Multiple sources from the Presidency have told The TheNigerian that political leaders from the South-South, especially governors from the region, are making efforts to reconcile warring parties, insisting the emergency rule is a stop-gap measure to allow for reconciliation.

President Bola Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the breakdown of governance as a result of the war of attrition between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s lawmakers, as well as attacks on oil facilities in the state.

Tinubu also suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state’s House of Assembly.

He thereafter swore in a retired Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ette Ibas, as the state’s sole administrator.

The President relied on Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to back his action.

However, stakeholder insisted that the action was unnecessary and could steer the country towards authoritarian rule.

In defence, multiple sources in the Presidency, who spoke on the issue on Sunday, said the idea of the emergency rule was to provide both parties with a much-needed period of respite, allowing them the time to de-escalate tensions and engage in meaningful discussions to resolve their differences.

The sources further pointed out that key figures, including members of the Senate and governors from the South-South region, were actively working towards fostering reconciliation between the parties, with the ultimate goal of ending all grievances.

The officials also explained that a meditating panel was likely to be instituted, as requested by the National Assembly.

“These (mediating panels) are suggestions on the table,” one of the sources told The TheNigerian. “Customarily, the idea of the emergency rule is to give the parties time to cool down and sit down to solve their problems. That is the essence.

“So what the senate and the south governors are offering is to reconcile the parties so that they can stop all these fighting and quarrelling.”

Another source added, “Even the man there now, the sole administrator, part of his role is to reconcile the parties in conflict. That is part of his role, to make sure that the place is stabilised to reconcile them so they can work together for the peace and progress of Rivers.

“So, the President doesn’t need to get involved. The structures are there to take care of the issues.”

Reps committee

The House of Representatives will soon make a public pronouncement on the constitution of a committee to run the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly, The TheNigerian has learnt.

The Deputy Spokesman of the Green Chamber, Philip Agbese, disclosed this in a telephone interview with The TheNigerian in Abuja on Sunday.

Last week, both chambers of the National Assembly approved and ratified the emergency rule proclamation after considering a letter of request for approval from the Presidency.

Before the ratification of the emergency rule, the House frowned at Tinubu’s declaration that the administrator would report to the Federal Executive Council, pointing out that Section 305 of the Constitution he relied upon to suspend Fubara and the Rivers Assembly could not be read in isolation of Section 11 of the Constitution.

Section 11(4) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to take over the legislative duties of a State Assembly where the latter cannot function as is the case with the Rivers Assembly today.

The Section reads, “At any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions because of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such law for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions.

“Any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State.”

Speaking exclusively with The TheNigerian on Sunday, Agbese reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to usher in peace in Rivers State by getting the warring parties to sheathe their swords and work together.

He said, “The Speaker and House leadership are already addressing this issue and a public announcement will be made soon regarding the committee to be set up by the parliament.

“At the moment, the House is more concerned about restoring peace in Rivers State and bringing the various groups together. This is a novel situation that requires further consultations within and outside the parliament,” he said.

Wike’s aide

The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the minister was not opposed to discussions geared towards peace in Rivers state, noting that the suspended governor should have implemented the judgment of the Supreme Court immediately it was passed.

Wike played a major role in Fubara’s emergence as Rivers governor two years ago but the pair fell apart shortly after, with some political analysts blaming the minister for the chaotic situation in the oil-rich state.

“The minister is not averse to sitting down with people and discussing and talking, he’s not. It is the duty of the National Assembly to also seek peace, to mediate in issues. If the Presidency also wants to do that, if they want to mediate, like the President did once; they called him a meddlesome interloper, they said he had no right to intervene, so if he still believes that he can still intervene, no problem, so be it.”, he said.

Addressing calls for the minister’s suspension from the President’s cabinet over the crisis in Rivers State, Olayinka said, “People can always talk, whether what they are saying is sensible or not is another issue.

“Was it Wike that went to the House of Assembly to set it on fire? Was it Wike that demolished the House of Assembly? And actually the Supreme Court alluded to the fact that the governor demolished the House of Assembly so as to prevent himself from being impeached.

“Was it Wike that said publicly that ‘youths don’t be perturbed, when it is time, I will give you the directive?’ And when he gave them the directive, maybe they started destroying the pipelines. Was it Wike that did that? Was it Wike that was using three members of the House of Assembly illegally to pass budgets? That’s why I said people can always talk; it’s their right to talk. Whether they are making sense or not, is a different matter.”

In a dramatic twist, suspended Rivers State Governor Fubara made his first public appearance on Sunday after Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration.

After Fubara’s exit from Government House, his whereabouts became a source of worry as some stakeholders, including the Rivers Elders and Leaders, raised the alarm, saying they had neither seen nor heard from the Governor.

It was also speculated he was in Bayelsa to spend time with his counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, before he was seen on Sunday worshipping at the Salvation Miniseries, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Clad in an all-white attire, Fubara, who was in company with his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, and other government officials,  exchanged pleasantries with some of the church members, who ushered him into the front row of the congregation.

The suspended governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in a statement on Sunday, confirmed he attended the church service.

The statement titled ‘Governor Siminalayi Fubara worships at Salvation Ministries’ read, “Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday, attended a special prayer, worship and thanksgiving service at Salvation Ministries Headquarters, GRA, Port Harcourt.

“The Governor was accompanied by top politicians, major stakeholders, elders and leaders of the state, and associates to express gratitude to God for His love, mercy and unwavering support amid the festering political challenges.”

The statement added that Fubara was accompanied by Ehie; President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Mbata; former Deputy National Chairman, PDP, Dr Sam Sam Jaja; Chief Orits Onyiri; Chief Mike Elechi; and Chief David Briggs.

Others include Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; Amaopusenibo Fubara Hart; Chief Theodore Georgewill; Kingston Sylvanus; former Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati; former Ikwerre Local Government Area chairman, Israel Abosi; former Emohua LG boss, David Omereji; among others.

The statement added, “The church service, a testament to his deep faith and belief in God as the ultimate dispenser of justice, was an extraordinary session of worship, prayers, and thanksgiving, to appreciate the Lord and acknowledge His never-failing gifts to humanity.

“A special prayer session was also held for the Governor shortly after the service.”

Fubara for peace

The Special Assistant to Fubara on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, told The TheNigerian that his principal was disposed to peace in the state while reacting to the call by the National Assembly to the Federal Government to set up a mediation panel for the Rivers political crisis.

“If you have been following the activities that led to the emergency rule, you will see that the Governor has been the peaceful one while the Assembly is like the aggressive one. And the Governor said ‘come let us discuss on how we can restore our dear state.’ Instead of them to reply the Governor that ‘we are not ready for this, don’t come, all they did was to adjourn sine die,” Omatsogunwa said.

“The Governor has been so peaceful in his disposition after he received the Certified True Copy of the judgment, he started implementation. So, I think the question should be thrown at them (Riverss lawmakers) if they will be open to the peace mediation panel because they cannot decide on their own. Somebody from somewhere, possibly Abuja, the FCT minister, will decide for them.

Explosion rocks Rivers

Amid the chaotic situation in the state, an explosion rocked a gas pipeline along the Soku-Abua-Rumuji Right of Way in Rivers State on Sunday morning.

It was earlier gathered the explosion occurred at the Soku Gas Plant operated by the NLNG in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area but the community debunked the claim, saying it happened elsewhere.

A viral video on Sunday showed huge fire and smoke following the explosion.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre in a statement by its Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene, said the explosion occurred at Soku Gas Plant, adding that its cause was unknown.

The statement read, “An explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area which is hard-to-reach and the fire is still ongoing as at the time of this report as shown in the short videos shared with the organisation by the youth volunteers of YEAC-Nigeria.

“The cause of the explosion is not yet known whether it’s caused by equipment failure, sabotage or attack on the facility.

“Advocacy Centre calls for investigation into the latest incident alleged in Soku and calls on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to carry out a joint investigation visit to the area with a view of determining the cause of the incident and holding perpetrators to account in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.”

Reacting to the explosion, the Soku community, in a statement, said the incident occurred at a Gas Pipeline along SOKU-Abua-Rumuji Right of Way and not the Soku Gas Plant.

The statement, signed by the General Secretary on behalf of Soku Kingdom, Witness Alasia, read, “On behalf of the leadership of the SOKU Kingdom, I write to debunk the falsehood escalating in all social media that there was an explosion in the Soku Gas Plant.

“It is disheartening and worrisome that people will mischievously misinform the public with a baseless and untrue story. Soku Gas Plant is safe and in perfect working condition. The public should disregard this unguided and untrue report.

“Though there was a fire outbreak in one of the Gas pipelines along Soku-Abua-Rumuji Right of Way. The cause of the explosion is unknown and the company also has not come up with any useful information.”

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the 2023 general elections, Adewole Adebayo, says the SDP is not making any plan for merger or collaboration with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, or any party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adebayo stated this in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at a meeting with members of the state executive of the party on Saturday.

He was accompanied during his visit by a former Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, as well as the party’s chairman in Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, among others.

The former SDP presidential candidate denounced insinuations of his party, as an appendage of the APC, saying that the party remains committed to the welfare and well-being of all Nigerians.

“Maybe APC has appendicitis, they should go to the hospital to kill it. We are a strong party. We are older than any of the parties available. Our mission is clear: we are not in government with them.

“I led the party in the last election. I’m still standing here. I’m not a minister under Tinubu, all the State Chairman, the National Chairman are intact, National Secretary. So, we are standing on our own.

“The reason people look down on us is because we don’t attack people to tackle issues, because our party is a party of intellect. We are the only party that’s a little to the left. Having been a little to the left since we came in 1989 we remain so.

“The problems of Nigeria can only be found with solutions on the left, which is that chapter two of the Constitution, invest money in education, in housing, in healthcare, good infrastructure, let Nigerians live what chief Obafemi Awolowo called a life more abundant,” he said.

According to him, the SDP was open to genuine entrants but not to people of questionable character.

The chairman of the party in the state, Ola Williams, seized the occasion to welcome genuine new members into the party.

The Lagos State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Council has condemned the alleged murder of Adedamola Ogunbode, a 2024 graduate of Lagos State University.

Although the Lagos State Police Command has maintained that Ogunbode’s case remains that of a “missing person” investigation, the students alleged that he was “killed in cold blood by a so-called prophet in Ojo, Lagos State.”

The LASU Political Science Education graduate has reportedly been missing since January 16, 2025, amid rumours that his mutilated body had been discovered.

However, the command’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, has refuted this claim.

Hundeyin also disclosed that three suspects, including a prophet, had been arrested in connection with the case.

In a Thursday statement jointly signed by the state chairman, Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri, and the Public Relations Officer, Ridwan Ajayi, NANS JCC Lagos, described the alleged killing as “a direct attack on the Nigerian student community.”

They stated that the incident was a “reflection of how insecure and unsafe” Nigeria has become for young people striving for a better future.

The students demanded “an expedited, transparent, and decisive legal process” to ensure justice is served, warning that they “will resist any attempts at political interference or compromise.”

Among their demands, they called on the state government to acknowledge that “students and graduates are no longer safe in their communities. If young people can be killed in such gruesome circumstances, what hope is left for the future of Nigeria? We demand special security measures around tertiary institutions and student communities.”

They also called for stricter oversight of religious organisations, stating, “While religion remains a fundamental right, it must not be a cover for crime and bloodshed.

“We call on the Lagos State Government and law enforcement agencies to conduct a full-scale audit of religious centres operating within student environments to root out criminal activities hiding under religious pretences.”

Emphasising their commitment to ensuring justice, the students declared, “We demand to be officially included in the investigative process. We refuse to be spectators while justice is being decided for one of our own.

“We warn the government, the Nigeria Police, and all relevant authorities: Nigerian students will not watch this case be swept under the rug. If urgent actions are not taken, NANS will be forced to mobilise the full strength of the student movement across Lagos State in protest.

“This is beyond Adedamola; this is about the fundamental right to life that every Nigerian student deserves. We will not sit idle while students and graduates are hunted and butchered.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Ogunbode. We stand in full solidarity with the LASU student body in this moment of grief.”

TheNigerian Metro recalls that the management of LASU, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Registrar and Coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, demanded justice for the 28-year-old graduate.

Thomas-Onashile stated that investigations by the security agencies revealed that the deceased’s mutilated body was purportedly found buried in the compound of a popular church in the area.

“The university management is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ogunbode, a recent graduate of LASU. The deceased, fondly known as Horlar, was allegedly killed by a prophet in the Ojo area of Lagos State, reportedly for ritual purposes.

According to the report received by the management, Ogunbode, a 28-year-old graduate of Political Science Education, had been missing since January 16,” Thomas-Onashile stated.

A similar case involving a missing LASU final-year student was reported in 2022, 17 months after he disappeared on May 21, 2019, after leaving his home on Oseni Salawu Street, Egan-Igando, for school but never returning.

The South West Governors’ Forum, comprising the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states, has agreed to establish a joint security surveillance to tackle terrorists under the banner of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province.

This was revealed after a meeting of all the six governors in the region. namely, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), on Thursday, held at the Governor’s Office, Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The move comes amid earlier reports of infiltration of the terrorists into some forests in the South West region.

Makinde had warned in January that bandits fleeing military operations in the North-West were seeking refuge in the Oyo.

At a 2025 annual inter-faith service for workers held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said, “During a security briefing this morning, I learnt that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones. But we will find and deal with them.”

The Department of State Services had also recently arrested 10 suspected members of ISWAP in Ilesa, Osun State.

The arrest came to public knowledge when the DSS in January sought an order from a Federal High Court in Abuja to detain the suspects for 60 days, an order Justice Emeka Nwite granted.

After Thursday’s extensive deliberations, which began around 12pm and ended around 4pm, the Forum, in a communique read out to journalists by Governor Sanwo-Olu, said it acknowledged the threats of ISWAP activities in the region and condemned it in its totality.

The governors stated their resolve to combat the terrorists with technology including the use of aerial surveillance.

Sanwo-Olu, who is the chairman of the Forum, said, “Acknowledging the threat posed by ISWAP activities in parts of the South West, the Forum strongly condemns any threat to the region’s security. It encourages enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and local security outfits, urging them to remain vigilant. The Forum also commits to taking necessary actions to counter these threats.

“The Forum agreed to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee and coordinate security efforts across the South-West region. As part of this resolution, the Forum has committed to deploying advanced technology, including aerial surveillance systems to enhance security operations.

“Additionally, the Forum resolved that its Special Advisers on Security collaborate on intelligence gathering and sharing between state security agencies, local security networks, and federal law enforcement authorities among the South-West states.”

The Oodua Peoples Congress had in January urged all the six governors of the South-West to treat as a security emergency, the building of camps inside forests by insurgents and terrorists fleeing the North.

In a statement by its President, Wasiu Afolabi, the OPC said, “These foreign Fulani terrorists have always said that after conquering the North, the South will be next. Now it is happening.

“But the OPC is ready to let these evil dreamers know that Yorubaland can never be conquered or occupied by foreign invaders. Let the six governors of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states invite us to deal with this menace today before it is too late.

Army, Amotekun partner

On Thursday, the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Justin Ifeanyi, said the Army would continue to work together with the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, in the fight against criminality in the state.

The army commander acknowledged that the military’s successes in battling crimes in the state was hinged largely on actionable information provided by operatives of Amotekun.

Ifeanyi stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the state Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, in his office Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Thursday

He said, “From what I was told, the army has been working in synergy particularly at the local level with your (Amotekun) operatives. Most of your men are infused in all the local government areas. They have been passing actionable information.

“We want the already established synergy to continue and we like to move it to tbe next level. We will try and cooperate and work with your people to curtail crime. The prevalent crime is kidnapping.”

In his response , the Amotekun Commander said the established synergy between the Amotekun and Nigerian Army was still in tact, saying it had been a success story between the two security agencies and “we want the synergy to continue.”

DSS seeks community support

In a related development, the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, has said that communities play a crucial role in securing themselves against criminal elements including terrorist and badits, stating that they must serve as the first line of defence.

Speaking at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, Ajayi recounted historical instances where communities successfully defended themselves against insurgents, particularly in Azare and Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State.

He said, “Most of you will remember an incident in Azare. A group of terrorists, Boko Haram, had invaded Azare. They were shooting in an attempt to kidnap, but the community chased them away. They killed some members of the community, but the community members killed all of them. The last guy, Khaled, climbed onto a tree and was shot. The community stood their ground, they were resilient, and they killed Khaled.

“Since that day, there has not been a single terrorist attack in Azare.”

He added, “The people of Bogoro and some parts of Tafawa Balewa rose up on one occasion. They knew their territory better, climbing onto trees and mountains when the invaders came. They did not only repel them, but they also seized their weapons, and since then, you can hardly hear of any attacks in that community. What I’m trying to say is that the practical approach to mobilising people is to get everyone involved.”

Ajayi stressed that it was impossible for security agencies to protect all Nigerians, adding that the country must make communities the first line of defence.

Forum commends Tinubu

Meanwhile, the South-West Governors’ Forum commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the economic stability and improvements recorded across the nation, “particularly in the sustained supply and distribution of petroleum products and the stabilisation of the exchange rate.”

The governors urged citizens to continue supporting the President’s efforts to strengthen the economy and improve the overall well-being of Nigerians.

The Forum applauded the Federal Government for the successful implementation of the Student Loan Scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

The governors noted that the scheme had benefited South-West students in tertiary institutions.

“It encourages all eligible students in the region to take full advantage of this initiative to access higher education, vocational training, and skills acquisition programmes,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

As of December 2024, NELFund had disbursed over N104bn to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country since the inception of the student loan scheme, according to data obtained from the body.

The disbursed funds encompassed institutional fees paid directly to the institutions of applicants and upkeep loans paid directly to the account number provided by the applicants.

The governors also commended the FG and the Senate for establishing the South West Development Commission and collectively agreed to situate its headquarters at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State.

“The Forum acknowledges the efforts of Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. in efficiently managing joint assets of the South West region over the past five years. It also commends the company’s Board and Management for the ongoing redevelopment of the Premier Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, and the proposed redevelopment of the Lagos Airport Hotel in Lagos State,” the communique added,

S’West govs to tackle food inflation

The Forum, while recognising the need for food security, encouraged collaboration among the South-West states to implement collective measures aimed at curbing food inflation in the region.

The Forum expressed concern over the activities of “unscrupulous middlemen” who deliberately inflate prices of goods and commodities in the markets.

It, therefore, agreed to establish a State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Team and also the establishment of Aggregation Centre/Food Hubs to foster inter-state collaboration and mitigate food inflation.

Conclusively, the governors commended the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission for its improved performance over the past 12months and encouraged it to continue working diligently with the South West commissioners for agriculture on industrialisation and infrastructural development across the region

Thursday’s meeting was a follow-up to a similar one held in Lagos on June 10, 2024, where Governor Sanwo-Olu was unanimously appointed as Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum.

Since its last meeting, the forum under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu had prioritised policies aimed at strengthening regional development in the South-West zone.

The Kano State Government has strongly condemned the recent statement by Alhaji Usman Alhaji, leader of the APC Patriotic Volunteers, announcing plans to establish a shadow government in the state.

Describing the move as illegal and unconstitutional, the government warned that such actions could have serious social and legal consequences for Kano and Nigeria’s democratic system.

In a statement issued today by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the state Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, the government reminded the APC that Nigeria operates a presidential system, which does not recognize shadow governments, unlike the parliamentary model in the United Kingdom.

“The idea of forming a government within a government is not only unconstitutional but also a reckless attempt to destabilize Kano State,” the statement read.

“Democracy does not permit anyone to disregard constitutional governance simply because they have lost political relevance.”

The statement further accused the APC of engaging in desperate tactics to remain relevant after suffering electoral defeat. It reaffirmed that the elected administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains focused on governance, prioritizing key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation.

Governor Yusuf’s administration, according to the statement, has achieved significant milestones, including the highest budgetary allocation to education in the country, major investments in healthcare and infrastructure, and institutional reforms aimed at transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The government warned that it would not tolerate any attempt to incite chaos or disrupt the state’s relative peace.

“We will take firm action, in accordance with the law, against any individual or group attempting to undermine the democratic process,” the statement added.

An organisation, Plan International, in collaboration with the Government of Canada under ASPIRE Project in Nigeria, has handed over seven renovated Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) and medical equipment to the Bauchi State government to enhance healthcare service delivery across the state.

The Phase 1 renovated PHCs in various local government areas (LGAs), includes Urban Maternity Kofar Rann PHC (Bauchi LGA), Dass Town Maternity PHC (Dass LGA), ARI PHC (Ningi LGA), Konkiyel PHC (Darazo LGA), Hardawa PHC (Misau LGA), Bulkachuwa PHC (Katagum LGA), Gololo PHC (Gamawa LGA) and Nasarawa B PHC (Jama’are LGA).

Speaking during the official handing over ceremony held at the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Program (BSADP) office yesterday, the country director of Plan International, Charles Usie, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to child rights and gender equality.

Represented by the director of programme quality and influencing, Helen Idiong, the organisation said that the ASPIRE Project is designed to provide adolescent girls and young women with access to quality healthcare services and resources to improve their overall well-being.

She urged the Bauchi State Government to ensure the full implementation of the Child Rights Law, adding that accountability measures must be put in place to guarantee the safety and rights of children.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, the executive chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Board (SPHCDB), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, commended Plan International and its partners for their significant contributions to healthcare in the state.

He assured that the government would properly utilise and maintain the materials provided to enhance service delivery in the health sector.

Dr. Mohammed also issued a stern warning against vandalism or misuse of the donated equipment, stressing that anyone caught selling or destroying the items would face strict government penalties.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Muslim Students‘ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has developed a 15-year strategic blueprint for bolstering the vision and key objectives of the organisation.

Speaking at a four-day national retreat organised and hosted by the 38th National Executive Council (NEC) of MSSN in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, the National Amir of the Muslim Students‘ Society of Nigeria, Mustapha Tajudeen Olumide, said the retreat was aimed at propelling the society‘s new executive officers to excellence in service delivery.

The retreat, held between January 30th and February 2nd, 2025, was attended by about 50 participants, including members of the 38th National Executive Council (NEC), the immediate past 37th NEC members, several distinguished personalities, and notable past leaders of the society.

He said, “The retreat allowed us to remind ourselves that the strength of our tomorrow is rooted in the depth of our vision today. The retreat is essential for us as new executives because by imbibing the spirit of excellence, we can build on the good legacies of our founders and past leaders.

This 15-year strategic blueprint is a product of robust brainstorming sessions during the four-day retreat. It will propel our society towards excellence and empower our members to become beacons of hope and agents of positive change in their communities.

„To my dear MSSN members, I want to assure you that our best days are ahead. As we navigate the challenges of our time, let us hold on to our values of faith, knowledge, and service. We will build a brighter future for ourselves, our communities, and our nation. Let us march forward with confidence, courage, and conviction.“

Distinguished resource personnel who delivered lectures and speeches during the retreat included Prof. Oladosu Afeez, Mallam Umaru Larat Aliyu, Prof. Adamu Aliyu, Prof. Adam S. Olatunji, Dr Shehu Ahmad, Mr Moruff Adenekan, and Dr Hadiyatullah Ajao.

President Bola Tinubu has concluded his visit to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania where he joined other African leaders to participate in the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.

 

According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the two-day Summit, hosted by the government of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank Group, adopted the Dar es Salaam Declaration which focused on providing access to electricity for 300 million people in Africa by 2030.

 

A highpoint of the event was the presidential endorsement of the Dar es Salaam Declaration by the African leaders at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre.

 

Following the reading of the Declaration, leaders from Nigeria, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia signed the document.

 

Through the Declaration, the leaders from the 12 countries expressed their commitment to ensuring electricity access for their citizens in the next five years.

 

The 12 nations plan to achieve the goal through National Energy Compacts, which identify specific policy measures to address constraints across their energy sector and set targets based on their unique context.

 

In the speech read by Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, President Tinubu lauded the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank Group, and development partners for their collective pledge to bring electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030.

 

Tinubu also called on African leaders to prioritise energy access, emphasising collective action.

 

“Let us work together to create a brighter future for our citizens—where every African can access reliable and affordable energy.

 

“A future where our industries thrive, our economies grow, and our people prosper,” the President said.

 

He used reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its yet-to-be-electrified population by 2030.

 

“This is an ambitious goal, but we can achieve it together. As Nigeria’s President, I am committed to making energy access a top priority,” he said.

 

Detailing the substantial progress Nigeria has achieved with the support of international development partners, Tinubu acknowledged AfDB’s $1.1 billion expected to provide electricity for 5 million people by the end of 2026, while its $200 million in the Nigeria Electrification Project will provide electricity for 500,000 people by the end of 2025.

 

“We also look forward to the AfDB’s planned $700 million investment in the Nigeria Desert to Power programme and its planned $500 million facility for the Nigeria-Grid Battery Energy Storage System, which will provide electricity for an additional two million people.

 

“We have equally begun making plans to ensure the effectiveness of the World Bank’s $750 million support for expanding Nigeria’s distributed energy access via mini-grids and standalone solar systems that will provide access to power to 16.2 million people,” he said.

 

The Nigerian leader thanked the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, and Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina of AfDB for their transformative vision, which he said “will light up and power Africa.”

 

Tinubu also applauded the contributions of the UN Sustainable Energy For All, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Global Energy Alliance for Development.

 

“As we all know, Africa is rich in energy resources, yet millions of our citizens still lack access to reliable and affordable energy. This situation is unacceptable. It is our responsibility to take collective action to change this narrative,” Tinubu said.

 

The president also highlighted ongoing investments in renewable energy, particularly solar power in Nigeria.

 

“For example, the federal government is in the final stages of developing an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure programme, emphasising renewable energy and establishing stricter vehicle emission standards.

 

“This will ease adoption barriers, galvanise partnerships, and provide affordable EV financing options. I am pleased to announce that the first 100 electric buses are already in the country.

 

“Nigeria’s energy sector is growing as a direct result of our reforms. The Nigerian government continues incentivising those interested in investing in renewable energy, oil and gas energy efficiency,” he said.

 

He said that buoyed by Nigeria’s successful attraction of over $6 billion in new investments into its energy sector in 2024 alone, his administration is keen to build on this success in 2025 and beyond.

 

At the Summit, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced that it has committed $70 million in private sector funding to five Nigerian Renewable Electricity Service Companies (RESCOs) under the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme.

 

IFC said the project will be implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

 

Nigeria’s National Energy Compact which was also present at the Summit on Monday, sets targets with implementation timelines and outlined the nation’s various planned reforms.

 

They include expanding power generation and investing in transmission and distribution infrastructure at competitive costs, working towards financially viable utilities that provide reliable service, and incentivising private sector participation to unlock additional resources.

Other reform actions include embracing distributed renewable energy and clean cooking solutions for affordable last-mile access and leveraging the benefits of increased regional integration.

According to the document, Nigeria will require an investment of $23.2 billion for last-mile electrification which include contributions from the public and private sectors.