The Ebedaowei, Engineer Hope Aserifa Torru, members of the Kabuowei Traditional Council of Chiefs in Bayelsa State have expressed profound shock over the passing of the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

A statement on behalf of the Ebedaowei and the Traditional Council of Chiefs says Senator Ewhrudjakpo’s untimely death creates a significant void in diverse areas, mostly in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The statement signed by the Ozitua-owei (Spokesman) High Chief Freston Akpor notes that Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo dedicated his life to public service, displaying unwavering commitment to the development of Bayelsa State and it’s people.

“His leadership, vision, and tireless efforts in advancing the state’s infrastructural growth as Commissioner for Works, his time as a Senator was a testimony of patriotism and as Deputy Governor, he offered support in the quest to change the growth trajectory of the State”

According to the Kabuowei Traditional Council of Chiefs, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was a man of integrity, whose compassion and dedication inspired many.

“As we mourn this great loss, we extend our deepest condolences to Governor Douye Diri, his widow and children, the Ewhrudjakpo family and the people of Ofoni and Bayelsa State and Tarakiri Clan”

The Ebedaowei and the Kabuowei Traditional Council of Chiefs (Bayelsa) states that “While we pray for strength for all in this difficult time particularly the bereaved family, as custodians of the people’s tradition and culture, we will honour the legacies of the departed in ensuring that his contributions to our dear state are never forgotten”.

As a devout and dedicated Christian, we are assured that his soul will find eternal and peaceful rest in the Lord.

Thousands of women from across Rivers State on Christmas 2025 converged on the historic Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, in a spectacular outpouring of praise, thanksgiving and unity at the Christmas 2025 Praise Party Palooza.

The event, hosted by Rivers Women Unite for SIM in collaboration with the Toby Jug Foundation, drew women from all 23 local government areas of the state, cutting across professions, ages and social backgrounds, in a powerful demonstration of faith and communal solidarity.

The park came alive with exuberant worship, fervent prayers and spirited dance as participants lifted their voices in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Clad in elegant white and red attire symbolising purity, love, sacrifice and the joy of Christmas, the women formed a striking visual display that transformed the venue into a radiant arena of praise and fellowship.

Beyond the spiritual celebration, the women used the occasion to express gratitude and unwavering support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS. They joyfully affirmed his recent political transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a strategic step toward peace, unity and accelerated development in the state.

Songs of thanksgiving echoed across Isaac Boro Park as prayers were offered for continued peace, progress and purposeful leadership in Rivers State. The women also prayed for divine wisdom, strength and protection for Governor Fubara and other leaders committed to the welfare of the people.

Organisers described the Praise Party Palooza as a reflection of the strength, resilience and faith of Rivers women, united by a shared hope for a better and more prosperous future.

As the celebration came to a close, the atmosphere remained charged with joy and gratitude, leaving behind a powerful message of unity, faith and collective support for leadership anchored on peace and development in Rivers State.

Police, FBI, US Secret Service Nab Alleged ‘RaccoonO365’ Phishing Kingpin, Two Others in Nigeria

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC), in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Secret Service, have arrested three suspected high-profile internet fraudsters in Lagos and Edo states over alleged cyber fraud.

The suspects were accused of carrying out targeted cyber-attacks on the email systems of major corporate organisations, largely within Nigeria.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the suspects executed the attacks through phishing links and the deployment of malicious software.

According to the statement, the arrests followed credible and actionable intelligence received from Microsoft Corporation and the FBI, which exposed the use of a sophisticated phishing toolkit known as RaccoonO365.

Hundeyin said the toolkit was designed to create fake Microsoft login portals used to harvest user credentials and gain unauthorised access to email platforms of corporate, financial and educational institutions.

He noted that the NPF–NCCC subsequently launched an intelligence-driven operation in partnership with Microsoft, the FBI and the US Secret Service.

Investigations revealed multiple cases of unauthorised Microsoft 365 account access between January and September 2025, traced to phishing emails crafted to closely resemble genuine Microsoft authentication pages. The attacks reportedly resulted in business email compromise, data breaches and financial losses across several jurisdictions.

Acting on precise intelligence, NPF–NCCC operatives were deployed to Lagos and Edo states, where three suspects were arrested. Searches conducted at their residences led to the recovery of laptops, mobile phones and other digital devices, which forensic analysis linked to the fraud scheme.

Further investigations identified Okitipi Samuel, also known as “RaccoonO365” and “Moses Felix,” as the principal suspect and developer of the phishing infrastructure. Police said he operated a Telegram channel where phishing links were sold for cryptocurrency and hosted fake login portals on Cloudflare using stolen or fraudulently obtained email credentials.

However, investigators said there was no evidence linking the two other suspects to the creation or operation of the phishing toolkit.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s digital space through advanced technology, strong international partnerships, and thorough investigative and prosecutorial processes to combat emerging cyber threats.

The people of the Ogbia Kingdom, including the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, have assured support for President Bola Tinubu and appealed for the establishment of a Petroleum Institute in Oloibiri, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

They started their position during a courtesy visit to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Ogbia delegation, led by the monarch of Ogbia Kingdom, King Charles Owaba, and other distinguished sons of the kingdom, conveyed appreciation to Mr President for the confidence reposed in our sons and daughters through key national appointments, including the appointment of the NDDC Managing Director.

The royal father noted that the gesture underscored Mr President’s commitment to inclusive leadership and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

The delegation also formally presented priority developmental needs of Ogbia Kingdom; notably the Akaba–Okodi Road, the construction of strategic bridges, shoreline protection for erosion-impacted communities, and the establishment of a petroleum-related institute in Oloibiri, Nigeria’s historic birthplace of the oil industry.

Speaking on the visit, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ogbuku, expressed appreciation for Mr President’s commendation of the efforts of the NDDC Board and Management. He said: “His words of encouragement further energises our resolve to sustain people-centred, impactful development across the Niger Delta region.”

“Beyond appreciation, the visit reaffirmed the strong bond between Ogbia Kingdom and the Federal Government, as our people expressed firm support for President Tinubu’s leadership and vision for a progressive Nigeria.”

“Through unity, collaboration and purposeful governance, we remain committed to advancing the aspirations of our people and contributing meaningfully to national development.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has been nominated for the Public Servant of the Year Award for his commitment to bringing peace and development to the Niger Delta.

This was made known during a courtesy visit by the New Telegraph team to the NDDC Chief Executive Officer at the Commission’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

In a statement signed and issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Ogbuku in accepting the nomination, noted, “We accept the award, and we say thank you for this recognition. This is not the first award we are receiving, as we have had several awards in areas of revolutionising and transforming the Niger Delta.”

He stated: “The Board and Management of the Commission are driven by the zeal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in developing the Niger Delta. We ensure that whatever we do is in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, ensures that we give periodic reports on our activities coupled with oversight functions of the National Assembly; we have no choice but to succeed. Mr. President has given us all we need to succeed.”

The NDDC Boss also noted areas in which the Commission had excelled, including the Light-Up-the-Niger-Delta Project, the distribution of 45,000 U-Lesson Tablets to schoolchildren in the region, and youth empowerment training.

Ogbuku observed: “We are focused on the next chapter. We are taking roads and water to inaccessible communities in the region. We will soon commence a six-month 1,000-youth training in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Akwa Ibom State; the modalities are currently being worked out.”

He added: “This award is not just for the NDDC. It flows from the President, to the National Assembly and to our stakeholders. This honour and recognition is a charge to do more. We do not take it for granted.”

In his own remarks, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the New Telegraph newspaper, Mr. Ayodele Aminu, remarked: “We have watched, with keen interest, the activities of the Managing Director of the NDDC since he assumed office. Our Board of Editors and Panel of Judges singled him out as Public Servant of the Year because of his significant strides in accountability, youth empowerment, Light Up the Niger Delta, and region-wide infrastructural development, amongst others.”

He said that the New Telegraph 2025 Awards Ceremony is scheduled to be held on February 13, 2026, in Lagos.