General
Stakeholders Insists Imo Must Produce Next NDDC MD
By Adedapo Adesanya
Stakeholders of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) have urged the administration of Mr Emeka Ihedioha to return the Commission to the oil landlords in the state.
They made this call at a meeting with the Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Gerald Irona, at a gathering of stakeholders that comprised members of Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta at Oguta Civic Center, last Sunday.
The stakeholders expressed their displeasure over a sponsored publication that stated that the state, which was one of the oil producing states in the country, was not entitled to produce a Managing Director for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
They argued that it was the turn of Imo State to produce the Managing Director of the NDDC, agreeing to take steps to advance an advocacy towards achieving same.
A 19-point Communique issued at the meeting urged stakeholders to refute the advertorial on page 26 of Vanguard newspapers, with the false claim that Imo State should not produce a Managing Director for the NDDC.
The Deputy Governor in his address used the occasion to express his discomfiture at the sponsored publication that stated that Imo State was not entitled to the position of the Managing Director of NDDC, describing it as toxic.
Mr Irona said he saw it as the politicization of ISOPADEC by the previous administrations in the state, reiterating the determination of the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha to return the Commission to the oil landlords in the state.
Speaking on funding of the Commission, he stressed: “I have extracted commitment from our leader and Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha that ISOPADEC shall receive full funding, as provided by the law establishing it.
“The State Government has released all the monies meant for local governments to them. ISOPADEC has received its funds in full. Our people should hold the chairmen and ISOPADEC leadership to account. The Governor has demonstrated faith by releasing the funds, as promised.”
Also, at the meeting, there was the formal presentation of the new leadership of ISOPADEC, Adapalm Nigeria Limited, as well as the ISOPADEC Advisory Committee whom he charged to be non-partisan.
He also used the occasion to urge traditional rulers in the area to take full responsibility for all government Infrastructure in their domain.
Stakeholders praised the administration of Mr Ihedioha and his Deputy for what they described as inclusive governance, assuring them of total support.
The meeting was attended by very important dignitaries, among whom are: Prof. Okee Okoro, Sir Mike Okiro, former Inspector General of Police, Prof. Victor Kogah, Engr. John Otti, former Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Power, General Kalu Egwuagu (Rtd), Prof. Ike Azogu, Hon. Hilary Eberendu.
Also gracing the event were Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Oguta LGA, Hon. Damian Ezeru, Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Engr. Anthony Okwuosha, Managing Director, Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission-ISOPADEC, Barr. Magnus Obido, Chairman, ISOPADEC Board, Traditional Rulers, community leaders, opinion leaders, civil society organizations, among others.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
