General
Ihedioha Vows to Implement LG Autonomy in Imo
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Imo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Emeka Ihedioha, has promised to ensure that local governments in the state enjoy full autonomy, if elected Governor of the state.
Mr Ihedioha made this pledge at the weekend during a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders of Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, at Oguta Civic Center.
He also vowed at the event to ensure that the law establishing the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) is vigorously implemented.
The former lawmaker expressed concern over the perennial problem of electricity in the Oil-rich Local government, promising to fix it if voted into power.
Speaking on his Oguta-born deputy governorship candidate, Mr Gerald Irona, the former deputy speaker reiterated his confidence in him, describing him as his ideal Deputy Governor.
Mr Ihedioha, who described his visit to Oguta as akin to a home coming, promised to take advantage of the tourism and agricultural potentials of the area to develop it.
“I appreciate the deluge of problems you have identified. It is one of the reasons I nominated your brother- Irona as my Deputy. He is very conversant with all the issues. I have seen in Irona a young man that understands what loyalty, dedication and hard work is. That is the kind of man I want as Deputy Governor.
“We shall run the government jointly in harmony. Our government shall be built on justice, due process and rule of law. We shall ensure that Local Government funds are administered by the Local Governments.
“We shall implement the FOI Act. We shall send an Executive Bill to the state Assembly to ensure that Local Government Councils enjoy autonomy. We shall have a Peoples Parliament, made up of non-state actors to enhance accountability and equity in the distribution of the people’s wealth.
“I am aware that you are an oil producing community. We are aware that you have a large agricultural base. I am aware that you don’t have power supply for eight years now. It is unthinkable that you are an oil producing LGA and you don’t have electricity.
“We shall dialogue with the oil companies. We shall bring FG to complete the NIPP Plant in Egbema and other power projects in Imo. We shall solve the problem of electricity. We understand what needs to be done. We have the contacts. We have the capacity to do this. We shall build good quality roads. We shall ensure that the law establishing the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission-ISOPADEC is implemented.”
Speaking earlier, Mr Irona promised not to disappoint the people, describing Mr Ihedioha as an age-long friend of Oguta people, who used his position as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to support the development of the area.
Reiterating the challenges facing Oguta Local Government Area, Mr Irona assured the people that when Mr Ihedioha takes over as Imo Governor their problems will receive serious attention.
He further used the occasion to thank Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe for what he described as his inspirational leadership and prayed God to continue to be with him.
“I want to thank our leader, Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe for all that he has done for us. I want to believe that one of the reasons Ihedioha chose me as his Deputy is his respect for our leader, Senator Arthur Nzeribe and the way and manner I have worked with our leader. The way I worked with our leader, I will transfer it in working with him. I promise not to disappoint you.
“Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema are the coastal LGAs in Imo; the two LGAs that qualified Imo to be in NDDC. I have engaged my principal- Hon. Ihedioha. He has given me an assurance that he will abide by the spirit and letters of the ISOPADEC law.”
Also speaking, Imo State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Charles Ezekwem, expressed the readiness of the PDP to take over power in the state, promising good governance.
He cautioned people of the area to resist the temptation of selling their votes, assuring them that the Local Government will have so much to benefit from a PDP administration in 2019.
Speaking earlier, a community leader in the area, Professor Ike Azogu outlined the problems of the people of the local government, urging them to address them when they assume office.
Highpoints of the visit were a rally at the Trinity High School, Oguta, attended by over fifteen thousand people, courtesy call on the Traditional Ruler of Oguta, His Royal Highness, Chinedu Nzeribe, Igwe of Oguta, speeches, presentation of flags of victory to: Orlu Senatorial candidate of the PDP, Hon. Jones Onyereri, Barr. Obed Acholonu, candidate for House of Representatives for Oguta/Ohaji/Egbema and Oru West Federal Constituency and Frank Ugboma, House of Assembly candidate for Oguta State Constituency.
The Town Hall event was attended by very important dignitaries, among whom are: former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Professor Jude Njoku, former Minister, Viola Onwuliri, former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Dr. Douglas Acholonu, community leaders from all the communities in Oguta LGA, members of Civil Society, among others.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young bloggers, online content creators and digital influencers have been charged to embrace ethical journalism, responsible storytelling and fact-based reporting as they shape public opinion in the digital age.
This task was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum on Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said digital platforms offer enormous opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but must be used responsibly to promote truth, national unity and constructive public discourse.
He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publication, reject misinformation and disinformation, avoid sensationalism, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and promote national development.
Mr Idris also encouraged young Nigerians to see digital content creation not only as a source of income but also as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is essential to strengthening democracy and public trust.
He further encouraged aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and uphold professional standards that will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s online media ecosystem.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to Media and Information Literacy, describing it as a major step in promoting digital literacy and responsible online engagement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, disclosed that Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, signed agreements committing himself to serving only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
Mr Kwankwaso explained that the documents comprised a formal agreement involving the political party and a separate personal accord between himself and Mr Obi.
According to Mr Kwankwaso, the deal stipulates that the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria in 2031 upon the completion of an Obi-led administration’s four-year tenure, if elected next year.
“We have agreed to formalise it in writing,” Mr Kwankwaso stated. “We have executed one document for the party and another between the two of us,” he revealed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday.
He reiterated that Mr Obi would honour his pledge and resist pressure to seek a second term, expressing confidence in the former Anambra State governor, noting that his interactions had convinced him that he would respect the agreement.
“I personally believe him, and, based on what I now know about him, I do not believe he will change his mind when the time comes,” he said. “We are all gentlemen.”
Mr Kwankwaso added that he and Mr Obi would continue to collaborate after the proposed administration completes its term.
“The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a group, as a party, and as friends and brothers,” he said. “After our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the consensus.”
The former defence minister did not state that he would be the NDC presidential candidate in 2031; his comments referred broadly to the presidency returning to the North, rather than to his personal political ambitions.
Mr Obi has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term if elected; however, he has yet to publicly confirm the specific details of the documents described by Mr Kwankwaso.
In the 2023 Presidential polls, Mr Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate while Mr Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 1.14 million hectares of degraded land have been restored by the Nigerian government, with more than 1.5 million trees planted across the country in the past year.
This information was revealed by the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the 2026 Top Management Retreat and National Tree Planting Campaign in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He said these achievements were made through initiatives of the federal government like the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the National Agency for the Great Green Wall.
According to him, the restoration of the land and the planting of trees demonstrate a clear national commitment to securing environmental sustainability while advancing economic growth.
The Minister reemphasised that the environment is not an abstract concept, pointing out that “it is the air we breathe, the land that feeds us, the rivers that sustain communities, and the climate that shapes the future.”
He praised Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his giant strides in the environment sector in the state, urging other state governors to emulate him by providing sponsorship for their students to the various Federal Colleges of Forestry Resources Management institutions located across the six geo-political zones of the country to encourage and boost Forest education in the country.
He described the decision of Mr Zulum to sponsor 540 indigenes of the state to a forestry college in Maiduguri as commendable.
Mr Lawal also informed the participants of the programme that the Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, is a key policy instrument under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying it protects Nigeria’s forest resources, curbs illegal logging, and encourages tree planting as a national duty.
He pledged the Federal Ministry of Environment’s continued partnership with state governments on afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and other interventions tailored to their needs.
“Nigeria’s environmental future can be secured by protecting natural heritage, strengthening climate resilience, and advancing inclusive and sustainable development for present and future generations,” he declared.
