Television Nigerian

The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been nominated by the Leadership of Independent Newspapers for the coveted Platinum Award as Education Ambassador in honor of his exceptional contributions to the state’s educational transformation.

Since taking office, Governor Okpebholo has made education a top priority because it is the cornerstone of sustained growth. Together with Dr. Paddy Iyamu, the Commissioner for Education, his administration has built or rebuilt more than 65 public schools throughout the state in just eight months, and it has hired more than 600 new teachers.

Additionally, he raised Ambrose Alli University’s (AAU) Ekpoma subvention from ₦40 million to ₦500 million, a significant move that revitalized the school and addressed long-standing issues.

Furthermore, more than 1,000 medical and nursing students who had been stranded for four years under the previous administration were able to be inducted thanks to Governor Okpebholo.

Additionally, he resolved the eight-year AAU JAMB regularization bottleneck, which allowed more than 1,000 students to become eligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and regularize their admissions.
In order to further enhance the infrastructure for tertiary education, the government is now constructing a lecture hall with a capacity of 1,500 and a hostel with 600. Additionally, the new minimum wage has been fully implemented with a 5,000 increment throughout the state education eco system.

After 23 years since its founding, his administration has also helped the Polytechnic community by facilitating the development of a 5 km internal road at Usen Polytechnic in partnership with the NDDC.
In addition, no student in any Edo State tertiary school is being sent home for fees, making education essentially free in conjunction with the Federal Government’s NELFUND initiative.

Governor Monday has fully implemented the free primary education legacy at the basic education level and started the “Edu Rescue initiative,” which aims to get homeless children back to school where they belong. This will guarantee that every Edo child has access to high-quality, tuition-free education in a supportive setting.
In order to eradicate certificate fraud and guarantee the digitalization and authentication of all outcomes resulting from the digital public infrastructure, Educert 2.0 was introduced in partnership with the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation.

All students and guardians can use this to print their certificates online for free.

Governor Okpebholo deserves the title of Education Ambassador because of his advocacy, investments, and dedication to child education, according to Independent Newspapers.

The Platinum Award event will take place at the Eko Hotels & Suites on Victoria Island in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Sir Ahmadu Bello will receive posthumous legacy awards from President Bola Tinubu, the Distinguished Guest of Honor, while Professor Barth Nnaji will give a public lecture during the occasion.

Senator Monday Okpebholo is, in fact, bringing about change in a difficult society by facilitating children’s goals and assisting parents in ending the cycle of poverty.

The federal government has been urged to free Nnamdi Kanu, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by John Azuta-Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Kanu should be released so that he can receive the proper medical care, Azuta Mbata underlined.

In a short video message distributed to reporters on Thursday, he made this plea.

In 2015, Kanu was initially taken into custody on suspicion of treason.

He fled the country in 2017 after failing to post bail, and Nigerian security forces conducted a contentious operation that resulted in his apprehension again in Kenya in June 2021.

Since then, the Department of State Services, or DSS, has been in charge of him.

Kanu’s arrest has no benefit to the nation, according to Azuta Mbata, who encouraged the federal government to look into a political solution.

According to him, “The government has no real advantage in keeping him around.” In addition to ensuring his safety and well-being, the government must permit him to travel and receive medical care as soon as feasible.

“This crisis requires a political response from the administration. I don’t think the government has a compelling reason to hold him any longer.

It is anticipated that the post-emergency plenary of the Rivers State House of Assembly, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, will start on Thursday.

The lawmakers will reassemble in the Conference Hall, which is part of the Port Harcourt legislative building, it was learned.

The MPs have been gathering in the conference hall since arsonists bombed their official chamber at the House of Assembly compound along Moscow Road.

Prior to this, on March 18, President Bola Tinubu had suspended the emergency rule.

President Tinubu asked lawmakers and state governor Siminalayi Fubara to return to their responsibilities after lifting the suspension in a statement on Wednesday.

All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has boasted that no Nigerian politician intimidates the party.
He claimed that if former President Goodluck Jonathan does not run on a convincing political platform, his prospects of winning are doomed, regardless of how good his candidacy is.

The ruling party’s motor is sufficiently lubricated and prepared to win the election, he said.

Speaking to reporters on a Jos radio show, he denied that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition was a threat.

No name, he said, can frighten the APC or serve as a source of intimidation or danger to the party.

Yilwatda contended that the coalition was, at most, local in scope rather than national, which renders it ineffective from the start.

“As it stands right now, the APC is not afraid of any name in Nigeria and is ready to win an election,” he stated. When it comes to discussing a person’s name while talking the party, you know you need a vehicle to carry you. Our engines and machinery are well-oiled and ready to win elections and win them decisively. You don’t need a nice car to get your expensive garments to a reception. The vehicle will break down while traveling. Which car is going to transport Jonathan? Does it have ADC? Does it have PDP?

“The opposition as it exists currently only exists in pockets within states and localities; there is no national opposition. The opposition parties’ inability to gain a single seat in the north during the most recent rerun election, as well as in the South-South and South-East, demonstrates their limited power.

The president has been shown maturity in his political path, which is why the 2014 merger was able to withstand the test of time, he said, praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his political strength and wisdom.

He claimed that people did not give Asiwaju enough credit during the 2013 coalition. Although he was at the center of the coalition, he played a fatherly role and did not run for president. He gathered all the contenders together, using his house as a gathering place, but he showed no interest. Without turning back or requesting anything, he made his investment and saw the coalition through to its conclusion.

Without a central leader or focal point, everyone entering the coalition today is searching for the ticket. If no one is willing to make sacrifices and you believe that the alliance will succeed, it is doomed from the start.

Workers on the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 project have protested about illegal tax deductions in Bonny, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.

According to reports, fitters and welders started the protest, which was organized by Daewoo Contractors employees, and then it extended to junior employees.

Each employee has been required to pay approximately N150,000 per month for tax clearance throughout the previous two years, according to the data.

However, the irate employees claim that NLNG has not provided them with their Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) in spite of the deductions they have made over the last two years.

Read Also: Benue Govt Launches N16.8bn Fertilizer Scheme, Bags to Sell at ₦22,500 Each

Then they said that an audit found irregularities that showed the taxes were never sent to the federal government even though they were deducted each month.

Consequently, the employees are requesting that their TINs be released and that the money that has been withheld for the past two years be returned.

When repeated pleas for clarity were not answered, one of the workers who was protesting—a pipe welder—spoke on condition of anonymity to clarify that the demonstration started on Monday.

The conclusions reached during such discussions have not been put into effect, he continued, despite the company’s request that workers designate representatives for dialogue.

Furthermore, a protester accused their union of compromising the issue, claiming that union executives had known about it for two years but had kept quiet because they were profiting from the “illegal taxation.”

More information will be available soon.

With a pledge to create hundreds of billionaire farmers in the next two years, Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has revealed a N16.8 billion fertilizer initiative aimed at reestablishing the state as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse.

Governor Alia said 9,000 metric tonnes (600 truckloads) of fertilizer NPK, urea, and SSP will be given to farmers at half the market price during the official opening of the 2025 cropping season and distribution of subsidized farm inputs in Makurdi. Farmers would pay N22,500 for each bag, with the government providing a subsidy to cover the remaining amount.

The governor emphasized that delays were caused by fraudulent acts by certain vendors in 2024 and stated that the state has also concluded arrangements to settle nearly ₦5 billion owing to legitimate fertilizer suppliers from the previous year.

“We want to use farming to create hundreds of millionaires.” Young farmers ought to benefit from this assistance. Benue pride is found in farming, which is also where our money resides,” Alia said.

In order to provide farmers with timely access to resources, he disclosed that Benue has already implemented a new agricultural calendar that guarantees the distribution of wet season inputs between April and June and dry season inputs between November and January.

Additionally, Governor Alia promised that starting in December, no raw oranges would be shipped from the state since Benue’s new fruit processing facility would provide value locally.

Additionally, he ordered that 300 bags of fertilizer be distributed to widows who attended the event, and he asked farmer cooperatives to make sure that the distribution was transparent.

In an effort to combat corruption, the government has implemented cashless fertilizer sales via point-of-sale terminals at approved facilities, according to Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Benjamin Ashaver.

In order to fill in the gaps in extension services and improve transparency, he added, a reliable farmers’ record and hybrid digital platform were being created.

As his company revitalized the dormant Benue Fertilizer Plant to make crop-specific fertilizers for the state, Dr. Julius Atorough, CEO of Star Fertilizer, gave farmers assurances that contaminated fertilizer would be eradicated.

Read Also: Breaking: Ibas Formally Transfers Power to Fubara in Rivers, Gives Final Address

The effort was praised by Ter Lobi, HRH Moses Anagende, and Benue State House of Assembly Committee Chairman of Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua, who described it as timely help that would increase productivity and restore farmers’ faith in security in rural areas.

There were cultural exhibits, music, and a ribbon-cutting during the ceremony.

With a pledge to create hundreds of billionaire farmers in the next two years, Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has revealed a N16.8 billion fertilizer initiative aimed at reestablishing the state as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse.

Governor Alia made the announcement that 9,000 metric tonnes (600 truckloads) of fertilizer, including NPK, urea, and SSP, will be given to farmers at half the market price during the official opening of the 2025 cropping season and the distribution of subsidized agriculture inputs in Makurdi. Farmers would pay N22,500 for each bag, with the government providing a subsidy to cover the remaining amount.

The governor emphasized that delays were caused by fraudulent acts by few vendors in 2024 and stated that the state has also concluded arrangements to pay over N5 billion owing to legitimate fertilizer suppliers from the previous year.

“We want to use farming to create hundreds of millionaires.” Young farmers ought to benefit from this assistance. Benue pride is found in farming, which is also where our money resides,” Alia said.

In order to provide farmers with timely access to resources, he disclosed that Benue has already implemented a new agricultural calendar that guarantees the distribution of wet-season inputs between April and June and dry-season inputs between November and January.

Additionally, Governor Alia promised that starting in December, no raw oranges would be shipped from the state since Benue’s new fruit processing facility would provide value locally. Additionally, he ordered that 300 bags of fertilizer be distributed to widows who attended the event, and he asked farmer cooperatives to make sure that the distribution was transparent.

In an effort to combat corruption, the government has implemented cashless fertilizer sales via point-of-sale terminals at approved facilities, according to Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Benjamin Ashaver. In order to bridge extension-service gaps and improve transparency, he added, a reliable farmers’ record and hybrid digital platform were being built.

As his company revitalized the dormant Benue Fertilizer Plant to make crop-specific fertilizers for the state, Dr. Julius Atorough, CEO of Star Fertilizer, gave farmers assurances that contaminated fertilizer would be eradicated.

The effort was praised by Ter Lobi, HRH Moses Anagende, and Benue State House of Assembly Committee Chairman of Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua, who described it as timely help that would increase productivity and restore farmers’ faith in security in rural areas.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu revoked the state of emergency that was imposed in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, taking advantage of the chance to address those who disagreed with his decision.

According to Tinubu’s carefully crafted declaration, “Cessation of State of Emergency in Rivers State,” he was aware of the critiques that followed his conduct.

Although there are still court issues against the Rivers emergency rule, the president stated that the constitution gives him the authority to take action when there is a possibility of a breakdown in law and order.

“I am aware that some people disagreed with the proclamation, and as a result, they challenged it in more than 40 instances in the courts of Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa. In a democratic context, that is the proper way to do things.

There are still some cases that are pending in the courts today. However, it must be stated that the authority to proclaim a state of emergency is a built-in constitutional mechanism to deal with situations where public safety and order are actually or potentially threatening to break down and extraordinary measures are needed to restore peace, order, and security to the state.

“When seen objectively, the Supreme Court’s ruling on the conflicts between Rivers State’s legislative and executive branches demonstrated that public safety and order had completely collapsed in the state. If I hadn’t made that declaration, it would have been a monumental failure on my part as president,” Tinubu said.

By suspending the emergency rule, Tinubu instructed the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the deputy governor, Ngozi Nma Odu, to return to their posts as of today.

Remember Tinubu’s unexpected move on March 18, 2025, when he proclaimed a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, citing irreconcilable issues between the political players, particularly between Governor Similayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory?

The secretariat of the Rivers State House of Assembly was demolished overnight as two groups arose to vie for supremacy during the political intrigues.

Tinubu further defended his actions by claiming that the crises surrounding the state House of Assembly and the destruction of vital state economic assets, like as oil pipelines, required him to declare a state of emergency.

My fellow citizens, and especially the wonderful people of Rivers State,” Tinubu declared on Wednesday.

It is with great pleasure that I inform you of the declaration of emergency in Rivers State today. On March 18, 2025, I declared a state of emergency in the state, as you may remember. In my proclamation speech, I emphasized the declaration’s justifications.

For background, the governor of Rivers State and the House of Assembly were unable to cooperate because of the complete paralysis of that state’s governance. The state’s vital economic resources, such as oil pipelines, were being damaged.

The state House of Assembly was in such difficulty that its members were split into two factions. There were 27 members who opposed the governor, and four who supported him. Members of the latter group backed the speaker. Consequently, the governor was unable to introduce any appropriation bills in the House to obtain the necessary finances to manage the operations of Rivers State.

Governance in the state came to a complete halt as a result of that significant constitutional deadlock. There was no government in Rivers State, according to a ruling by the Supreme Court in one of the cases that the legislative and executive branches of the state filed against one another. My attempt to mediate the disagreement, along with the attempts of other well-meaning Nigerians, was unsuccessful because both sides steadfastly maintained their positions at the expense of the state’s peace and progress.

It became painfully apparent, therefore, that I would have to use the authority granted to me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to declare a state of emergency in order to stop Rivers State’s descent into anarchy. The first was a six-month suspension of the governor’s and deputy governor’s offices as well as elected members of the state House of Assembly. As of now, September 17, 2025, the six months are up.

As required by the constitution, the National Assembly promptly acted to ratify the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State after thoroughly assessing the argument for it. For this, I am grateful. I also want to thank the excellent people of Riv­ers State and our traditional rulers for their support both before and after the state of emergency was declared.

Nonetheless, Tinubu acknowledged that certain dissident voices have criticized the state’s declaration of emergency, which led to legal impediments.

A successful administration, whether at the state or federal level, depends on the executive and legislature having a harmonious existence and relationship, he claims as a supporter of democratic governance.

He claimed that people expect to benefit from democracy since they elected officials to office. That expectation, however, will not be attainable in a climate of violence, chaos, and insecurity brought on by misplaced political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders.

According to the information I have access to, I am pleased to report that all parties involved in Rivers State are acting with a renewed sense of understanding, readiness, and fervor for an early restoration to democratic rule. This is definitely a positive step for me and a noteworthy accomplishment for us. Therefore, I fail to understand why the state of emergency should last one day longer than the six months I declared at the start.

That’s why I’m delighted to announce that the emergency in Nigeria’s Rivers State will expire at midnight today. In addition to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, and the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, will return to their positions on September 18, 2025.

I use this chance to encourage our nation’s governors and Houses of Assembly in every state to never lose sight of the fact that we can only provide the benefits of democracy to our citizens in an environment of peace, order, and sound governance. I humbly ask that you all allow this realization to guide your every move.

Encouragement for Fubara to Be Brave and Focus on His Mission

In the meantime, some Nigerians have responded to the news that President Bola Tinubu announced the end of emergency rule in Rivers State today, citing the complete paralysis of the state’s governance as the reason.

Chief Martin Onovo, a former presidential candidate, told the Daily Independent that President Bola Tinubu was to blame for the setback and advised Fubara to focus on the mandate that his people given him.

“Nigerian leadership is the country’s issue. The lawlessness of the Tinubu administration is what led to this predicament. It’s illegal to suspend Fubara. The Constitution is violated. Therefore, when you create a problem of this nature, other problems begin to appear.

The same thing that occurred to him can happen to anyone, anywhere. When the government was ousted, it was a coup d’etat.

There was a coup d’etat that befell him. I may experience it. Anybody can experience it.

Lawmakers hold that the safety and well-being of the populace are the primary goals of government. The security and well-being of the populace should be Fubara’s top priority if he returns to power.

“He ought to consider the most effective methods to advance the safety and well-being of his people when he returns there. If there is anything left over, or if nothing, he will wait for the next allocation of funds to have more money and spend it for his people’s welfare, including infrastructure, education, health care, and other things.

Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress, expressed regret that Rivers State has experienced unemployment, poverty, and other social vices as a result of the six months of emergence rule.

He stated that Governor Fubara need to be supported and encouraged in fulfilling the responsibility and mandate that the people have entrusted to him.

Speaking on Arise TV, Okaba stated: “In fact, River State’s six months of emergency rule, which ran from March 18 to September 18, 2025, caused extremely large losses in a number of sectors. Additionally, these losses affect democratic representation, governance, and the economy, social services, and the consolidation of democracy in the short and long term.

Therefore, to begin with, we had a dictatorship in existence, represented by the so-called appointed, after the governor, deputy governor, and legislature were suspended. This in and of itself denied River State’s residents elected representation. The control was centralized. Decisions were taken from a single table without any legislative participation, so there was no public accountability.

All of this has undermined democracy’s fundamental tenet: government of, by, and for the people. Since the only administrator was selected as the head of state, local governments also had administrators—that is, administrators in each of the 25 local government areas—which further degraded accountability and grassroots democracy, local autonomy was also damaged. Elections for local government were really held in August 2025. The criticisms of prejudice in favor of a single person who won the 25 local government regions were evident to all of us. Moreover, this has made the impression of political capture worse. During the declaration and prior to it, we discussed these topics.

In addition, there was a certain amount of indifference toward investment, to the point that economic activity was quite low. Due to the uncertainties, there were claims of decreased patronage from businesspeople and investors. Currently, two significant projects are in progress.

“Exploring the N195 billion Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the Trans-Kalabari Initiative, and Ring Road.” These things came to a standstill, and the result for us is deteriorating development and increased transportation stress. Due to political factors, around 10,000 jobs were eliminated.

The removal of employees from their positions led to a rise in unemployment and hardship. Another name for Port Harcourt was the Garden City. Throughout this time, it was evident that Port Harcourt’s surroundings were covered with various types of waste, which had a negative impact on social services due to improper sanitation methods.

The former head of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Malachy Ugwumadu, criticized Fubara for his lack of decisiveness, saying that this made his situation worse.

“This experience is a benefit for Fubara,” he stated. He should be aware that it is not worthwhile to be indecisive when you need to be extremely determined and definite. Because of the way he put himself in a really bad situation, he became quite weak.

Regretfully for him, history has documented him and will continue to do so. Furthermore, as a nation, we need to understand how to prevent any one individual, no matter how strong, from controlling the flow of power. The white man who created democracy did so with the knowledge that people tend to misuse their position of authority. Perhaps the weakness that Rivers State has experienced is a new trend. who, after failing to gain what he desired, not only delegitimized his own political party but also blocked it in favor of another one.

According to Femi Lawson, Executive Director of the Center for Public Accountability, political players need to realize that peace in Rivers State cannot be negotiated.

He stated, “Political actors in Rivers State must have learned that peace is ultimately non-negotiable.” Beyond the political interests of individuals that prompted the proclamation of a state of emergency, the interests of the people of Rivers State must be prioritized to ensure peace. Although there are still questions regarding the validity of the president’s conduct, they must take all precaution to prevent what has occurred in Rivers State, as well as in other federation states. That Rivers State has reestablished democratic administration is a positive development.

“Fubara should stay focused on his duty to bring Rivers State the benefits of democracy, not on who his friends and foes are. Delivering on the Rivers people’s mandate should be his first priority.

“Wike needs to realize that he holds the title of governor of that state. Even though it is assumed that he is the governor’s political godfather, which is illegal, he should still provide Fubara with the necessary support and let him carry out his duties as governor of Rivers State without needlessly trying to dictate how the state’s governance should proceed. Allowing Fubara to govern Rivers State while he concentrates on his responsibilities as the FCT’s minister is prudent. The president should call Mr. Wike as well and urge him to concentrate on his responsibilities as a minister and let Fubara handle the governance duties.