The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in a move aimed at expanding access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.

A statement signed and issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama,
Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC stated that the agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, underscores renewed efforts by both federal interventionist agencies to strengthen institutional collaboration and accelerate development in underserved communities.

Speaking at the ceremony, NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the pact as a strategic step towards fulfilling the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” and align with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.

According to him, the agreement goes beyond a formal document and represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and broaden opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.

“Electricity remains a critical enabler of national development. It supports job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth,” Ogbuku said, noting that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.

He added that the NDDC has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence, planning expertise and infrastructure development capacity.

Ogbuku reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure timely and effective execution of the agreement.

The NDDC delegation included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office Abuja, Mrs Mary Nwaeke.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates.

Aliyu said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to reliable and sustainable electricity in rural and underserved communities, while leveraging renewable energy solutions to stimulate economic growth and improve social services.

“This is more than a document. It is a clear statement of readiness to move decisively in delivering reliable and sustainable power to communities that have waited too long for stable electricity,” he said.

He emphasised that the Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards.
Aliyu also commended the leadership of the NDDC for advancing the collaboration and demonstrating commitment to its implementation.

The Federal Government has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to suspend all enforcement actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET-bottle alcoholic products.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Terrence Kuanum, directed the agency to immediately halt the sealing of factories and warehouses in connection with the contentious policy.

The order follows a joint intervention by the Office of the SGF and the Office of the National Security Adviser, which raised concerns about the security implications of continued enforcement in the absence of a fully implemented National Alcohol Policy.

“Accordingly, all actions, decisions or enforcement measures relating to the ongoing ban on sachet alcohol are to be suspended pending the final consultations and implementation of the National Alcohol Policy and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement said.

Mr Kuanum said that although the National Alcohol Policy had been signed by the Federal Ministry of Health in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, both offices insisted that NAFDAC must refrain from enforcement until the policy is fully operational and further guidance is issued.

The government listed measures that must be suspended, including factory shutdowns, warehouse sealing and public emphasis on the ban, warning that the continued sealing of warehouses and what it described as a “de facto ban” on sachet alcohol products, without a harmonised policy framework, was causing economic disruptions and posing security risks.

According to the statement, the actions had adversely impacted jobs, supply chains and informal distribution networks nationwide.

Kuanum noted that the position reinforced an earlier directive issued by the SGF’s office in December 2025, which had similarly suspended all enforcement actions pending stakeholder consultations and a final decision.

He also referenced a letter dated November 13, 2025, from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, signed by Deputy Chairman Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, which raised concerns over NAFDAC’s proposed enforcement and highlighted existing National Assembly resolutions on the matter.

The Federal Government said it was reviewing legislative resolutions, public health considerations, economic implications and national interest factors surrounding the issue. It added that the involvement of the National Security Adviser underscored the wider implications, cautioning that premature enforcement without a coordinated policy framework could destabilise communities, exacerbate unemployment and trigger security challenges.

The statement assured Nigerians and industry stakeholders that a final decision would be communicated after comprehensive consultations and inter-agency coordination, in the interest of public health, economic stability and national security.

The monarch of Evo Kingdom in Rivers State, Eze (Dr) Leslie Eke, has thrown his weight behind the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), describing it as a laudable initiative that promises to ease residents’ access to quality healthcare without the burden of crippling out-of-pocket expenses.

The royal endorsement came on Tuesday during an advocacy visit by the management of the Rivers State Health Insurance Agency, led by its Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vetty Agala, to the monarch’s palace in Woji Town.

Speaking during the interactive session, leaders and stakeholders of Evo Kingdom commended the state government for making the health insurance scheme functional, noting that it represents a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery in the state.

The monarch and his cabinet, however, called for intensified sensitisation and stronger collaboration with community leaderships across the state to deepen awareness and ensure that those who need the scheme most are adequately captured.

While applauding the initiative, members of the community expressed concern over what they described as poor services in some primary healthcare centres. They stressed the urgent need to strengthen primary health facilities to enable residents fully benefit from the programme and other health policies of the state government.

The Evo people also expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for prioritising the health sector and assured the RIVCHPP management of their readiness to key into the scheme.

Among those who spoke at the event were Ruwhuoma Nnodi Paul, Queen Obunezi Eke, Mrs Sylverline O. Ejims, Rev. Dr Margaret Mbu, Chief Samuel Owoh and Dr Stanley Amadi.

Earlier, Dr Agala outlined the structure, benefits and operational framework of the RIVCHPP, assuring the community that services rendered through accredited facilities are of high standard and accessible to all residents.
She also addressed concerns about the sustainability of the scheme, maintaining that the programme is designed as a long-term intervention to guarantee that Rivers residents can access quality healthcare services without heavy financial strain.

The RIVCHPP boss expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, for their commitment to the health and wellbeing of residents. She urged all residents of the state to enrol in the scheme and take advantage of its benefits.

The visit featured the presentation of RIVCHPP kits and informational materials to the monarch and members of his cabinet.

An Arik Air flight bound for Port Harcourt was forced to make an emergency diversion on Wednesday morning after the crew reported an engine malfunction while descending into the Rivers State capital.

The Boeing 737-700 aircraft, registered 5N-MJF and operating Flight W3 740 from Lagos, encountered trouble mid-air when pilots heard a loud bang from the left engine during approach to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

In line with standard safety procedures, the flight crew diverted the aircraft to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure.

The plane landed safely without further incident.
All 80 passengers and crew members on board disembarked without injury, the airline confirmed.

Arik Air said arrangements had been made to transport the affected passengers to Port Harcourt, their original destination.

In a statement issued after the incident, the airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, apologised for the disruption and reiterated the carrier’s commitment to passenger safety.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air. We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted,” the statement said.

The aircraft is expected to undergo technical checks as part of standard post-incident procedures.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the protracted political crisis in Rivers State is close to a permanent resolution, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting ongoing projects in the FCT, Wike expressed confidence that the president’s mediation had effectively quelled tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.

He described President Tinubu as a unifying national figure whose decisive leadership was instrumental in restoring calm.

“I believe that, by the grace of God, this will be the last time the president will be bothered with this issue, and the last time the people of Rivers State will hear of this kind of discord,” Wike said.

Emphasising the authority of the president’s role, the former Rivers State governor noted that Tinubu’s counsel carried binding weight for all parties involved.

“The president is the father of the nation, and when a father speaks, his children must listen and do what is necessary to ensure peace and stability,” he added.

Wike expressed optimism that the Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara would act in good faith to uphold the agreement reached during the peace talks.

“The House of Assembly will do what they are supposed to do, and I am confident that the governor will also carry out the acts required of him to ensure that this peace is sustainable,” he said.

According to Wike, the overriding priority must now be stability and development in Rivers State, rather than prolonged political confrontation.

“The most important thing is for Rivers State to move forward, and we are grateful to Mr President for his tireless commitment to ensuring that we reach this understanding,” he stated.

The political crisis in the state escalated after the Rivers State House of Assembly, perceived to be loyal to Wike, initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.

In a bid to resolve the impasse, President Tinubu on Monday summoned Wike and Fubara to the Presidential Villa, where he personally mediated between the contending parties.

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.