The Federal Government has affirmed Nigeria’s willingness to collaborate with the United States and other nations for the complete elimination of terrorism from Nigerian soil.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris made the statement during a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Acknowledging the country’s security challenges, he clarified that these issues are not targeted at any religion or group, countering claims based on faulty data.

He noted that over the past two years, President Bola Tinubu has strengthened efforts to tackle insecurity, as reflected in Nigeria’s improved ranking on the Global Terrorism Index and recent changes in the leadership of security agencies.

The minister appealed to the United States and other international partners to support President Tinubu in confronting the menace of criminals and terrorists that make life difficult for Nigerians.

“The Nigerian government is willing to work with international partners, including the United States, to ensure that criminals are permanently eliminated.

“We welcome support from global partners to address our security challenges.

“President Tinubu is leading efforts to resolve these issues in collaboration with the US and other countries.

Nigeria acknowledges the severity of its insecurity situation.

“The government and people have taken note of the US stance regarding alleged human rights violations.

“President Tinubu remains determined to confront and end these security challenges,” he said.

Last week, US President Donald Trump warned of possible military action in Nigeria if alleged killings of Christians were not addressed, following Nigeria’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern

The Rivers State Flood Management and Prevention Committee has embarked on a massive desilting of canals across the state.

Rivers State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu stated this during the inspection of the ongoing desilting of the Rumuokwurusi River in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

According to the Deputy Governor, “We are experiencing blockages in creeks, rivers, and canals, which are affecting the flow of water, especially during rainfall.”

She added that the Government is tackling the issue through a tripartite approach with the Ministry of Works clearing some sections, the Ministry of Environment handling others, while the Flood Committee is lending additional support, noting that flash floods have become a nuisance in the State.

Prof. Odu disclosed that a swamp buggy is being used to clear the waterways to enable smoother water flow, noting that although some parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas have not yet been reached, residents should exercise patience, as the Ministries of Works and Environment would soon extend their operations to those areas.

Prof. Odu further explained that the Committee is focusing more on Local Government Areas that have been severely affected, stressing that relief materials would be distributed to communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East, and Ahoada West Local Government Areas on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

“While we are doing that, we identify certain communities that are heavily impacted and provide them with special relief packages. For instance, in Ndoni, especially Ward 15, it is a very low-lying area, practically below sea level, and it gets flooded very easily. When such situations occur, there are two options: either to evacuate residents to higher ground and IDP camps or to deliver relief materials directly to them. They prefer the second option because they would rather remain with their loved ones. Therefore, we are packaging relief items with that in mind. The Local Government Councils will complement the State Government’s efforts by also providing assistance to other affected residents,” Prof. Odu stressed.

On his part, the Representative of NEMA, Dr. Chituru Ogundu explained that following the flood predictions by NIMET, NEMA downscaled the forecast to the State level, prompting proactive mitigation measures by the State Government. He noted that both NEMA and the Rivers State Government have been jointly providing relief materials to affected communities.

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Rumuokwurusi Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Clifford Wali, commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Flood Committee for undertaking the desilting exercise. He lauded the Deputy Governor for personally visiting the community to monitor the exercise despite the heavy downpour.

The Rivers State Government has launched a Sexual Assault
Referral Centre (SARC) to provide support and care to survivors of sexual violence.

The centre, which is the brainchild of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, is a one-stop centre aimed at providing a safe space for victims to access medical, psychological, and legal assistance.

Speaking at the official launch in the State’s Safe Home at Borokiri, Port- Harcourt, Governor Siminilayi Fubara represented by the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr Inyingi Brown said, the centre will be the first point of support to victims of sexual violence and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice and providing relief for victims of sexual assault in the State.

The Head of Service, who was in turn represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Barr. Tomoniala Dieokuma-Ishmael, stated that the centre will tackle the rising issue of sexual violence in the state, noting that its commissioning marks a crucial milestone in providing vital support to victims who previously suffered in silence, lacked access to proper care, and often faced further victimization and injustice.

In her address at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, said the SARC is fully equipped and ready to handle all forms of assault, with the support of key partners including the Medical Women’s Association, MWAN, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and the Police.

In her words, “It is the beginning of hope, healing, and justice for countless individuals whose voices deserve to be heard, believed, and supported,”

“This centre stands as a symbol of our collective commitment to ending sexual violence and creating a society where survivors are given compassion and care, she stated ”

Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa encouraged individuals who have experienced sexual abuse to visit the centre for prompt assistance and intervention.

In her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, represented by Prof. Justina Jumbo, the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, commended the Ministry’s efforts and called for intensified public awareness campaigns through the media, advocacy, and social mobilization to spread the message of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre’s existence and services.

In an interview with the Director, Office of the Public Defender, Ministry of Justice, who is also the Coordinator of the Multi stakeholders Action Committee on Gender based Violence in Rivers State, Barrister Evelyn Membere- Asimiea commended the state government for establishing the centre, describing it as “a dream come true” and a major step towards achieving justice for victims of sexual assault in the State.

She pledged to provide free legal services, defend victims, and prosecute perpetrators in ensuring the centre’s success and provide a beacon of hope for those who’ve suffered in silence for too long.

The commissioning had in attendance representatives from the Rivers State Family Court, FIDA, MWAN, Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), security agencies, including the Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Others are National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), Child Protection Network (CPN), Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria, (ASOHON) and Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children, (AONN), among others.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise teachers’ welfare and increase budget allocation to the education sector.

Its National Treasurer, Mr Segun Raheem, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, on Wednesday.

He emphasised that teachers’ salaries and benefits should be paid timely and also reflective of their vital role in nation-building.

“No nation can develop beyond the quality of its teachers; hence, the need for government at all levels to make education funding a top priority,” he said.

Raheem said that investments in the sector directly enhance the quality of teaching and learning outcomes in Nigerian schools.

“A teacher who is well-motivated and adequately rewarded will perform better in the classroom.

“The government must see education as a vital tool for national growth, and that begins with prioritising the welfare of teachers who are the backbone of the system, ” he said.

On security, the treasurer appealed to authorities to beef up security surveillance around school premises to protect both students and staff.

He also advised teachers to maintain a high sense of discipline and professionalism, urging them to serve as role models for their students.

“We must continue to uphold integrity, diligence, and moral standards in our duties.

“When students see teachers living by example, it inspires them to become better citizens,” he said.

Raheem encouraged students to take their studies seriously and remain focused on building a brighter future for themselves and the country.

He said that education remained the most powerful weapon for transforming lives and societies.

He further called on parents to collaborate with teachers in instilling discipline, moral values, and cultural norms in their children.

“Parents must complement the efforts of teachers by providing proper home training and moral guidance.

“Education is a shared responsibility between the school and the home,” he said.