The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • ‘No to discrimination against women accessing contraceptives’

    ‘No to discrimination against women accessing contraceptives’

    Health Policy Research Group (HPRG) has decried the practice of health workers discriminating against women especially adolescents seeking contraceptives and other reproductive health services in hospitals.

    This is as it urged government at all levels to scale up gender-sensitive training for primary health care workers to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.

    A lead researcher with the group, Professor Chinyere Mbachu made the call at a one day policy dialogue in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state.

    She said research showed many health workers unknowingly discriminated against girls seeking services, especially contraceptives, while being more permissive towards boys.

    She said this could have a lot of negative consequences as it could discourage females from seeking the much needed sexual and reproductive health services.

    This, she said, necessitated the group initiated and implemented a three-tier training model in Ebonyi aimed at changing the service providers biases.

    She noted that the group has ran various campaigns since 2022 with support from Canada’s International Development and Research Centre (IDRC).

    The approaches adopted include state-level train the trainers to PHC officers and community health workers alongside community engagement to break harmful gender norms.

    Mbachu said the approach has led to more youth-friendly services, with health workers creating private spaces or taking services to where young people feel safe.

    According to her, the project has led to marked increase in quality of service delivery by health care providers and accessibility of SRHR service by adolescents.

    She called for national policy revisions to include clear gender-sensitivity guidelines and for states to domesticate SRHR and gender policies to ensure sustainability.

    Participants at the workshop called for more collaboration with the state government to take ensure the program gets to all the communities in the state.

    They also called for the domestication of the programme as a health policy in the state.

  • Enugu community to celebrate Ofala Festival in honour of Igwe Ogbodo

    Enugu community to celebrate Ofala Festival in honour of Igwe Ogbodo

    The Amechi Uwani Autonomous Community in Enugu South Local Government Area is agog with excitement as preparations intensify for its forthcoming Ofala Festival.

    The festival, billed to hold in grand style, is part of ongoing efforts to celebrate traditional leadership and promote the rich cultural heritage of the community.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued in Enugu on Sunday by the Chairman of the Ofala Festival Central Planning Committee, Prof. Victor Nnam.

    According to him, the celebration is being organised in honour of His Royal Highness, Igwe J.A.E. Ogbodo, the Ohachirieze II of Amechi Uwani Awkunanaw, in recognition of his sterling leadership and the enduring customs of the people.

    “The Ofala Festival is not just a celebration of our revered monarch, but a vibrant reflection of our people’s rich cultural heritage, passed down from generation to generation,” Prof. Nnam stated.

    He noted that the festival would serve as a rallying point for indigenes of the community both at home and in the diaspora, as well as friends and well-wishers.

    Read Also: Ex-minister urges preservation of Igbo traditions as Enugu community celebrates new yam festival 

    “It is an opportunity to showcase the beauty of our customs, strengthen community bonds, and celebrate the Igweship institution, which remains a pillar of identity, unity, and development in Amechi Uwani,” he added.

    The festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 12 noon, at the Greater Amechi Awkunanaw Unity Field, Ofia Utu.

    As part of the celebrations, Igwe Ogbodo will also confer honorary traditional titles on deserving sons and daughters of Amechi Uwani, as well as other distinguished personalities who have contributed significantly to the development of their communities.

    Highlights of the event will include traditional dances, masquerade performances, cultural displays, royal blessings, and appearances by dignitaries from within and outside Enugu State.

  • ‘No opposition can stop Mbah’s second term bid’

    ‘No opposition can stop Mbah’s second term bid’

    Businessman and prominent son of Amagunze community in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Prince Ugochukwu Nnaji, has declared that no opposition can stop the re-election of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in the 2027 general elections in the state.

    The prince also declared that the chances of any opposition party defeating Governor Mbah in the 2027 general elections will be slim, given the governor’s impressive performance and growing popularity across Enugu State.

    Prince Nnaji, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Enugu weekend, said Governor Mbah had already distinguished himself as a leader committed to transforming Enugu into a modern state through bold infrastructural and socio-economic initiatives.

    According to him, Mbah’s achievements within a short period in office have given him an edge that will be difficult for the opposition to counter.

    He pointed to the ongoing massive road construction projects, water supply interventions, education reforms, and digital economy initiatives as visible proofs of a government that is meeting the yearnings of its people.

    “Governor Mbah has changed the face of governance in Enugu. He came with a clear vision, and today we can all see the results. From rural roads to urban renewal projects, from his investments in water supply to his emphasis on education and youth empowerment, the governor has shown capacity and sincerity of purpose. That is why I believe that in 2027, it will be almost impossible for the opposition to defeat him,” Nnaji said.

    He therefore urged opposition elements in the state to close ranks and support Mbah’s 2027 re-election if their intentions were in the best interest of the state.

    Read Also: One Nigeria: How Mbah is leading the Azikiwe dream

    “I want to believe that any politician who is interested in the positive growth in Enugu State economy and its people, should join Governor Peter Mbah at this moment in our history. What else can anyone be possibly doing for the people of Enugu State if not what the governor is already doing?” he queried.

    He further noted that Enugu people have historically supported leaders who deliver tangible results, stressing that the governor’s achievements have endeared him to the grassroots.

    “The truth is that Mbah has won the confidence of the people. Any opposition party planning to unseat him is only engaging in wishful thinking. Enugu knows the difference between empty promises and real delivery,” he added.

    Prince Nnaji also praised the governor for fostering peace and inclusiveness in governance, saying such qualities have united communities and boosted investor confidence in the state. He called on residents of Enugu State to continue to support the administration to enable it consolidate on its gains.

  • A breath of fresh leadership: Why Josef Onoh stands poised to rescue Enugu from stagnation in 2027

    A breath of fresh leadership: Why Josef Onoh stands poised to rescue Enugu from stagnation in 2027

    By Paul Anigbogu 

    ‎As the sun sets on Peter Mbah’s first term as Governor of Enugu State, the political horizon for 2027 is already crackling with anticipation. Amid whispers of defections, scandals, and a palpable undercurrent of disillusionment, one figure emerges not as a mere contender, but as a beacon of principled renewal: Dr. Josef Onoh. The former Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), ex-Member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, and tireless spokesman for President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign in the South East, Onoh has thrown his hat into the ring for the state’s top job. His decision to challenge Mbah—potentially under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner—signals a seismic shift in Enugu’s political landscape, one that could finally align the Coal City State’s ambitions with national progress.

    ‎This is no quixotic bid.  a telling picture of Onoh’s momentum, his grassroots appeal in a zone where Mbah’s PDP has long held sway. Analysts now peg Onoh’s odds at a favorable 55-45 split against Mbah in early 2027 polls, bolstered by growing APC defections from the PDP and Labour Party. This edge isn’t pulled from thin air; it’s rooted in a swelling public backlash against Mbah’s governance style, which has morphed from ambitious promises to a litany of controversies that have eroded trust and fueled calls for change.

    ‎ *The Tide Turning Against Mbah: A Style of Politics That Alienates More Than It Inspires* 

    ‎Peter Mbah swept into office in 2023 with a vision to balloon Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, touting private-sector savvy and infrastructure overhauls. Yet, two years in, the shine has dulled under the weight of heavy-handed tactics and unresolved scandals. Public sentiment, once cautiously optimistic, has soured into outright frustration, as evidenced by a surge in social media outcry and stakeholder petitions. X (formerly Twitter) threads brim with accusations of “brutish governance,” where demolitions of markets and homes—ostensibly for urban renewal—have displaced thousands without adequate compensation or relocation plans. One viral post lamented, “Lives were lost because properties were forcefully confiscated… With the amount of money coming into this state, Enugu has no business living in excruciating pain.”

    ‎The Sujimoto scandal has been the tipping point. In September 2025, revelations emerged that Mbah’s administration paid N5.7 billion to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited for “Smart Schools,” only for integrity tests to flag structural flaws on multiple sites, leading to demolitions. The South-East Youths Stakeholders Forum demanded a forensic audit, decrying a “disturbing pattern of abuse of due process” and “systemic corruption.” Minister Uche Nnaji, himself a 2023 APC gubernatorial aspirant and Mbah rival, amplified this by vowing to expose further financial improprieties, calling the Sujimoto payout “small compared to what was going on.” Even Mbah’s defenders concede his low-key publicity style borders on opacity, with critics on X accusing him of dismissing valid concerns as “armchair criticism” rather than engaging empathetically.

    ‎This isn’t mere opposition noise. Polls from local think tanks show Mbah’s approval dipping to 48% in urban Enugu, down from 62% post-inauguration, driven by perceptions of arrogance and a “recluse” demeanor that shuns constructive dialogue. Rumors of his PDP-to-APC defection swirl, but without Onoh’s bridge-building clout, it risks fracturing alliances further. In this cauldron of discontent, Onoh’s odds brighten: his national political exposure hints at a 2027 upset, especially as APC gains traction on anti-corruption and federal alignment promises.

    ‎ *Onoh’s Wealth of Experience: A Resume That Outshines the Competition* 

    ‎What sets Onoh apart isn’t just timing—it’s pedigree. Born in the UK to the legendary Chief Christian Onoh, architect of modern Enugu’s creation as a state in 1991, Josef Onoh embodies a legacy of service fused with contemporary grit. A clinical psychologist and hospitality expert, his career spans private enterprise, state-level reforms, and national advocacy, offering Enugu a leader who thinks globally but acts locally.

    ‎Consider his tenure as ECTDA Chairman (2019–2023), where Onoh enforced the Enugu master plan with unyielding resolve. He bulldozed illegal structures, including the National Youth Council edifice, restoring urban sanity amid howls from violators—actions that, while controversial, laid the groundwork for the very International Conference Centre (ICC) Mbah now touts as a flagship project. Onoh’s advocacy as Special Adviser on Special Projects under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi directly revived the long-abandoned ICC, luring federal intervention from Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika to integrate it with Akanu Ibiam International Airport upgrades. Mbah inherited this polished gem; Onoh forged it.

    ‎In the Enugu State House of Assembly (2003–2007), Onoh chaired the finance and appropriation Committee, auditing state finances with forensic precision and exposing graft that saved millions. His private sector chops shine through too: as a UK- member of institute of hospitality, he’s consulted on hospitality ventures, blending empathy with efficiency—skills that turned Enugu-Ngwo’s political accords into equitable rotations, preventing intra-community strife. Nationally, as Tinubu’s South East spokesman, Onoh mobilized the Asiwaju Renewed Mandate South East (ARMSE) in 2024, countering regional threats and securing Igbo inclusion in federal appointments, like his sister Bianca Ojukwu’s ministerial role.

    ‎Contrast this with Mbah, whose banking and oil background (CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas) excels in spreadsheets but falters in people-centric governance, as seen in his combative responses to criticism. Or Uche Nnaji, the Innovation Minister and 2023 APC flagbearer, whose technocratic vision is admirable but lacks Onoh’s deep Enugu roots—Nnaji’s 2023 loss exposed his limited grassroots pull. Other aspirants, like Frank Nweke Jr. (ex-Minister) or Bartholomew Nnaji (Power czars), bring federal heft but pale in local legislative and urban renewal experience. Onoh? He’s the full package: a hybrid who sanitized Enugu’s core while building bridges to Abuja.

    ‎ *Selling Onoh: Why He’s the Unrivaled Choice for Enugu’s Renaissance* 

    ‎Enugu deserves more than recycled promises; it needs a governor who delivers equity, innovation, and unity. Onoh’s blueprint—rooted in his ECTDA triumphs and ARMSE strategy—positions him as the antidote to Mbah’s missteps and rivals’ gaps. Here’s why he’s the superior bet:

    ‎1. **Proven Urban and Infrastructure Mastery**: Onoh didn’t just dream of a gleaming Enugu; he enforced it. His ECTDA bulldozers reclaimed violated master plans, curbing haphazard growth that plagued predecessors. As governor, he’d accelerate Mbah’s inherited ICC into a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) hub, generating 50,000 jobs via tourism linkages—far beyond Nnaji’s tech focus, which risks alienating rural Enugu. Onoh’s psychology training ensures community buy-in, avoiding Mbah’s demolition debacles.

    ‎2. **Fiscal Discipline and Anti-Corruption Steel**: As Public Accounts chair, Onoh unearthed embezzlement rings, saving Enugu from fiscal black holes. Unlike Mbah’s Sujimoto opacity, Onoh mandates transparent audits, channeling funds to 260 promised Smart Schools without scandals. His private ventures honed lean management; expect a $30 billion GDP push via diversified mining (Enugu’s coal legacy) and agro-processing, outpacing Mbah’s uneven execution.

    ‎3. **Inclusive, Empathetic Governance**: Onoh’s accord-brokering in Enugu North averted zoning wars, fostering peace Mbah’s “brutish” style ignites. A listener by training, he’d host town halls, not Twitter defenses, rebuilding trust now eroded.

    ‎4. **Economic Diversification with Heart**: Onoh’s hospitality expertise would transform Enugu into a South East gateway, leveraging the airport-ICC synergy he birthed. The Woodland Park zoo he personally funded being the only privately owned zoo in the southeast in full compliance with world association of zoos and aquariums enclosure recommended standards. Unlike Mbah’s urban bias, Onoh prioritizes Nsukka’s agro-belts, with a family background in Agriculture in the then Rexonoh agro industries which was one of the largest agricultural companies in Nigeria in the 80s it created over  20,000 farm jobs during its existence — a holistic edge over Nnaji’s innovation silos.

    ‎5. **Youth and Women Empowerment**: Drawing from his assembly days, Onoh champions gender quotas in contracts, ensuring women lead 30% of state projects. His foundation work echoes Mbah’s philanthropy but scales it statewide, with mental health initiatives tackling post-demolition trauma.

    ‎In sum, Onoh isn’t a disruptor; he’s a completer—of his father’s state-building dream, of Ugwuanyi’s foundations, and of Enugu’s untapped potential. Mbah leveraged Onoh’s ICC revival for photo-ops; Onoh would govern it for prosperity.

    ‎ *Onoh as Governor: A Win-Win for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope* 

    ‎Beyond Enugu, Onoh’s victory would supercharge President Tinubu’s 2027 bid. As ARMSE founder, he’s already pledged: “I cannot deliver Enugu for the president without Mbah’s cooperation”—a unity call that could flip the state APC-ward, breaking South East’s PDP stranglehold. His federal ties ensure seamless fund flows for rail extensions and power grids, aligning Enugu with Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy goal. Nnaji’s loyalty is noted, but Onoh’s Enugu-East and Enugu west senatorial zones trinity (dual senatorial roots) commands broader coalitions, shielding Tinubu from zonal fractures.

    ‎In 2027, Enugu won’t settle for more scandals or style over substance. Dr. Josef Onoh offers experience, empathy, and execution—a leader who turns inheritance into legacy. As public ire mounts, his favorable odds aren’t luck; they’re earned. Ndi Enugu, the choice is clear: Onoh for a state reborn. 

    Mr. Anigbogu is the Chairman, Contact & Mobilization of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State_

  • Okpebholo unveils roadmap to education reform in Edo

    Okpebholo unveils roadmap to education reform in Edo

    Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has unveiled a comprehensive and transformative roadmap for education, reflecting the administration’s commitment to providing every child with access to quality, future-ready learning opportunities.

    Okpebholo’s education reforms are being spearheaded by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu.

    Iyamu said the reform agenda was a deliberate and holistic strategy designed to reposition education as the foundation of Edo’s long-term development.

    The administration of Governor Okpebholo is addressing decades of decay across the education sector with unprecedented reforms. Dilapidated schools are being rebuilt into modern learning centres equipped with STEM laboratories, functional classrooms, sanitation facilities and teaching aids.

    Through the “EduRescue Initiative,” children previously out of school are being reintegrated, with free books and learning materials provided to ensure inclusivity and equity.

    Central to this transformation is the recognition that teachers are the drivers of educational excellence. Accordingly, the government has prioritised the recruitment, continuous training and digital empowerment of teachers.

    With tablets and standardised lesson scripts now in their hands, educators across the state are delivering uniform, high-quality instruction.

    READ ALSO: The INEC chairman as kingmaker

    “No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers,” Dr. Iyamu said. “This is why we are investing in them like never before.”

    The reforms extend beyond the present, preparing young people with both academic and vocational competencies. Every student completing junior secondary school will now graduate with a trade certification, equipping them with employable skills alongside traditional learning.

    Technical colleges in Igarra, Irrua and Benin are being revitalised, while a new National College is under development in Ovia to strengthen Edo’s vocational and technical education framework.

    In parallel, the government has embarked on restoring integrity to the educational system. Unregulated “miracle centres” and mushroom schools are being shut down, while partnerships with WAEC and NECO are reinforcing the fight against examination malpractice.

    Parents are regaining confidence in public schools, reassuring that their children can now access education that is credible, competitive and character-driven.

    The higher education sector is also witnessing significant renewal. At Ambrose Alli University, construction is underway on two lecture theatres each with 1,500-seat capacity, alongside a 600-bed hostel.

    At Usen Polytechnic, a five-kilometre road abandoned for over two decades is finally being completed. In addition, the introduction of EdoCert 2.0 has digitised academic records, enabling students to securely access certificates online, ending years of bureaucratic delays.

    Further underscoring the administration’s commitment to inclusivity, a bursary scheme for indigent students has been introduced, while the adoption of the Federal Government’s NELFund programme ensures no child is excluded from school due to financial hardship.

    Beyond academics, civic education, guidance and counselling, moral reorientation, and sports development, through initiatives such as Principals’ Cup and Governor’s Cup, are being revived to cultivate discipline, teamwork and leadership among young people.

    Summarising the administration’s vision, Iyamu said: “Our long-term ambition is for Edo to be the national model of education reform. We want children here not just to be literate, but also to be globally competitive, entrepreneurial and future-ready.”

  • Southeast twice bigger than Niger’s largest LGA, Onoh replies Bago

    Southeast twice bigger than Niger’s largest LGA, Onoh replies Bago

    President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the south east, Denge Josef Onoh, has told Niger Governor Umaru Bago he was wrong to have equated the entire South East landmass to one local government area in his State.

    Bago’s had in a recent television interview claimed that Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State is larger than the entire South East region.

    But Onoh said that such a statement misrepresents geographical facts and exaggerates the scale of Borgu LGA relative to the five states in the South East.

    He provided breakdown of the evidence, including verified land area figures to substantiate his position.

    Onoh stated that there is no doubt that Borgu LGA of Niger State with a total of 11, 267 km² is the largest LGA in Nigeria but remains a fraction of larger south east regional totals.

    He reminded Bago that the South East Nigeria has a combined landmass of approximately 29,484 km², with Abia State – 6,320 km²; Anambra State – 4,844 km²; Ebonyi State – 5,530 km²; Enugu State: 7,161 km² and Imo State with 5,530 km²

    “So Borgu LGA is only about 38 percent the size of the South East region (11,267 km² vs. 29,484 km²). The South East is roughly 2.6 times larger than Borgu LGA.”

    Read Also: Sujimoto: Onoh warns Ohanaeze youths against ethnic tension

    Onoh also countered the Governor’s claims that Niger State constitutes 11 percent of Nigeria’s total land area, noting that such claim was inaccurate as well.

    He pointed out that Nigeria’s total land area is 923,769 km², and Niger state spans 76,363 km², which is approximately 8.3 percent of the national total and not 11 percent.

    “While Niger state is indeed Nigeria’s largest by landmass, the exaggeration in Bago’s figures undermines the broader point about security challenges tied to vast, ungoverned spaces.

    ” I believe that Bago’s remarks were made in the context of explaining long-standing security issues in Niger State, attributing them to its expansive forests and reserves such as the Borgu Game Reserve that serve as criminal hideouts.

    “While the challenges of policing large forested areas are valid, Niger state does face banditry and kidnappings in the inflated comparison to the Southeast risks inflaming regional tensions without basis in fact. Hence, it’s important I set the records straight.

    “The South East, despite its smaller size, grapples with its own security challenges such as communal clashes and insurgency. But it is far more densely populated (over 20 million people across 95 LGAs) and urbanized, making the direct size-based analogies misleading,” Onoh countered.

  • Rivers can’t afford another crisis, Ibas warns political actors

    Rivers can’t afford another crisis, Ibas warns political actors

    …as pastor preaches peace, forgiveness, unity

    Four days before the emergency rule in Rivers State expires, the Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has urged political actors and other stakeholders to sheathe their swords, embrace peace, reconciliation, and unity, stating that Rivers can no longer afford another crisis.

    Ibas spoke during the Interdenominational Thanksgiving organised by the Rivers Government at the Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt on Sunday as part of the activities to usher in democratic governance in the state on September 18.

    The event, which attracted the state’s Chief Judge, Simeon Amadi, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and some captains of industry, featured ministrations and prayers for Ibas, Rivers, and the country.

    The Thanksgiving was conducted by the Chapel of Everlasting Grace, Government House, and had Pastor Ogan Barasin, Rev. Eferebo Joseph, and Pastor Lenwi Michael as ministers.

    Ibas, who was accompanied by his wife, Theresa, recalled the circumstances that led to the state of emergency in Rivers and his appointment as the Sole Administrator.

    He said, “Six months ago, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. At that moment, our beloved state stood at a crossroad, torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust.

    “By God’s grace and with the support of Mr President and all of you, we have walked through those difficult days together. Today, as a people, we return thanks to God for preserving our lives, granting us peace, and allowing the successful conduct of the local government elections across the state and thus laying the foundation for the return of democratic governance in Rivers”.

    Ibas noted that God kept Rivers and ensured the state survived the turbulent period, which he said impacted the political, social, and economic activities of the state.

    He said the seeds of reconciliation had been planted and asked the stakeholders to make the necessary sacrifices required to nurture the seeds.

    Referring to the Ecumenical Centre as the symbol of unity, the sole administrator said Rivers people must rise above bitterness, rivalries, and self-interest to pursue the greater good of the state.

    He told the actors that politics should not be an excuse to destroy the state, insisting that the progress and prosperity of the state must be placed above selfish considerations.

    Ibas said, “Truly, it was God who kept Rivers State. This service is a solemn testimony of God’s faithfulness to Rivers. We have survived storms, political, social, and economic, and through it all, God has been faithful. The seeds of reconciliation have been planted. These seeds need your deliberate nurture.

    “Our collective sacrifices and commitment to peace are what we must all strive to guide at this time. This Ecumenical Centre is in itself a symbol of unity; different denominations under one roof. Rivers people must rise above bitterness, rivalries, and self-interest to pursue the greater good of our state.

    “The progress and prosperity of Rivers must be placed above personal and partisan interest. I make a special appeal to our political actors; sheathe your swords. Politics must never be an excuse to destroy the very state you are called to serve. The progress and prosperity of Rivers must be placed against personal or partisan interest.

    “Rivers state cannot afford another session of division and acrimony. We must forgive one another and reconcile with sincerity and embrace tolerance. Let us remember that no political victory or personal gains are worth the blood of our brothers and sisters. Let us forgive; let us reconcile, and let us heal. For where there is progress and where there is love, there is prosperity”.

    Ibas called on the youths to avoid making themselves available as tools for violence but to channel their energy into building, creating, and sustaining the peace.

    He said, “To our youths, do not allow yourselves to be used as tools for violence. Channel your energy into building, creating, and sustaining peace. As our efforts on peace and reconciliation take hold, I urge all the stakeholders, leaders, elders, and political actors to put Rivers first.

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    “Let us guide the peace we have, nurture it with love, and grow it with stability and prosperity for generations yet unborn. Our elders must continue to guide with wisdom; our faith leaders must sustain prayers for peace; our young people must commit to learning and creating so that Rivers will continue to shine as the treasure base of the nation. As we look forward to the future, let us rededicate ourselves and our lives to God”.

    In his sermon, Pastor Ogan Barasin said the thanksgiving was organised to appreciate God’s intervention in Rivers, saying if not for the hand of God, the crisis would have claimed many lives.

    He asked all the stakeholders to forget the past and embrace the benefits of the future, insisting that people must learn to love and forgive one another.

    He said, “We are witnesses to what happened in our state. But today it is a different story. We are thanking God for his divine intervention in our state. Every man needs God’s intervention. We have had our share of troubles.

    “We must admit we didn’t do well. Every one of us contributed to it. The enemy came, but God stood against the enemy. God disappointed the devices and counsels of the enemy. Rivers State belongs to God. The plan of the enemy over this state will not stand. We are here to thank him for his continuous sustenance.

    “The target was to ensure our revenue was down so that we would start begging. But we will not beg.  God wants us to forget the past and seek a better Rivers. If you don’t let go of the past, you can’t let go of the benefit of the future.

    “We must learn to forgive and love each other. We must join hands together to move Rivers forward. As we prepare to hand over, if the attitude doesn’t change, nothing will change. Politics will come and go, but our relationship will remain.”

    Barasin regretted that the state squandered a humongous amount of money on court cases and called on the three arms of government in the state to work for the interest of Rivers.

    He said Ibas had done his part, adding that the state’s leaders, elders, and other critical stakeholders had a lot to contribute to sustain the peace in the state.

  • WHO REALLY KILLED CHARLIE KIRK?

    WHO REALLY KILLED CHARLIE KIRK?

    By Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

    “Be very wary and suspicious of the people who are already telling us to stop asking questions about the Charlie Kirk assassination”- Candace Owens.

    How right Candace is. Yet we must continue to ask questions about this gruesome assasination and demand answers regardless.

    There can be no doubt that the assassination of the young, popular, right-wing, pro-Trump, American commentator Charlie Kirk was a professional hit which was sanctioned from the highest quarters. The question is who was really behind it?

    There are many suggestions about what the answer is to this burning question but to me, from what we have seen and heard so far, the most complelling is the following.

    That even though he was one of their most ardent supporters at the advent that Israel ordered the hit & executed it with the knowledge of & support of the American Deep state.

    I say this is compelling for the following reasons:

    1. He started raising serious questions about the complicity of the Israeli Government and security agencies in the October 7th attack.
    2. He argued that they actually allowed the attack to happen in order to justify their destruction and decimation of Gaza.
    3. His strong opposition to the Isreali attack on Iran & American involvement.
    4. His declaration that Epstein was a MOSSAD agent.
    5. His calling for the Epstein files to be released.
    6. His deep concerns about the overwhelming power of the Israeli lobby and AIPAC on American politics.
    7. His opposition to the curbing of the freedom of speech even when it came to criticising the State of Israel.
    8. His expression of concern to his friends that Israel may eventually target and kill him weeks before his murder.
    9. The post on X and by his best friend, one Harrison Smith, one week before his assasination that he would be targetted by Israel and that he feared for his life.
    10. His declining of an invitation to Israel which Prime Minister Netanyahu personally issued to him.

    These 10 points provide food for thought and to be sure Israel has a track record in such murky matters.

    It is in the same way that they killed President John F. Kennedy, that they were behind 911, that they were behind the attack on the American warship U.S. Liberty killing dozens of American servicemen, that they killed Count Folke Bernadotte, that they killed Jacob de Haan, that they bombed King David Hotel killing many British servicemen, that they killed their own Prime Minister Yiztak Rabin, that they killed the Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi and his entire Cabinet & that they control American Presidents, the American Federal Reserve & the American Congress

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    It is therefore plausible & not a far fetched notion that they organised the hit on Charlie, contracted the real hit man, organised a decoy on the scene (the old man that claimed he was the shooter and that was initially arrested), are manipulating the media reports, are teleguiding the investigation & have successfully provided a “patsy” or a “fall guy” (the young man called Tyler Robinson who was dressed in black, wore a black cap & dark glasses and who has allegedly “confessed” to the crime) to take the blame for the whole thing just as they did for the JFK murder.

    I have no doubt that after they finish using the patsy they will either kill him just as they did in the case of the alleged assasin of JFK in order to cover their tracks or they will conduct a show trial which will result in a conviction but which will not expose the truth of the matter and those that were really behind it.

    In addition to that the authorities will come out with the crazy conclusion that it was their patsy who they will describe as a “liberal”, “confused”, “crazy”, “pro-trans gender” & “anti-fascist” madman who just wanted to kill Charlie in order to deal a blow to the American right and all that he stood for.

    We see all this unfolding before our very eyes and it is an eloquent testimony to the low intelligence quotient that many members of the American public have that they so readily accept it.

    The truth is that those who believe their hogwash do so at their own peril because it is very obvious that there is far more to the whole thing than the media is telling us.

    They are simply trying to cover up the truth just as they have always done with such high profile assasinations & just as they did with 911 and so many others.

    This is the modus of the Israeli intelligence Services & the American Deep State who they work closely with.

    This is the sort of thing that they do so well.

    It may interest the skeptics to note that Charlie himself complained publicly on a podcast a few weeks ago that the Israelis would come after him and that despite the support he had given them over the years he was now being labelled as an “anti-semite” simply because of a number of questions he raised about their behaviour.

    To add to that is it not strange that a book titled “The Shooting of Charlie Kirk” was released on the 9th of September, just one day BEFORE his assasination.

    This is bizarre and provides even more food for thought.

    Now that the patsy, a 22 year old Utah student by the name of Tyler Robinson, has been apprehended and has apparently “confessed” to his relatives to killing Charlie let him tell us who it was that he was communicating with on Discourse that allegedly provided him with the rifle.

    Let the authorities tell us why that person has not been identified or arrested? Is thst person not an accomplice or is he or she above the law? Does he or she have a licence to kill or to support and assist those that have been commissioned to pull the trigger?

    Let them also tell us who Tyler was working for or with. Is there not a clear and distinct possibility that, as in the JFK assasination, there was another shooter who slipped away quietly and undetected? Was that the plan all along?

    Outside of that let them tell us about the private jet, which is owned by Derek Maxfield, a major donor to the ultra-right Zionist organisation known as Chabad Lubavitch, that flew off from the local airport 30 minutes after the murder, that illegally turned off its tracer for one hour and returned to the airport 30 minutes later.

    Who was in that plane, where did it go and why did it not want its movements tracked or traced?

    Why have the pilot, the crew and the owner of the jet not been arrested?

    Who did they smuggle out of the vicinity and why did they find it necessary to cover their tracks and hide their destination?

    Again why would the Governor of Utah say that no other people would be charged and that the patsy Tyler acted alone? How and why did he come to this conclusion so quickly? Does this make sense?

    These questions all need to be answered.

    Yet regardless of whether they are answered or not one thing is clear: if anyone honestly believes that a 22 year old University student with no special training as a sniper or shooting and with no experience in the military or security forces can take one shot and hit his target, who was wearing a bullet proof vest, in the neck from 200 yards away and then make a cool, calm getaway without any help from anyone then that person will believe anything. You need to be a fool not to see through this one!

    In my view the whole thing, including the unfolding and immaculate cover up, was planned with precision by a hidden hand from beginning to end and that hand resides in Tel Aviv.

    That is the nature of the Zionists and their friends. That is who and what they are.

    In all this it is only Charlie and his family that I feel sorry for. To be assassinated by your former friends right in front of your wife and young children is a terrible thing.

    This is especially so when you have left such a beautiful family behind. May his soul rest in peace.

    (The author of this piece Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is a lawyer, a former Minister of Aviation, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, the Sadaukin Shinkafi, the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, the Otunba Joga Orile and the Ajagunla Otun Ekiti)

  • Leadership conference holds Thursday

    Leadership conference holds Thursday

    Visionary entrepreneur and nation-builder Tara Fela-Durotoye is set to host the maiden edition of the Building Beyond You Conference 2025 this Thursday, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Themed ‘Building Beyond You’, the conference is designed to inspire, equip, and challenge Africa’s next generation of leaders to build legacies that extend far beyond personal success.

    The line-up reflects the depth and diversity of leadership excellence across Africa. From Fela Durotoye, widely recognised as a leadership coach and nation builder, to Ibukun Awosika, entrepreneur, author and trailblazer who once chaired First Bank of Nigeria, to Atedo Peterside, renowned businessman and Chairman of ANAP Foundation, the stage will welcome voices whose work embodies the principle of building beyond personal achievement.

    The day-long program will feature keynote addresses, thought-provoking panel discussions, fireside conversations, and breakout workshops. The conference is structured to move beyond theory into practical frameworks that can shape enterprises, movements, and communities with long-lasting influence.

    Speaking about the vision for the conference, Tara Fela-Durotoye stated, “This is not just another event. It’s a movement to shift mindsets. Building beyond you means creating structures, businesses, and systems that thrive long after you are gone. It’s about raising leaders who can multiply influence, wealth, and impact for generations.”

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    With a strong mix of seasoned executives, young entrepreneurs, and community leaders in attendance, the Building Beyond You Conference will serve as a catalyst for collaborations, partnerships, and sustainable initiatives across Nigeria and beyond.

    This 2025 edition is proudly supported by Coca-Cola, MTN, i-Invest, and House of Tara, with Nairametrics as official media.

    Tickets are now available on official event platforms, while sponsorships, partnerships, and volunteer opportunities remain open to organisations and individuals eager to align with the vision of raising leaders who build for lasting impact.

    Building Beyond You is a leadership and entrepreneurship conference founded by Tara Fela-Durotoye to challenge, equip, and empower individuals to go beyond personal ambition and focus on legacy, impact, and nation-building.

  • NGO tasks Oborevwori on enactment of Whistleblower Protection Bill 2024

    NGO tasks Oborevwori on enactment of Whistleblower Protection Bill 2024

    Anon-governmental organisation, Global Peace Development (GPD) has taken Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to task on the enactment of the Whistleblower Protection Bill 2024 into law.

    The Executive Director, GPD, Ebruke Esike, made the call on Saturday in Asaba, Delta State capital, during a one-day training for media practitioners and social media influencers on the ‘Whistleblower Protection Bill 2024’.

    The training was organised with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

    Esike said the bill, when enacted, would promote transparency and accountability in governance.

    The GPD executive director stated: “The essence of this media training is to acquaint media practitioners, both traditional and social media influencers, on the draft Whistleblower Protection Bill as developed by the Delta State Government in 2024.

    “We have participated in the bill with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice since 2024. Now, the good thing is we have sent that bill to the Attorney General in February. Of course, I think the Governor being a listening governor bought the idea.

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    “Most people who supported the Whistleblower Protection Bill thought that if this bill is enacted by the state House of Assembly and the governor gives assent, it will protect them more to actualise and complement the effort the Governor seeks with the Public Finance Law 2022 which the governor passed as a Speaker.

    Therefore, it is a big honour for him having passed it as a Speaker and is now a law, it is time for the execution.

    “And one major factor that is inhibiting the execution is the Whistleblower Protection Bill which he also believes in and we are saying it should go to legislation and that is the only way the citizens will be comfortable.

    “It has many implications in terms of development, in terms of accountability and in terms of stewardship for the people and that is why we are calling for the enactment.

    “And this is not without support of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office.”

    He expressed optimism that Governor Oborevwori, with all intents and purposes, believes in the policy, that is why it is called policy

    He, however, said that for the citizens to be protected, there must be an enabling law and the enabling law is the legislation.

    “If you have legislation, you have protection. Nigeria is guided by the Constitution. Without the law, you cannot serve, that is why we are seeking legislation for the Whistleblower Protection Bill,” Esike stated

    Speaking on the ‘Role of the Media and Influencers in Promoting Whistleblowers’ Protection’,  a GPD facilitator, Philip Adigwe, said the passage and implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Bill cannot succeed in isolation.

    Adigwe said it requires the combined efforts of the traditional media, social media influencers, civil society, and government stakeholders.

    He stated: “Traditional media strengthens accountability through investigative journalism, education and advocacy. Social media influencers extend this reach, breaking down complex issues for everyday citizens, amplifying whistleblowers’ voices, and driving online campaigns that demand action.

    “When both platforms work together, they create a powerful ecosystem of awareness, protection and accountability.

    “This collaboration ensures that whistleblowers are not only heard but also safeguarded, making the fight against corruption more effective and sustainable in Delta State and across Nigeria.”