The Edo State Government on Wednesday said it has placed hospitals across the state on “high alert” over the recent outbreak of diphtheria, a bacterial infection that affects the upper respiratory tract. The government, in a state by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, said that Governor Monday Okpebholo had activated an emergency public health response, deploying all necessary resources and expertise to arrest the situation and safeguard the health of residents. The statement read in part, “Governor Okpebholo, demonstrating decisive leadership, is personally coordinating surveillance and monitoring efforts, working closely with the State Ministry of Health…
Author: Eileen Peters
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THE Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has joined Nigerians in celebrating one of its senior members and Publisher of Vanguard Media Group, Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, on his remarkable 90th birthday. In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the Guild described Uncle Sam’s birthday as a testament to his enduring wisdom, legacy, and commitment to the journalism profession. The Guild explained that as the Founder of Vanguard Newspapers Group, Prince Amuka-Pemu has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape. According to editors, “Uncle Sam’s commitment to excellence and robust journalism has inspired generations of journalists…
YOUTHS from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State are preparing for a three-day protest against Ibom Power Company, alleging the firm has systematically excluded them from employment opportunities, subcontracts, and other elements of its social contract with the host community. A statement issued by the Forum of Clan Youth Leaders, Ikot Abasi, claims the company has persistently disregarded its social contract obligations with the host community—a situation that has compelled the youths to consider shutting down operations at the power plant as their only recourse. According to the Forum’s Chairman, Ambassador Patrick Udoetoh, who also serves as…
THE University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) has called for a thorough investigation into the killing of one of its students, Godwin Akpakpan, a 300-level Computer Science undergraduate, who was allegedly shot dead by a security operative in an off-campus incident. In an official statement released on Sunday, the institution through its Head, Information, Publications and Public Relations, Dr. Sam Kpenu, expressed deep sorrow over the death of the student. Although the tragic incident occurred outside the university premises, Uniport stressed its concern and commitment to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding the event. “The University is actively engaging with relevant security…
THREE commissioners have resigned from the cabinet of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, Akwa Ibom has been governed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). But two weeks ago, Eno told his cabinet members who were not interested in his new journey to quit. Addressing them at the State Executive Council meeting, he had said, “It’s no more news that I’m moving; if you don’t know that by now, I don’t know what else you know. “So, we want our commissioners…
THE Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. He made this known during an official announcement on Friday at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital. The governor said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the state. Eno expressed his gratitude to the PDP for their support during his tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move. The governor said he decided to join the APC, citing his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and the…
A MEDIA scholar, Dr Tope Ojeme has appealed to African Artificial Intelligence (AI) developers to create media solution soft wares that detect misinformation and empower citizens to hold leaders accountable. Delivering a keynote paper titled, “Beyond debunking: Building a Culture of Media Integrity in Africa’s Next Century,” at the closing ceremony of the second quarter courses of the West Africa Broadcast Media Academy (WABMA) and the celebration of the hundredth edition of its News Debunker Series, in Abuja on Thursday, Ojeme said that there was the urgent need to tackle misinformation and unethical media practices on the continent. “We…
AS the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno concludes plans to defect to the APC, local government councilors say they will not join the Governor because he has not consulted them as elected representatives from their various wards. A top officer of the Forum of Elected Councilors, who pleaded anonymity, decried what he described as humiliation, saying that they have resolved not to defect with the governor, except he addresses and negotiate with them. According to him, some of them are already favoured by zoning to return for a second term under the platform of PDP, but may have their…
AKWA Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has responded to a trending video allegedly released by a member of his family concerning the death of his wife, affirming that his family remains united. He stated that a multitude of such insinuations and character assassinations by detractors would not distract him from his commitment to implementing the ARISE Agenda and fulfilling his social contract with the people of Akwa Ibom. The governor made this known while answering questions from Government House correspondents regarding the video circulating about his family, upon his arrival at Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, for the 60th…
DECLARATION of emergency rule by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saved Rivers State from “looming anarchy”, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara said yesterday. He said the President’s swift intervention shielded the state from the consequences of the festering political crisis. Calling on his supporters, Rivers people and Nigerians to commend Tinubu for acting with wisdom at the right time, Fubara noted that the peace and reconciliation process required to restore all executive and legislative institutions and offices in the state was underway. He assured that democracy and good governance would soon return in the state, with both arms working together for the…
THE Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday upheld the election of Monday Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo State and dismissed the case of Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the South-South state. Delivering judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, unanimously held that the appeal by Ighodalo was unmeritorious and dismissed it. The court held that the appellants failed to show that the election tribunal erred in its decision and proceeded to affirm the judgment of the tribunal delivered. However,…
THE eight candidates of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) abducted by pirates along the Bille waterways in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers States have been rescued after spending 21 days in captivity. The victims were rescued on Monday evening by a local security outfit, the Royal Fouchee Security Services’ popularly known as the Amama Soldiers. The outfit belongs to a former leader of the Niger Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force (NDPVF) and current Amayanabo (King) of Torusaramapiri in Degema LGA, Alj. Mujahid Asari-Dokubo. The victims were abducted on May 6 after the pirates hijacked two passenger boats…
THE Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta within the last five months, in a major escalation of its crackdown on crude oil theft and environmental degradation. The intensified air operations, executed under Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), are part of a coordinated effort to dismantle criminal networks, safeguard vital oil infrastructure and secure Nigeria’s economic backbone. According to a statement issued by Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the operations were carried out by the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which houses the Air Component of OPDS. The…
THE Federal Ministry of Education has condemned an incident of candidates writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at night using torchlights. The Minister of State for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, expressed his displeasure in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo. Boriowo quoted the minister as outlining the situation captured in the widely circulated video as “completely unacceptable”, adding that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for learning and assessment. Alausa criticised…
THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced a scheduled maintenance shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), set to begin on May 24, 2025. In a statement released on Saturday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, the NNPC said the shutdown is part of a planned maintenance and sustainability assessment aimed at ensuring optimal performance of the facility. The statement reads: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to inform the general public that the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) will undergo a planned maintenance shutdown. “This scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment…
GOVERNOR Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has directed all commissioners and political appointees to defect with him from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or resign from their positions. Eno said it was no longer news that he has made up his mind to defect to the APC. “Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave PDP is still living in 18th century,” Eno stated. Eno reportedly gave the directive during the ongoing state Executive Council Meeting taking place in Uyo on Thursday, according to sources at the meeting. The governor…
THE Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has issued a stern warning to members of the State Executive Council, threatening to sanction any cabinet member who fails to adhere strictly to official protocols of his engagements. Eno warned that officials found wanting would be immediately relieved of their position. The governor, who gave the marching order during an unscheduled stop at the site of the Judiciary Village in Uyo on Friday, expressed displeasure at the disregard for official procedures by some members of his cabinet. He said, “That’s like four commissioners and I’ve not found them. Starting today, I…
THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, as his political son despite their rift. In an interview with BBC Pidgin published on Saturday, Wike said he cannot fight his son, refuting claims of a feud. He stated the battle was not against Fubara, but those he claimed had been pushing the governor against him. He said, “That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son, why will I fight with him? “I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they…
THE Court of Appeal has reserved judgments in three appeals and a cross appeal filed in relations to the dispute over the governorship election held in Edo State on September 21, 2024, in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner. A three-member panel of the court, presided over by Justice M. A. Danjuma, which sat in Abuja on Thursday, told lawyers to the parties, after taking their final arguments, that the judgments are reserved till a date to be communicated to them. The appeals heard included the one…
SOME unidentified gunmen have carried out a series of daring attacks along the waterways in Rivers State, abducting at least 16 people in separate incidents. The first assault was said to have occurred near the Borikiri axis of Port Harcourt, where pirates intercepted a wooden cargo boat en route to Bonny in the Bonny Local Government Area. While there were five passengers aboard, three were forcibly taken away on Tuesday. However, an elderly man and the boat driver were left behind. In a chilling repeat of violence, another boat, piloted by the same captain whose vessel was attacked just weeks…