General News
OKPE UNION PROPOSES 15 HOMOGENEOUS ETHNIC-BASED STATES FOR NIGERIA
The Okpe Union, Nigeria’s oldest registered ethnic nationality organization, has recommended a restructuring of the country’s federal system. Established on May 16, 1930, and registered on December 13, 1934, the union proposes the creation of 15 homogeneous federating states based on the country’s most populous ethnic nationalities with contiguous boundaries.
According to Prof. Igho Natufe, President-General of the Okpe Union, “As a framework for a restructured federal Nigeria, we propose the creation of homogeneous federating states for the 15 most populous ethnic nationalities that have contiguous boundaries, respectively.” These states would be based on ethnic groups such as Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Okpe, and Tiv.
The union’s proposal is part of its call for a broader reform of Nigeria’s governance structure. Natufe reiterated the union’s demand for state police, restoration of true federalism, and good governance. He also emphasized the need for a credible national population census, utilizing the best technology to ensure the exercise commands national confidence.
Furthermore, the union urged the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collaborate in reviewing the country’s electoral laws and regulations. “We urge both bodies to ensure that the votes of Nigerians in all parts of the country would truly count in the 2027 presidential elections,” Natufe said.
The Okpe Union also stressed the importance of good governance in improving citizens’ welfare and stabilizing the Nigerian polity. “It is with good governance, which in turn translates to improved well-being of the people that increases confidence the people will have in the democratic process,” Natufe noted.
In addition to its national proposals, the Okpe Union aims to strengthen the Okpe nation by addressing educational deficits among its people. To achieve this, the union plans to promote the teaching of the Okpe language in primary and post-primary educational institutions, including private schools. The use of the Okpe language in places of worship within Okpe, Delta State, will also be encouraged.
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31, 2026, following his arraignment on alleged corruption-related charges.
El-Rufai was on Tuesday brought before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa.
During the proceedings, the former governor was docked on one count out of a 10-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency. The charge, according to his counsel, Ubong Akpan, relates to alleged deposits into a domiciliary account and the monetisation of earnings.
El-Rufai was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
Despite pending applications earlier filed before the court, Justice Aikawa proceeded with the arraignment and subsequently adjourned the matter to March 31 to consider all outstanding applications, including the bail request.
No bail application was moved or granted during Tuesday’s session.
Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, Akpan maintained that there was nothing unusual about the proceedings, adding that the defence team was yet to be served with processes relating to other potential charges.
The case is expected to resume on the adjourned date for hearing of the bail application and other pending matters.
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.