Government
GOVERNOR DIRI EMERGES CHAIRMAN OF SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS FORUM
Governors of the South-South geo-political zone have unanimously elected Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, as chairman of the South-South Governors Forum. The election took place on Tuesday during the forum’s meeting in Government House, Yenagoa.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor of Bayelsa State, Daniel Alabrah, said in a statement that Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, emerged as vice chairman of the forum. Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, moved the motion nominating Diri while his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, seconded it.
Responding, Diri said his emergence as chairman was a call to higher service and promised to serve the forum and the region diligently. He stated that the forum would go beyond issuing communiques to taking action in critical issues that affect the region’s development. “Working together, we have all resolved that our region will not fail. We have seen other regions working while our region was quiet,” Diri said.
In his opening address, Diri outlined the objectives of the forum, which include fostering greater synergy among states, advancing regional investments in critical sectors, and promoting sustainable development and prosperity. He identified South-South regional flight connection as one area of collaboration to ease air travel within the zone.
The governors also expressed support for the ongoing tax reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration, but urged the president to extend the proposed VAT sharing to other areas of derivation like oil and gas. They argued that the law on oil derivation prescribed a minimum of 13 per cent and that the federal government should consider increasing the amount on oil derivation to states in the region.
The forum appreciated the president for the award and commencement of the coastal road project, but demanded that it equally commence from the Calabar axis to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic development in the region. They also called for the intervention of the federal government in other areas, including the extension of the ongoing remediation of Ogoni land to other polluted environments in the region.
Alabrah said the highpoint of the meeting was the celebration of the birthday of the Rivers governor, Sim Fubara, who turned 50 on Tuesday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that Nigeria is in discussions with the United Kingdom and France to strengthen security cooperation and acquire military equipment to combat rising insecurity.
Chairman NGF
The president made this known on Sunday while receiving state governors during a Sallah visit at his residence in Bourdillon, Lagos.
President Tinubu with NGF
According to him, engagements during his recent visit to the UK focused on sourcing critical security hardware, while separate talks with French President Emmanuel Macron explored areas of partnership in tackling terrorism.
The meeting was attended by 24 state governors, including those from Abia, Benue, Katsina, Edo and Rivers states. Vice President Kashim Shettima and the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, were also present.
Tinubu stressed that insecurity remains a major impediment to Nigeria’s development, noting that global uncertainties could further complicate the country’s economic outlook.
He specifically pointed to tensions in the Middle East as a potential trigger for increased inflation and reduced purchasing power, warning that such pressures could lead to renewed demands from labour unions for government intervention.
Government
Historic Flight Test Conducted at Gusau International Airport – Gov. Lawal Applauds Milestone
Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed excitement following the successful test run of a maiden flight at the Gusau International Airport, describing the development as a historic achievement for Zamfara State.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the test flight reportedly landed at exactly 4:30 p.m.
According to the statement, the aircraft used for the exercise was a Bombardier Challenger 605, operated by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The spokesperson noted that the flight, bearing registration number 5N-FGZ, was a one-off test designed to evaluate the airport’s readiness to handle VIP movements scheduled for the coming week.
He further explained that the test flight was conducted in line with provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, specifically Part 12.1.4.1(c), after the Zamfara State Government obtained the necessary approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. The Authority granted a one-time “No Technical Objection” (NTO) for the aircraft to land at the facility.
The operation was carried out under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), restricting the flight to daylight hours between sunrise and sunset.
Describing the development as a landmark achievement, the statement emphasized that the successful test flight marks a significant boost to Governor Lawal’s administration, noting that Zamfara State has operated without an airport for over three decades since its creation.
The governments of the United Kingdom and Nigeria have unveiled a three-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening cooperation against organised immigration crime and enhancing border security.
The initiative was announced in a joint statement issued by the UK Home Office on Thursday, following the state visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to tackling organised immigration crime and addressing risks associated with irregular migration, describing border control as a matter of “significant importance” to both nations.
The agreement, signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, outlines measures to curb visa abuse, strengthen legal frameworks, and enhance operational collaboration.
Under the plan, Nigeria is expected to review its legal system to impose stricter penalties for immigration-related offences, particularly those involving the production of fraudulent travel documents. Both countries also pledged to expand legal provisions for prosecuting offenders and tighten regulations around visa and travel documentation.
The partnership will further strengthen the UK–Nigeria Organised Immigration Crime Unit through new Memoranda of Understanding focused on operational engagement and data sharing.
In addition, the United Kingdom will provide training and capacity building for Nigeria’s border security agencies, while both nations will collaborate on protecting vulnerable migrants, especially women and children.
The agreement also includes enhanced research efforts, improved document verification systems, and regular assessments under the UK–Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue framework.
Both governments noted that the pact reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding citizens and reinforcing border systems through partnership, mutual support, and shared understanding.
The development comes amid a series of high-level engagements during President Tinubu’s visit, hosted by Charles III, which marked a significant moment in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The visit also yielded key agreements, including a £746 million financing deal targeted at modernising Nigeria’s major seaports in Apapa and Tin Can Island, further strengthening economic ties between both nations.