Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has paid glowing tribute to his late Special Assistant on Media, Isaac Ombe, describing him as a seasoned journalist whose professionalism, integrity and passion for truth left an enduring mark on the media landscape.

Amgbare spoke on Monday in Port Harcourt while receiving the leadership of the Association of Niger Delta Online Publishers (ANDOP), who paid him a condolence visit at the Authority’s headquarters following the death of Ombe.

The NDBDA boss expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss, noting that Ombe was not only a trusted aide but also a journalist of rare dedication whose contributions would be sorely missed.

“Ombe’s commitment to journalism and his passion for truth were exemplary. His sudden passing is a painful loss to the NDBDA, the media profession and the Niger Delta at large,” Amgbare said.

He also commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for what he described as timely and compassionate intervention following the fatal accident. According to him, the governor approved the sum of N10 million each for the families of the deceased and took responsibility for the medical bills of those injured in the incident.

Earlier, the protem President of ANDOP, Mr. Ofonime Umanah, said the journalism community was deeply saddened by Ombe’s untimely death, describing him as a brother, friend and dependable colleague.

In an emotional tribute, Umanah who had in his entourage the protem Secretary of ANDOP, Celestine Ogolo, and the Treasurer, Sir Lawson Hayford, recalled Ombe as a cheerful and committed professional whose presence enriched the media industry in Bayelsa State and the wider Niger Delta.

“The news of the death of Ombe was shocking to all of us in the media industry, especially those who worked closely with him in Bayelsa and across the Niger Delta. He was a jolly good fellow and a true professional,” he said.

Umanah, who is also Publisher of TNN Newspaper, praised Prince Amgbare for his emerging vision and development strides at the NDBDA, expressing ANDOP’s readiness to partner with the Authority to amplify its activities and development impact through responsible media engagement.

He further outlined the objectives of ANDOP, noting that the association is committed to mentoring practitioners and strengthening professionalism in online journalism to build public confidence in the media across the region.

Ombe’s family has announced that his burial will take place on February 20 in his hometown, Tuomo, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

A respected journalist, Ombe worked with several reputable media organisations, including The Nation, National Mirror, The Comet, News Express and The Verbatim.

He was also a former executive member of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) before his appointment at the NDBDA.

He died in a tragic road accident on January 30 while travelling to Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, for the burial of the state’s late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
As tributes continue to pour in, Ombe is being remembered as a journalist of conscience, camaraderie and uncommon dedication—whose legacy of professionalism will endure beyond his years.

The Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State, has formally sent forth its immediate past Vice Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel Adigio, amid glowing tributes that underscored his far-reaching impact on the institution’s growth and stability.

The colourful ceremony, held recently in Warri, was organised by the Chairman and members of the Governing Council in honour of the university’s second Vice Chancellor. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Abdullahi Nedanda Bardi, led the event, which was also attended by the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Flora Tobolayefa Oluwafemi.

Council members, deans, directors, heads of departments and staff turned out in large numbers to celebrate Adigio’s five-year tenure, describing him as an exemplary administrator, consensus builder and committed team player.

Several speakers noted that his leadership style fostered stability and unity within the young institution, with one tribute remarking that “even the students miss him every day.”

A detailed video presentation by Dr. Fatimah Abduldayan highlighted the significant strides recorded under Adigio’s leadership, portraying a Vice Chancellor who steadily reshaped the university’s development profile within a short period.

Among his landmark achievements were the introduction of solar power supply, the provision of reliable pipe-borne water on both campuses, and major infrastructural expansion through the construction of new hostel facilities at Kurutie and Okerenkoko. His tenure also witnessed the full accreditation of all academic programmes in the university’s curriculum, a critical milestone for the institution’s academic credibility.

Under his watch, NMU also gained visibility in extracurricular activities, recording notable successes at inter-university sports competitions.

Speaking at the event, Professor Adigio expressed gratitude to the university community for the opportunity to serve and for the overwhelming appreciation shown to him.

“I am grateful to have been given the chance to do my possible best to raise the profile of the Nigeria Maritime University,” he said. “I have no doubt that my successor will improve on what we have done and attract even greater attention to the university as a federal institution with a special mandate.”

Professor Adigio, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, was appointed Vice Chancellor by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He succeeded the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Professor Ongoebi Maureen Etebu, and completed his statutory five-year term on June 20, 2025.

He has since handed over to Professor Flora Tobolayefa Oluwafemi, a daughter of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the host community of the university—marking a new chapter for the Nigeria Maritime University built on the foundations laid during his tenure.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has challenged governors, ministers and other public officials in the country to pursue an economic growth agenda that tangibly improves the lives of ordinary Nigerians, warning that expansion without inclusion offers little value to the people.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the National Economic Council (NEC) Conference, Shettima said global thinking had shifted from growth for its own sake to sustainable and inclusive development that delivers opportunities across all segments of society.

According to him, the two-day conference represents a continuation of the Federal Government’s covenant with Nigerians to build an economy that works for all.

“The inclusive growth on our radar is not an exercise in sloganeering. We have confronted the macroeconomic obstacles before us. What remains is to ensure that progress filters down to the everyday lives of our people,” Shettima said in a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.

He described the NEC as the most effective platform for translating policy into people-centred outcomes, stressing that national progress remains incomplete if opportunities are defined by geography.

“Our mission is incomplete if a child born in Lafia does not have the same chance to thrive as one born in Lagos; if the farmer in Makurdi, the entrepreneur in Aba and the student in Sokoto cannot all find dignity, opportunity and hope within the Nigerian dream,” he said.

The Vice President noted that while the conference provided an opportunity to assess the tasks ahead, it also underscored the strong working relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the NEC, particularly in advancing what he described as “inevitable and transformative reforms” aimed at resetting the foundations of the economy.

Shettima commended President Tinubu for efforts to stabilise and reposition the economy, arguing that the administration had demonstrated sincerity in its resolve to shield Nigeria from global shocks driven by geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism.

On the objectives of the conference, the Vice President said it was designed to onboard new governors and deepen collective understanding of NEC’s strategic role in shaping the country’s economic direction.

He said deliberations would focus on aligning federal and state policies with the National Development Plan (2021–2025) and the Nigeria Agenda 2050, with emphasis on poverty reduction, job creation and social protection.

Other priorities, according to him, include strengthening inter-regional collaboration through trade, investment and infrastructure frameworks that leverage the comparative advantages of each geopolitical zone, as well as exploring pathways to fiscal sustainability at both federal and subnational levels.

“We must reform tax systems and enhance internally generated revenue without overburdening our people, while ensuring that NEC resolutions translate into legislative and executive actions that deliver tangible outcomes at federal, state and community levels,” he said.

Shettima urged participants to be bold and pragmatic, stressing that history would judge leaders not by discussions, but by the clarity of their actions and the impact of their decisions.

In his welcome address, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, praised the NEC for its contributions to recent economic gains and commended the Vice President and state governors for their commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Bagudu expressed optimism that the conference would help build the consensus required to support the aspiration of a trillion-dollar Nigerian economy.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq—represented by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun—said the conference came at a critical moment as the country undertakes a deliberate economic reset aimed at sustainable development.

He reaffirmed the commitment of state governments to delivering inclusive growth and national development in line with the Renewed Hope National Development Plan.

The Nigerian Society for Microbiology (NSM) has appointed Professor Nedie Patience Akani of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, as the Coordinator of its South-South Zonal Chapter.

The appointment was contained in a letter dated January 28, 2026, signed by the President of the Society, Professor S. A. Ado. It is for a two-year tenure, renewable for another two years.

Professor Akani, a seasoned microbiologist with over four decades of academic and research experience, will oversee the Society’s programmes and activities in the South-South zone, with a focus on strengthening microbiology research, education and professional collaboration.

Speaking on the appointment, Professor Akani expressed appreciation to the Society for the honour and pledged her commitment to advancing the objectives of the Society in the region.

“I am honoured to serve the Society and contribute to the advancement of microbiology in the South-South region. I look forward to working closely with members, stakeholders and partners to promote microbiological research, education and outreach,” she stated.

Founded in 1972, the Nigerian Society for Microbiology is the umbrella body for microbiologists in Nigeria, with a membership strength of over 5,000. The Society promotes research and innovation in microbiology with applications in health, agriculture, industry and environmental sustainability.

Akani is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Public Health and a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University. She holds a B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Port Harcourt, an MPhil in Applied Microbiology, and a PhD in Environmental Biology from Rivers State University.

She joined the academic staff of Rivers State University in 1991, rose to the rank of Professor in 2022, and served as Head of the Department of Microbiology from 2020 to 2022. She has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students and has over 100 scholarly publications in reputable journals.

Her research interests include Public Health Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Emerging Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance.

Professor Akani has supervised over 100 undergraduate projects, 13 PhD, 25 MSc, and three PGD students, underscoring her commitment to mentorship and capacity building.

She has served as an external examiner to several universities, including the University of Port Harcourt, Niger Delta University and University of Africa, Toru-Orua, and was a Visiting Professor at the Federal University Otuoke between 2024 and 2025.

Her professional recognitions include being a Fellow of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST), where she served as President from 2021 to 2024. She is also a member of several national and international professional bodies, including the American Society for Microbiology and the Nigerian Society for Microbiology.

A seasoned researcher, she has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has presented papers at numerous local and international conferences.

Her research interests span Public Health Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Ecotoxicology, with strong interdisciplinary collaborations in Epidemiology and Clinical Medicine.

Beyond academia, Professor Akani is known for her love for singing, reading and faith-based service. She is married to Dr. Alexander Bekweri Akani, and the union is blessed with four children

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to advancing the Blue Economy as a strategic pathway for sustainable development, regional prosperity, and international collaboration in the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku gave the assurance while hosting the former Prime Minister of Tunisia, Mr. Mehdi Jomaa, at the NDDC Guest House in Maitama, Abuja, as part of engagements linked to the Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit 2026 scheduled to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

A statement signed and issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama,
Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC stated that
the former Prime Minister, who arrived at the guest house with members of his entourage, was received by the NDDC Managing Director, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde, and the Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs Mary Nwaeke.

Speaking during the interactive session, Ogbuku highlighted the Blue Economy as a key pillar of the Commission’s development strategy, noting that the Niger Delta’s vast coastal assets present significant opportunities for job creation, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and regional economic growth. He stressed that the Blue Economy Investment Summit was designed to attract investment, share best practices, and position the Niger Delta as a hub for sustainable marine and coastal development.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer emphasised that successful blue economy development required strong institutions, responsible leadership, and collaboration between governments, development agencies, investors, and local communities.

He noted that the Commission was prioritising initiatives that align infrastructure development, environmental protection, and economic inclusion within the coastal communities of the Niger Delta.

The Managing Director further briefed the former Prime Minister on the NDDC’s mandate and ongoing interventions relevant to the blue economy, including infrastructure development, community-based projects, youth-focused initiatives, environmental sustainability programmes, and regional economic development strategies.

In his remarks, the former Prime Minister of Tunisia, Mr. Mehdi Jomaa, commended the Blue Economy initiative and expressed interest in the NDDC’s approach to regional development. Drawing on Tunisia’s Mediterranean experience, he highlighted the importance of strategic planning, environmental stewardship, and regional cooperation to harness marine resources for sustainable growth.

He said the engagement provided an opportunity for high-level dialogue on blue economy development, governance, and African cooperation, while strengthening partnerships to unlock the economic potential of coastal and marine resources.

The discussions also touched on Africa’s shared maritime heritage and the need for continental cooperation in developing blue economy frameworks that reflect African realities. Both leaders agreed that Africa’s future growth will increasingly depend on its ability to sustainably manage its marine and coastal resources.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has described recent United States military airstrikes against Islamist militants in the country as a “blessing,” indicating the Federal Government’s willingness to deepen security collaboration with Washington amid worsening insecurity.

Speaking to Fox News Digital during a week-long visit to Washington, Tinubu said the Christmas Day U.S. airstrikes targeting militant hideouts in Sokoto State were a welcome development as Nigeria grapples with insurgency, banditry and kidnappings across several regions.

“The intervention of the U.S. was quite a welcome development,” she said, adding that Nigeria expects expanded engagement. “Nigeria is looking forward to collaboration with the United States on security issues. We are expecting that there will be more.”

Her remarks come against the backdrop of renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s security challenges in U.S. political circles, particularly among allies of former President Donald Trump, who previously designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom — a classification the administration of President Bola Tinubu has rejected.

Nigerian officials maintain that the violence, though severe, is not religiously targeted, stressing that both Muslim and Christian communities have suffered attacks. Tinubu cited recent killings in Kwara State, where gunmen believed to be Islamic extremists attacked Muslim-majority communities for resisting extremist ideology.

“Terrorist groups hide in the forest, and also bandits and other people are kidnapping for ransom,” the First Lady said. “We are concerned about our people’s safety.”

She outlined steps taken by the government to address insecurity, including the declaration of a national security emergency, plans to recruit 50,000 additional police officers, and the redeployment of over 11,000 personnel from VIP protection to frontline duties in conflict-affected areas.

Despite persistent criticism from Christian advocacy groups over attacks on rural Christian communities, Tinubu said the attention has helped open dialogue between Nigeria and the United States.

“We have that attention. We have the conversation going. And we are expecting that there will be more,” she said. “It’s going to yield better fruit for us, and both for us and also America.”

During meetings with senior U.S. officials, she said she sought to clarify Nigeria’s complex security realities. “We live in Nigeria. We know the situation on the ground,” she noted.

A former senator and ex–First Lady of Lagos State, Tinubu is an ordained Christian pastor, while her husband is Muslim — a pairing often cited as emblematic of Nigeria’s religious diversity.

She also leads the Renewed Hope Initiative, a social intervention platform aligned with the administration’s agenda.
Beyond security, Tinubu linked stability to economic recovery and foreign investment, noting growing U.S. interest in Nigeria’s deposits of lithium, cobalt and other critical minerals as Washington seeks to counter China’s dominance in Africa’s mineral sector.

“We’re doing all we can to make sure that when investors come, they can feel comfortable and their investment can yield,” she said.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with over 230 million people, continues to battle the legacy of corruption, economic mismanagement and insecurity, despite its vast natural resources. Tinubu said the administration, which assumed office in 2023, inherited deep-rooted challenges and is pursuing reforms to restore security and investor confidence.

The Atlantic Bell reports that violence linked to Islamist insurgents and criminal militias has claimed tens of thousands of lives over the past decade. Groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, alongside bandit networks, continue to destabilise large swathes of the country, fuelling humanitarian and security concerns at home and abroad.

The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) is deepening its grassroots engagement as part of efforts to expand universal health coverage across the state, taking its sensitisation campaign to churches and community town-hall meetings.

At one of such outreaches, the Executive Secretary of the state health insurance agency, Dr. Vetty Agala, underscored the importance of health insurance as a buffer against the rising cost of medical care and the financial shocks that often accompany health emergencies.

She urged residents of Rivers State to enrol in the various RIVCHPP programmes and packages to secure access to affordable and quality healthcare.

Dr. Agala spoke while addressing the leadership and congregation of Life Forte Chapel, Port Harcourt, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, where he highlighted the benefits of enrolment, noting that healthcare costs have become increasingly astronomical. According to him, RIVCHPP enrollees can access services through accredited public and private health facilities in the state, supported by functional referral systems.

She further clarified that services offered under the scheme are comprehensive and can be accessed without additional out-of-pocket payments, encouraging beneficiaries to actively utilise healthcare services available to them under the programme.

The Executive Secretary acknowledged the backing of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the administration’s #Health4AllRivers agenda, aimed at ensuring that no resident is excluded from quality healthcare.

Dr. Agala also commended the leadership of Life Forte Chapel for partnering with RIVCHPP, announcing that the church had facilitated the enrolment of 125 of its members into the scheme.

In his remarks, the Lead Pastor of Life Forte Chapel, Dr. Tombari Gbeneol, described holistic wellbeing as a balance of spiritual, emotional and physical health, explaining that the church’s decision to gift some members health insurance was to protect them from avoidable health-related embarrassment.

In a related development, the Head of Marketing and Business Development at RIVCHPP, Mr. Kingsley Ngini, has called on communities, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to partner with the agency by gifting health insurance policies to members of their families, associations and communities.

Mr. Ngini made the appeal during an engagement with members of the Ihiala Women’s Association, Port Harcourt chapter, where he also sensitised them on the benefits of the scheme, assuring them that RIVCHPP provides access to quality healthcare without financial hardship.
Responding, the President of the Association pledged that the group would enrol collectively, including their families, having been convinced of the long-term benefits of the programme.

The expanding outreach to faith-based organisations and community groups underscores RIVCHPP’s growing footprint and its strategy of driving health insurance awareness from the grassroots up, as the agency pushes towards broader health coverage in Rivers State.