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Niger Delta Minister Commends NDDC’s ICT Training Program
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for training 200 youths on computer technology under its skill acquisition programme.
Akpabio stated this yesterday during the graduation ceremony of trainees, drawn from the nine Niger Delta states, in Computer Skills Acquisition programme, at the Law Auditorium of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
The Minister, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Babayo Ardo, said that technology, especially information and communication technology, had changed our world and affected the way we live our lives.
He stated: “We must either adopt and fully embrace it or be left behind by the rest of the world. NDDC made a bold decision to spearhead this. They plan to situate the Niger Delta Region at the centre of such a revolution in Nigeria. What you see today is the product of that decision.”
Akpabio said he was delighted to come to Niger Delta to celebrate the success and milestones being accomplished for the people by the NDDC, stating: “I thank the management and staff of NDDC for giving me this platform to address you, with the conviction that I inspire another crop of bright Niger Deltans.”
The Minister commended the NDDC and other stakeholders in the project ‘Niger Delta’ for their continuous support and encouragement towards building the Niger Delta of “our shared dreams.”
He noted: “Among the significant difficulties of Niger Delta are youth restiveness, unemployment and under employment as well as youth disengagement with the productive sector. The thrust of the Niger Delta Ministry polices and NDDC management vision is to tackle the youth problems.
“The greater their knowledge and skills set, the greater their propensity to work, the more outstanding their productivity, and the greater the nation’s economic well-being.”
He charged the graduating trainees to go out to conquer and succeed, noting: “Failure is not an option. Never rest until you achieve your goals. Resist the temptation to go back to your comfort zone and relapse back to unproductivity and the familiar and convenient mind-set of blaming society and government for misfortunes in life. Knock on all ‘doors’ and assume your ‘doors’ of opportunities will be opened.”
Akpabio said that the common goal was to develop the Niger Delta and make it a preferred place of choice for people to live in, do business, and enjoy their lives. “As Niger Deltans, it is our collective responsibility to make this goal come true. I therefore, implore organisations, both private and public to absorb and engage these graduates as IT professionals,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr Efiong Akwa, said that ceremony may not have taken place but for the intervention of the Minister, who charged the Commission to ensure the conclusion of the ICT training programme.
He said: “I discovered that two years after the training ended, the consultants had not been paid. All the training consultants were also being owed. I immediately informed the Minister and he directed that all our obligations should be expeditiously met, so that these young men and women would begin to enjoy the full benefits embedded in the training.
“When the Commission conceived this programme, we hoped to give the trainees immediate information technology skills as a value added programme to existing educational qualifications. This would empower them towards either establishing small-scale businesses or acquiring enough knowledge to advance further in the IT world.
Akwa said that the Commission’s objectives were to develop the human, as well as the community by providing the youths and indigenes with relevant skills which were required to compete in the work force, as well as provide the opportunities and skills for self-employment.
The other goal, he said, was to provide an avenue for useful engagement and human capital development by providing the youths a viable alternative to unwholesome, disruptive activities. “Ultimately, this would move our people from destructive to constructive engagements,” he said.
Akwa said that the Commission aimed to develop manpower for the Niger Delta, thereby boosting employment, noting that the employment of one person goes a long way in assisting both the individual, the family and the community.
He affirmed: “Altogether, the Commission is graduating 200 youths today, offering them an opportunity to add to the information technology revolution sweeping through the globe. The Niger Delta cannot be left behind. I believe that the future of the Niger Delta region lies in what we do today, by creating the enabling environment for sustainable growth, and preparing the youths to be the best that they can.
The best graduating student from the IICT training, Mr Lawrence Ehime, expressed delight over the training offered to him and his colleagues by the NDDC. He said: “In the past when Niger Delta youths are mentioned, what comes to mind is agitation. I am glad that NDDC has introduced programmes to change the narrative.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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