The Ogun State Government has kicked off the ‘One House, One Toilet’ campaign in Ijebu-North Local Government Council, as part of efforts to eradicate open defecation in the council and state at large.

The campaign was kicked-off through the Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWATSAN) Agency, in partnership with United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF), with the theme: The Implementation of NTD-WASH Based Community-led To Sanitation (CLTS), Activities, held at Ijebu-North LGA Secretariat.

The campaign which would cover 167 Communities within Mamu, Omen, Ojowo-Japara and Osun wards in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of the state.

Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan said the campaign seeks to promote the use of toilets and good hygiene practices in every community across the state and Nigeria.

Ilori-Oduntan said, “The federal’s mandate to eradicate Open Defecation is embedded and signed an Executive Order 009 in considering its prevalence and havoc, and the immediately keyed into the order and had since being providing needed support to the anchor Agency, Ogun RUWATSAN for her to drive the community Led Total Sanitation approach.

"As one of the major strategies for scaling up sanitation; the result of which was that Ikenne LGA being declared into ODF status in December, 2023, And the journey towards making Ijebu-North the second LGA wide Open Defecation Free starts today because we are sure that the remaining 7 wards will also be considered soon."

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Mr. Seyi Sokoya said; “It is my hope, in view of the importance of this campaign to our national development process and meeting the goal of eradicating open defecation Nigeria, that, this campaign and other initiatives of this present administration will contribute to the success of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

“Sensitisation is a driving tool in achieving an Open Defecation Free Ogun, and so the campaign must be people-centered and community-based. That is why community engagement, especially in the vulnerable and underserved communities, is priority to us.  We also seek the support of local governments to cascade the policy to the people who are the direct beneficiaries.”

In his opening remarks, the Project Manager,  Mr. Sola Ogunbo said that the practice of open defecation is a menace that has plagued the communities for too long, noting that it posed significant risks to the health, environment and economic development.

"Indeed, it is unacceptable that in this day and age, many of our citizens are still forced to defacate in the open, exposing themselves and their loved ones to the dangers of water-borne diseases, malnutrition, and dignity-denying conditions and the future of the children."

He noted that it also contributes to high health costs, reduced productivity, and even loss of lives, noting that national statistics indicates that waterborne diseases claim thousands of lives every year, yet they are preventable.

Also speaking, the UNICEF representative,  Mr. Monday Johnson, said that it was imperative to eradicate open defecation through collective sensation of the stakeholders in the state, as the state deed in the Ikenne Local Government Area two year ago.

He said person hygiene needs to apply in combating open defecation and the provision and availability of water, applaudding the state government in the provision of water for the state at large.

Chairman of Ijebu-North Local Government, Mr. Bolaji Odusanya, represented by his Secretary, Mr. Sojinrin Adeniyi, lamented that it was discovered that truck drivers, motor boys and street traders were the main offenders of this nefarious act.

He urged stakeholders to implement decisions taken at the meeting to ensure open defecation is totally eradicated in the council and in the state at large.

THE TYRANNY OF DEATH AND THE INDOMITABLE SPIRIT OF MANKIND

Death, shame on you. You have always killed the body, not the soul; never the legacy. Such is the fate of the last two men standing, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who died few days from each other. From the dawn of existence, mankind has lived under the unyielding shadow of death. It is the ultimate oppressor; the force that acknowledges neither power nor piety; neither nobility nor knowledge. It is the great leveller; the final conqueror before whom all men- kings and commoners; heroes and villains; patricians and plebeians; rich and poor-must bow. Wearing a monstrous visage with fangs bared, death stalks us unseen. It strikes without warning. It is indifferent to the hopes, aspirations, dreams and struggles of humanity. Like our shadow, it follows us everywhere, sticking to us like a second skin. Viktor Franki was dead right when he wrote, “Death is the greatest tyrant of all, it is the one that can take away our freedom, our dignity, and humanity”. Perhaps the most eloquent tribute to death came from Thomas Sowell. Hear him: “Death is the greatest leveler, the ultimate democrat, but it is also the greatest tyrant, for it treats all lives as equal in their insignificance”. 

The Psalmist explains man's fragility better: “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” (Psalm 144:4). Indeed, life is but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 puts it better when it proclaims, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” And now, that fleeting shadow has claimed the twin colossi of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and Chief Ayo Adebanjo. These were two towering figures whose lives were totally dedicated to the attainment of justice, democracy, and the eternal struggle against oppression. They stood like ancient baobabs in the political landscape of Nigeria, their roots intertwined with the fight for equity, their voices thunderous in the corridors of power.

  Expressing the fleetness of life, Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 5 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, intoned that “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale

told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” 

Yet, for all their power and defiance, they too have fallen to the callous hands of death; embraced by the inevitable grasp of mortality. “The death of a righteous man is never the death of his deeds, nor the end of his influence.” This is the paradox of existence: death takes men, but it cannot take away their legacy. It silences voices, but it cannot silence the echoes of the truth they spoke. It buries bodies, but it cannot bury the fire they ignited in the hearts of those they left behind.

Consider the tale of Achilles, the greatest warrior of Greek mythology. He was given a choice: a long, uneventful life or a short life filled with glory that would make his name immortal. He chose the latter, knowing that though his body would perish, his name would be sung in eternity. Like Achilles, Pa Clark and Pa Adebanjo chose the path of impact over the comfort of obscurity. Their names, their struggles, their legacy, will not be forgotten. NEVER!!!

Death, in its arrogance wrongly believes it has silenced them. But can death truly claim victory over men whose legacy outlives their mortal forms? The answer is an emphatic no. Death may take the body, but it cannot take the impact. It may silence the voice, but it cannot silence the ideology. The greatest flaw of death is its inability to erase the echoes of greatness. The African proverb is right that “the dead are not gone; they are only in another room”. As Haruki Murakami once put it, “Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it”. Julius Caesar in Williams Shakespeare’s epic by the same title, “Julius Caesar” defanged death when he refused the entreaties of Calpurnia, his wife not to go to the Capital for fear of being assassinated by the conspirators. He shredded death thus, “No, Caesar shall not.  Danger knows full well that Caesar is more dangerous than he. We are two lions littered in one day, and I the elder and more terrible”. (Act 2 Scene 2).

CHIEF EDWIN CLARK, THE LION OF THE NIGER DELTA

This Nationalist spent all his life in ceaseless advocacy, ensuring that his people were not reduced to mere spectators in a nation built on their resources. He was not just a politician; he was a movement, a force of nature. He spoke for the voiceless, demanded justice for the marginalized, and carried the weight of an entire region’s hopes on his shoulders. Beyond these, his common cliché was “we are all Nigerians” a clear exemplification of this Pan-Nigerianity.

CHIEF AYO ADEBANJO

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, on the other hand, was the embodiment of ideological purity. As a disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he stood firmly by the principles of federalism, free education, and self-determination. His words carried the weight of history. His defiance against injustice never wavered; and his belief in a restructured Nigeria remained unshaken even in his final days. He was, as Marcus Garvey once said, “a lion who did not live to entertain hyenas.”

Yet, death still claimed them as it has claimed countless others before them. Death will still claim more. Its bacchanalian propensity to consume mortals like Bacchus the good of wine is unhinged. The finality of mortality forces a painful question upon us: If even men of such towering stature cannot defy death, then what hope does mankind have? 

But therein lies the irony. True death is not the cessation of breath but the erasure of memory. These men are not truly gone. Their essence remains, immortalized in the ideals they fought for, in the words they spoke, and in the lives they touched.

We are reminded of the African proverb: “A man dies twice. The first is when he breathes his last; the second is when his name is spoken for the last time.” Pa Clark and Pa Adebanjo, by virtue of their works, have ensured that the second death shall never come. Their names will be inscribed in the annals of history; their voices will continue to echo through the ages. In the grand battle between mankind and death, memory is the battlefield. And men like Clark and Adebanjo never truly lose out.

THE GIANTS AND THEIR ETERNAL STRUGGLES

To understand the lives of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and Chief Ayo Adebanjo is to understand the very fabric of Nigeria’s history, its triumphs and tragedies, its betrayals and its resilience. These were not men who merely lived through history; they made history themselves. They were not silent observers; they were architects of change and warriors in the relentless fight for justice.

Yet, even the greatest of warriors must one day lay down their swords. The passing of these two titans forces us to confront the painful reality that no man, no matter how powerful, can defeat the tyranny of time. It is as the Bible states in Ecclesiastes 9:11, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.”

But if time has claimed their mortal frames, it has not diminished their impact. Death has never been able to claim greatness. It has tried throughout the ages but failed abysmally. Silencing Socrates did not kill philosophy. Crucifying Christ did not end Christianity. Assassinating Martin Luther King Jr. did not halt the civil rights movement killing Adaka Boro and Ken Saro Wiwa did not end Niger Delta agitation. Likewise, the passing of Chief Clark and Chief Adebanjo will not end their struggle.

EDWIN CLARK: THE INDOMITABLE VOICE OF THE NIGER DELTA

The story of Edwin Clark is the story of a man who refused to be silent or silenced. His life was defined by resistance, relentless advocacy and the ceaseless fight for equity. From his earliest days, he knew that the Niger Delta, despite being the economic heartbeat of Nigeria, had been condemned to perpetual marginalization and squalor. Oil flowed beneath the feet of his people, yet poverty sat on their shoulders. Their land was rich, but their lives were poor. There is water everywhere, but like in the ancient Marina, none fit enough to drink. Clark refused to accept this as man-imposed destiny.

He fiercely championed resource control, fiscal federalism and the rights of the marginalized, knowing that freedom is never freely given but must be fought for and won. His voice thundered in political arenas; his presence was felt in the highest echelons of power; and his influence shaped the policies that sought to address the inequities of his time.

One of Pa Clark’s defining moments was the 2005 National Political Reform Conference, where he led the South South Delegates Forum in one of the most historic protests against the injustice of oil revenue allocation. When Northern delegates refused to allow an 18% derivation formula for oil-producing states, Clark led a mass walkout. This was not just a political maneuver; it was an act of defiance, a statement that injustice must never be negotiated, tolerated but must be rejected. I was the spokes person for the entire South South delegates at the Conference.

A true leader does not retreat, and Clark never did. Even at 97, Pa Clark was still on television screen, pontificating, advocating, teaching, directing and crusading for good governance, restructuring and strong Nigerian nation. His life was a testament to the words of the legendary poet Dylan Thomas, who wrote: “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Clark never surrendered to injustice. And though death has claimed him, his voice will continue to echo in every struggle for equity in Nigeria. His light will continue to illuminate dark paths towards national regurgimento, restructuring, equity, egalitarianism and social justice.  

AYO ADEBANJO: THE ETERNAL FLAME OF IDEOLOGY

If Chief Edwin Clark was a warrior for the Niger Delta and enthronement of justice in the Nigerian space, Chief Ayo Adebanjo was a lion of ideological purity. In a world where political leaders switch allegiances as easily as changing tissue papers, Chief Ayo Adebanjo remained unwavering in his ideological beliefs. From his earliest days in the Action Group, under the mentorship of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Adebanjo embraced a set of principles that would define his entire life-true federalism, free education, regional autonomy, and social justice. While many leaders evolved into political opportunists, Adebanjo remained a true disciple and guardian of Awolowo’s ideals, unshaken by the temptations of power.

Pa Adebanjo was imprisoned, harassed and exiled; yet he never compromised. In 1993, when the military annulled MKO Abiola’ selection, Adebanjo was at the forefront of NADECO (National Democratic Coalition), risking his limbs and life to demand the restoration of democracy. He was not one for silent negotiations; his brand of politics was radical, bold and unapologetic. "There is no diplomacy in truth," he often said.

Chief Adebanjo’s fearless advocacy extended into his old age. In his 90s, he was still one of the loudest voices demanding the restructuring of Nigeria. While younger politicians hesitated or defected, fearful of repercussions, Adebanjo spoke with fire and clarity, insisting that Nigeria’s survival depended on true federalism. His courage reminds us of Winston Churchill’s words: “To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do something unique to them and their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for what could have been their finest hour.”

Adebanjo did not just seize his moment; he made sure every moment of his life was dedicated to fighting for justice. If Edwin Clark and Ayo Adebanjo have taught us anything, it is that death’s greatest weakness is its inability to erase legacy. It is said that when Alexander the Great lay on his deathbed, he ordered his generals to carry his coffin with his hands stretched out. When asked why, he said: “Let the world see that even the greatest conqueror leaves this world empty-handed.” 

But some men do not leave empty-handed. They leave behind them movements, ideas, ideologies, revolutions and a generation greatly inspired to carry on their good works. That is the difference between ordinary men and legends. Clark and Adebanjo were legends.

Death thought it could silence Chief Clark and Chief Adebanjo, but death has yet failed. It could not erase or silence names which are now immortal, etched into the pages of Nigeria’s history. Their ideas and ideals will live on in the youthful activists who demand a just Nigeria; in the communities that still fight for fairness; and in the common people who refuse to accept oppression as their fate.

Therefore, even as we mourn these two legends, we must recognize that they have won the only battle that matters-the battle against irrelevance; against obscurity. Surely, their bodies will rest, but their fight continues.

DEFYING DEATH THROUGH LEGACY 

As I reflect on the passing of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, I am struck by one immutable truth: death may take the man, but it cannot take his legacy. The true measure of a life is not in its duration but in its impact. These two titans of justice and democracy may have departed, but their spirits remain embedded in the struggles they fought and the victories they secured. The philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said, “What we do now echoes in eternity.” And indeed, Chiefs Clark and Adebanjo lived lives that will echo far beyond their years. They were not merely politicians; they were symbols of defiance, embodiments of truth, and sentinels of justice who challenged impunity and spoke truth to power.

Their deaths, like those of all great men, force us to ask: What remains after the body has returned to dust? What is the true test of immortality? If it is in the endurance of one's impact, then these men have conquered death itself.

MY PERSONAL ENCOUNTERS WITH PA ADEBANJO

I have had the rare privilege of knowing and working closely alongside these giants in their lifetime. My undiluted respect for them is not borne out of distant admiration, but from personal experience; from standing in the trenches with them in the many battles for a better Nigeria. Of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, I had earlier written with conviction thus:

“Chief Ayo Adebanjo is truly one of the very last of the Mohicans – the last men standing. Here’s wishing and praying that he outlives his father and continues well beyond his 100-year anniversary in good health, fine cheer, and peace that passeth all understanding."

(https://www.google.com/search?q=CHIEF+AYO+ADEBANJO%253A+A+MEMBER+OF+THE+DWINDLING+MOHICANS; https://mikeozekhomeschambers.com/chief-ayo-adebanjo-a-member-of-the-dwindling-mohicans/,  

Papa Adebanjo’s passing is therefore not just a personal loss but a national one. He was more than a political figure; he was an ideologue, a moral force in a landscape often devoid of conscience. He lived not for himself but for the idea of a fair and just Nigeria, and his unyielding advocacy for restructuring will not be forgotten. While he fought from the NADECO flank, I fought from the human rights and pro-democracy odeon. We always converged towards achieving common goals of having a better and more equitable Nigeria.  

MY PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH PA CLARK

My encounter with Pa Edwin Clark was equally profound. I remember vividly the 2005 National Political Reform Conference, where I was entrusted with the role of Publicity Secretary and Spokesperson for the South-South Delegates Forum. It was there that I saw first hand Clark’s brilliance, his uncommon courage and defiance; and his ability to command respect from all and sundry. He was the undisputed leader of the South-South Delegation, and under his guidance and leadership of a field Marshal, we fought for a well-structured federation; for devolution of power; and for a fair derivation formula for oil-producing states.

Thus, when our proposal of a modest 18% derivation was rejected by the Northern delegates who said the South-South should even be grateful for 13% it was having, Clark led the historic walkout; an event that has since been termed the “First Walkout” in Nigeria's conference history. It was a moment of historic reckoning, a statement that the oppression of the oil-bearing communities of the Niger Delta would not go unanswered. I stood with him, alongside other progressive minds, as we challenged the status quo and demanded justice and fairness. That was the kind of man Pa Clark was-fearless, courageous, bold, unrelenting and unbowed.

Pa was a father to all; a mentor; a scholar; and an activist who led from the front. He loathed sycophancy, servility and political opportunism. You either loved him passionately or hated him malevolently, but never could you ignore him.

THE FINAL DEFIANCE: A LEGACY THAT CANNOT BE BURIED

It is often said that “a man dies twice: once when his body ceases to function, and again when his name is spoken for the last time.” If that is true, then Clark and Adebanjo will never truly die. Their names will be spoken for generations to come, their contributions studied in classrooms, and their courage invoked by young activists who refuse to accept a Nigeria that is anything less than just.

Like Moses leading the Israelites through the Red Sea, they parted the waters of oppression and repression, clearing a path of for those who would come after them. Like Socrates drinking the hemlock, they stood by their convictions even when the price was too high. And like Mandela in Robben Island, they fought a system designed to silence them and won.

If death thought it could erase them, it has grossly miscalculated. For their works remain; their speeches still resonate; their ideas still shape the destiny of Nigeria.

It is a cruel paradox of existence that we must often celebrate greatness in the shadow of its departure. That we must find words to honor titans whose very absence renders language inadequate. But if time is the great equalizer, then it is also the thief of presence. It robs us of our icons, leaving us with only echoes of wisdom where once stood the steadfast guardians of justice. And yet, not all echoes fade.

As I write this elegy for two legends, my heart is heavy and sad for Nigeria; but my resolve is strengthened. The best way to honour them is not through words but through action. To those of us who remain, their deaths must not mark the end of their battles; it must mark their rebirth in those of us left behind.

They have passed the torch to us. It is now our duty to ensure that their labours and sacrifices are not in vain.

Rest well, Chief Edwin Clark.

Rest well, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Solana (SOL) has demonstrated resilience, rebounding to trade at approximately $144 on Wednesday, signifying a nearly 7% recovery in just 24 hours.

This upward movement follows a steep 15% drop from recent highs, underscoring the inherent volatility of the cryptocurrency market.

Contributing factors include large-scale profit-taking, macroeconomic fluctuations, and developments within the Solana ecosystem.

Profit-Taking Triggers a 15% Decline  

On-chain data points to a significant profit-taking event as the primary catalyst for the recent price drop. Glassnode analytics reveals that Solana’s “Realized Profit” indicator spiked on Monday, reaching an hourly value of $257 million.

• This surge coincided with Bitcoin’s climb toward $180, prompted by President Trump’s announcement of a Crypto Strategic Reserve incorporating SOL. Investors swiftly liquidated their SOL holdings, securing short-term profits.
• Interestingly, Glassnode’s findings highlight that 99% of the $255 million profit-taking originated from investors holding SOL for merely one day to one week. This indicates that opportunistic, short-term traders capitalized on the price surge induced by the announcement, leading to substantial downward pressure and a correction to around $136.
• Despite price fluctuations and a cooling memecoin market, Solana’s Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) continue to thrive. According to DeFiLlama, Solana has maintained its leading position in DEX volume for five consecutive months, generating $109 billion in February—24% more than Ethereum and nearly 300% higher than Arbitrum. Key contributors include Raydium ($41 billion), Meteora ($25 billion), and Orca ($22 billion).

While memecoin platform volumes, such as Pump.fun, saw a sharp 63% decline from January to February, overall trade activity remains robust. This shift toward stablecoins and renewed DeFi activity positions Solana as a dominant force within the decentralized finance landscape. Notably, Solana accounts for 54% of market activity and has generated $285 million in app revenue, surpassing all other blockchain platforms combined.

What you should know 

Looking ahead, Solana is poised to implement critical protocol upgrades aimed at enhancing network sustainability.

• Two Solana Improvement Documents (SIMDs), 0123 and 0228, are scheduled for validator voting in March. SIMD 0123 proposes prioritizing stakers with fee incentives to improve on-chain transaction performance and boost staking rewards.
• Meanwhile, SIMD 0228 focuses on adjusting SOL’s inflation rate to inversely correlate with the staked supply, potentially reducing token dilution and selling pressure.

However, these developments have sparked debate. Asset manager VanEck warns that these changes could diminish validator income by up to 95%, potentially impacting smaller operations and raising concerns about network security and decentralization.

While reducing inflation aligns with long-term goals of sustainability, the trade-off may pose challenges in the short to medium term.

[Nairametrics]

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, presided over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House in Abuja.

Naija News reports Wednesday’s FEC meeting is the second for the week after the one earlier held on Monday.

On Monday, the council approved several memos, including the one for the completion of the Oyo-Ogbomoso road project and the license approval for new private universities in the country.

The agenda of today’s meeting is yet to be revealed, but the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at the end of the last meeting, had indicated that another meeting of the council was scheduled for today.

At the commencement of today’s meeting, the council honoured two former members who passed on recently with a minute of silence.

Those honoured were the first female Minister, Adenike Oyagbola, who served under late Shehu Shagari’s administration and late Chief Edwin Clark, who was a Federal Commissioner for Education and later Information.

The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

In other news, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has denied describing the recent Supreme Court ruling on the political crisis in Rivers State as reckless.

Peter Obi, in a statement on Wednesday, clarified that even if the Supreme Court ruling is not agreeable to him, he couldn’t have described it as reckless.

Naija News reports the former Anambra State Governor made the clarification following some reports claiming he described the verdict of the apex court on Rivers State as reckless.

Obi, however, explained that his submissions were misinterpreted and taken out of context.

[NaijaNews]

Rivers State deputy governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, says she has not resigned.

In a trending video on social media, it was reported that the deputy governor resigned as a result of intense pressure.

In a statement which her press secretary, Owupele Benebo, issued on her behalf, on Wednesday, she said contrary to the viral social media video the deputy governor has remained committed to her responsibility.

“The Office of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State wishes to categorically debunk the false and misleading reports circulating online suggesting that Her Excellency, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, DSSRS, has resigned.

“Contrary to these baseless claims, Her Excellency remains committed to her duties as Deputy Governor, a position she was duly elected to serve alongside His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State .

“As a seasoned public servant and academic, Prof. Odu is dedicated to supporting the Governor in his efforts to deliver dividends of democracy to the good people of Rivers State.

” Her exemplary leadership and expertise have been invaluable to the administration, and she remains steadfast in her commitment and support to His Excellency Sir Dr. Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS,” Owupele Benebo stated in the press statement.

The statement urged the public to disregard , “the unfounded reports, which are clearly the product of malicious speculation.”

[DailyTrust]

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the final of the 2026 World Cup will feature a half-time show for the first time in the tournament’s history.

Infantino also revealed on Wednesday that the World Cup would “take over” Times Square during the final and third-place match.

The introduction of a half-time show will see the World Cup adopt a tradition similar to the spectacle at the Super Bowl.

Next year’s competition will be held across 16 cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

“I can confirm the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York/New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen,” Infantino wrote on his personal Instagram.

“This will be a historic moment for the World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”

[Daily Post]

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) has fixed August 9, 2025 to hold fresh local government elections following the Supreme Court’s judgement that sacked the local government chairmen and councilors.

The Chairman of RSIEC, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), released the new date on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt.

Enebeli said the decision was in line with the last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment, which nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections conducted by his commission.

He said: “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission by Section 5 of the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018, and all other enabling provisions, the commission hereby provides guidelines for political parties, stipulating rules and procedures for electioneering campaigns.

“The commission, therefore, announces that local government council elections will hold on Saturday, August 9, 2025, in all 23 local government areas of Rivers state.”

[TheNation]

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions on Wednesday, which is investigating her conduct during last week’s plenary session.

The female lawmaker had previously engaged in a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat allocation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused Akpabio of publicly humiliating her and obstructing her motions and bills on the Senate floor.

Her refusal to accept the new seating arrangement led to the Senate President denying her the opportunity to speak during the session.
In response, the Senate referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

At the committee meeting, the Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen (PDP, Edo South), expressed disappointment over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s absence, stating, “Senator Natasha was duly invited to this meeting. We hope she will join us as we continue.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi lawmaker had yet to arrive for the hearing.

Details later…

[Punch]