Government
10,000 Widows Receive February Stipends as Delta Government Sustains Welfare Programme
About 10,000 widows enrolled in the Delta State Widows Welfare Scheme have received their February 2026 monthly stipends from the state government, with beneficiaries across the three senatorial districts offering prayers and thanksgiving for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The Coordinator of the scheme and Executive Assistant to the Governor on Social Investment Programmes, Elder Isioma Okonta, led members of the management team on a tour of the senatorial districts where special prayer sessions were held to appreciate the governor’s continued support for vulnerable widows in the state.
Speaking during a visit to the Delta Central Senatorial District in Okpe Local Government Area, Okonta emphasised the importance of the Widows Welfare Scheme, noting that the initiative has continued to ease the hardship faced by many widows across Delta State.
He explained that the programme aligns with Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which prioritises social welfare, inclusiveness and human capital development.
According to him, the regular payment of stipends has helped many widows meet basic needs and restore a sense of dignity, describing the initiative as a critical support system for thousands of families.
At the end of the visit, beneficiaries offered prayers and thanksgiving for the governor, expressing appreciation for what they described as his compassion and commitment to improving the welfare of widows in the state.
Many of the beneficiaries prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the governor for what they called “wiping the tears of vulnerable widows.”
The widows also commended Okonta for his leadership of the scheme, particularly for ensuring prompt payment of stipends and facilitating regular meetings between beneficiaries and area coordinators.
Similar prayer and thanksgiving sessions were held in Ozoro in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta South Senatorial District and in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta North Senatorial District.
Okonta said the tour also served as an opportunity to sensitise beneficiaries about the objectives of the MORE Agenda while encouraging them to remain supportive of the policies and programmes of the state government.
He urged the widows to continue to serve as ambassadors of the governor in their respective communities.
The highlight of the events across the senatorial districts was the endorsement of Governor Oborevwori by beneficiaries of the scheme, who pledged their support for him through 2031.
Members of the Widows Welfare Scheme management team who joined the coordinator on the tour included the Head of Delta Central Monitoring Team, Hon. Uko Martins; Head of Delta South Monitoring Team, Mr Felix Ofuo; Comrade Ahmed Atumremuro; Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Sunday Achike; Project Accountant, Mr Ogaga Kelvin; Training Officer, Mr Henry Ifeogwu; Project Assistant, Chioma Okunebe; Coordinator for Ndokwa West, Barrister Mrs Omude Ochonogor Ochibe; and Ambassador Carolyn Usikpedo, Coordinator for Isoko North Local Government Area, among others.
The United Kingdom has announced heightened security measures, including temporary airspace restrictions, in Windsor ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit next week.
According to Thames Valley Police, the measures are part of a coordinated security operation involving the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household, and other partners to safeguard dignitaries, spectators, and the general public.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall, of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit, stated:
“The air restrictions are just one aspect of a robust security operation. Many measures will be visible, others will not. Our experience in policing Royal events ensures that we have thoroughly planned and prepared for this visit. We will keep all attendees safe while allowing the public to enjoy this historic occasion.”
Windsor Castle already has permanent airspace restrictions year-round, but on Wednesday, March 18, these will be extended from 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Any violation will be treated as a criminal offense under the Air Navigation Order.
Police will deploy officers with specialist capabilities, including search teams, mounted units, armed officers, roads policing, and Project Servator personnel. Windsor’s CCTV network, hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, and other security measures will also be in use.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity by calling 101, or 999 in case of an emergency.
The measures reflect the UK’s commitment to ensuring both the safety of dignitaries and the smooth conduct of this high-profile state visit.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has demanded clarification from Mozambican authorities over the arrest and continued detention of 42 Nigerian nationals in the country.
According to the commission, the arrests were reportedly carried out by Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), which claimed the Nigerians were staying illegally in the country. However, NIDCOM said the claim has not been officially confirmed.
In a statement issued by the commission’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM noted that Nigeria’s High Commission in Mozambique had not been formally notified about the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the families of the detained Nigerians have been making distress calls, expressing concern about the welfare of their relatives.
“They confiscated their cell phones, personal belongings and the money they had with them at the time of the arrest,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
She added that the Nigerian Embassy has written to Mozambique’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the Attorney-General to seek clarification on the matter.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed that if the Nigerians committed any offence, the authorities should formally charge them in court and make the allegations public. Otherwise, they should be released instead of being held without due process.
She also reiterated that while the Nigerian government does not support criminal activities by its citizens abroad, no Nigerian should be detained without clear charges or knowledge of the reason for their arrest.
General News
Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Democracy, Rule of Law at Interfaith Iftar with Party Leaders
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting democracy and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria, describing both as enduring pillars of national unity and stability.
The President gave the assurance on Wednesday during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and leaders of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu stressed that strengthening internal democracy within political parties remains vital to building credible electoral institutions and processes across the country.
According to him, the adoption of direct primaries by political parties offers members greater opportunity to participate in choosing their representatives at different levels of governance.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, the President described himself as a committed democrat who had participated in the struggle for democratic governance.
“The Chairman of IPAC provoked some questions. I am glad we are all democrats. We all subscribe to democracy voluntarily and have sustained it selflessly for the past 26 years.
“Some of us were bruised in the struggle for it. We were detained, protested on the streets, and some went into exile. We formed National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). I followed the leadership destiny that God chose for me. There is no doubt that I am a die-hard democrat,” Tinubu said.
He added that his belief in a united Nigeria remains unwavering and that democratic principles would continue to guide his leadership.
“There is no threat from any democrat under my watch. The rule of law must prevail in any democracy. The majority will have their way while the minority will have their say. I must not stand in their way. That is the sweetness and essence of democracy,” the President stated.
Tinubu also assured political leaders that his administration remains committed to conducting free and fair elections.
“I am a registered voter on the same platform as you. I will remain committed to my platform. Even when it was against me years ago, I toed the line and stayed in opposition without threatening anyone, except the military junta. I want democracy to thrive,” he added.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, commended the President for providing strong leadership and effectively managing Nigeria’s diverse human and material resources.
He thanked Tinubu for bringing together leaders of political parties for the Ramadan breaking of fast, describing the gesture as significant for fostering unity among political actors.
Yilwatda assured the President of the ruling party’s continued support in realising his administration’s vision for the country.
“We are grateful to God to have you as the leader of this country. We will continue to support you and stand by you as a party,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, appealed to the President to reconsider the inclusion of the National Identity Number (NIN) as a requirement for voter registration.
Dantalle warned that such a requirement could disenfranchise many eligible voters and also raised concerns about the removal of indirect primaries for party nominations under the newly signed 2026 Electoral Law.
He further urged the restoration of financial support for political parties through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The IPAC chairman also informed the President that a documentary film marking 26 years of democratic governance in Nigeria titled “Unbroken Democracy” had been produced.
The film, supported by Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, is expected to premiere soon at the State House.