The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the abduction of college students in Kebbi State and urged the federal government to take urgent action to halt rising insecurity.

The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, made the position of the congress known in a statement in Abuja.

Ajaero said that the incident was shocking, especially happening in a state known for proactive security measures and steady social interventions.

He said the attack showed that the country must rethink its current security strategy to prevent further breakdown of safety across communities.

“The abduction of students in Kebbi is a painful reminder that insecurity is far from over.

“Kebbi has enjoyed stability due to regular payment of salaries, pensions, and visible infrastructural development, making the attack even more troubling

“That bandits struck with ease despite existing measures, points to something more sinister, something we must all be concerned about,’’ he said.

Ajaero said the promise made after the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction that such incidents would not happen again had not been fulfilled.

“We had promised that after Chibok, it would not happen again, yet, here we are back to where we started,’’ he added.

He called for collective support for the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, as the government and families dealt with the emotional trauma.

“The governor needs all the support he can get at this point in time,’’ Ajaero said.

He urged the federal government to intensify efforts in securing the country’s vast landmass, stressing that existing budgetary allocations had not produced meaningful results.

Ajaero said the shrinking physical and psychological spaces across the country should worry every Nigerian.

He warned that states currently facing attacks might not be the only ones at risk, noting that insecurity could escalate if not addressed urgently.

Land and property owners in parts of Elelenwo and Igwuruta communities in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State have been gripped by anxiety following a fresh move by the state government to revoke Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) covering extensive parcels of land.

The Atlantic Bell reports that the panic was triggered by a public notice published on Friday, November 14, 2025, in The Tide Newspaper, in which the state government announced its intention to withdraw titles for multiple plots — totalling more than 500 hectares — in Igwuruta, surrounding communities in Ikwerre LGA, and Elelenwo in Obio/Akpor LGA.

Issued under the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and citing “overriding public interest” pursuant to Section 28 of the Land Use Act 1978, the notice directs affected landowners to submit claims and supporting documents to the Ministry of Lands and Survey on or before November 28, 2025. Lands for which no claims are submitted will be deemed unclaimed and automatically taken over by the state.

Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr Tamunosaki Sordum, said valuation teams have begun assessing affected properties, assuring that compensation will reflect current market value plus an additional 10 per cent disturbance allowance.

The Atlantic Bell reports that the announcement has triggered a rush for clarification, with many buyers reportedly discovering encumbrances previously flagged in the state’s 2023 GIS land registry.

Government sources say the targeted area, strategically located near the Port Harcourt International Airport, has been earmarked for major infrastructure expansion, new road networks, and housing schemes under Governor Fubara’s 2025 development blueprint.

However, legal experts warn that classifying unclaimed plots as “unoccupied” could raise constitutional concerns over fair hearing, recalling previous controversies surrounding mass land revocations during the Greater Port Harcourt City project.

Community leaders in Elelenwo and Igwuruta have begun convening emergency meetings, urging residents to remain calm while advocating for transparent engagement and prompt compensation.

Meanwhile, long queues have formed at the premises of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in Diobu, Port Harcourt, as desperate landowners scramble to obtain copies of the November 14 edition of The Tide to study the notice. With the newspaper snapped off newsstands, prices reportedly surged to between ₦2,000 and ₦5,000 per copy, while photocopies sold for about ₦2,000.

Despite the tension, government officials maintain that the acquisition of dormant lands is essential to the state’s broader development agenda, aimed at decongesting Port Harcourt, boosting investment inflows and creating jobs for the state’s growing youth population.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared a total sum of N2.094 trillion revenue for the month of October among the Federal Government, states and the Local Government Councils (LGCs).

The revenue was shared at the November Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

This is according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which was made available to newsmen by Bawa Mokwa, the Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF)

The communiqué said that the N2.094 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.376 trillion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N670.303 billion, and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N47.870 billion.

The communiqué said that total gross revenue of N2.934 trillion was available in October.

It said that total deduction for cost of collection was N115.278 billion, while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N724.603 billion.

“Gross statutory revenue of N2.164 trillion was received for the month of October. This was higher than the sum of N2.128 trillion received in September 2025 by N36.832 billion.

“Gross revenue of N719.827 billion was available from the VAT. This is lower than the N872.630 billion available in September by N152.803 billion,” it said.

The communiqué said that from the N2.094 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N758.405 billion and the state governments received N689.120 billion.

It said that the LGCs received N505.803 billion, while the sum of N141.359 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

“On the N1.376 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N650.680 billion and the state governments received N330.033 billion.

“The LGCs received N254.442 billion and the sum of N141.359 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,” it said.

It said that from the N670.303 billion VAT revenue, the Federal Government received N100.545 billion, the state governments received N335.152 billion and the LGCs received N234.606 billion.

It said that a total sum of N7.180 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N47.870 billion EMTL, the state governments received N23.935 billion and the LGCs received N16.755 billion.

Africa stands at a defining moment where frontier technologies and deeper regional integration could recalibrate its economic future, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has said.

The position was contained in a statement issued yesterday by ECA’s Communication Section.

Speaking at the Fourth Session of the Committee on Private Sector Development, ECA Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, underscored the theme, “Leveraging frontier technologies and innovation to advance regional integration for sustainable growth.”

Gatete commended the outgoing Chair of the Bureau, Mamadjam Dinis Djalo of Guinea-Bissau, for steering the Committee through a critical phase in its development work.

He noted that Africa faces a world marked by rapid technological change, geopolitical tensions, constrained finances and intensifying climate impacts — factors that are deepening vulnerabilities and widening inequalities across the continent.

Yet, he stressed, Africa retains distinct competitive advantages, including the world’s youngest population, vast renewable energy potential, fast-growing digital ecosystems and a continental market of 1.4 billion people under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Integration and innovation must move in tandem,” he said. “Individually, each has limits; together, they can position Africa as a global economic shaper rather than a follower.”

Gatete pointed to transformative innovations already emerging across the continent, from mobile money and drone-powered medical deliveries to digital agriculture and generative AI — technologies he said could collectively boost productivity and unlock more than US$220 billion annually.

He argued that technology thrives on scale, while scale depends on integration, making the AfCFTA essential for harmonised regulations, investment incentives and market opportunities that can support innovation.

Conversely, he noted, innovation strengthens integration. The rise of cross-border instant payment systems, which expanded by nearly 40 per cent between 2019 and 2023, has lowered transaction costs and linked African markets more seamlessly.

The ECA chief outlined three priorities: expanding digital and physical cross-border infrastructure; empowering the private sector — particularly young people and women; and harmonising regulatory regimes to fully activate the continent’s trade potential.

He said African countries have already begun to deploy frontier technologies, undertake policy reforms and build systems geared toward a more resilient and globally competitive continent.

Gatete reaffirmed ECA’s commitment to supporting member states with data-driven policy advice, technical assistance and partnerships involving the African Union, regional blocs, the private sector and development agencies.

He urged delegates to convert discussions into measurable action and share country experiences that can shape Africa’s inclusive, innovative and integrated economic future.

A philanthropist, Chief Bibopere Ajube, says the rising unemployment in the country will consume the nation if able individuals fail to support government.

Ajube said this at a youth summit to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the Gallery Security Services Ltd. (GSSL) on Wednesday in Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Ajube, the founder of GSSL, said he had taken it upon himself to invest in humanity and society in order to bring positive impacts.

According to him, all well-to-do people should invest in their respective localities to address unemployment, which has been a major cause of social vices and criminalities.

“Our coming to this world is to impact our environment. Whatever God gives me is for my people, not only me and my family.

“That is why we are doing this, and we are not going to be tired. If we don’t find a solution to unemployment, the problem will consume us,” he said.

Ajube, a community leader, said the creation of GSSL was to address insecurity, especially in the coastal areas of the Niger Delta.

“The conventional security agencies are just to assist us. You know that it’s left for us in coastal areas to do the work. Let us all see security as a personal responsibility.

“That is the only way we can have peace in our communities. I will never leave you people alone. I am ready to serve you till I am old and die,” he said.
Earlier at a news conference, the General Manager of GSSL, Mr Anthony Onyeisue, said 1200 youths would be empowered during the summit.

Onyeisue said the society would be difficult to control if there was a chunk of unemployed youths.

‎”We believe here in GSSL also that one of the ways we can actually reduce crime across this country is to create valuable jobs for our youth population so that they can also contribute to the society,” he said.

According to him, the security outfit has secured lives and property in the coastal communities of the state and beyond.

“It has also contributed remarkably to the socio-economic well-being of the jurisdiction that it serves.

“GSSL has consistently exhibited amiable courage and professionalism in combating sea piracy, oil thefts, pipeline vandalism, and other criminal activities.

“The company’s highly trained, dedicated, and motivated personnel have continued to complement the efforts of government security agencies in providing security services to communities.

“GSSL, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), continues to rekindle the hope of individuals in need of healthcare by providing them access to free medical services.

“The free health services include surgical operations, comprehensive health investigations, and drug administration.

“Also, hundreds of households, men and women inclusively, have directly benefited from cash support and non-interest loan initiatives,reflecting the compassion, generosity, and leadership of its founder, Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube,” he stated.

The summit was tagged “Strengthening Waterways Security and Community Safety by Tackling Illegal Bunkering, Sea Piracy, Kidnapping, Cultism and Drug Abuse”.

Lectures were given on bunkering, sea piracy, drug abuse, youth vulnerability, cultism, and youth violence.