NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (middle), with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele (right), during the 2026 National Youth Conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting youth inclusion in national decision-making, expressing confidence that the outcome of the 2026 National Youth Conference will provide a roadmap for addressing challenges confronting young Nigerians.
Ogbuku, who spoke at the 2026 National Youth Conference held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, described the gathering as a historic opportunity for young people to contribute meaningfully to shaping the country’s future.
The conference, themed, “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future”, produced an 18-point action agenda covering six critical areas of national development.
The six priority areas are Governance, Leadership and Political Participation; Economic Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Job Creation; Education and Seven-Star Skills for the Future; Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation; Climate Change and Energy Transition; and Social Cohesion and Security.
The NDDC Managing Director said the conference outcome represented an important step towards harnessing the ideas, creativity and energy of young Nigerians in addressing the country’s development challenges.
He urged the delegates to embrace national unity, mutual understanding and collaboration across ethnic and regional divides, while demonstrating their readiness to assume leadership responsibilities.
Ogbuku also encouraged the youths to translate their passion for change into practical solutions that would promote national development, expressing optimism that the recommendations from the conference would contribute significantly to building a better Nigeria.
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the 18-point recommendations were translated into tangible policies and programmes.
The President directed the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, to collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, the private sector and development partners to develop a practical implementation framework for the recommendations.
He stressed that young Nigerians must be actively involved not only in policy formulation but also in the implementation and monitoring of decisions affecting their future.
Tinubu noted that the success of the conference would ultimately be measured by the extent to which its recommendations improved the lives of young people.
He acknowledged challenges confronting Nigerian youths, including unemployment, rising cost of living, limited access to education, inadequate business opportunities and insecurity, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities through education, skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted the importance of investor confidence, economic growth and job creation to national development.
He urged young Nigerians to embrace innovation, constructive engagement and practical solutions, noting that positive perceptions of the country and a conducive investment environment were essential to expanding economic opportunities.
Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, announced that the conference had produced the 18-point action agenda across the six thematic areas, providing a framework for addressing youth concerns and strengthening their participation in Nigeria’s development.
L-R: Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Chairman of the Rivers Elders Forum, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra and APC Governorship Candidate for Rivers State, Rt Hon Kingsley Chinda at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Rainbow Coalition in the state to embrace teamwork, unity and sincerity of purpose to ensure victory for President Bola Tinubu, the party’s governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and other candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Fubara gave the charge on Thursday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, insisting that the ability of the state to deliver massive votes for the party and its candidates would depend largely on the willingness of members to work together.
The governor described unity as the surest path to electoral success, noting that the present political alignment offered an opportunity to consolidate on the achievements of the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, when a united campaign structure mobilised support for him and President Tinubu.
According to him, the inclusion of some individuals who belonged to opposing political camps during the previous elections had further strengthened the coalition and made the task of mobilisation easier.
Fubara, however, cautioned that such an expanded political platform could only succeed if members demonstrated genuine commitment and avoided divided loyalties.
L-R: Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (left) in a tet-a-tet with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
He thanked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, who coordinates the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, as well as other political leaders who worked towards the inauguration of the council.
The governor also congratulated those appointed into the campaign council, urging those whose names were not included in the initial list not to feel discouraged, as more opportunities would emerge with the constitution of sub-committees and possible updates to the list.
The FCT minister, who is also the national leader of the PDP/Rainbow Coalition, reminded members that their appointments were based on their capacity to contribute meaningfully to the campaign and deliver electoral results.
He charged them to work assiduously towards securing victory for Tinubu and other APC and Rainbow Coalition candidates in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
Wike disclosed that, in addition to the presidential campaign council and its sub-committees, local government campaign councils would soon be inaugurated to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and ensure wider coverage across the state.
He reiterated the need for members to demonstrate commitment and work collectively to deliver massive votes for the coalition’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The managerial merry-go-round in the Premier League has gathered pace, with Crystal Palace and Manchester United parting ways with their respective managers, Pierre Sage and Michael Carrick, within 24 hours, raising fresh questions about which manager could be next to lose his job.
Crystal Palace announced on Thursday that Sage had left the club after just 16 matches in charge, following a disappointing run of results that left the London side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. The club also confirmed the departure of three members of his coaching staff: Jamal Alioui, Damien Della Santa and Sandy Guichard.
In a statement on its website, Palace thanked Sage and his assistants for their contributions and wished them well in their future endeavours.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Pierre and his staff for their efforts during their time in South London, and wish them well for the future,” the statement said.
The club added that an update on the appointment of a new manager would be provided in due course. Sage was appointed in June on a three-year contract to replace Oliver Glasner but struggled to make an impact at Selhurst Park.
The Frenchman managed only two victories and one draw in 10 Premier League matches, with his final outing ending in a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Palace had also suffered four consecutive league defeats and conceded 24 goals in their opening 10 matches, leaving them bottom of the standings.
According to The Guardian, Sage had been under mounting pressure since the club’s 5-0 defeat to Brighton last month, with Palace’s hierarchy increasingly concerned about the team’s poor performances.
The 47-year-old arrived at Selhurst Park with considerable expectations after previous spells at Lyon and Lens, where he helped the latter secure qualification for the Champions League.
His departure came on the same day Manchester United confirmed the dismissal of Michael Carrick, making it two high-profile managerial casualties within 24 hours.
Carrick’s exit followed a disastrous start to the campaign that left United struggling in the relegation zone, with only eight points from their opening 10 Premier League matches.
The former United midfielder had initially been appointed in January and exceeded expectations by guiding the club to a third-place finish at the end of the 2025/26 season.
He won 12 of his 17 matches during that period, recording the highest points tally in the league over the same stretch, before signing a two-year contract in May.
However, United’s fortunes have taken a dramatic downturn this season, with just three victories in 15 matches across all competitions.
His final match was Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, after which he insisted he had no intention of walking away from the job.
But the club’s hierarchy reportedly reached the decision to dismiss him following a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday involving co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
United, in announcing his departure, said the decision followed a disappointing start to the season and the need for a change to achieve the club’s ambitions.
Carrick had earned praise for stabilising the team after Ruben Amorim’s turbulent reign ended in January. However, an underwhelming transfer window, concerns over dressing-room discipline and disagreements involving senior players reportedly contributed to his difficulties.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped after criticising Carrick’s tactics following a 4-1 defeat to Champions League debutants Como, while defender Lisandro Martinez also expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s recruitment policy.
Meanwhile, former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, currently in charge of the United States national team, has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Carrick at Old Trafford.
With two managers already shown the exit door within a day, attention is now turning to other clubs experiencing difficult starts to the season.
The Premier League’s unforgiving managerial landscape has once again demonstrated that reputation and past achievements offer little protection when results fail to meet expectations.
But with Crystal Palace and Manchester United already making their moves, the big question is: whose turn will it be next?
Minister of the Regional Development Commission, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, and NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, inspecting the reconstruction of the Sapele-Benin Expressway in Delta State. With them are the NDDC Director, Edo State Office, Mr Friday Ehiorobo (left); the NDDC Director, UIDW, Engr. Kingsley Oboh (right); and the Site Manager, Engr. Michel Isah (2nd right).
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intensified efforts to restore the damaged sections of the Benin-Sapele Expressway linking Edo and Delta states, following an inspection tour by the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who expressed concern over the slow pace of work and charged the construction firm to accelerate the reconstruction.
Momoh, who inspected the ongoing project alongside the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, urged the contractor to expedite work to ease the hardship faced by motorists and commuters and restore safety on the strategic highway.
The minister’s intervention comes amid concerns over the deplorable condition of the road, which serves as a major transportation corridor for the South-South region and facilitates the movement of people, goods and services between Edo and Delta states.
He commended the NDDC for undertaking the reconstruction of approximately 15.4 kilometres of failed sections of the expressway, describing the intervention as significant to improving connectivity and stimulating economic activities in the two states.
However, he admonished the construction firm to address the identified shortcomings and quicken the pace of work, stressing the need for timely delivery of the project.
Momoh assured that observations made during the inspection would receive the necessary attention, adding that relevant government agencies and contractors would be encouraged to take appropriate measures to address the defects identified.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to providing durable road infrastructure that would improve transportation and support economic activities across states along the East-West Road corridor.
In his remarks, Antai assured that the Commission would accelerate the reconstruction of the 15.4-kilometre stretch, explaining that the intervention was designed to restore the road after prolonged deterioration had made sections of it almost impassable.
He said the condition of the road had, until recently, caused serious traffic congestion and accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles. “In the past two months, the road was impassable; trucks were falling over, causing lots of gridlock, but with the intervention of NDDC, none of that is happening again,” he said.
Antai explained that the reconstruction was being executed in phases to avoid a complete shutdown of the busy highway and minimise disruption to commuters and commercial activities.
“The damaged sections of the road under repair by NDDC cover 15.4 kilometres, but we are taking the repairs in stages because the road is a major artery in the South-South region. Therefore, we can’t shut down the entire stretch at once,” he said.
He thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta, assuring that the NDDC Board and management, led by Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie, and Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, remained committed to delivering on the Commission’s mandate.
The construction firm’s site manager, Engr. Michel Isah, attributed the delay in the project to adverse weather conditions but assured that the reconstruction would be completed within three months, provided weather conditions remained favourable.
The inspection covered sections of the road at Ibada Elume in Warri-Sapele Local Government Area, Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area and Okwadede in Sapele Local Government Area.
The NDDC intervention is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel delays and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, petroleum products and other goods along the Benin-Sapele corridor.
With the minister’s call for an accelerated pace of construction, attention will now be on the contractor to meet the three-month completion timeline and ensure that the reconstructed sections provide lasting relief to road users.
Prof. Sunny Orike appointed to occupy chair as RICCEE emerges coordinating hub for six universities
Rivers State University (RSU) is set to strengthen its research capacity, expand its industrial partnerships and enhance its position as a centre for technological innovation following a $1.5 million professorial chair endowment secured from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The endowment, under a $9 million joint initiative involving six Nigerian universities, is expected to open new opportunities for the university in advanced research, postgraduate training, technology development and the commercialisation of academic discoveries. Professor Sunny Orike has been appointed to occupy the RSU Professorial Chair, which will focus on digital engineering, intelligent energy systems, automation and asset integrity.
The agreement was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the launch of the NLNG-NCDMB Professorial Chair Endowment Programme at the NLNG headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
A major advantage for RSU is the designation of its NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering (RICCEE) as the coordinating hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange among the six beneficiary universities.
The responsibility is expected to place the university at the centre of a national research network, providing opportunities for its academics and researchers to collaborate with counterparts in other institutions, share expertise and participate in multidisciplinary research projects.
Each of the six universities will receive $1.5 million, bringing the total endowment to $9 million. The other beneficiaries are the University of Ibadan, Modibbo Adama University, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja.
For RSU, the investment goes beyond the establishment of a professorial chair. It offers an opportunity to strengthen its research infrastructure, attract industry-backed research funding, improve the quality of postgraduate education and produce innovations that can address practical challenges in the energy and technology sectors.
Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi signing the MoU.
It also provides a framework for closer engagement with NLNG and other industrial organisations, enabling the university to align its research priorities with the needs of businesses and industries, particularly in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described the endowment as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s intellectual sovereignty and expressed appreciation to NLNG and NCDMB for their investment in the university.
He said the initiative presented an opportunity to transform industry-academia collaboration from the signing of Memoranda of Understanding into what he described as a “Memorandum of Action”, characterised by practical results in research, innovation and technological development.
According to him, the professorial chair would promote research that addresses Nigerian problems, supports local content development and provides practical solutions to industrial challenges.
He added that the initiative would strengthen the capacity of young researchers through mentorship, research funding and exposure to real-life industrial challenges.
Zeb-Obipi assured the partners of the university’s commitment to transparency and accountability in managing the endowment, pledging the necessary institutional support to ensure that the investment produces measurable results. He identified research publications, patents, functional prototypes and graduates equipped with industry-relevant skills as key outcomes the university hopes to achieve.
The Vice-Chancellor further noted that RSU’s strategic location within Nigeria’s energy hub presented opportunities for expanded partnerships across the oil and gas, maritime, agricultural and technology sectors.
In his keynote address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Engr. Adeleye Falade, described the programme as an investment in Nigeria’s capacity to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions.
He emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among government, industry and academia, noting that the changing energy landscape required continuous research and technological advancement to address challenges relating to operational efficiency, emissions management, safety, infrastructure maintenance and sustainable industrial processes.
Falade said the initiative would create opportunities for specialised training, academic exchanges, industrial sabbaticals, practical research testing and the joint development of postgraduate curricula under the Triple Helix model of collaboration.
He disclosed that discussions were already underway with RSU on implementation arrangements and commended Professor Zeb-Obipi for his role in advancing the proposed partnership.
He also revealed that organisations such as Google, Cisco and MTN had indicated interest in supporting the initiative, raising prospects for additional technology partnerships and opportunities for the beneficiary universities.
Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Board’s Senior Technical Adviser, Engr. Austin Uzoka, described the $9 million endowment as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
He said the programme complemented the Board’s investments in research infrastructure and would help bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application. Uzoka urged the beneficiary universities to prioritise research that delivers measurable outcomes and addresses practical industry needs.
Beyond the financial support for the professorial chairs, the programme will provide opportunities for infrastructure upgrades, knowledge-sharing initiatives and the involvement of industry professionals in postgraduate training at master’s and doctoral levels.
For RSU, these provisions could translate into improved research facilities, stronger postgraduate programmes, greater exposure for students and researchers, and increased opportunities for its graduates to acquire skills relevant to the demands of modern industries.
The university also stands to benefit from the commercialisation prospects of research discoveries, particularly in digital engineering, intelligent energy systems and automation, where industry partnerships can help transform academic ideas into functional technologies and commercially viable products.
The coordinating role assigned to RICCEE is particularly significant as it could enhance the university’s national and international research profile, attract further institutional partnerships and establish RSU as a major centre for industry-driven research and technological development.
Ahead of the formal launch, Professor Zeb-Obipi had addressed guests at a welcome cocktail reception on Monday, November 9, where he delivered an address titled “Reflections on Industry-Academia Collaboration”.
He advocated a shift from the mere signing of Memoranda of Understanding to concrete actions capable of advancing research, innovation and industrial development.
He identified the Advisory Board of RICCEE and the NLNG Bridge Programme as existing models for strengthening the relationship between the university and NLNG.
The new endowment is therefore expected to consolidate RSU’s existing relationship with the gas company while opening wider opportunities for collaboration with other industries and research institutions.
Its ultimate value to the university will be measured not only by the $1.5 million investment but also by the research facilities strengthened, innovations developed, postgraduate researchers trained, industrial partnerships established and technologies successfully transferred from the university to the marketplace.
President Bola Tinubu has announced a cash reward of ₦100 million for each member of Nigeria’s victorious Flamingos team following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the reward on behalf of the President on Wednesday when she received the players and their coaching officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She said the gesture was in recognition of the team’s outstanding performance and achievement, which had brought pride and honour to Nigeria.
According to her, the ₦100 million awarded to each player would be kept in trust for them in designated banks. The head coach of the team will also receive ₦100 million, while members of the technical crew have been awarded ₦50 million each.
The presidential reward forms part of the Federal Government’s recognition of the young players for their historic achievement at the international tournament.
The Flamingos’ victory marked a significant milestone for Nigerian football and further underscored the country’s growing prominence in women’s football.
The Flamingos made history on November 7 after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, to win their first-ever title in the competition and become the first African nation to lift the trophy.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s lead shortly after the restart. Japan reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure the historic victory.
The triumph was particularly significant as it marked the first time an African women’s national team had won a FIFA World Cup title at any level. It also surpassed Nigeria’s previous best performance in the competition, a third-place finish at the 2022 edition in India.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned that shrinking civic space, political intimidation and impunity for electoral offences pose serious threats to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, urging relevant authorities to take urgent steps to address the challenges ahead of the polls.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Anthony Ojukwu, gave the warning at the 2026 Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum on the State of Human Rights in Abuja, organised by the NHRC with support from the European Union (EU).
The forum, with the theme, “Protecting Human Rights in Civic and Political Spaces in the 2027 Elections,” was held as Nigeria prepares for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
Ojukwu disclosed that the Commission completed 2,458 investigations and conducted 113 monitoring visits to police stations, correctional centres and other places of detention within the period under review.
He said the figures underscored the need for stronger institutional responses, accountability and sustained protection of fundamental human rights, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections. On preparations for the polls, the executive secretary said the NHRC’s Human Rights Election Situation Room would operate round-the-clock throughout the election period.
He explained that the initiative would be supported by monthly human rights dashboards and bulletins, deployment of monitors to identified hotspots and legal aid partnerships to provide assistance where violations occur.
The Commission also welcomed the recent passage of the NHRC Amendment Bill, which incorporates the Human Rights Defenders Bill, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the protection of individuals and organisations working to promote human rights.
It, however, renewed its call for the establishment of a dedicated Electoral Offences Commission to address electoral crimes and strengthen accountability in the country’s electoral process.
Other participants at the forum included the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, a representative of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and officials of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged delay in releasing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment nullifying the National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President, David Mark.
The protesters called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene, accusing the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, of withholding the November 5 judgment despite an application by the party’s lawyers and payment of the prescribed fees.
They argued that the delay was frustrating the party’s efforts to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal and could undermine its constitutional right to seek redress.
In the letters, titled, “Urgent Appeal for Diplomatic Attention and Support for Due Process, the Right of Appeal and Credible Elections in Nigeria”, they sought international attention to the controversy surrounding the judgment in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe against the ADC and others.
Speaking during the protest, a former Acting Chairman of the ADC in the Federal Capital Territory, Yusuf Shehu Tijani, described the judgment as a sham and accused the judge of frustrating the party’s right of appeal by failing to release its certified copy.
Tijani questioned the decision of the Federal High Court in view of what he described as the Supreme Court’s recognition of Mark’s leadership of the party. He said, “Our reason for coming here today is what Justice Lifu is doing. He is holding on to the sham judgment he said he passed. He should send the CTC, so that we can get it and appeal the judgment.
“Moreover, the Supreme Court already affirmed the leadership of Senator David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress. So why is the High Court going against that recognition?”
“The protest is to call on the NJC to pressure this man, let him do what is right, because justice must prevail in Nigeria. This is not a jungle. This is a country that has laws, that has rules, and we have to follow the Constitution of the country,” he added.
The protest followed a November 10 petition by members of the ADC candidates’ forum to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, demanding the immediate release of the judgment.
The petition, signed by Audu Aliyu on behalf of the candidates, said the party’s lawyers applied for the CTC immediately after the judgment was delivered on November 5 and paid the required fees.
However, they alleged that repeated visits to the court registry had yielded no result, five days after the judgment.
The candidates warned that the delay could render their constitutional right of appeal meaningless, particularly with critical electoral deadlines approaching. “We disagree with the judgment. We have a constitutional right to appeal it. But we cannot appeal what we do not have,” the petition stated.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the NJC, INEC Chairman, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja branch, and the Inspector-General of Police.
The November 5 judgment nullified Mark’s emergence as ADC National Chairman and invalidated decisions taken by the party under his leadership, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Lifu also directed INEC not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC (North-East), who claimed that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Meanwhile, the ADC filed a notice of appeal on November 6 and applied for a stay of execution, urging INEC not to take any action capable of prejudicing the outcome of the appeal.
The Senate has approved a ₦100 million donation to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, in recognition of their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the donation during plenary on Tuesday while presiding over a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central), seeking to congratulate the team on its remarkable achievement.
Moving the motion, Ningi described the Flamingos’ victory as a historic milestone, noting that the young players had accomplished what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to achieve. He said the triumph was particularly remarkable given the relatively low expectations surrounding the team before the tournament.
The senator, however, expressed concern that the players had not received adequate publicity and national recognition for their achievement, despite bringing honour to Nigeria and the African continent. He also lamented the apparent lack of sufficient official recognition accorded the team upon its return to the country.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) praised the players for defeating Japan in the final, describing their performance as a testament to the talent, determination and potential of Nigerian youths.
Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s achievements rather than concentrate exclusively on its challenges.
He also appealed to the Senate leadership to support the players financially, particularly to enable them to pursue their education alongside their sporting careers.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion, congratulating President Bola Tinubu on his support for sports development, Nigerians on the historic victory and the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.
It also called on the Federal Government to adequately reward the players in recognition of their outstanding performance.
In his remarks, Akpabio described the Flamingos’ victory as a major achievement for Nigeria and Africa, particularly their impressive run against established football nations, including Brazil and Japan.
He urged the Federal Government to ensure that the players received appropriate rewards, while calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the team together and invest in their further development.
The Senate President also appealed to wealthy Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to support the players and encourage more young people to embrace sporting activities.
He said the ₦100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to appreciate the players’ achievement and motivate them to continue bringing honour to the country.
“I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time and for Nigeria.
“We also urged, and we pray that the Federal Government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.
“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” Akpabio said.
He congratulated the players, the Senate Committee on Sports and Nigerians on the historic accomplishment, describing the victory as a source of national pride.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has accused governors of oil-producing states in the Niger Delta of mismanaging the 13.5 per cent derivation funds, alleging that their failure to channel the resources into the development of oil-bearing communities has perpetuated poverty and underdevelopment in the region.
The organisation has consequently called for an amendment to the law establishing the derivation funds to ensure that the benefits of oil production are directly channelled to communities from which the resources are extracted rather than being left at the discretion of state governors.
MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, made the call while delivering his address at the 31st memorial of the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders by the military government of the late General Sani Abacha.
Nsuke lamented that decades after the sacrifices of Saro-Wiwa and other Niger Delta activists, the region remained trapped in poverty despite the enormous revenues accruing to oil-producing states.
He argued that the governors had failed to justify the huge resources allocated to their states through the derivation principle, insisting that the money had not translated into meaningful development in the communities bearing the environmental and social costs of oil exploration.
According to him, the original intention of the derivation fund was to address the peculiar developmental challenges of oil-producing areas, but the present administrative arrangement has made it susceptible to abuse and diversion from its intended purpose.
“The idea of derivation funds was to address the underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region. However, the structure of administration of the funds makes it vulnerable to abuse and has left the funds at the discretion of state governors. This needs to be addressed,” he said.
The MOSOP president maintained that the struggles of Saro-Wiwa and other martyrs would amount to little if the people of the oil-producing communities continued to suffer deprivation while the revenues generated from their land were controlled and spent according to the priorities of state governments.
Citing the Ogba/Egbema communities of Rivers State, particularly Ndoni, Nsuke said the area contributes significantly to the state’s oil revenue but receives little corresponding investment in infrastructure and other basic amenities.
He regretted that communities responsible for generating substantial revenue were often neglected because governors retained control over the allocation of derivation funds without any effective mechanism compelling them to prioritise the needs of the producing areas.
Nsuke said the situation was a clear contradiction of the principle of derivation, which was introduced to ensure that communities and states bearing the consequences of resource extraction benefited meaningfully from the wealth generated.
He insisted that the law should be amended to guarantee direct and proportionate investment of derivation revenues in the areas where the resources originate.
The MOSOP leader also blamed the persistent poverty, poor infrastructure and lack of basic amenities in the Niger Delta on the failure of successive state governments to account adequately for the enormous revenues received over the years.
He noted that the cumulative 13.5 per cent derivation allocations to oil-producing states since the introduction of the policy should have been sufficient to make significant improvements in water supply, security, roads and other essential infrastructure across the region. “It is important for the people to be united and hold their governments to account. We think what comes to the oil-producing states is significant enough to deal with basic issues such as water provision, security and infrastructure, and it is sad that the revenues are being largely mismanaged by the governors because the people are not holding them to account,” he added.
Nsuke, however, commended the current management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for what he described as its visible interventions in the region, urging the commission to sustain and expand its development efforts.
He described the NDDC as one of the institutions that emerged from the struggles of Saro-Wiwa and other Niger Delta activists, expressing satisfaction that the commission was beginning to make a difference under its present leadership.
“It is important that the areas from where resources are extracted should get their due rewards and a proportionate injection of the derivation funds. The structure for the administration of the derivation funds needs to change if we must achieve that.
“We are pleased that the NDDC under its present management is making some impressive impacts. MOSOP will encourage them to do more,” he said.
He called for greater solidarity among Niger Delta communities, stressing that regional unity was necessary to compel governors to account for the resources allocated to their states and ensure that oil-producing communities were no longer denied the benefits of their natural wealth.
Nsuke maintained that the people of the Niger Delta must move beyond commemorating the sacrifices of their heroes to demanding concrete accountability from those entrusted with managing the region’s resources.
