General News
DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT REITERATES COMMITMENT TO PARTNER WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reaffirmed the state government’s willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government for the overall socio-economic development of the state. The Governor made this known during the inauguration of the reconstructed 9.6km Abraka – Oben Road and the flag-off of the reconstruction of failed portions of Abraka – Agbor Road (Phase 1) in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, Governor Oborevwori emphasized that his administration remains committed to partnering with the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government for the transformation of the state. “The Government of Delta State believes very strongly and firmly that we are partners in progress with the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
The Governor commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for initiating the reconstruction of the Abraka – Oben Road and called for the completion of the road to Benin. He also thanked President Tinubu for his support for the NDDC board, urging him to continue to do more for the people of the Niger Delta.
Governor Oborevwori noted that the Delta State Government has shown verifiable commitment in its interventions on federal roads across the state. He cited the rehabilitation of the Benin – Sapele road and the Benin – Warri highway as examples of the state government’s interventions.
Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, thanked the NDDC for heeding President Tinubu’s directive to reconstruct section one of the road from Abraka – Oben. He commended Governor Oborevwori for his interventions on federal roads in the state and urged governors across the country to see interventionist agencies as partners in progress and not as competitors.
Chairman NDDC Governing board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, commended the executive management for giving vent to the board’s directives. Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Sam Ogbuku, said the NDDC is working well under the full guidance of President Bola Tinubu to improve infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The visit formed part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations, as top government officials and political leaders paid courtesy calls to the President.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, a key political body in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council
The engagements provided an opportunity for discussions on national issues and strengthened ties between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Sallah homage is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, where political leaders and stakeholders visit the President and other top officials during major Islamic festivities.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, describing the development as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said he was informed that the cleric was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday. He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” warning that it reflects a growing pattern of intimidation and suppression of dissenting voices in the country.
Obi noted that such actions, if confirmed, undermine fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement, which he said are essential pillars of any democratic society.
He further stressed that harassment or persecution of citizens based on perceived political affiliations must not be tolerated, urging the government to uphold the rule of law in its dealings with Nigerians.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society,” Obi stated, adding that suppression and intimidation of dissent have no place in a functioning democracy.
The former Anambra State governor called on authorities and all relevant actors to refrain from actions capable of weakening the nation’s already fragile democratic system.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the alleged arrest.