News
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.”
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
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