Category: Metro

Governor Otu intervenes, Orders Withdrawal of Complaint, Discontinuation of Case Against Denis Odama

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Photo: Governor Otu By Mandy Park Cross River State Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, has directed the withdrawal of a complaint against Denis Odama, a young Cross Riverian who was reported to the Police by some of his aides over what the Governor described as a “derogatory and insidious” statement against his person. The directive was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the governor. The Facebook post reads: “I have been fully briefed on the case involving Denis Odama, a young Cross Riverian who was…

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US Lifts 12-Year Entry Restriction on Nigerian Vessels says Oyetola 

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Photo: Adegboyega Oyetola By Mandy Park The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted a 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels calling at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development on Tuesday, describing it as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector. The restriction, introduced in June 2014, required vessels that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to undergo additional security measures and enhanced scrutiny before entering US waters.…

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OPINION: Mandatory Fortification of Bouillon Cubes: A Threat to Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria

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Photo :Bukola Olukemi-Odele By: Bukola Olukemi-Odele A recent narrative circulating across public health and media spaces—exemplified by reports from food corporations and their allies —advocates mandatory fortification of seasoning cubes with iron, zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to fight against anaemia and neural tube defects in pregnancy. According to these advocates, fortified seasoning cubes, which are consumed in almost every Nigerian home, could become an effective vehicle for delivering essential vitamins and minerals to pregnant women across the country, helping to reduce the country’s high prevalence of anaemia among…

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CIAPS to Host Dr Adache, Lesotho-Based Columnist

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Photo: CIAPS Director, Prof Kila By Mandy Park The Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) is set to host Lesotho-based columnist, Dr Sunny A. Adache, at a special Meet-the-Author event scheduledd to be hel in Lagos on Friday, 21 August 2026. The event, which begins at 11:00 a.m will take place at the CIAPS Auditorium, 5 Akinola Cole Crescent, off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos Dr. Adache, a columnist based in Lesotho, will engage participants in a conversation around his books, writing and experiences as a writer working within…

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Abia Cooperative Farmers Raise Alarm Over Alleged Neglect, Appeal to Otti, Agriculture Commissioner

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Photo : Abia Governor Dr Alex Otti By Mandy Park Members of the Divine Ventures Farm Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Limited, Umuahia, Abia State, have raised the alarm over what they described as persistent neglect and unfair treatment by the state Ministry of Agriculture. The cooperative, which said it has more than 40 members, alleged that despite being duly registered with the Abia State Government and participating in agricultural programmes organised by the state, its members have repeatedly been excluded from empowerment initiatives and agricultural inputs distributed to other cooperative societies.…

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Ocean Surge Disaster: 20 Ilaje Communities Threaten 2027 Election Boycott Over Govt Neglect

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…. Demand Shoreline Protection, Emergency Intervention By: Mandy Park Twenty coastal communities in the oil-producing parts of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State have threatened to boycott the 2027 general elections if the Federal and Ondo State governments fail to intervene to protect them from the devastating ocean surge threatening their existence. In a statement following a peaceful protest to the local government headquarters in Igbokoda, the communities said the advancing Atlantic Ocean had swallowed large parts of their settlements. They demanded urgent government intervention, including sea walls, groynes and…

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Lagos Water Concession, Prepaid Meter Expansion Will Deepen Crisis, CAPPA warns • Flags CHEC-Naston MOU

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Photo: By: Mandy Park Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has cautioned the Lagos State Government against plans to place parts of the state’s public water infrastructure under private concession. The organisation described the move as a dangerous retreat from government’s responsibility to provide safe, affordable, and reliable water to residents. The warning follows the state’s signing of a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Naston Engineering Nigeria Limited. The agreement is intended to scope and define components of a water infrastructure programme…

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I mentored Azikel refinery boss Eruani from ‘small boy’ to big businessman — Patience Jonathan

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File: Patience Jonathan Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, has described the Group President of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, as a “small boy” she raised and mentored into the league of Nigeria’s biggest businessmen. She said her guidance was behind his bold entry into big business at a relatively young age. The former First Lady spoke on Tuesday in a video which went viral on Thursday during an inspection tour of the Azikel Refinery in Obunagha, Bayelsa State, alongside other dignitaries. She said she personally introduced Eruani to billionaire businessmen,…

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From Gully Sites to Green Assets: Stakeholders Chart New Path for Anambra’s Climate Resilience

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By Mandy Park The need to transform Anambra State’s persistent environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable development, job creation and economic growth took centre stage at the Anambra Climate Resilience & Erosion Greening Roundtable held virtually on Friday, August 7, 2026. The roundtable, organised by the Anambra Waste Recyclers Association (ASWRA) in collaboration with SWEEP Foundation NG and the Anambra State Ministry of Environment, brought together policymakers, climate advocates, environmental professionals, civil society organisations and stakeholders across the waste and recycling value chain. Held under the theme, “From Gully Sites…

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Gov. Otu approves N355.3m for NIFOR Oil Palm Research Complex

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Senator Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State By  Mandy Park —Facility to boost research, jobs, and Cross River’s oil palm potential Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the release of N355.31 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art Administrative and Laboratory Complex for the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, outstation at Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area. The approval was granted at the State Executive Council meeting following a memorandum presented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo. The project includes modern laboratories,…

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