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Niger Delta Minister Commends NDDC’s ICT Training Program

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Stakeholders, Firm Seek Reforms to Boost Professionalism,

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By Our Reporter
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate industry, alongside Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, have called for urgent reforms to strengthen professionalism, transparency, and investor confidence in the sector.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday in Enugu following the company’s 2026 Mid-Year Seminar/Luncheon, held on Friday, July 3, at Wendy’s Place. The seminar, themed “Next-Level Real Estate Practices,” brought together real estate developers, chief executive officers, realtors, marketers, investors, and other stakeholders from the South-East to examine emerging industry trends, challenges, and practical strategies for sustainable growth.
According to the communiqué, participants unanimously adopted several resolutions after extensive deliberations.
Among the key resolutions was a call for stronger government action against the multiple sale of land. Participants urged the Federal, State, and Local Governments to strengthen land administration policies and impose stringent sanctions on communities and individuals involved in the fraudulent sale of the same parcel of land to multiple buyers.
They noted that such practices continue to erode investor confidence, fuel land-related litigation, and discourage genuine investment in the real estate sector.
The stakeholders also stressed the need to promote professionalism and healthy competition within the industry. They maintained that competition should be driven by integrity, innovation, quality service delivery, and professionalism rather than unhealthy rivalry, misinformation, or actions capable of damaging the reputation of fellow practitioners.
They further encouraged industry leaders to embrace collaboration as a means of promoting collective growth and enhancing public confidence in the sector.
The communiqué also emphasised the importance of honesty and transparency in dealings with clients. Participants urged real estate practitioners to refrain from making false claims, exaggerating property values, misrepresenting estate locations or approvals, or giving unrealistic assurances merely to secure transactions.
They insisted that prospective buyers should be provided with accurate, verifiable, and complete information before making investment decisions.
On service delivery, the seminar called on real estate developers and chief executives to establish effective internal controls to eliminate the overselling or double allocation of plots. Developers were also urged to ensure prompt allocation of purchased lands and timely issuance of all necessary documentation.
According to the communiqué, efficient service delivery is critical to sustaining customer trust and improving the credibility of the industry.
The participants also called on government agencies, industry regulators, professional bodies, community leaders, developers, and practitioners to work together in building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly real estate environment that protects property buyers and supports sustainable national development.
Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical business practices, professional excellence, continuous capacity development, and responsible real estate investment in Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Damian Ogudike and Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, directors of Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, on behalf of the company’s board. It was also drafted and endorsed by the seminar’s resource persons, Mrs. Amaka Dim of Exotic Landlady Estate and Miss Blessing Anene of BuildWise Solution Centre Estate.

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Families Homeless as Fire Razes Two-Storey Building in Enugu (Video)

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By Our Correspondent

ENUGU — Two families were left homeless on Saturday after a fire destroyed two flats in a two-storey building located at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, in Enugu metropolis.

The fire, which started at about 10 a.m., reportedly broke out after the occupants of the affected upper-floor flats had left for their daily activities.

Although the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, eyewitnesses said the inferno completely destroyed household items and other valuables in the affected apartments.

One of the victims, who returned home while the building was engulfed in flames, reportedly collapsed after seeing the extent of the damage. He was revived by sympathisers at the scene.

The victim, said to be an employee of one of the higher institutions in Enugu State and nearing retirement, lamented that years of hard work had been wiped out by the incident.

According to him, the fire destroyed all his household property, including important documents and certificates, leaving him with no option but to relocate his family to his ancestral home.

“All I have worked for all these years is gone,” he said in tears.

No life was lost in the incident, but residents appealed to the Enugu State Government, emergency management agencies and public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of the affected families, even as they urged the authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.

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Nigeria students issue 4-day ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the apex students governing body, has issued a four days ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu by Comrade Amb. Bestman Okereafor, NANS National Executive Director, Cooperate and Private Sectors Engagement.

The statement said that after the expiration of the ultimatum, South African business interests would face full wrath of the over 43.1 million Nigerian students scattered in the nooks and crannies of the country.

“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa.

“As the biggest students body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.

“The reason for this action is simple. South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” it said.

The statement further noted that immediately after expiration of the ultimatum, NANS will consider picketing South Africa business interests, while further actions will follow.”

It called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to take more decisive actions against South Africa for their inimical acts towards other Africans.

“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” it added.

It would be recalled that xenophobic attack by South Africans on other Africans for some months had led to Nigerians being physically assaulted, embarrassed, intimidated, injured and some gruesomely murdered.

Several Nigeria business interests and business premises, owned by law abiding Nigerians in South Africa, had been completely burnt down or destroyed by rampaging South Africans without any justification.

The alleged perpetrators of these crimes had earlier given Nigerians and other Africans an ultimatum of June 30 to leave South Africa.

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had in recent weeks airlifted hundreds of Nigerians, who are willing to leave the unfriendly country and her people, free of charge back to Nigeria.

However, some of those, who returned to Nigeria recently, left South Africa barely with the cloth they put on, losing savings, valuables and businesses they set up or acquired after many years.

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Man Missing Since 2007 Found Alive After Spending 18 Years in Prison Without Trial

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A man identified as Gospel Uebari Kinanee, who disappeared in 2007 at the age of 14, has been found alive after spending 18 years in detention at the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Correctional Centre.

According to reports, Gospel was allegedly taken into custody by suspected security operatives and detained without trial, formal charges, or any case file.

Before his disappearance, he had gone out to play near his home in Ogoni, Rivers State, in 2007 and never returned. His family launched an extensive search, visiting police stations, mortuaries, and even the same correctional facility where he was unknowingly being held. Unable to cope with the uncertainty and anguish, both of his parents reportedly died during the years-long search.

His family and advocates were unable to locate him because he had been wrongly registered by the correctional facility under the name “Baridi Sunday” instead of his real name, Gospel Uebari Kinanee.

His ordeal came to light during a prison outreach programme conducted by the Haven360 Foundation, where he was identified as one of several “ghost prisoners”—individuals detained without proper legal documentation.

Gospel was subsequently released by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, during a jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting correctional facilities.

Now in his 30s, Gospel is reportedly battling severe mental and psychological health challenges following his prolonged detention.

His family is pursuing a ₦10 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government, seeking justice and compensation for his alleged unlawful detention.

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18 LG Chairmen, 22 Exco Members, 28 Aspirants Shun “Kangaroo Grand Entry,” Pledge Loyalty to Anosike

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In a fresh show of solidarity within the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sixteen Local Government Chairmen, twenty-two State Executive Committee members, and twenty-eight aspirants across the state have distanced themselves from what they described as a “kangaroo grand entry,” reaffirming their allegiance to the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike.

The mass show of support comes amid lingering tension in the party following a controversial court process that had sought to challenge Anosike’s leadership , a move the state APC executive had earlier dismissed as a “kangaroo judgment” lacking the backing of genuine party stakeholders.

Sources within the party say the boycotted event, tagged a “Grand Entry,” was organized by a faction opposed to the current leadership, apparently in an attempt to project an alternative structure and challenge the legitimacy of Anosike’s executive. However, the near-total absence of substantive party officials at the event has been read by observers as a clear indication that the rival faction lacks the grassroots backing it claims to have.

In separate statements, the affected chairmen, exco members, and aspirants said their decision to stay away was a deliberate stand against what they called an orchestrated distraction targeted at the “constitutionally recognized” leadership of the party in the state. They restated their commitment to the Anosike-led executive, insisting that the chairman and his team remain the only legitimate authority running the affairs of the APC in Anambra.

Party loyalists argue that the scale of the boycott — spanning local government administration, the state working committee, and aspiring candidates — sends a strong signal about where the balance of support lies within the party’s grassroots structure. They maintain that any parallel structure or gathering outside the recognized leadership amounts to a distraction that will not derail the party’s preparations for the National Assembly, State Assembly, and local government polls.

As of press time, the organizers of the “Grand Entry” have yet to respond publicly to the mass boycott, while the Anosike-led executive is expected to address the development formally in the coming days.

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