The National Universities Commission says the implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards will begin by September 2023.
The CCMAS document is expected to guide institutions in the design of curricula for their programmes while bringing necessary innovation into the content and delivery of their programmes towards achieving the overall goals of education and training in the country.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ colloquium on CCMAS in Abuja on Wednesday, the acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki, said the document would reposition Nigerian universities to be among the best-rated in Africa.
Maiyaki said that CCMAS would make up 70 per cent of the curriculum while the university decides what to include in the remaining 30 per cent.
According to him, the implementation will help sharpen the future of the education sector.
”The role and development of the CCMAS is to ensure commitment in advancing of our education and our great nation.
“NUC is primarily dedicated to ensuring quality and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities as well as the graduates we produce.
“The development of the CCMAS went through a painstaking process by bringing experts from our universities comprising of professors, regulatory bodies, Nigerian Economic Summit Group and all stakeholders.
“The CCMAS reflects global initiative that will equip graduates with knowledge and wherewithal that will advance the development of the nation,” he said.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, encouraged universities to make optimal use of the 30 per cent university senate’s input.
Mamman advised universities to ensure that learning outcomes, skills as well as soft skills were acquired, irrespective of the core discipline.
He said that the skills must be readily applicable to the environment of the university, the country in particular and the global community in general.
“There is no better place and time than now to develop a strategy that will guide tertiary institutions particularly universities in their mandate to provide appropriate manpower for the country,” he stated.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has prohibited street vending in Abuja saying that street traders, including those selling corn, contribute to crime and instability in the city.
The former governor of Rivers State made this announcement during a meeting with the management staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Federal Capital Development Authority, urging them to prioritise doing what is right.
“The important thing we must do is to ensure that Abuja is back to what it ought to be. I moved around Abuja and found out there is total darkness in most of the places.
“What we need to do is to ensure light comes back as soon as possible,” he said.
Wike ordered the immediate cleanup of Abuja adding, “If you are in charge of sanitation, I will call you at any time of the day.”
He warned that he would not hesitate to remove any official who is not meeting his standards of cleanliness. He also stated that motor parks would not be allowed to operate in unauthorised areas.
He added, “Street trading is prohibited. People selling corn will drop their waste indiscriminately and these are the things that cause insecurity. Criminals come to buy and use the opportunity to spy and give information to criminals. It is imperative we clear street hawkers.
“Development control is a serious crisis area we have to stop. Why are there illegal structures and shanties everywhere? We will demolish any illegal structure. No matter how highly placed, the structure will come down,” he reiterated.
A Shari’a Court in Kaduna State on Wednesday ordered that a 22-year-old man, Inuwa Ahmad, be given 35 strokes of the cane for stealing a cell phone and building materials worth N130,000.
The judge Malam Anass Khalifa, who gave the order also sentenced the convict to six months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to theft.
“The court was lenient to you because you did not waste the court’s time before pleading guilty.
“The court will reduce the 50 strokes of cane intended to 35 strokes hoping it will serve as a lesson to you not to steal again,” he said.
Earlier, Ahmad had pleaded for leniency saying he stole because the money his brother gave him after he worked for him was not enough to meet his daily needs.
The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Sambo Maigari said Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, the complainant reported the matter on Tuesday at the Rigasa police station.
The police added that the convict was a serial offender.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has approved the demolition of slums in Garki, Jabi and 28 other areas which have earlier been surveyed by the Federal Capital Development Authority before this administration.
According to the FCTA, the demolition will affect about 6,000 buildings which have been marked in an effort to rid the territory of shanties and illegal structures.
The FCTA said the demolition will affect 30 areas across the Federal Capital Territory.
Naija News recalls that on Monday, Wike vowed to restore the master plan of FCT, saying that all illegal structures would be demolished and that his administration was ready to end land speculations.
Wike said: “We will take back our land and give to those who want to develop, and you must sign that you must develop at so and so time.’’
However, the Director of the FCTA Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima said a new survey will be conducted.
“We would find time to go back and conduct a new survey,” noting that the last survey carried out was in February, 2022.
Areas marked for demolition according to information which has been authenticated by the FCTA are:
1. Apo Mechanic Village
2. Byanzhin.
3. Dawaki
4. Dei Dei.
5. Durumi.
6. Dutse.
7. Garki.
8. Garki Village.
9. Gishiri.
10. Gwagwalada.
11. Idu.
12. Jabi.
13. Kado Village.
14. Karmo.
15. Karshi.
16. Karu.
17. Katampe.
18. Ketti Village.
19. Kpaduma.
20. Kabusa.
21. Kpana Village.
22. Kubwa.
23. Lokogoma.
24. Lugbe.
25. Mabushi.
26. Mpape.
27. Nyanya.
28. Piya Kasa.
29. Jikwoyi
30. Galadima
The General Overseer of Deeper Life Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi has said that Nigerians are going to see good things though President Tinubu and members of his cabinet.
While speaking with newsmen ahead of the monthly Global Crusade of the Church scheduled for Osogbo on Thursday, August 24, Kumuyi said God has not forsaken the country and Nigerians will witness a new country through the President. He opined that the President’s new cabinet was carefully chosen and made of people with good antecedents.
“Let’s forget the past. This is a new day and I believe; we all believe that we’re going to see new things for our country through our President and through the members of the cabinet. Good things will happen.
“If you look at the new ministers one by one, you’ll see the good things they’ve done either as state governors of the past or as former ministers and I would say they have been carefully chosen. If we support and accept them and if we are not criticising their every step, we believe that God will walk through them and use them as instruments to build our nation.
“God will perform a miracle in the heart of our leaders and their hearts will be towards the people and the wisdom to lead us and do everything that will benefit us as a country, the Lord himself will do it in their hearts”
Political economist Pat Utomi has said Nigeria’s maritime industry suffers setbacks because of lack of proper regulatory frameworks to drive the sector to economic prosperity.
He said the sector has not managed to stipulate its possibilities due to leaders and politicians, who see the sector as a meal ticket.
Utomi warned that if Nigeria does not catch up with the trends, and make laws for economic competitiveness, the country would continue to lag behind comity of nations.
He spoke yesterday at a maritime roundtable workshop organised by the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) and Utomapp Limited on the theme: “Emerging Technology and Regulations in the Global Maritime Industry of the Future and the Impacts on the Nigerian Sector.”
Rather than leaders see the industry as a cash cow, he said the industry could solve the nation’s economic challenges with its tremendous possibilities.
He said, “When you have an area that can transform your economy, you do not send boys to go and make money there, you find people who are capable of opening the place up and get them to go and transform your country. But because regulators and people, who lead, do not understand what they are doing, because there is a challenge of purpose. The maritime sector is seen as a place where they send people to go and make money. This is an industry where we can solve the problem of this economy because the possibilities are tremendous. There are so many ventures that flow out of the maritime sector.”
As the technology change continues to impact the future of the sector in Nigeria, Utomi said some of the technologies that could influence the sector, such as digital platforms for ship and cargo tracking, robotics, blockchain technology, autonomous ships and unmanned ports, as well as big data, Internet of things and Artificial Intelligence.
He said the inefficiencies in the Nigerian port system have led to low productivity, thereby, appealing to regulators and legislators to continue to build their knowledge and liaise with industry clarity of national strategy.
A former minister of interior, capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho (rtd), said technology was the way to go for Nigeria to achieve a prosperous maritime sector.
According to him, technology is vastly encroaching on the delivery of maritime services. “How ready are we? How do we understand technology and what kind of technology is it projecting into the future?”
Iheanacho, who is the managing director of Genesis Worldwide Shipping, said Nigeria needs to start understanding and defining emerging technology that would drive the maritime sector.
He said: “For a prosperous maritime sector, technology was the way to go. It is geared towards getting better output into the input made. Goods that are carried on ships are going to be cheaper, the lives of the seafarers are safer, and the environment is projected. With these, we will not want to be behind, we want to be at the forefront of defining how this goes.”
The managing director of the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), Abdulkadir Ahmed, said stakeholders have significant roles to play in ensuring that Nigeria is not left behind in the new global maritime economy.
As strategic leaders and regulators of the maritime industry, he said there is a need to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of the tropical issues, develop clear actions and guidelines that would guide regulators and place Nigeria on the pathway to success, through a safe, reliable and globally competitive maritime industry.
He maintained that technological advancement and regulations were critical issues fully anchored on the objectives of ensuring a safe, reliable and sustainable industry.
Parents of eight graduates of Akwa Ibom State tertiary institutions mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday staged a peaceful protest over the abduction of their children by suspected bandits in Zamfara State on their way to Sokoto State orientation camp.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the victims were ferried from Uyo, the state capital via the Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus to Abuja en route Sokoto, but were intercepted by hoodlums in Zamfara State, three days ago, forcing the distraught parents to protest to the State House of Assembly to draw government attention to the incident.
Speaker of the house Udeme Otong, who addressed the protesting parents, it was learnt, later calmed their frayed nerves in a closed door meeting in his office, while assuring them that “the matter would be handled at the administrative level.”
The state commissioner for information and strategy, Iniobong Ememobong, who blamed the incident on insecurity in the country, said the administration of Governor Umo Eno was negotiating with the Zamfara State government and security agencies to secure the safe release of the kidnapped victims.
He said, “The incident is borne out of the general situation of insecurity in the country. Government is aware of the incident, and is in touch with both the government of the state where the incident happened, and the security apparatus in the state.
“But being a security operation, the government cannot say so until the people who are being held hostage have been released. So, we understand the parents are feeling so extremely bad, but unfortunately because of its security nature, we can’t even share more information.
“What I can tell for now is that the government is aware, and is in – charge, and on top of the situation. We are appealing to the parents to exercise a little bit of patience, and continue to support the government with prayers; that is the only option available for them now.”
A lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje has slammed a N100 million suit on the inspector-general of police (IGP), Kwara State and seven others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged violation of the fundamental rights of traditional worshippers in the state.
Ogungbeje, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, is asking the for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from arresting, detaining, harassing and further violating the rights to freedom of religion, thoughts and conscience of traditional religion adherents and faithful as it relates to the planned Isese Cultural Festival or any other cultural festival to be celebrated in any part or state in Nigeria
He listed as second to nine respondents in the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/1674/2023: the Kwara State Police Commissioner; the State Government; Registered Trustees of Council Of Ulama (Islamic Clerics).
Others are Justice Salihu Mohammed, Executive Secretary of Council of Ulama; Sheikh (Dr) Mohammed Bashir Saliu, Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of Council of Ulama; Alfa Abdulsalam Baba Tonile Okuta-Agidu; Kwara State Magistrates Court, Ilorin, and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Ilorin, Kwara State.
Ogungbeje claimed that he filed the suit against the respondents in the public interest on behalf of traditional religious adherents and worshipers in Nigeria.
The lawyer contended that the suit is also filed in pursuant to the freedom of religion, thoughts, belief and conscience, under sections 36, 38, 42, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, Order Ii Rules 1 And 2 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009; Order Xi of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction as imbued by Section 6(6)(b) of the Constitution.
He urged the court for the determination of the following questions: “Whether he can approach the court in public interest for the enforcement of any of the Fundamental Rights expressly enshrined under Chapter IV of the Constitution by the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 seeking redress for violation or breach of any of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and whether the reliefs sought are personal to the Applicant or not.
“A determination of the question whether the fundamental rights to freedom of religion guaranteed under Section 38 of the Constitution extend to traditional religion adherents who are Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and can enjoy the right to freedom of religion and practice their religion and celebrate cultural festivals without any let or hindrance by the Respondents in any part or State in Nigeria…”
Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki, has settled the benefits and gratuity of the former governor of the state, the late Professor Ambrose Alli. This is coming 34 years after the demise of Alli.
Alli was Second Republic governor of the former Bendel State (Now Edo and Delta states) between 1979 and 1983 under the then Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Born September 22, 1929, the renowned medical professor died on September 22, 1989.
Obaseki made this disclosure yesterday in Benin City on the occasion of the celebration of the award of the ‘Most Pension Friendly Governor in Nigeria,’ bestowed on him by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).
Speaking on his commitment to the wellbeing of pensioners in the state by ensuring that their benefits are paid regularly, including outstanding pensions and gratuity, dating over 40 years, he revealed how the unpaid benefits of the former governor were settled last week by the state government.
Obaseki said, “Last Saturday (August 19, 2023), the widow of former governor of Bendel (Edo) State, the late Prof. Ambrose Ali, turned 80 years old in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He has made a lot of sacrifices for us as a state.
“We decided to celebrate with her and I asked one of the children what he thinks is an appropriate present for her mother. He said, ‘just do her the honour of paying my father’s benefits while in office.’ Then I said, ‘you mean Prof. Ali benefits are not paid. He said yes.’ We went into the records, prepared the cheque and took it to her in England. This is to tell you where we are coming from. I’m glad we remembered him,” he said.
The governor was represented by his wife, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, at the 80th birthday celebration of the late governor’s widow, Chief Mrs. Rosemary Alli-Walker.
The Edo State first lady recognised the enduring impact of Alli’s tenure as governor, noting that the policies and programmes implemented during his leadership, notably in education, urban and rural development and healthcare have continued to shape Edo State’s progress.
She said the former governor and his wife occupy a special place in the hearts of Edo people, which resonated with the attendees, who had gathered to honour Chief Mrs. Alli-Walker.
Mrs Obaseki also lauded her enduring commitment to values such as hard work, diligence, and forthrightness, adding that these values, which she upheld during her tenure as first lady, continue to inspire the state’s ongoing reforms across various sectors of the economy.
In her response to the felicitation, the celebrant expressed her gratitude to the first lady for travelling all the way from Nigeria to join in her celebration.
This is as she pledged to support free surgeries for children with cleft lips, an initiative named ‘Operation Smile’.
Obaseki had in 2018, sought and obtained a posthumous presidential pardon for the late Governor Ambrose Alli, a request that was ratified by the Council of State in 2020.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has assigned portfolios to the 25 new commissioners and members of the State Executive Council sworn in on Tuesday.
According to a statement by Abubakar Bawa the Press Secretary to Sokoto State governor, the governor wished the commissioners success in their service to the government and people of the state.
The full list of the commissioners and their respective ministries are as follows, Nasiru Binji, Commissioner of Justice and state Attorney General; Ibrahim Adire, Ministry of Local Government; Idris Gobir, Ministry of Works, and Deputy Governor, Muhammadu Shagari, Ministry of Finance, and Sharifu Kamarawa, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Others are Alhaji Tukur Alkali, Ministry of Basic & Secondary Education; Dr Jabir Mai Hula, Ministry of Religious Affairs; Nasiru Tsoho, Ministry of Lands & Housing; Aminu Iya, Ministry of Higher Education; Hadiza Shagari, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; Sambo Danchadi, Ministry of Information; Alhaji Bello Wamakko, Ministry of Agriculture; Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries Development, Aliyu Tureta, and Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Jamilu Gosta.
Also in the list were Bala Kokani, Ministry of Science & Technology; Yusuf Maccido, Ministry of Water; Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, Ministry of Health; Nura Tangaza, Ministry of Environment; Shehu Chacho, Ministry for Special Duties; Ministry of Social and Humanitarian Affairs, Ya’u Danda; Culture and Tourism, Aminu Bodai; Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industries, Haruna Bashar; Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy, Bashar Kwabo; Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Resources, Sanusi Umar, and Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Alhaji Isah Tambagarka.
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Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency, RSSAA, sealed the premises of a new generation church at Rumuosi Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state over the electrocution of five youths on Monday.
It was gathered that the church owned the metal structure that caused electrocution of the five youths.
It was also gathered that operatives of the state police command had arrested the assistant pastor of the church following the incident.
Five persons were Monday electrocuted while erecting a metal structure that would be used for placing the church’s signages, whereas four others who were part of the team of nine youths are still hospitalized.
The billboard metal frame had touched the live high-tension wire while the nine youths were making efforts to mount it.
It was gathered that following the incident, yesterday, officials from RSSAA sealed off the premises of the church that owns the billboard, pending outcome of ongoing investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that police had picked the assistant pastor of the church.
Iringe-Koko said investigation into the incident was still going on, adding that the arrested person would assist the police in the process.
The Managing Director, RSSAA, Tony Okeha, said the church and the nine people, who attempted to mount the Billboard did not seek government approval before the act.
Okeha said: “They do not have any approval from the agency. We have spent time warning people against illegal activities such as this. We regret what has happened but this will serve as a deterrent that people should learn how to do things the proper way.
“The agency regulates what billboard structures should be erected where and whether it will cause visual blind or accident and all such consequences. We go out every day to remove illegal structures because of where they are erected and because of the low standard.”
He warned people erecting billboards without the agency’s authorisation to stop forthwith, adding that anyone arrested would be punished.
Seeks synergy among South East governors
Widow of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ambassador Bianca, has intensified call for the release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, haven been declared free by a competent Nigerian court.
Delivering a keynote address at the Annual National Conference and Convention of the American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) in Dallas, Texas in USA, the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, sh called for greater synergy among governors of the South East, and urged them to continue to intensify efforts towards the release of Kanu.
AVID is a congregation of American citizens, both men and women of Igbo extraction, who are serving military officers and veterans who have served honourably in various branches of the United States military at different times, different conflicts and different theatres of war.
Ojukwu, who was special guest, noted that the initial nonchalant attitude of Igbo leaders towards Kanu’s illegal rendition and continued unlawful incarceration contributed greatly towards inflaming the tensions within the South East region today.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N966.110bn July 2023 Federation Account Revenue to the Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the FAAC meeting for the month of August.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
The N966.110bn total distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N397.419bn, Value Added Tax revenue of N271.947bn, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N12.840bn and Exchange Difference revenue of N283.904bn.
In July 2023, the total deductions for cost of collection was N62.419nn while total deductions for savings, transfers, refunds and tax credit cancellation was put at N717.962bn.
The communique put the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) at $473,754.57
From the total revenue of N966.11bn; the Federal Government received N374.485bn, the State Governments received N310.670bn and the Local Government Councils received N229.409bn.
A total sum of N51.545bn was shared to the relevant States as 13 per cent derivation revenue.
Gross statutory revenue of N1.15trn was received for the month of July 2023. This was lower than the sum of N1.152trn received in the month of June 2023 by N2.497bn.
According to the communiqué, in the month of July 2023, Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) increased considerably while Value Added Tax (VAT) increased marginally. Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Oil and Gas Royalties recorded significant decreases.
…says Tinubu caring, listening President
Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, on Tuesday, commended President Bola Tinubu for reinstating the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, describing it as a good step in the right direction.
According to him, among all attempts to address the agitation of the Niger Delta, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is the direct attempt, and therefore plays a vital role in coordinating and implementing programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, peace, and stability in the oil-rich region.
The MNDA was not among the ministries allocated to the newly appointed ministers and raised concerns among leaders, the intelligentsia, and stakeholders of the oil-rich Niger Delta, fuelling speculations that it may have been scrapped by the President.
But President Tinubu redeployed Abubakar Momoh from the Ministry of Youth and reassigned him to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs
Dokubo-Asari in a commendation statement in Abuja requested that President Tinubu should consider returning the Niger Delta Development Commission back to the nomenclature of the Oil Mineral Areas Development Commission.
He said, “Mr. President, I am grateful and wish to commend your decision to reinstate the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. This decision shows your determination, reflects your deep understanding of the challenges and unique needs of the Niger Delta region, and demonstrates your commitment to addressing them.
“Despite all attempts to address the agitation of the Niger Delta, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is the direct attempt and therefore plays a vital role in coordinating and implementing programs and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, peace, and stability in the oil-rich region. With its reinstatement, there is renewed hope for the people of the Niger Delta that their concerns will be effectively addressed and their voices heard in your administration.
“Several attempts have been made to ameliorate and address the agitation of the Niger Delta people including the setting up of the Niger Delta Area Development Authority, and the establishment of OMPADEC in 1992.
“In 2000, OMPADEC was changed to the NDDC. Mr. President, I know you are aware that OMPADEC was established to rehabilitate and develop the oil mineral-producing areas of Nigeria which had been subjected to the devastating effects of ecological destruction and environmental pollution. This means that oil-producing areas that are not geographically in the Niger Delta, are captured in the OMPADEC programmes.
“The change of nomenclature from OMPADEC to the NDDC suggested that the commission was established to address the agitation of only oil-producing areas in the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers State.
“Mr. President, I beg you to consider returning NDDC to OMPADEC nomenclature, with its core mandate of addressing issues of rehabilitating and developing the Oil Producing Areas of Nigeria, including Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Kogi, Rivers and any other area blessed with oil mineral.”
The activist said the history, struggle, and agitation of the Niger Delta have been rough and tough, from colonial times to independent and post-independent era.
He said, “The colonial governments ignored the agitation of the Niger Delta people. They cruelly suppressed it by the treatment meted out to King Jaja of Opobo, King Ibani Chuka of Okrika, Chief Ukwujiagu of Okujiagu-Ama of Okrika, King KokoBoy Ockiya of Nembe, Chief Anya’a Amatoru Goodhead, the paramount head of the Goodhead Tariah Group of Houses of Kalabari, Nana of Itsekiri, and several Kings of Bonny, among others.
“The agitation necessitated the setting up of the Willink’s Commission in 1957 to look into the fears and agitations of the minorities of colonial Nigeria. After a thorough investigation, a White Paper declared the Ijaw areas of the Eastern and Western regions and the Ogoni territories in the Eastern region, as special and endangered territories and people.”
Dokubo-Asari argued that the NDDC was not exclusively established to mitigate only the interest of oil-producing areas of the Niger Delta, as many erroneously think.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that the NDDC has no relation with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Oil-producing areas should be treated on their merit, while the Niger Delta areas of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states should be treated solely as Niger Delta from a geographic and scientific point of view.
“Your restoration of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has shown that you are a listening and caring leader and President. The Niger Delta will not forget this singular action, and we will pay back in multiple folds,” he said.