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Tinubu Approves Tenure Extension For Surveyor-General, Adebomehin ‎… Seeks Senate’s Confirmation Of Doro As Minister

The Atlantic Bell
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Tinubu Approves Tenure Extension For Surveyor-General, Adebomehin ‎… Seeks Senate’s Confirmation Of Doro As Minister

President Bola Tinubu has approved a two-year tenure extension for the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr AbuduGaniyu Adebomehin.
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‎The extension, effective from Jan. 5, 2026, was announced in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday in Abuja.
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‎According to the statement, the move follows the recent transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) to the Presidency.
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‎”Adebomehin had launched key reforms in geospatial data systems, which the President wanted to see fully implemented.”
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‎Tinubu directed Adebomehin to consolidate the reforms during the extension period.
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‎He emphasised national priorities such as land management, highway infrastructure coordination, erosion control, and related strategic programmes.
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‎Adebomehin was first appointed surveyor-general by late president Muhammadu Buhari, effective January 5, 2022.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has sought confirmation of the Senate for appointment of Dr Bernard Doro as minister.

Tinubu’s request was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Wednesday.

“I am pleased to forward to the Senate on nomination of Dr Bernard Doro for confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, the distinguished Senate President, the distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest regards,” the letter read in part.

Akpabio, thereafter, referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative inputs.

Garri Fest Returns: Port Harcourt Gears Up For Celebration of Culture, Food, Community Spirit

The Atlantic Bell
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Garri Fest Returns: Port Harcourt Gears Up For Celebration of Culture, Food, Community Spirit

Port Harcourt is gearing up for another thrilling edition of Garri Fest, the beloved festival that brings together culture, community, fashion, food, and fun.

Garri is a flour made from processed cassava, commonly consumed in West Africa, particularly Nigeria. It can be prepared as a meal by adding hot water to form a dough (eba) or by soaking the raw granules in cold water with sugar, milk, and other additions to be drunk.

The festival scheduled for Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Model Secondary School Field, beside Polo Club, GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the festival kicks off at 12:00 p.m., promising an unforgettable cultural experience.

With the theme “Connecting People with Culture,” Garri Fest 2025 celebrates Nigeria’s rich traditions while fostering unity and togetherness.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Atlantic Bell, the convener of the festival, Emeka Okwara, assured that all is set to host the over 5,000 visitors expected at the venue.

Okwara stated that with the massive support of the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other sponsors, the festival aims at keeping Rivers State in the limelight for good reasons.

He said the festival will feature garri tasting contests, lively cultural dance performances, dazzling fashion showcases, artisan markets that sell only things that complement garri, and live music, transforming the venue into a vibrant hub of flavor, creativity, and entertainment.

“There will not be rice, beans, roasted plantain (bolle), and all those other stuff. It’s purely about garri, which we expect from the different agricultural zones of the state,” Okwara told The Atlantic Bell.

The convener assured visitors that they would be able to buy the best of the product as they carefully chose the vendors and reduced their participation fee to enable them sell at a reduced rate to the people.

While still appealing for more sponsorship from companies and individuals in Rivers State, Okwara assured that enough security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the convenience of all visitors.

One special attendee shared their excitement ahead of the festival: “Garri is beyond class, it is culture. It’s what makes our childhood feel relatable and that is why I will not stand for any garri slander.”

These words capture why Garri Fest resonates so deeply. Garri is more than food; it is a cultural touchstone that connects generations, evokes nostalgia, and celebrates the shared experiences that unite Nigerians. The festival’s mission is to promote local food, especially garri, while supporting creativity, indigenous cultures, and community spirit. Organizers hope to make Garri Fest a well-known annual celebration that brings joy, fosters learning, and strengthens community bonds.

More than a festival, Garri Fest is a platform for growth and discovery. It supports local businesses, gives young people a chance to showcase their talents, and brings communities closer together, all while helping attendees explore Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage and way of life.

Chefs, vendors, and artisans will showcase their skills, offering festival-goers a taste of authentic flavors and creative products from across Rivers State. The event is open to everyone, and attendees are encouraged to come dressed in colourful traditional attire, ready to eat, dance, and immerse themselves in the celebration of culture.

With excitement building across social media and throughout the city, Garri Fest 2025 promises to be the biggest and most vibrant edition yet, connecting people through food, culture, and creativity, one bowl of garri at a time.

By Miracle Chidinma Amaechi

ASUU Suspends Two-week Warning strike

The Atlantic Bell
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ASUU Suspends Two-week Warning strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike and given the federal government one month for further engagement with the union.

Prof. Chris Piwuna, President of ASUU, announced this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the one month window would allow the federal government to conclude all ongoing renegotiations on the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and other outstanding issues.

ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike on Oct. 13, over unmet demands.

According to Piwuna, the suspension decision followed an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union held in Abuja.

He said the union decided to suspend the warning strike “out of respect for our students, parents, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and other well-meaning Nigerians who have intervened in the dispute.”

“The NEC meeting resolved that the warning strike is hereby suspended with immediate effect from midnight, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.

“The one-month window is to allow for conducive atmosphere for further engagement between the union and the government,’’ he said.

Piwuna said that the government must take advantage of the one-month grace period to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and address all pending welfare issues.

“We have not achieved all our objectives, but we are definitely not where we were before the strike began,” he said.

He noted that the union met with the Federal Government’s team led by Yayale Ahmed in October 16 and October 18 to review the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU draft agreement.

Piwuna added that ASUU also had a promising engagement with the Senate Committees on Tertiary Education and TETFund, as well as the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin.

“Our members place a lot of hope on the strong promises made by these distinguished senators, and we look forward to working with them to ensure full delivery on their commitments,” he said.

He added: “As far as we are concerned, the Federal Ministry of Education has not moved a needle in reaching this point.

“If not for the intervention of individuals within and outside government, we would not have made any progress’’.

The ASUU president also commended the media, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Nigerian public for their understanding, solidarity, and resilience during the strike.

“Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the overwhelming support of Nigerians,” he said.

Piwuna also said that the union would not hesitate to resume industrial action if the government failed to meet its demands within the one-month period.

“Shoul the government fail to resolve the issues within the window, ASUU reserves the right to resume the strike without further notice.

Reps Panel Invites Cooperative Colleges Over Alleged 2024/25 Budget Infractions

The Atlantic Bell
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Reps Panel Invites Cooperative Colleges Over Alleged 2024/25 Budget Infractions

The House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions has invited the managements of Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, and Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, over alleged non-submission of 2024 and 2025 capital budget.

In a statement by the Clerk of the committee, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, the committee asked the provosts of both institutions to appear before it on Thursday with relevant documents to account for expenditures within the period.

According to the clerk, the meeting will hold at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room 028 at New Building, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

He said that the appearance and submission of the relevant documents were critical to determining both institutions’ budgetary provisions for the 2026 appropriation year.

“I am directed to remind you that the committee has not received your submissions on the above subject matter and you did not appear before the committee on the day allotted to your agency.

“You are by this letter reminded that your appearance and submission of these vital documents will go a long way to determine your budgetary provisions for 2026 appropriations.

“You are hereby requested to appear unfailingly before the committee with your Director of Procurement and Director of Finance.

”Failure to honour this invitation could affect the colleges’ 2026 budget consideration; prioritise full compliance with the legislative oversight process and cooperation with the committee,” he said.

RSG Committed To Relocation Of Dumpsite Along Airport Road …Inspects Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters

The Atlantic Bell
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RSG Committed To Relocation Of Dumpsite Along Airport Road …Inspects Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to relocate the popular Obiri-Ikwere dumpsite located along the Airport Road.

Gov. Fubara, who spoke on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 after inspection of the new area being prepared at Omueke-Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area as an alternative permanent borrow pit, said the one at Airport Road poses serious environmental hazards.

Giving further reasons, he said: “We are already phasing out the Airport Obiri-Ikwere road dumpsite because of the environmental hazards it poses.

He emphasised that the odour at the place and being the entrance to the State, are reasons for preparing an alternative place to serve as a permanent dumpsite for the management of waste in the State.

Gov. Fubara who was accompanied on the inspection by the Chairman of the Board of Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, noted that his administration inherited the project for an alternative dumpsite and vowed to complete it adding that he came to see the level of ongoing work in the area.

The governor said: “We haven’t concluded on the issue of the borrow pit, but the access road, government is already doing something about it. So, we will do our best to ensure that everything that needs to be done for government to own this pit would be done”.

He called for the support of the community Chief for the project and commended the management of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for its efforts towards environmental waste management.

Meanwhile the governor made a stop over at the ongoing construction of 29 units of 4-bedroom duplexes for Permanent Secretaries at Elimgbu, in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, and expressed satisfaction with the level of work at the site after inspection alongside with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr. Austin Ezekiel Hart.

Rivers NMA Commends Fubara For Payment Of New Doctors Outstanding Salaries … As RSG Commits To Strengthening Health System

The Atlantic Bell
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Rivers NMA Commends Fubara For Payment Of New Doctors Outstanding Salaries … As RSG Commits To Strengthening Health System

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has been commended for approving the payment of outstanding salaries owed to newly employed doctors under the Rivers State Hospital Management Board.

Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, Dr. Tamunokuro Ezekiel also expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the Administration’s massive infrastructural investments in the health sector.

Dr. Ezekiel made the commendations while speaking at the 2025 Physicians’ Week organized by the Rivers State Branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the NMA House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Dr. Ezekiel also disclosed that within the past twelve months, the NMA provided free medical services to over 100,000 residents across eight Local Government Areas of the state.

He further noted that the association’s anti-quackery campaign has recorded significant success, with the closure of several substandard health facilities operating below acceptable standards in the state.

Earlier, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu had reiterated the commitment of the state government in strengthening the health system through robust policies, strategic investments, and people first approach.

Speaking as a Special Guest at the evnt, Prof. Odu insisted that in today’s rapidly evolving world, we must recognize that healthcare is not an isolated service but a comprehensive value chain involving governance, infrastructure, technology, ethics, and critical human resources.

The Deputy Governor commended the NMA for choosing a timely and impactful theme, which is “Healthcare as a Value Chain: Building Efficiency from Policy to Patient”.

According to her, the theme speaks directly to the urgent need for a more integrated and responsive healthcare system, one that aligns visionary policy with practical implementation, putting the patient at the heart of every decision.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Sampson Parker, who is also Chairman of the Rivers State University Management Board disclosed that a well conceived health policy would fail in execution if the doctors who implement it are over worked, under paid, or uninspired, adding that sustainable healthcare delivery cannot rest on exhausted shoulders.

Reps Approve New Federal Universities In Borno, Imo, Kaduna, Kano

The Atlantic Bell
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Reps Approve New Federal Universities In Borno, Imo, Kaduna, Kano

The House of Representatives at plenary on Tuesday, approved the establishment of four Federal Universities in Borno, Imo, Kaduna and Kano states to enhance learning in the country.

This followed the adoption of reports on four bills, laid for consideration by the Chairman, House Committee on University Education, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa).

The bills include, a bill for an Act to repeal the Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna Act and to establish Federal University of Technology, Kaduna.

A bill for an Act to repeal the Nigerian Army University, Biu, (Act 2020) and enact the Federal University, Biu, Borno.

Also, a bill for an Act to establish Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, as well as a bill for an Act to establish Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

Presenting the report earlier, Fulata said that the Federal University of Technology, Kaduna, when established, will provide training and teaching instruction in all aspects of education.

He explained that other fields of applied learning, relevant to development of education in the country such as matters of administration and discipline of students will be catered for.

He explained that the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, when established, will provide for the promotion and development of teacher education.

He said that it will make comprehensive provision for management and administration of the university and for related matters.

In line with legislative procedures, the bills will be sent to the Senate for concurrence and then to the President for assent to become effective.

NDDC Boss Bags International Award As Development Champion

The Atlantic Bell
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NDDC Boss Bags International Award As Development Champion

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has been honoured with the London Political Summit and Awards, LPSA, Nigeria Regional Government Development Champion of the Year 2025.

According to a statement signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, the award ceremony, which took place at the UK House of Commons in London, was bestowed on Ogbuku for his outstanding contributions to regional development, innovation, and governance in the Niger Delta region.

Presenting the certificate during a special Parliamentary Session hosted by Hon. Oliver Ryan MP, for Burnley and chaired by Prof. Kishan Devani BEM, Ogbuku was applauded for his outstanding contributions to regional development, innovation, and governance in the Niger Delta region, particularly his leadership in promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth initiatives across Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.

Ogbuku, represented by Dr Chris Ekam and Dr Willie Etim, thanked the leadership of the London Political Summit for choosing him and NDDC for the prestigious Nigeria Regional Development Agency of the Year 2025 award.

He said that such recognition from an international organisation based in London means people within and outside Nigeria see the changes the NDDC has brought to the region.

The NDDC boss said the recognition would spur the Commission’s Board and Management to do more. He assured that the intervention agency would redouble its efforts to ensure the completion of legacy projects that would foster regional development while not forgetting human capital development.

Speaking at the occasion, the founder and convener of the London Political Summit and Awards, Mazi Godson Azu, observed that the summit had evolved into one of the most respected international platforms for dialogue on governance, leadership, diplomacy, and democratic peace across Africa, the Commonwealth, and the global political community.

He stated: “The summit was born from a vision to promote dialogue, peace, and democratic partnership between Africa, the Commonwealth, and the global community.”

He said the event was an annual global forum that unites political leaders, academics, business innovators, and development partners to engage in constructive discussions on governance, democracy, and sustainable development.

Other notable honourees included Former Kenyan Vice President Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, and Mayor Paul Bristow.

Dangote/PENGASSAN Fall-out: Reps Move To Protect Private Investments From Sabotage

The Atlantic Bell
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Dangote/PENGASSAN Fall-out: Reps Move To Protect Private Investments From Sabotage

The House of Representatives says its interest is to protect strategic economic investments in the country from adversarial unionism with economic sabotage undertone.

The house’s resolution was made following a motion under urgent national importance by Rep. Alhassan Doguwa representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Kano State and seconded by Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki for Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State.

There was a rift between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos which resulted to strike action recently.

The strike disrupted the operations at the 20 billion dollars refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker recalled with dismay the recent nationwide strike embarked upon by the PENGASSAN which impacted negatively on the Dangote Refinery and on the nation’s economy.

He said there is the need for national cognisance of the economic role and importance of Dangote Refinery to Petroleum production and distribution.

The lawmaker warned against industrial actions that are capable of impeding economic development and eroding public trust.

“Note that the industrial action led to a disruption in Nigeria’s crude oil production, with a reported daily loss of approximately 200,000 barrels over a period of three days.

“Further note that the disruption worsened the fuel supply situation across the country, resulting in scarcity and long queues at filling stations in several states, thereby causing severe hardship for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

The lawmaker who described Dangote Refinery as one operating under Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), called for compliance with the NEPZA Act.

“Section 18(5) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act clearly states: “Employment in the Free Zone shall be governed by rules and regulations made by the Authority and not subject to the provisions of any enactments relating to employment matters.”

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary, referred the motion to relevant committees for further legislative action.

Rivers Govt Set To Launch Fresh Employment, Empowerment Schemes

The Atlantic Bell
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Rivers Govt Set To Launch Fresh Employment, Empowerment Schemes

The Rivers State Government has unveiled plans to roll out fresh employment and empowerment programs aimed at creating opportunities for youths across the state.

The Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Kenneth Gbali, disclosed this, during a meeting with staff of the ministry in Port Harcourt, today.

Dr. Gbali, the new Commissioner, recently redeployed from the Ministry of Youth Development, charged ministry officers to remain committed, proactive, and team-oriented as the government intensifies efforts to deliver on its youth-focused agenda.

He warned against complacency and loss of focus, urging staff to stay alert and dedicated in preparation for the upcoming phase of activities.

“I’m not here to be idle; I’m here to work actively as a young leader,” Dr. Gbali said, emphasizing that the ministry’s success depends on the collective participation and commitment of all staff.

The Commissioner revealed that the ministry will begin its operations with an internal reorganization involving the Permanent Secretary, Directors, and other key officials, to strengthen coordination and enhance service delivery.

He directed all Directors and Assistant Directors to submit brief reports on ongoing activities to facilitate strategic planning and ensure seamless implementation of the new programs.

Dr. Gbali explained that the initiative is in line with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s directive to broaden employment and empowerment opportunities for Rivers youths, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusive economic growth.

He further announced that a capacity-building workshop has been scheduled for Tuesday to kickstart the ministry’s new phase of work, focusing on youth welfare, empowerment, and sustainable development.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel

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