FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos on their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, describing their victory over Japan as “well deserved”.
The Nigerian side defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The victory also made Nigeria the first African country to claim a FIFA Women’s World Cup title at any level, ending the continent’s long wait for a global women’s football crown.
Infantino, who congratulated the team shortly after the trophy presentation, described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigeria and African football.
“Congratulations to Nigeria, world champion U-17 Women’s World Cup of FIFA here in Rabat. First African team to ever win a (FIFA) Women’s U-17 World Cup — so many congratulations to Nigeria. Well deserved in the final,” he said.
The Flamingos’ triumph was particularly remarkable given their difficult start to the competition, having lost their opening match to Poland.
However, the Nigerian youngsters recovered impressively, winning six consecutive matches to lift the trophy. Their impressive run included a crucial victory over defending champions North Korea in the group stage, which revived their campaign.
In the final, Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage shortly after the restart.
Umejiaku’s 47th-minute strike, her fourth goal of the tournament, proved decisive and further underlined her outstanding performance, earning her the Golden Ball award as the competition’s best player.
Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute but the Flamingos held firm in the closing stages to secure a historic victory.
The triumph represents a major milestone for Nigerian football and establishes the Flamingos as pioneers of African women’s football on the global stage.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded full disclosure of the funding, implementation and administration of the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), warning that it could institute legal action if the authorities fail to provide the requested information.
SERAP specifically urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, to disclose details of the programme’s funding, beneficiary selection and payment arrangements, including contracts with digital financial service providers and safeguards against political interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a Freedom of Information request dated November 7, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation gave the minister seven days to provide the information and implement measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the programme.
The demand follows the ministry’s October 30 announcement of NERSI, which is designed to provide ₦50,000 financial assistance to vulnerable Nigerians.
However, SERAP said critical details about the intervention remained unclear, including its total funding, geographical coverage, number of beneficiaries, duration and criteria for selecting recipients from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
The organisation also expressed concern over conflicting information about the frequency of payments, noting that while the ministry’s public statement described the assistance as a monthly payment, its subsequent frequently asked questions (FAQ) document did not clearly establish how often beneficiaries would receive the money or how long the intervention would last.
SERAP urged the ministry to publish details of budgetary allocations, funds released and expenditure, eligibility requirements, verification procedures and the geographical distribution of beneficiaries. It also demanded an anonymised breakdown of beneficiaries and payments by state and local government area, including ward-level figures where available.
The organisation further called on the minister to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to independently monitor the programme, investigate allegations of corruption and ensure that public funds reach their intended recipients.
“Nigerians have a right to know how public funds allocated to NERSI are being spent, who is receiving the assistance, how beneficiaries are selected and whether the programme is reaching those most in need,” SERAP said.
It warned against the use of the intervention to reward political supporters, secure partisan loyalty or influence the electoral choices of vulnerable Nigerians.
According to the organisation, beneficiaries must not be required or encouraged to attend political rallies, support political parties or candidates, display political materials or demonstrate political allegiance as a condition for receiving the assistance.
SERAP stressed that NERSI was a government programme funded with public resources and should not be presented as a personal gift or political benefit from any public office-holder or political party.
“Publicly funded social assistance must be allocated strictly on the basis of genuine need and objective eligibility criteria,” it said.
The organisation also raised concerns over reports that some Nigerians who received notifications of the ₦50,000 assistance had been unable to access or withdraw the funds, while others were reportedly informed that they were ineligible.
It said the complaints raised questions about the accuracy of beneficiary verification, the reliability of payment arrangements and the effectiveness of mechanisms for resolving failed transactions and disputed eligibility.
SERAP called on the ministry to investigate the complaints, publish its findings and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive the assistance.
It also demanded disclosure of agreements with the digital financial service providers engaged to administer the payments, including ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
The ministry was asked to explain the respective roles of the companies, the fees payable to them, their performance obligations and the procedures for independently verifying payments.
On data protection, SERAP said the use of the National Social Register and national identity records to identify beneficiaries must be governed by clear rules and adequate safeguards.
It urged the government to explain how the databases were being accessed and used, protect beneficiaries’ personal information and make anonymised and aggregated data available for public scrutiny.
The organisation said the information gaps surrounding NERSI made it difficult for Nigerians to determine whether the intervention was being implemented fairly, whether public funds were properly accounted for and whether assistance was reaching those most in need.
It cited concerns raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2024 Annual Report over more than ₦78.8 billion allegedly diverted or unaccounted for in the administration of social intervention and cash transfer programmes. SERAP particularly referred to an alleged ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers made in 2023 for which relevant REMITA records and other supporting documents were reportedly not made available for audit.
It said the findings reinforced the need for strong financial controls, proper record-keeping, independent verification and effective oversight from the outset of NERSI.
The organisation acknowledged the importance of providing financial assistance to Nigerians facing poverty and economic hardship but insisted that programmes involving public funds and the personal information of vulnerable households must operate under transparent and publicly accessible rules.
It also cited Sections 13, 15(5), 16(2)(b) and 17(3)(d) of the Nigerian Constitution, which address the responsibilities of government in combating corruption, ensuring the equitable distribution of public resources and promoting citizens’ welfare.
SERAP further noted that Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption required integrity, accountability and transparency in the management of public affairs and public funds.
The organisation warned that failure to provide the requested information and take appropriate measures within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter would compel it to consider legal action against the ministry and other relevant authorities.
It said such action would seek to enforce their constitutional and statutory obligations and ensure the transparent, accountable and impartial implementation of NERSI in the public interest.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised President Bola Tinubu three million votes in the 2027 general elections, declaring the state’s support for his re-election bid.
Fubara gave the assurance on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, where he said Rivers had made its political choice and would not turn back. “Rivers will give you three million votes. We will stand by you. We will work for you. We will deliver for you,” the governor declared.
He also announced an end to political divisions in the state, saying leaders had put their differences aside and were now united behind a common political position in support of Tinubu.
According to him, the President had demonstrated commitment to Rivers State, adding that the people were prepared to reciprocate through their votes in the next general elections.
“We are not just talking. We will show it with our votes. Rivers people know how to keep their word,” he said.
Fubara urged APC supporters and political stakeholders to return to their respective wards and polling units to commence grassroots mobilisation, stressing that delivering the promised three million votes would require collective commitment and active participation.
The governor, however, clarified that despite his membership of the APC, Rivers State was operating a Rainbow Coalition involving political stakeholders from different parties.
“Let me also place it on record that, although I am an APC member, Rivers State operates under a Rainbow Coalition. Under this coalition, we have a shared slate that spans across the APC and the PDP. We assure you that our combined slate will be delivered come January 2027,” he said.
Fubara’s declaration comes amid intensified political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Tinubu’s supporters seeking to consolidate the President’s support base in Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
The Federal Ministry of Education has cancelled all admissions into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, for the 2026 academic session over alleged violations of regulatory guidelines.
The ministry also directed the institute to discontinue all university affiliations and degree-awarding arrangements, insisting that NTI lacks the statutory authority to award NCE and university degrees.
In a press release dated November 7, 2026, and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry warned prospective students, parents and the general public against seeking admission into the affected programmes.
It said no further admissions into the programmes, whether full-time, part-time or through Distance Learning Studies (DLS), would be permitted, urging members of the public not to apply, accept admission offers or make payments.
The directive followed alleged violations of the Ministerial Operational Guidelines issued on September 12, 2025. The ministry explained that admissions into NCE programmes must comply with the requirements of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the accreditation standards of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
It also directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to notify affected universities and ensure compliance with the decision to discontinue NTI’s degree-awarding arrangements.
However, in a move to protect students already enrolled in the affected programmes, the ministry said the NCCE would undertake a comprehensive accreditation exercise covering existing NCE II–IV Distance Learning programmes and study centres across the six geopolitical zones.
It added that eligible students would be allowed to complete their programmes, subject to the outcome of the accreditation exercise and other applicable regulatory requirements. The ministry clarified that NTI’s statutory mandate remained focused on teacher training, retraining, in-service development and continuous professional development.
According to the statement, the institute is also mandated to provide pedagogical capacity-building and administer the three-to-six-month Special Abridged Programme for serving teachers with non-Education degrees to acquire the professional competencies required for registration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), subject to applicable regulations.
It stressed that the intervention was designed to protect students, safeguard academic standards and prevent prospective applicants from falling victim to unapproved academic programmes.
The ministry therefore urged members of the public to verify the accreditation and admission status of programmes through relevant regulatory agencies and official government channels before making enrolment or payment decisions.
Nigeria’s public relations institute becomes the first in the world to win the prestigious international award in consecutive years.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has emerged the 2026 Global Public Relations Association of the Year, becoming the first professional institute in the world to win the prestigious international award for two consecutive years.
The award, regarded as the highest international recognition for public relations associations, was announced on Friday in Abuja by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green.
A statement signed by Stanley Ogadigo, Director, Public Relations of the NIPR, dated 6th of November, 2026, and sighted by The Atlantic Bell, stated that Green made the announcement at the launch of the Youth Digital Campaign for the forthcoming 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Forum’s Local Organising Committee.
He described NIPR’s consecutive victories as a significant achievement for Nigeria, noting that the competition attracted entries from public relations associations across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and India.
“It is truly a great honour for NIPR to have won this award for a second time running, which shows the calibre, experience and expertise within Nigeria. It is a true credit that couldn’t have come at a better time,” he said.
The Global Alliance said the award followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an international panel of distinguished judges. It added that the 2026 edition attracted 92 entries from different countries, underscoring the global reach and competitiveness of the awards.
Reacting to the recognition, NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the achievement demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to excel and provide global leadership across different fields of human endeavour.
He called on Nigerian leaders to harness the country’s enormous potentials to strengthen its international reputation and reposition its image before the global community.
“As an Institute charged with the responsibility of regulating the practice of public relations and manning the reputation gates of the nation, we understand the value of reputation and we are deliberate in telling the Nigerian story of excellence before the global community,” Neliaku said.
He added that the institute had continued to distinguish itself through initiatives, innovations and developmental projects aimed at advancing the public relations profession.
The NIPR president also expressed confidence that Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum would further consolidate the country’s standing in the global public relations community.
The forum, scheduled for November 15 to 22, 2026, is expected to attract international professionals and stakeholders in public relations and communication management.
Neliaku described the event as a national reputation project that would redefine global perceptions of Nigeria, expressing optimism that its impact would establish a standard difficult to surpass for decades.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party, warning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against taking any action that could prejudice the pending appeal.
The party said it had filed a notice of appeal against the judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside an application seeking a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.
The development was disclosed on Friday in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, who said INEC had been formally notified of the legal proceedings.
Shaibu said the application for a stay of execution was yet to be determined, urging the electoral commission not to proceed as though the pending legal challenge did not exist.
“The Commission must respect the judicial process and allow the appellate court to hear the case,” he said.
He warned that any consequential action by INEC before the appeal was heard could pre-empt the Court of Appeal and undermine the judicial resolution of the leadership dispute. In a related development, the party’s solicitors, S. E. Aruwa, SAN & Co., wrote to the INEC chairman on November 6, formally notifying the commission of the appeal and the application for a stay of execution.
The lawyers urged INEC to suspend further action on the subject matter of the suit pending the determination of the appeal.
Despite the legal challenge, the ADC said its political activities and preparations for the 2027 general election would continue without interruption.
“This is not the end of the road. The ADC is taking every lawful step to defend its rights, and we will not be intimidated or distracted from that responsibility,” Shaibu said.
He called on party members and supporters to remain calm and confident, assuring them that the party would sustain its political mobilisation and engagement with Nigerians.
“Our campaigns continue without interruption. There is no stopping the affordability train or our mission to make life better for Nigerians,” he added.
Justice Lifu’s judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman for the North-East, who challenged the emergence of Mark and other members of the caretaker committee after the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu. Bala had argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following Nwosu’s resignation.
The court ruled against the Mark-led leadership, nullifying the caretaker committee and its decisions, including those relating to the party’s process for selecting its 2027 presidential candidate. The judgment also cast a shadow over the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
Reacting to the ruling, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described it as an attempt to cripple the opposition and deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the proposed Ibom Deep-Sea Port and the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport in Akwa Ibom State to full international status.
The President announced the approvals on Friday while addressing residents at a rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Tinubu said the decision followed a request by Governor Umo Eno, describing the proposed deep-sea port as a major economic investment capable of driving development in the state and the wider South-South region.
“I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, a request for Ibom’s deep-sea port. Ibom Deep-Sea Port. It’s approved,” the President said.
The approval comes after Eno pledged that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved and facilitated the port project.
The governor had described the proposed facility as a strategic infrastructure project capable of unlocking the economic potential of Akwa Ibom, the South-South region and Nigeria at large.
Tinubu had made a similar commitment during his 2023 presidential campaign rally in Uyo, promising to establish a deep-sea port in the state. He had cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as a model for the proposed project.
The President also confirmed approval of the request to upgrade Victor Attah International Airport to international airport status, a move expected to strengthen the state’s aviation infrastructure and improve connectivity.
He further pledged his administration’s support for investments in education, skills development, job creation and economic growth, stressing the need to create sustainable opportunities for the people.
Tinubu particularly highlighted the economic prospects of palm produce, arguing that Akwa Ibom could generate more wealth through the cultivation and processing of palm products.
“There is no reason why Akwa Ibom cannot use the value of palm trees and the palms here. There is no reason that we cannot create skills, developmental skills, that are enduring and everlasting,” he said.
He maintained that development must be inclusive and translate into tangible economic benefits for residents, adding that the proposed port would create economic value and stimulate growth.
The President also urged the people to support Governor Eno’s administration, encouraging them to follow his leadership and heed his guidance.
He called on eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 4,485 corps members deployed to the state for the 2026 Batch C Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course to contribute meaningfully to the success of the 2027 general elections and national development.
Fubara, who gave the charge on Friday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area, urged the corps members to repay the confidence reposed in them by Nigerians through patriotism, integrity and selfless service.
The governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Promise Oguzie, gave the charge while declaring the orientation course open.
He assured the corps members of his administration’s commitment to prioritising their security and welfare throughout their service year. Fubara also urged them to reciprocate the love, support and goodwill of Rivers people by working diligently to make meaningful contributions to the development of the state.
The governor’s charge comes as the 4,485 corps members represent a significant deployment to Rivers State, with the state NYSC Coordinator, Moses Oleghe, describing the batch as the largest number of corps members ever posted to the state.
Oleghe attributed the high deployment to the attractive welfare packages provided for corps members serving in Rivers, but expressed concern over the pressure the increased number had placed on accommodation facilities at the orientation camp.
He appealed to the state government to urgently mobilise contractors to commence work on the approved 1,000-capacity hostels for male and female corps members to address the accommodation challenges.
The NYSC coordinator also urged the corps members to uphold moral values, neutrality, patriotism, integrity, honesty and transparency, particularly in their roles as ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2027 general elections.
He said their conduct would be critical to strengthening the nation’s democracy and ensuring the emergence of credible leaders at all levels.
The 4,485 corps members were subsequently sworn in by Justice Victor Ugorji, who represented the Chief Judge of Rivers State.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has cautioned the judiciary against political interference in opposition parties, warning that court decisions capable of weakening opposition groups could undermine multiparty democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s warning followed a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.
The NDC, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Friday, said judgments of such nature risk creating the impression that the courts were being used to frustrate opposition parties and weaken democratic competition. “We have noted the Federal High Court judgment derecognising the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress.
“While we respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, we are concerned that judgments of this nature, if not carefully handled, risk creating the impression that the courts are being used to scuttle democracy and weaken opposition,” the statement said.
The party also expressed concern over what it described as the pattern of judgments emanating from some High Courts, alleging that they suggested efforts to prevent the ADC from participating in the forthcoming general elections.
“The way some of these judgements are being churned out, especially from the High Courts, suggests a deliberate effort to shut out the ADC from the forthcoming general elections by other means.
“This would amount to further shrinking the chances of multi-party democracy, which is already under a big threat under the APC-led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” it added.
The NDC urged the judiciary to safeguard its independence, impartiality and integrity, while advising the ADC to challenge the judgment at the appellate court without delay.
It also called on the Court of Appeal to accord any appeal arising from the judgment accelerated hearing, citing the approaching 2027 elections and the need to prevent prolonged legal uncertainty from affecting the party’s participation in the electoral process.
The controversy followed a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, 2026, nullifying the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the ADC.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment, held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, violated the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The suit was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged Mark’s leadership and argued that he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership in accordance with its constitution.
The court also nullified decisions and actions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the party’s 2027 presidential primary, which produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.
It further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise the affected decisions. The ADC and Atiku have rejected the judgment and indicated plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Commandant, National Institute for Security Studies, Mr Joseph Odama(right), presenting an Award to the NDDC MD, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, during the Distinguished Personality Lecture at the NISS in Abuja.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intensified efforts to secure community buy-in for its development projects through stakeholder engagement, community monitoring committees and partnerships with traditional institutions, youth and women’s organisations, as part of a strategy to achieve lasting peace in the oil-rich region.
The Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said sustainable peace in the Niger Delta would depend not just on security operations but on making communities active participants in development planning, implementation and monitoring.
Ogbuku spoke in Abuja while delivering the Distinguished Personality Lecture at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), with the theme, “Peace Building Through Development: The Strategic Role of the NDDC in Stabilising the Niger Delta Region.”
He said the Commission had moved away from a transactional approach to development towards a transformational model designed to build public trust, strengthen community ownership and create sustainable economic opportunities. A major component of the strategy, according to him, is the introduction of Community Monitoring Committees, which gives host communities a direct role in monitoring development projects and ensuring that interventions meet their needs.
NDDC MD, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and the Commandant, National Institute for Security Studies, Mr Joseph Odama, in a group photograph with NISS Course Participants and NDDC Directors during the Distinguished Personality Lecture at the NISS, in Abuja.
He explained that the initiative, unveiled at the Commission’s 2026 Partners for Sustainable Development Conference in Port Harcourt, was intended to make communities stakeholders and owners of development projects rather than passive beneficiaries.
Ogbuku said the Commission had also presented a Stakeholder Document to strengthen engagement with communities and provide a framework for more inclusive development interventions. “When a community monitors a project, it has a greater stake in protecting that project. When governments listen to communities, they are more likely to trust them. Transparency underpins trust, and trust underpins peace,” he said.
He added that the NDDC had introduced its ‘Rewind to Rebirth’ initiative to recalibrate its engagement with Niger Delta stakeholders and reposition its intervention programmes to deliver more meaningful results.
The managing director maintained that decades of relying largely on security enforcement had shown that lasting peace could not be achieved without addressing the development deficits and economic frustrations confronting the region. “Experience has taught us that you cannot sustainably secure what you have persistently failed to develop,” he said.
He stressed the importance of coordinating development interventions across the region, warning that duplication of projects and perceived inequality in resource allocation could fuel resentment and undermine peace.
Ogbuku said the NDDC was collaborating with the Ministry of Regional Development, under Engr Abubakar Momoh, to harmonise regional development master plans within the framework of a National Policy on Regional Development.
He identified the Partners for Sustainable Development Forum, established under the NDDC Act, as a key platform for coordinating interventions by government agencies, state and local governments and development partners.
The NDDC boss cited the 27-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State, which connects 14 communities through 99 culverts and 14 bridges, as an example of the benefits of collaboration.
The project was executed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company. He also highlighted the Commission’s memorandum of understanding with the Nigeria LNG Limited for the Bonny Ring Road and the 3.65-kilometre Okrika-Borikiri Road, featuring three bridges, in Rivers State.
On youth restiveness, Ogbuku said the Commission was convinced that providing viable economic alternatives was more effective than relying solely on security measures to discourage criminality.
He argued that young people needed access to jobs, skills acquisition, agriculture, business opportunities and finance to make legitimate livelihoods more attractive than illicit activities.
“You cannot simply tell a young person to drop the arms without providing an alternative pathway to dignity and livelihood. That alternative may be a farm, a skill, a business, access to finance or a job,” he said.
Ogbuku further disclosed that the Commission had strengthened its corporate governance framework through measurable Key Performance Indicators and the digitisation of internal processes, including e-procurement, electronic contract award letters and the Electronic Memo platform.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the NDDC to complete ongoing projects and introducing a performance bond to strengthen accountability in project delivery.
The managing director also announced the completion of the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge in Rivers State, linking Khana and Andoni local government areas, which he said would be named the President Tinubu Bridge.
He called for collective responsibility in sustaining peace, urging traditional rulers to serve as peace ambassadors, youth and women’s groups to participate in project monitoring, and state and local governments to work with the Commission as development partners.
He also urged security agencies to recognise development institutions as partners in preventive security, rather than viewing peace-building solely through the lens of enforcement.
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies, Mr Joseph Odama, said the lecture brought together members of the intelligence and security community, opinion leaders and analysts to explore a new approach to national development.
Odama described Ogbuku as a pragmatic leader whose contributions to the Niger Delta were informed by experience and knowledge.
The NISS Commandant subsequently presented the NDDC managing director with the Distinguished Personality of the Year Award in recognition of his contributions to peace in the region.
