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Governor Siminalayi Fubara has assured residents of Rivers State that his administration will complete all ongoing projects across the state despite existing challenges.

Fubara gave the assurance after inspecting the 7.1-kilometre Ipo-Igwuruta/Airport Road project, stressing that his government remains committed to sustaining infrastructure development in line with its agenda for the state.

The governor stated that every viable project initiated by his administration would be completed.

According to him, “Notwithstanding the situation of things, one thing we have promised our people is that every good work we have started, by the special grace of God, will continue and we will complete them.”

Fubara explained that the road project was initiated to address recurring disruptions along the airport road caused by protests and blockades by members of the Ipo community over issues linked to the activities of the airport authority.

He noted that the repeated incidents had negatively affected economic activities in the state, prompting the government to create an alternative access route.

“In this modern society, such actions are no longer necessary because they affect the economic activities of the state. So, we engaged the community and created this bypass,” he said.

The governor further explained that the bypass would provide a dedicated access road for the community, while the main airport road would eventually be reserved exclusively for airport operations.

Fubara also disclosed that contractors handling the project had achieved about 65 per cent completion and assured him that the road would be delivered before October.

Fubara Promises To Complete All Ongoing Projects is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Romeeyo has revealed that the struggles and sacrifices of his mother played a major role in shaping his music journey and inspiring his rise in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

The fast-rising Afrobeats singer, born Daniel Oluwatobi Aderibole, made the disclosure while speaking about the inspiration behind his debut project and his passion for creating emotionally driven music.

According to the singer, watching his mother endure difficult moments while making sacrifices for her family motivated him to pursue success and make her proud.

“My mother’s struggles inspired me. This is for every woman who sacrificed everything for her children,” Romeeyo said.

The young artiste explained that his music reflects gratitude, love, and appreciation for mothers who continue to support their children despite economic hardship and personal challenges.

Romeeyo noted that many young people often overlook the sacrifices made by their mothers, stressing that he hopes his message will encourage greater appreciation for parents, especially mothers.

He added that his goal is not only to entertain fans but also to create music that connects emotionally with people and tells real-life stories.

My mother’s struggles inspired my music journey –  Singer Romeeyo 

Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said he helped president Bola Tinubu become president in the 2023 general elections.

Fayemi made this known during an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo.

He reflected on the dramatic outcome of the 2023 presidential election, describing the rise of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as a political phenomenon that disrupted Nigeria’s traditional power calculations.

He opened up on the deepening crisis inside the All Progressives Congress, APC,
admitting that the party he helped build has drifted away from its founding ideals.

According to him, Nigeria cannot survive on a winner-takes-all political culture that excludes millions from governance.

He called for inclusive politics, transparent primary elections and the restructuring of the Nigerian federation.

“I helped Tinubu to Become President, but the APC has Lost its Bearing, and Peter Obi is a Phenomenon,” he said.

I helped Tinubu become president but Peter Obi is phenomenon – Fayemi

The former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, has vowed to petition the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following his rejection of Eric Opah as the Abia State APC governorship candidate.

This was made known by the Director General of the Henry Ikoh campaign organisation, Ikedi Ezekwesili Friday.

Ezekwesili claimed that the former Minister had earlier been chosen as the consensus candidate of the APC by 13 out of the 18 State Working Committee, SWC members, only for the party to go against the agreement.

Ezekwesili described the victory of Eric Opah as strange, unacceptable and provocative, adding that it was inconsistent with the established consensus arrangement reached by the majority of the party’s State Working Committee.”

The statement titled, “The Sham Called Abia APC governorship primary election and the purported results announced cannot stand”,

It further warned that any attempt to impose candidates against the collective decision of stakeholders could trigger avoidable disaffection within the party and undermine ongoing efforts to reposition the APC as a formidable opposition force in Abia State.

Similarly, supporters of the House of Assembly aspirant, Ngozi Orji, a State House of Assembly aspirant for Bende North constituency, have alleged that she was denied her mandate after winning 4 out of the 3 Wards.

The Spokesperson of the aggrieved indigenes, Obinna Mba, said that the chances of the APC could be affected in the constituency if the imposition of a candidate is allowed.

But speaking to Journalists in the party office, the State Chairman of APC, Chijioke Chukwu, said the party would set up a peace and reconciliation committee to reconcile aggrieved losers.

“Everybody can not win at the same time, on the same day. You can win today and lose tomorrow and you can lose tomorrow and win next, tomorrow” Chukwu said.

Former Minister rejects Abia APC primary loss, vows to petition national leadership

He described the scheme as one of Nigeria’s most enduring instruments of unity…

The post NYSC remains symbol of national unity at 53 — Oyo coordinator appeared first on Tribune Online.

Nigerian actress Sophia Chisom has said she usually keeps her teeth closed and uses only her lips while filming kissing scenes.

The post ‘My teeth are always close during kissing scenes’ — Actress Sophia Chisom appeared first on Tribune Online.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has destroyed counterfeit medicines, banned sachet alcohol, and other unsafe products valued at over N1.8 billion at the Kuje dumpsite in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The agency said the exercise was carried out as part of efforts to prevent fake, expired, and substandard products seized across Abuja and neighbouring areas from finding their way back into circulation.

A statement by the agency said the destroyed items included fake drugs, expired pharmaceuticals, falsified products, fake chemicals, banned alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, as well as other unwholesome regulated products.

NAFDAC disclosed that some of the products were confiscated during enforcement operations, while others were voluntarily handed over by companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).

During the destruction exercise, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, warned that fake drug networks now use advanced cloning methods to imitate genuine products.

He said the growing sophistication of fake drug manufacturers was making it more difficult for consumers to distinguish between original and counterfeit products.

Iluyomade further disclosed that the agency recently seized several containers carrying suspicious products that were falsely declared in an attempt to evade detection at the ports.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among relevant agencies and increased public vigilance to tackle the menace.

NAFDAC stated that the destruction exercise reflected its determination to ensure seized counterfeit and unsafe products do not return to the market.

The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the ban on alcoholic drinks packaged in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml, warning that traders found selling or possessing such products would face enforcement actions and possible prosecution.

NAFDAC urged Nigerians to avoid buying suspiciously cheap medicines and regulated products, warning that such items could pose serious health risks.

The agency also called on members of the public to report suspicious products and activities to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the agency’s call centre for investigation and necessary action.

NAFDAC burns fake drugs, banned alcohol worth N1.8bn in Abuja

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ondo State, Mutiu Agboke, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace innovation, integrity, and active participation in governance as pathways to sustainable national development.

Dr. Agboke made the call while presenting a paper titled, “From Ideas to Impact: Harnessing Youth-Driven Innovations for Sustainable Governance and National Development,” at the Leadership and Empowerment Summit organised by the Students’ Union and the New Dawn Administration of the University of Ilorin on Friday.

In his presentation, the electoral commissioner described Nigeria’s youth population as the nation’s “greatest untapped development resource.”

“Empowering young people through education, technology, and participatory governance would strengthen democratic institutions and stimulate economic growth,” he stressed.

He said empirical evidence had shown that young people could generate economic value and improve social outcomes when given access to finance, mentorship, infrastructure, and innovation opportunities.

According to him, “barriers such as educational misalignment, inadequate infrastructure, financing gaps, and brain drain continue to suppress Nigeria’s innovation potential and threaten long-term national development.

“Addressing these barriers is not merely a matter of charity or social investment. It is a matter of national security and long-term economic survival.”

He cited countries including Rwanda, Estonia, South Korea, and Kenya as examples of nations that transformed their economies through youth-centred innovation policies and institutional investments.

He argued that Nigeria possesses greater human capital potential than many of those countries but lacks the institutional discipline and political commitment required to maximise it effectively.

Speaking on democratic governance, Agboke commended the rise of youth-led civic technology initiatives in Nigeria, highlighting organisations such as BudgIT and Connected Development Initiative for promoting accountability and transparency in governance.

He noted that digital advocacy and technological innovations had contributed significantly to electoral reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) during the 2023 general elections.

The electoral commissioner also referenced the #EndSARS protests, describing the movement as evidence of the ability of Nigerian youths to organise peacefully and demand institutional reforms through digital platforms.

Agboke urged students and youth leaders to engage constructively in governance processes by voting, monitoring public institutions, advocating policy reforms, and participating in elections.

He advised young people to develop both technical and interpersonal skills, noting that innovation requires ethical reasoning, empathy, and communication alongside technological expertise.

Addressing students directly, he encouraged them to identify societal problems, form teams, and develop practical solutions rather than waiting for ideal conditions before taking action.

“Be innovative. Be courageous. Be audacious. Be Unilorite, not with the embodiment of knowledge and sagacity only, but with untainted credibility and unalloyed integrity,” he said.

Nigerian youths must lead change through technology — Agboke

Former Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Malam Wali, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections following a decisive victory in the party’s primaries.

Wali clinched the ticket after defeating other aspirants in the governorship primary held on Friday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Damaturu.

Announcing the outcome, Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Muttaqah Darma, said the exercise was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

“I therefore declare Baba Malam Wali, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, as the winner of the primary election and the party’s governorship candidate for Yobe State,” Darma stated.

According to the official results, Wali polled 236,711 votes, far ahead of his closest challenger, Dr Abubakar Kagu, who secured 9,748 votes.

Other aspirants trailed with significantly lower figures: Bashir Machina garnered 1,894 votes, Engr Mustapha Maihaja polled 1,178 votes, Hamidu Muhammad scored 1,722 votes, Inusa Muhammad recorded 1,148 votes, while Ma’aji Modu secured 1,371 votes.

Wali, an indigene of Nguru Local Government Area in Yobe North Senatorial District, had earlier emerged as the party’s consensus candidate after a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam.

His emergence is expected to intensify calls for a power shift to Yobe North, the only senatorial district in the state yet to produce either a governor or deputy governor since its creation in 1991.

Born in 1958, Wali is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He began his public service career at the Chad Basin Development Authority before serving as a social mobilisation officer with the Mass Mobilisation for Self-Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER).

He later rose through the civil service, serving as permanent secretary in several ministries before his appointment as Secretary to the State Government under former governors Ibrahim Geidam and Mai Mala Buni.

In March, the Progressive Governors Forum recognised him as the longest-serving Secretary to a State Government in Nigeria.

Wali Wins Yobe APC Governorship Primary is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Ahmad Tijjani Galadima, has emerged as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Adamawa State.

Galadima was declared winner on Friday in Yola, the state capital, after polling 414,444 votes in the direct primary conducted across the state’s 21 local government areas.

Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Professor Innocent Bariko, who announced the results, said Galadima defeated other aspirants to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the governorship election.

According to the results announced by the committee, Abdulrazak Namdas came second with 86,004 votes, while businessman and politician, Abdurahman Bashir Haske, finished third with 65,424 votes.

Speaking shortly after the outcome of the exercise, Haske called on his supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while consultations continue regarding the primary process.

In a statement titled “Statement of Appreciation to Supporters Across Adamawa State,” Haske thanked his loyalists across the 21 local government areas for their support and sacrifices throughout the campaign period.

“To our resilient and committed supporters across the 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, we salute your courage, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment in standing by me throughout this governorship journey, from inception to the day of the direct primaries,” he stated.

“Together, we fought a strong and determined battle with conviction, unity, and hope for a better Adamawa. This journey is far from over, and by the grace of Almighty Allah, we shall emerge stronger, more united, and more determined in the days ahead.”

Haske expressed gratitude to his supporters for believing in what he described as a shared vision for the state.

“I am deeply grateful for the support, encouragement, and belief in the vision we have shared throughout this journey. Your commitment, energy, and solidarity have been truly humbling, and I thank Almighty Allah for how far He has brought us,” he said.

The APC aspirant maintained that despite the outcome of the primary election, the collective pursuit of unity and development in Adamawa State must remain paramount.

“Regardless of the outcome, our collective commitment to unity, progress, and the advancement of Adamawa State remains unwavering,” he added.

“At this moment, I urge all our supporters and stakeholders to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while we continue consultations with relevant stakeholders regarding the process,” he said.

Haske further assured supporters that updates would be communicated in due course concerning the next line of action.

“We appreciate everyone for their patience, maturity, and steadfastness. In due course, we shall update the public on the next line of action,” he stated.

He also commended members of his campaign structure and supporters across the state for their loyalty and dedication throughout the contest.

“To my team members and everyone who stood with us and worked tirelessly across the State, I say ‘Thank you’ once again for your loyalty, sacrifices, and dedication,” Haske said.

Haske Urges Calm As Galadima Clinches APC Adamawa Guber Primary is first published on The Whistler Newspaper