Government
GOV DIRI URGES PANDEF TO FOCUS ON REGION’S DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged the leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to focus on issues that border on the region’s development. The Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, stated in a press release that Senator Diri gave the admonition on Wednesday when a delegation of PANDEF led by its new chairman, Amb. Godknows Igali, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
Diri expressed his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the forum to address issues of development bedevilling the Niger Delta region. He stressed that PANDEF needed the collaboration of governors of the region as well as interventionist agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the proposed South South Development Commission in order for it to succeed. “PANDEF ought to play a key advocacy role in supporting the South-South Governors Forum,” Diri said.
He also stated that he had informed his counterparts in the South-South on the need to collaborate to establish a power project for the zone in order to attract investments. On his administration’s part, Diri highlighted efforts aimed at facilitating the procurement of an independent power plant to enhance socio-economic activities. He noted that the ongoing central senatorial road leading to Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, would be completed and inaugurated before the end of this year.
In his remarks, Chairman of PANDEF, Amb. Godknows Igali, affirmed the forum’s support to the South-South Governors Forum to help reposition the body to bring about development and address issues such as fiscal federalism. Alabrah stated that Amb. Igali congratulated Diri on his emergence as chairman of the South-South Governors Forum.
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.