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After 30 Years, Daminabo Ogolo House Gets New Alabo-Designate

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…Ex-commissioner, Retired Shell Staff, Amaopusenibo Benneth George Daminabo Ogolo Emerges

Amaopusenibo Benneth George Daminabo.

After more than three decades without a substantive occupant, the historic stool of the Chief Daminabo Ogolo House, Diepri Polo, Opobo Town, has a new occupant-designate following the election of Amaopu Benneth George Daminabo Ogolo as Alabo-designate.

His emergence on Sunday October 1, 2026, having been unanimously elected by the Daminabo Ogolo House Seniapu Council, brings to an end a prolonged period of vacancy that began after the transition of the last chief of the house more than 30 years ago, and opens a new chapter in the leadership, unity and preservation of the heritage of the Daminabo Ogolo War Canoe House.

The election of the Alabo-designate has also attracted attention because of his extensive public service, traditional responsibilities and professional experience.
Amaopu Benneth George Daminabo Ogolo is a former Commissioner for Commerce in Rivers State and holds the traditional title of Amaopusenibo of Opobo. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS) and a retired staff of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

His emergence is therefore being seen within the context of a combination of traditional leadership, public service and corporate experience coming to bear on the stewardship of one of Opobo’s historic houses.

The stool of Alabo carries responsibilities beyond the administration of a family or house. In the traditional structure of Opobo, it is associated with the preservation of heritage, the promotion of unity and the protection of the values and traditions handed down through generations.

For the Daminabo Ogolo War Canoe House, the return of a recognised leadership structure after more than 30 years represents a significant moment in its continuing history.

Congratulating the Alabo-designate, well-wishers described his election as both an honour and a call to service, urging him to deploy his experience and standing in public life towards strengthening the bonds of brotherhood within the house and contributing to the wider development of Opobo.

Alabo-elect Benneth George Daminabo (3rd right, front row) shortly after his election with members of Chief Daminabo Ogolo House Seniapu Council, last Thursday at Opobo.

The Alabo-designate was urged to approach the responsibilities of the stool with wisdom, humility, fairness and a commitment to peace and reconciliation.

His supporters also expressed hope that his tenure would strengthen the cultural identity of the Daminabo Ogolo War Canoe House, preserve its ancestral heritage and promote unity, progress and prosperity among its members.

The election was described as more than a change in leadership, but as an opportunity to reconnect the present generation with the legacy of the forefathers of the house.

As Amaopusenibo Benneth George Daminabo Ogolo prepares to assume the responsibilities of the stool, expectations are high that his experience in government, the corporate sector and traditional institution will contribute to a new phase in the history of the Daminabo Ogolo House.

For a House whose Alabo stool has remained vacant for over three decades, his emergence marks the beginning of a new chapter in a story deeply rooted in the history and traditional institution of Opobo Town. He will be formally presented to the general house for ratification and confirmation at a date to be announced soon, before his installation.

RSU Champions Urban Greening To Tackle Heat, Air Pollution In Port Harcourt

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The Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has called for a coordinated urban greening campaign to combat rising temperatures, air pollution, flooding and the rapid loss of tree cover in the city.

The university made the call on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when scholars, government officials, environmental experts and other stakeholders converged at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Hall, Senator Francis Ella’s Administrative Building, for a public lecture on urban greening.

The programme, organised by the university’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Studies, examined practical approaches to creating a healthier and more resilient urban environment in Port Harcourt and its environs.

The lecture, which also featured a tree-planting exercise, underscored the relevance of urban greening to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 3, 11, 13 and 15, which focus on health and well-being, sustainable cities, climate action and life on land.

Declaring the event open, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said the initiative reflected the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship amid growing threats from deforestation, perennial flooding, air pollution and climate change.

Zeb-Obipi, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Blessing Jaja, said the programme went beyond symbolism by offering practical approaches to achieving a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
He assured participants that the university would continue to provide intellectual leadership and strengthen partnerships with communities, government institutions and other stakeholders in tackling environmental and climate-related challenges.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Studies, Professor Sodienye A. Abere, described the programme as the centre’s maiden tree-planting initiative in host communities and beyond.

Abere said the centre, established on January 18, 2023, was created to combine academic knowledge with practical action on climate change and sustainable development.

He described the initiative as a starting point for wider environmental intervention across Rivers State, stressing that sustained collaboration among universities, government, communities and other stakeholders would be critical to its success.
The centre, he added, would prioritise economic and environmentally beneficial trees according to the needs of host communities.

The keynote paper, titled, “Urban Greening to Reduce Extreme Heat and Improve Air Quality in Port Harcourt Metropolis: The Role of Stakeholders,” was delivered by Professor K. E. Opara.

Opara warned that the rapid loss of tree cover in Port Harcourt, driven by unplanned urbanisation, infrastructural expansion and inadequate land-use planning, was contributing to increased heat and poor air circulation. He identified vehicular emissions, industrial activities and gas flaring among sources of air pollution affecting the metropolis.

According to him, strategic tree planting, green belts, rooftop gardens and the preservation of wetlands could provide practical nature-based solutions to the city’s environmental challenges. He said vegetation could help moderate urban temperatures, improve air quality, support biodiversity and enhance the quality of life of residents.

Opara called for greater involvement of government agencies, the private sector, traditional institutions, youth organisations, civil society groups and residents in the urban greening agenda.

He recommended mass tree planting along streets, around schools and markets and within residential communities, as well as stronger enforcement of environmental planning laws.

He also advocated the integration of green infrastructure into urban development plans and sustained public awareness of the economic, environmental and health benefits of a green economy.

In a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Tamoialadieokuma Ishmael, represented by Dr Nimi Elele, advocated increased tree planting across the state.

He said a greener Port Harcourt could be achieved if tree planting became both a deliberate government policy and a sustained community culture. She noted that the initiative would contribute to healthier communities and advance the objectives of SDG 3 on good health and well-being.

The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, represented by the Director of Forestry, Mrs Mercy Iboroma, urged youths to explore agriculture and other opportunities in the emerging green economy.

She said sustainable agriculture could provide employment, entrepreneurship and other economic opportunities for young people, while expressing the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with RSU and host communities on tree planting and related initiatives.

The Director of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr Ibimina Wokoma, pledged the agency’s support for the university’s environmental initiative.

Wokoma said RIWAMA was prepared to collaborate with the university and other stakeholders in improving waste management and creating an enabling environment for tree planting. He stressed the importance of effective waste management and sustainable consumption and production to building a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.

Also speaking, the President of the Rivers State University Women Association (RISUWA), Dr Victoria Zeb-Obipi, underscored the role of women in promoting environmental sustainability.

She said women had an important responsibility in nurturing, protecting and sustaining the environment for future generations, noting that tree planting could also contribute to the development of a green economy.

The event culminated in a tree-planting exercise led by the Vice Chancellor’s representative, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, the Managing Director of RIWAMA and the President of RISUWA.

Fubara Orders ₦.2million Aid For Rivers Flood Victims, Plans Canals To Tame Floods

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  • …State rolls out free healthcare, food, relief materials
  • ….NEMA arrives with intervention as Odu seeks stronger Federal support

Chairman, Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee & Deputy Governor, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Nma Odu (Right), in a handshake with the Director, Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman (2nd Right), during the presentation of Cash Supports to the Flood Victims. With them is the Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Port Harcourt Office, Dr. Chidi Ogundu (Left), at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the payment of ₦200,000 to identified victims of the devastating floods ravaging parts of the state, as the government steps up emergency relief and begins preparations for long-term measures to tackle recurring flooding.

The intervention, announced yesterday by the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Prevention and Management Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, includes direct cash transfers, food and non-food relief materials and free healthcare for affected residents.

Odu, who disclosed the measures while receiving a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at Government House, Port Harcourt, said the governor issued the directive after returning from the United Nations General Assembly in New York and receiving reports on the worsening flood situation.

She said the governor directed the committee to return to the worst-hit communities and intensify relief operations, particularly in parts of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City local government areas where rising floodwaters had forced some residents to resort to canoes to reach their homes.

According to her, the ₦200,000 assistance is being transferred directly into the bank accounts of identified victims to eliminate third-party interference and ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
“This is to let you know that we have a compassionate Governor who cares about issues affecting the people, especially the downtrodden,” Odu told residents from Rukpokwu who were affected by the flooding.

She said trucks loaded with food and non-food items had already been deployed to several local government areas, with additional relief materials being sent to communities worst affected by the disaster.

Odu stressed that the state government’s intervention was not being guided by political, ethnic or social considerations, declaring that “flood does not know party affiliations.”
She added that the government had incorporated healthcare into its emergency response through the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme.

Under the arrangement, flood victims requiring medical attention would be registered and referred to nearby health facilities for free treatment, while cases requiring specialist care would be referred to higher-level hospitals, with the cost covered under the intervention.
The deputy governor said the healthcare support was expected to run for at least one year.

But beyond the immediate humanitarian response, Odu said the Fubara administration was working on a longer-term strategy to tackle the recurring flooding that has disrupted communities across the state.

She said the government was considering measures to redirect floodwaters into designated canals, alongside the clearing of blocked waterways, improvement of drainage systems and removal of obstructions. The canal project, she explained, would commence after the present floodwaters had receded.

Odu called for closer cooperation among the Federal, state and local governments, as well as NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross and other emergency-response agencies, to strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to flood disasters. She commended NEMA for responding promptly to the state’s distress call, saying the agency’s intervention team arrived within hours of receiving the appeal.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Abubakar Umar, represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Bature Usman, said the agency was in Rivers to sympathise with the state government and residents affected by the disaster.

Usman said NEMA had commenced an assessment of affected communities in collaboration with the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency (RSEMA) and other stakeholders. He said the agency would strengthen the capacity of RSEMA and other agencies involved in the response, adding that he would remain in the state to supervise the intervention.

He also disclosed that NEMA had brought relief materials for affected communities and would continue to collaborate with the state government to ensure timely response to flood emergencies.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the ₦200,000 intervention, including Mrs Precious Uzoka, Muritala Sanusi and Chinedu James Asonye, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara, describing the assistance as unprecedented in their communities.

The state government has assured flood victims that relief operations will continue alongside efforts to develop sustainable measures aimed at reducing the impact of flooding across Rivers State.

Fubara: My Heart, Spirit, Soul Were In Opobo Despite New York Duty …Governor Presents Staff of Office To Opobo Monarch, Urges Unity, Inclusion

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Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (right) presenting the Staff of Office to His Majesty King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI (left), the newly crowned Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom at Government House Port Harcourt on Friday.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said his “heart, spirit and soul” were in Opobo Kingdom despite his absence from the coronation of the new Amanyanabo, King Charles Douglas Mac-Pepple Jaja, Jeki VI, in Opobo Town.

Fubara, who spoke on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt, while formally presenting the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the monarch, explained that his absence from the September 26 coronation was occasioned by a call to national service in New York.

The governor, while congratulating King Jaja VI on his emergence after the selection and coronation processes, urged him to unite the kingdom and carry along all those who contested the stool but were unsuccessful.

He said the unsuccessful contenders should not be regarded as victims but as “comrades” whose contributions and support would be needed to move Opobo Kingdom forward under the new reign.

Fubara said his administration would be remembered for peacefully bringing to an end the succession crisis surrounding the late Amanyanabo, King Douglas Dandeson Jaja, and successfully midwifing the emergence of a new monarch without litigation.

According to him, the stool of the late monarch had been embroiled in a legal battle spanning more than 27 years, making the peaceful transition a particularly significant achievement.

He attributed the outcome to what he described as the wisdom and deliberate intervention of his administration in managing the selection process and ensuring that the kingdom did not return to another cycle of litigation.

The governor also dismissed insinuations that his absence from the coronation was politically motivated, stressing that his administration remained fully involved in the process from the burial of the late king through the selection and coronation of his successor.
“Our presence was not just in that process alone. Every logistics that were required, there is nobody that can say he’s the one that did it. We did it,” Fubara said.

“So, for those people who like using everything for politics, my absence was not an intentional thing; it was a call to service. So the fact that I was unable to make it doesn’t mean that I do not value, appreciate or support the process.”

Fubara said he remained one of the “proudest persons on earth” over the peaceful transition, adding that the success demonstrated what could be achieved when the interests of a community were placed above individual considerations.

He charged the new monarch to ensure that the peace achieved during the selection and coronation processes was sustained, stressing that the true test of kingship was in the management of success.

The governor urged King Jaja VI to prioritise education, healthcare and the development of small businesses, which he identified as critical to addressing youth unemployment and reducing criminality.

Describing Opobo as one of the most peaceful local government areas in Rivers State, Fubara charged the monarch to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to criminality and remain decisive in protecting the kingdom.
He cautioned against compromising security because of family or kinship ties, saying the traditional institution had an important role to play in safeguarding the lives and property of the people.

Fubara assured the monarch of the continued support of his administration, both during and after his tenure, while urging members of the Opobo Council of Alapu and titled citizens to move beyond ceremonial responsibilities and channel their influence towards tangible development.

He challenged them to initiate projects capable of making a visible difference in the kingdom within the next one year.

In his acceptance speech, the newly installed Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Charles Douglas Mac-Pepple Jaja, Jeki VI, pledged to build the kingdom on the pillars of service, inclusion and vision.

The monarch said his reign would honour the legacy of the great King Jaja, who founded the kingdom 156 years ago on the strength of trade, diplomacy and strategic engagement.

He described the Staff of Office as more than a symbol of traditional authority, saying it represented a sacred trust bestowed by the government and people of Rivers State.

King Jaja VI pledged to exercise the authority with justice, peace and dignity, while expressing gratitude to God, the ancestors, Governor Fubara, the Opobo Council of Alapu, titled citizens, elders, women and youths for the confidence reposed in him.

He assured the Rivers State Government that Opobo Kingdom under his leadership would remain a dependable partner in promoting peace, development and unity across the state.

The presentation of the Staff of Office formally marks the recognition of King Charles Douglas Mac-Pepple Jaja, Jeki VI, as the new Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom following his coronation on September 26.

3,414 NYSC Members Take Oath In Rivers, Fubara Charges Them on Integrity

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No fewer than 3,414 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to Rivers State have taken the oath of allegiance, formally commencing their one-year national service in the state.

The corps members, comprising the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I, took the oath at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, in Tai Local Government Area, during a ceremony presided over by Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Promise Oguzie, Fubara described the corps members as “critical assets to the growth and development of Rivers State.”

He urged them to approach their service year with commitment, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing the importance of their contribution to the development of their host communities and the state.

The governor also called on the management of the NYSC to continue to introduce pragmatic reforms that would keep the scheme relevant to the changing realities and aspirations of young Nigerian graduates.
He urged the managers of the scheme to expand the scope and operations of its flagship programmes to deepen their impact and sustain public confidence in the NYSC.

Fubara also charged the corps members to uphold integrity, honesty and patriotism when called upon to serve as ad hoc personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2027 general elections.
He said they had a responsibility to repay the confidence Nigerians reposed in them by conducting themselves with integrity, honesty, patriotism and the fear of God.

Earlier, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Moses Oleghe, expressed confidence that the corps members were physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally prepared for the demands of national service.
Oleghe urged them to use their service year to make meaningful contributions to their host communities while demonstrating discipline and commitment to national unity.

He also commended Governor Fubara for approving the construction of 1,000-capacity hostel facilities each for male and female corps members, as well as a new NYSC state secretariat and State Coordinator’s lodge.
The NYSC coordinator expressed optimism that contractors handling the projects would soon be mobilised to site.

The administration of the oath of allegiance to the 3,414 corps members was conducted by Justice Frank Onyiri on behalf of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, formally ushering the corps members into the service year.

The ceremony marked the beginning of their statutory national service in Rivers State, where they are expected to contribute to communities across the state while gaining professional and civic experience.

Man City Appeals Premier League Commission’s Ruling, Cites Errors In Law, Facts

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Manchester City have formally appealed the opinion issued by the Premier League Commission in the club’s disciplinary case, alleging material errors of law, principle and fact.

The club confirmed that it lodged a comprehensive appeal at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026, challenging the Commission’s opinion on several grounds.
In a statement published on its official website on Friday, the English Premier League champions described the opinion as containing “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact”, arguing that the findings were unsafe.

Manchester City also reiterated its position that it was innocent of the allegations brought against it by the Premier League, insisting that a comprehensive body of evidence supported its case.

The club said it remained committed to respecting due process but noted that restrictions arising from the ongoing proceedings limited what it could disclose publicly.

NDDC Bridges Digital Gap, Equips 100 Akwa Ibom Women For Online Markets

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NDDC Director, Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs. Lyna Okara and the NDDC Director, Akwa Ibom State Office, Engr. Evong Evong (middle), with participants during the NDDC digital empowerment ICT skills and online market access programme for women in Akwa Ibom State.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has trained and equipped 100 women in Akwa Ibom State with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital marketing skills as part of efforts to strengthen women-owned businesses and connect them to wider markets through the digital economy.

The two-day training programme, held in Uyo, was designed to provide women entrepreneurs with practical skills to promote their products and services online, expand their customer base and take advantage of opportunities created by digital commerce.

The intervention also included the distribution of Android phones to the beneficiaries as starter packs, giving them practical tools to apply the skills acquired during the training.

Speaking at the programme, the NDDC Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, said the initiative was aimed at equipping women with the knowledge and digital tools required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven business environment.

According to her, the beneficiaries, drawn from different sectors including tailoring, catering, agriculture, photography and other businesses, were being introduced to digital marketing, online business development and networking.

“We are here to train and graduate 100 women selected from Akwa Ibom State and teach them ICT skills for digital marketing and online businesses. This will help them take their products to the global market, where they can interact, network and connect with potential customers,” Okara said.

She said the intervention was particularly important because access to digital platforms could enable small businesses to overcome traditional market limitations and reach customers beyond their immediate communities.

Okara explained that the Android phones provided to the women would enable them to create business pages, design promotional materials and market their products and services online.

She urged the beneficiaries to extend the knowledge acquired to other women in their communities, stressing that the impact of the intervention should go beyond the 100 participants.

“The resources may not go round to everyone, but those of you who are here today should ensure that others benefit. Let what you have learnt here today cascade to other people who do not have the opportunity to be here,” she said.

Also speaking, the NDDC Director, Akwa Ibom State Office, Mr Evong Evong, said the programme was intended to help women entrepreneurs make effective use of online platforms to improve their businesses and gain access to larger markets.

He expressed confidence that the digital exposure would help the beneficiaries expand their customer base, attract clients beyond Nigeria and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the online marketplace.

One of the facilitators, Engr. Yireobong Akpaba, emphasised the need for small businesses to establish credible digital identities as part of their growth strategy.

Akpaba took the participants through the use of online business applications, email addresses and unique brand identities, among other digital tools. He also explained the importance of domain names, noting that domains had been created for the participants to enable them to establish an online presence after the training.

Another ICT expert, Mr Godwin Sunday, provided practical lessons on the use of digital tools to improve business operations, marketing and customer engagement.
For the beneficiaries, the intervention offered an opportunity to acquire skills and tools that could translate into tangible business growth.

In her vote of thanks, Mrs Obonodo Ini Uko expressed appreciation to the NDDC for combining the training with the provision of Android phones, saying the women were delighted with both the knowledge and practical support.

A young photographer, Esther Augustine, also commended the Commission for providing what she described as both knowledge and practical tools for women entrepreneurs.

Augustine said the skills acquired would enable her to restructure her photography business, strengthen its online presence and reach more prospective customers.

The intervention underscores the growing importance of digital access and skills in enabling small businesses, particularly women-owned enterprises, to move beyond local markets and participate more effectively in the wider digital economy.

Netanyahu Alleges Pilot Tried To Crash Flydubai Jet, Kill 166 Israelis

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that a pilot aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv attempted to crash the aircraft after attacking his fellow pilot, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The incident occurred on Wednesday as the aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, including 166 Israelis, was travelling towards Israel.

All passengers were reported safe after the plane was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

According to Netanyahu, one of the pilots stabbed the other while the aircraft was flying over Jordan and then allegedly attempted to bring down the plane.

In a video message, the Israeli prime minister said an Israeli passenger managed to enter the cockpit after the aircraft began a steep descent and fought with the pilot allegedly attempting to crash the plane.

Netanyahu praised the passengers involved, describing their actions as courageous and saying they had prevented what could have been a major disaster.

Passenger accounts broadly supported the description of a struggle in the cockpit, although the circumstances surrounding the incident and the motive remained unclear.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon told reporters that the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” after one pilot allegedly attacked the other with a knife.

She said several passengers intervened and helped restrain the attacker, while a doctor on board provided first aid.

Another passenger, Almog Italie, described the aircraft’s sudden descent as resembling a rollercoaster ride, saying there was no turbulence despite the dramatic loss of altitude.

Data from Flightradar24 showed that the aircraft descended from nearly 34,000 feet to below 17,000 feet in about a minute.

Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk at about 9:45am local time and said the captain and co-pilot sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

The airline said all passengers were safe but added that the circumstances surrounding the altercation were not immediately known.
The aircraft was later expected to continue its journey to Tel Aviv after passengers waited in Tabuk.

Netanyahu said another member of the flight crew took control of the aircraft and landed it safely, while the pilot accused of attacking his colleague was being questioned by Saudi authorities.

He also said he had instructed Israeli security agencies to prepare for possible additional threats.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as an attempted “jihadist terror attack”, although he did not provide evidence or identify a source for the alleged motive.
Israeli media reported that the military scrambled fighter jets after concerns about a possible hijacking, while footage circulating on social media appeared to show a bloodied passenger appealing for assistance as the aircraft prepared to land in Saudi Arabia.

The nationalities of the two pilots were not officially disclosed, although Israeli media reports claimed one was Omani and the other Emirati.

Authorities were investigating whether the incident involved an attempted suicide crash, a deliberate attack or another motive.

The episode occurred against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions and weeks before Israel’s scheduled elections at the end of October. On Tuesday, Netanyahu had warned of possible attempts by Israel’s enemies to attack ahead of the elections, remarks that were criticised by the opposition as fear-mongering.

$2.1m Land Deal: Court Admits Wike’s Son’s US Passport, Adjourns Suit To Dec. 1

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has admitted in evidence the American passport of Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in a suit over an alleged $2.1 million land transaction.

Justice Silvanus Oriji, who is presiding over the case at the Maitama division of the court, admitted the passport yesterday after Jordan, while under cross-examination, told the court that he was outside Nigeria on September 26, 2025—the date the claimants alleged they handed him the money in Abuja.

The suit, marked CV/008/2026, was instituted by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited, who are seeking redress over an alleged transaction involving the proposed acquisition of 60 hectares of land in Katampe and Guzape districts of Abuja.

The claimants alleged that they initially met Jordan in London, where they established a relationship, before subsequently meeting him in Abuja about three months later.

According to their case, Jordan offered to assist them in securing 30 hectares in Katampe and another 30 hectares in Guzape, allegedly demanding $2.1 million as facilitation fees.
They claimed that $2 million of the amount was purportedly intended for his father, while the remaining $100,000 was described as Jordan’s personal fee.

The claimants further alleged that the money was handed over on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani, while Jordan was said to have been accompanied by one Onor Sandy.

They alleged that after receiving the money, Jordan failed to facilitate the acquisition of the land or refund the funds and subsequently became unreachable.
Jordan, however, denied the allegations and, through his legal team led by Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, maintained that he had no such dealings with the claimants.

During cross-examination by the claimants’ counsel, Ibrahim G. Waru, Jordan specifically denied being in Nigeria on September 26, 2025, when the alleged payment was said to have been made.
He told the court that he travelled out of the country using his American passport.

Following the claimants’ request, the court had directed Jordan to produce the passport to substantiate his testimony.

The defendant complied yesterday, leading to the admission of the document in evidence. The court made a copy of the passport and returned the original to Jordan.

Justice Oriji, however, directed the defence counsel to ensure that the original passport is produced whenever it becomes necessary during the proceedings.
Earlier, the claimants’ counsel had secured the court’s permission for Jordan to write his full name and signature five times each on plain sheets of paper.

The court also adjourned further hearing in the matter to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026.

NDDC 2026 Budget: Tinubu Seeks Speedy Reps Approval …Prioritises Youths, Power, Health

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President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to expedite consideration and passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2026 statutory budget, with youth empowerment, electricity, education, healthcare, security and agriculture identified as the commission’s key spending priorities.

The President made the request in a letter dated August 20, 2026, addressed to Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, transmitting the proposed budget for legislative approval.

According to Tinubu, the budget proposal was prepared by the Minister of Niger Delta Development in line with constitutional provisions and reflects the Federal Government’s fiscal direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“In line with the provisions of Section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Development has prepared the 2026 Statutory Budget Proposal of the NDDC, which is herewith forwarded for consideration and passage by the House of Representatives,” the President wrote.

He explained that the spending plan was based on the commission’s projected revenue and expenditure, while taking into account the Federal Government’s 2024–2026 Economic Recovery Growth Plan and the assumptions guiding the 2026 Appropriation Act.

Tinubu said the proposed allocations were designed to confront longstanding developmental challenges in the Niger Delta by expanding economic opportunities and improving access to essential services.

“The House of Representatives is invited to note that the NDDC is prioritising improvement in Youth Empowerment, Energy and Power Supply, Education, Industrial and Enterprise Development, Health, Security and increased productivity in Agriculture in order to lift a significant number of our citizens out of poverty,” he stated.

The renewed emphasis on youth empowerment and enterprise development comes amid persistent concerns over unemployment and limited livelihood opportunities for the region’s growing youth population.

Similarly, investments in power, agriculture and other infrastructure are expected to stimulate economic activities and improve living conditions across communities in the nine Niger Delta states. Tinubu urged the House to give the proposal prompt legislative attention.

“While I look forward to the timely passage of the 2026 Statutory Budget Proposal of the NDDC by the House of Representatives, please accept, Rt. Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest regards,” the President said.

The proposed budget will now undergo legislative scrutiny by the House and its relevant committees before consideration for passage.

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