’ Wike said.

Wike said, ‘Successive administrations turned this project into a political tool, promising to deliver it without results. But under President Tinubu, that long-standing narrative has changed forever.’

The former Rivers State governor urged Nigerians to judge leaders by their courage to tackle tough national issues rather than empty promises, defending the administration’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy.

While acknowledging the current economic hardship and rising cost of living, he insisted that the policy was a necessary surgical operation that boosted monthly revenue allocations to sub-national governments.

‘Previous leaders acknowledged that fuel subsidy was a scam, yet none possessed the political courage to stop it,’ Wike asserted.

He said, ‘Today, state governments receive at least N15 billion monthly from federal allocations-far above what was obtainable when I assumed office as governor in 2015. Governors must now channel these expanded resources into transformative projects.’

He further highlighted the administration’s impact on human capital, noting that public universities have enjoyed three years of uninterrupted academic calendars thanks to improved funding and engagement.

Taking a swipe at previous political figures in Rivers State, Wike called for strict scrutiny of public officials’ records, raising questions over how funds allocated to legacy projects before his tenure as governor were managed.

He cited the stalled 1,000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital-where he alleged that $39 million was disbursed without foundation works-and claimed that $308 million from the sale of a state power asset in December 2014 dwindled to $308,000 by May 2015.

He stressed that genuine governance requires continuous grassroots consultation and strategic project prioritisation over rhetoric.

Responding, the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, lauded Wike for his unwavering commitment to the kingdom’s development.

The monarch recalled Wike’s instrumental role as Minister of State for Education in establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Oil and Gas, Bonny, as well as his interventions in regional security and infrastructure.

‘The FCT Minister has been a steadfast pillar of support to Bonny Kingdom,’ the monarch said.

He added, ‘From assisting us in establishing the polytechnic to pushing for the completion of this critical road link, his contributions remain unforgettable.’

The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) Regional Association in Africa has elected Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, as President during its recent virtual General Assembly.

Otufodunrin is a journalist with over four decades of experience. He is president of Journalists for Christ International Outreach (JFC), Nigeria.

Amie Joof-Cole of the Inter-African Network for Women, Media, Gender and Development (FAMEDEV), Senegal, was also elected as the Vice-President.

Other members of the new WACC Africa Regional Executive Committee (REC) include Blessing Oladunjoye, BO Foundation For Inclusive Media, Nigeria, as Secretary; Mwendwa Kivuva, Trustee for Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Kenya, as Treasurer; and George Stewart, media development specialist, Liberia, and Opeyemi Lawal, journalist, Nigeria, as Alternate executive members.

The new REC will serve for four years.

A statement by the association said: ‘Otufodunrin and Joof-Cole were also nominated to serve as board members of WACC UK.

In his acceptance, Otufodunrin pledged that the new executive will implement programs that promote WACC’s focus on digital, gender, and climate justice, among other issues on the continent.

Reacting, Otufodunrin said: ‘Honoured to have been elected the new president of WACC – Global Africa Region.

‘I became a member in 1998 and through the years, the organisation has immensely enhanced my media practice and expanded my network with opportunities to participate in various programmes and invaluable resources.

‘I remember reading about the late Dr Christopher Kolade, former Director, Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation and Ambassador to the United Kingdom, who was a former International President of WACC, and I have been inspired to serve in various capacities.

‘I’m looking forward to working with the new executive to advance the mission of WACC in the continent and beyond in core areas of Digital, Gender and Climate Justice and more.’

Sarah Macharia, WACC’s global staff liaison for the Africa region, commended the outgoing REC, led by WACC Director Matomklawè Kpalla, for its accomplishments and urged the new regional board to do more to enhance WACC’s status in the region.

The Kaduna State Government has denied approving or releasing N2.3 trillion for the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign flag-off.

Ahmed Maiyaki, Commissioner for Information and Culture, said in a statement on Saturday that a letter circulating on social media claiming that the money was approved was fabricated to mislead the public and damage the reputation of Uba Sani, the state governor.

The purported letter, dated October 18, 2026, and titled ‘Notification for Preparations for the Grand Rally Flag Off’, claims that Sani informed Abdulazeez Yari, identified in the document as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, that N2.3 trillion had been approved for the campaign flag-off scheduled for Saturday, October 24.

Maiyaki described the alleged expenditure as implausible, noting that the state’s entire 2026 budget is N985.92 billion.

He also pointed to inconsistencies in the document, including the spelling of the governor’s surname as ‘Sai’ and what he described as the unauthorised reproduction of Sani’s signature.

‘The Kaduna State Government categorically disowns this document. Governor Uba Sani neither authored nor authorised the purported letter, and no N2.3 trillion was budgeted, approved or released for the presidential campaign flag-off,’ Maiyaki said.

The commissioner said since the Sani administration assumed office on May 29, 2023, it has prioritised spending on security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and social protection.

He said the administration had invested in infrastructure and agriculture, rehabilitated public institutions, settled inherited pension liabilities, and expanded social protection programmes.

Maiyaki alleged that the purported letter was part of a coordinated misinformation campaign to discredit the administration ahead of the 2027 general election.

He warned that fabricating and circulating official-looking documents with false financial claims could have legal consequences, stressing that political criticism should be based on verifiable evidence.

Maiyaki said the state government was working to establish the document’s origin and had called on security and investigative agencies to probe possible offences of forgery or impersonation.

He urged media organisations and members of the public to verify documents and scrutinise claims concerning public expenditure before publishing or circulating them.

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has urged the Federal Government to expedite finalising its proposed agreement with the union and settle all outstanding financial entitlements owed to its members.

The union made the demands following a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) at the University of Abuja.

In a statement signed by its president, Dr Niyi Summonu, CONUA raised concerns about academic welfare, university governance, infrastructure deficits and insecurity across the country.

The union condemned delays in finalising the proposed September 2026 FGN-CONUA Agreement, insisting that its official recognition must translate into meaningful collective bargaining.

While reaffirming its preference for dialogue, CONUA said it reserved the right to pursue lawful trade union actions if negotiations failed to yield the desired outcome.

It also called for the immediate payment of verified outstanding entitlements, including three and a half months of withheld salaries, promotion arrears and unpaid balances of the 25 and 35 per cent wage awards.

However, the union commended the Federal Government for resolving previous challenges relating to pension entitlements.

CONUA also criticised the exclusion of its members from key education-related administrative structures, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Needs Assessment programmes, calling for fairer representation.

On the state of public tertiary education, the union urged the government to invest sustainably in digital transformation, reliable electricity supply and modern laboratory facilities.

It also cautioned university management and regulatory bodies against superficial practices during accreditation exercises, including the temporary hiring of academic staff and equipment.

On national affairs, CONUA stressed the need for free, fair and credible elections, urging politicians to focus their campaigns on issues rather than divisive rhetoric.

The union also expressed concern over persistent security challenges and called on the government to strengthen intelligence gathering and better protect vulnerable communities.

It reaffirmed its commitment to principled academic unionism, noting that industrial harmony depended on mutual respect, credible agreements and the fulfilment of legitimate obligations.

CONUA pledged to continue defending its members’ interests through constructive engagement and all lawful means guaranteed by the Constitution.